[Uncorrected OCR of the principal finding aid]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Preface 1
Introduction 1
Col. Charles Ridgely 2
Capt. Charles Ridgely 2
Rebecca [Dorsey) Ridgely 5
Charles [Carnan] Ridgely 3
John Ridgely 6
Eliza E. [Ridgely) Ridgely 7
Nicholas Greenberry Ridgely 7
Eliza [Ridgely] White Buckler 8
Charles Ridgely 9
Nargaretta S. [Howard) Ridgely 10
Eliza Ridgely 10
Nargaretta S. Ridgely 11
John Ridgely(l85l-1938) 11
Helen West [Stewart) Ridgely 11
Genealogical Chart 14
Ridgely Account Book~ Ms. 691 16
Container List 19
Ridgely Papers Ms 692 23
Container List 29
Ridgely Papers Ms 692.1 31
Container List 34
Ridgely-Pue Papers Ms 693 35
Container List 39
Ridgely Fanily Papers Ms. 1127 40
Container List 45
Helen West [Stewart) Ridgely Papers Ms. 715 46
Container List 48
Helen West [Stewart) Ridgely Family Papers Ms 715.1 49
Container List 52
Ridgely-Stewart Papers Ms. 716 53
Container List ° 57
Ridgely-Dorsey Papers Ms. 717 58
Container List 6o
Index 61
PREFACE
°1
The Maryland Historical Society has 9 major collect£ons with papers pertaining
to Ridgely family members. The papers in these 9 collections have been brought to-
gether because the people represented were all descendents of Robert Ridgely and,
after 1789, all lived part of their lives at the family estate "Hampton" in Baltimore
County. The papers were given to the Maryland Historical Society in small groups
from 1935 until 1966, and each group was then given a separate manuscript number.
The papers, however, appear to have all come from "Hampton" (with the exception of the
Ridgely-Pue Papers). Therefore, these papers are most understandable if studied as
a whole.
The purpose of this register is to do just that. By discussing all 9 collections
together it is hoped the original order of the papers will become clear. Because
much research has been done on the collections as 9 separate entities, these artificial
collections have been retained. This register will attempt to relate each collection
to the others so that researchers can more easily find pertinent materials.
The Introduction will give a brief biographical sketch of each Ridgely family
member represented. These sketches will also direct researchers to materials in all
9 collections that deal with each individual. Following the Introduction will be a
separate register for each of the 9 collections. Each register has a scope and con-
tent note, a description of each family member's papers in that collection, and a
container list. There is also a name index to the Introduction and nine registers.
1 - Ridgely Account Books MS. 691; Ridgely Papers MS. 692 and MS. 692.1;
Ridgely-Pue Papers MS. 693; Ridgely Fanily Papers MS. 1127; Helen West
Stewart Ridgely Collection MS. 715; Helen Ridgely Family Papers MS. 715.1;
Ridgely-Stewart Papers MS. 716; Ridgely-Dorsey Papers Ms: 717.
MS. 691 Ridgely Account Books
Scope and Content Note
In October 1977 the Ridgely Account Books were reorganized. The categories
remain the same as the old organization, but those listed "miscellaneous" have
been integrated into the categories. The cumbersome alpha-numeric system has been
dispensed with. The categories under which the collection has been arranged are as
follows: Col. Charles Ridgely (170213-1772) Records; Nqrthampton Furnace Records;
Capt. Charles Ridgely (1733t -1790) Records; Macdonald & Ridgely Records; Eliza
E. [Ridgely] Ridgely Records; John Ridgely Records; Charles Ridgely Records;~}amd
Samuel Sterett Records.
Col. Charles Ridgely Records
Col. Charles Ridgely (1702/3-1772) was a merchant in [Patapsco, Md.). His
records (1732-1755), 10 volumes, are the ledgers and daybooks from his store.
Northap~t~Fpr.nace Records
These records (1772-1827) are ledgers, journals, daybooks, time books, and iron-
ware record books recording output. There is one ledger (1782-1785) labelled Ridgely's
Forge and possibly refers to Northampton Furnace. It is in Box 2.
Most records deal with the furnace's management, but some reveal information
about the workers. The time books (1775-1827) are monthly records of amounts of time
worked. There is also a "description of white servants" which was written in 1772 to
aid identification of runaways. An account (1772-1775) records clothing alotted
workers. There are also 3 account books (1784-1788) for a blacksmith and carpenter.
The workers' accounts for food and liquor [at a company store?] night be the
accounts in 7 ledgers (1785-1821) in Boxes 25 and 26. A similar ledger of groceries
and liquor (1780-1782) is in MS. 1127 Box 5, and 2 other ledgers (1787-1791) are in
17
MS. 716, Box 6. Account books in Capt. Charles Ridgely's hand were separated
from the Northampton Furnace Records, but some of these ledgers (Boxes 19-24)
night belong with the grocery ledgers mentioned above.
