Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Milly Snowden (b. 1773)
MSA SC 3520-16424

Biography:

Born in 1773 in Maryland. Likely the daughter of Bob [surname unknown] and Mary Nugent (d. 1822). Three possible siblings: Rev. Eli Nugent (1785-1861), Nellie Nugent, Shadrach Nugent (1790-1861). Probably married to Harry Snowden. Died after 1850.

Milly Snowden was born in Maryland in 1773. She was likely the daughter of Bob and Mary Nugent.1 During her adult life, Milly likely married fellow Montgomery County resident Harry Snowden.2 The two lived near the town of Brookeville, Maryland as early as 1810.3 Milly and Harry were tenants of Brookeville resident Gerard Brooke. While living near Brookeville, Milly worked as a weaver for customers in the area, including Gerard Brooke and his son Richard Brooke.4 Although Harry's whereabouts are unknown after 1822, it is likely Milly stayed in Montgomery County for the remainder of her life, and passed away after 1850.5

Kyle Bacon, DAR Research Fellow, 2012.

Notes:

  1. 1850 United States Federal Census, Cracklin District, Montgomery, Maryland for Milly Snowdon. Roll M432_295, p. 324A, Image 24. This census record indicates that Milly was 77 years of age in 1850; "A Montgomery County Negro 119 Years Old," Maryland Sentinel, 1879, quoted in John Thomas Scharf, History of Western Maryland (Philadelphia: L.H. Everts, 1882), 1:683-684]; "The Moon Man" Dallas Morning News, October 3, 1885 (syndicated from the New York Herald). These two articles highlight Shadrach Nugent, who was most likely Milly's brother. In these articles, which almost entirely consist of Shadrach's testimony, speculative evidence can be found that reveals Milly's relationship to Shadrach.
  2. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Mary Farquhar Green Collection) Account book of Richard Brooke, 1815-1822 [MSA SC 566-1-100, 00/09/06/05]; SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Mary Farquhar Green Collection) Account book of Gerard Brooke, 1802-1821 [MSA SC 566-1-98, 00/09/06/06]. These account records are the only true evidence connecting Milly Snowden to Harry Snowden. In Richard's account record, it is indicated that Milly purchased a barrel of flour "for Harry." In addition, Milly and Harry are recorded in Gerard Brooke's account book performing transactions together.
  3. 1810 United States Federal Census, Montgomery, Maryland for Free Milly. Roll 14, p. 921, Image 0193667; 1810 United States Federal Census, Montgomery, Maryland for Harry Snowden. Roll 14, p. 939, Image 0193667; 1840 United States Federal Census, Cracklin District, Montgomery, Maryland for Emelia Snowdon. Roll 168, p. 241, Image 1156; 1850 United States Federal Census, Cracklin District, Montgomery County for Milly Snowdon, Roll M432_295, p. 324A, Image 24.
  4. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Mary Farquhar Green Collection) Account book of Gerard Brooke, 1802-1821 [MSA SC 566-1-98, 00/09/06/06]; SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Mary Farquhar Green Collection) Account book of Richard Brooke, 1815-1822 [MSA SC 566-1-100, 00/09/06/05]. Transactions between the Brookes (Richard and Gerard) and the Snowdens (Milly and Harry) occur in 1816 and 1822. In these transactions, it is indicated that Milly pays for items such as butter and flour "by weaving 15 yds cloth" and Harry pays by performing manual labor or paying cash.
  5. 1850 United States Federal Census for Milly Snowdon.

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