Capt. Charles Ridgely Records
In addition Ridgely's partnership in Northampto~nhe imported large quantities
of English goods to Maryland. He bought the goods from English merchants through
various agents especially James Russell, William Molleson, and Mildred & Roberts.
He repaid the agents with cargoes of pig iron, tobacco, and lumber.
While the records of Ridgely's Northampton furnace activities are in the North-
ampton Furnace Record books (Boxes 3-15), the account books listed in his name
(Boxes 16-24) appear to refer solely to his mercantile activities and his personal
accounts. (There is a chance, however, some of the Charles Ridgely ledgers, Boxes
C
19-24 do deal with furnace accounts.) The mercantile records consist of daybooks,
journals, ledgers, and cashbooks. He formed several partnerships over the years,
-j V
and there are records of his final partnership Ridgely & L*u. These account books
seem to record Ridgely's business transactions, but some ledgers list the number of
hogs slaughtered annually and others list personal transactions.
Nicholas C. Ridgely
Nicholas C. Ridgely (1771-1829) was the father of Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely.
He was a grocery merchant in the Baltimore firm of Macdonald & Ridgely. The account
books of this firm consist only one one ledger (1797) and 3 journals (1797-1801,
1821-23). There are 2 letterbooks (1819-1839) which shed more light on the firm s
extensive business especially with customers in Ohio and Tennessee. These letterbooks
complement Nicholas C. Ridgely1 s incoming letters in MS. 692.
Eliza E. Ridgely Records
Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely (1803-1867) married her distant relative John
Ridgely of Hampton (1792-1867). Her records consist of a clothing record for
servants at Hampton and 3 volumes (1838-1848) of personal and household expenses.
One of these volumes (travel account book, 1846-1847) has a brief description of
her treatment at a water cure establishment in Austria.
John Ridgely Records
The records of John Ridgely (1792-1867) are 2 ledgers (1829-1870) of accounts
with [Hampton?] workers and 2 memoranda books (1830-1871) listing cash he spent
1830-1867. The second memoranda book appears to have been kept for John by his
eat son Charles and is continued by Charles until 1871.
Charles Ridgely Records
Charles Ridgely was the son of Eliza E. and John Ridgely. His records are a
memoranda book (1850-1865) and an account of farm [Hampton] expenses (1864-1870).
Samuel Sterett Records
Samuel Sterett (1756-1833) was a [nephew?j of Capt. Charles Ridgely and was a
notary public. His records are 12 volumes of notarized documents. They deal with
protested bank notes for the Bank of Maryland, Bank of Baltimore, the Office of
Discount and Deposit, and the Mechanics Bank.1¾ The bills and receipts pertain to his
personal finances and those of Macdonald and Ridgely. See Box 12 for unidentified
bills and receipts that could belong to Nicholas C. Ridgely.
Ridgely died in 1829, and his business partner Alexander Macdonald' was the
executor of his estate. Macdonald's correspondence and receipts pertaining to the
settlement of the estate are in Box 10.
Charles Ridgely Papers
Charles Ridgely (1830-1872) was the son of John and Eliza H. Ridgely. There
are few of his papers in the collection. Those that exist include cancelled checks
(1867-1869, ca. 50 items). Charles had been living in Europe prior to his death in
1872, and there are nunerous London nerchants-'--bwlls- and- reqeipes (1870-1871, ca.
100 items) to his wife Margaretta S. Ridgely.
Ridgely Land Papers
The collection includes about two hundred documents relating to land owned by
the Ridgely family. Most of the land was in Baltimore County and the city of Baltimore.
These papers are arranged chronologically and span the period 1664-1850 with the bulk
from 1720-1850.
Peripheral Ridgely Papers
There is a group of papers in the collection that cannot be identified as
belonging to any of the Ridgely fanily members mentioned above. These papers, there-
fore, have been filed separately in Box 12.
These include records concerning the Maryland Militia in 1794 and 1807-1809.
The records are lists of officers and privates (1794, n.d.), militia company returns
(1807-1808), and a list of men drafted (1809). There is also a copy of a letter
(April 1781) from Willian Livingston to Samuel Huntington concerning Gen. Clinton's
departure for Delaware.
There are also two accounts (1759, 1761) of Willian Ridgely (son of Robert),
three accounts (1785) of Col. Charles Ridgely, and a group of unidentified bills
and receipts probably related to Capt Charles, Charles [Carnan], and Nicholas C.
Ridgely.
John [Carnan] Ridgel9's 1806 school book while at St. Mary's College is also
in the collection. There are three letters of a Charles Ridgely (1845, 1860s). Other
Ridgely items include a deposition (1746) concerning Northampton; two lists of slaves
owned (1780s, 1840s); two bills of sale (1818, 1832) for the sale of slaves; two
architectural elevations, one of row-houses on Cana1~,Street and another of an uni-
dentified house; and N.G. Starkwetber's floor plan for Mr. White's villa in Towson.
Janes P. Erskine was in business with an Hichelberger, a relative of Mrs.
Nicholas C. Ridgely, and there are about thirty of his letters (1834-1840) concerning
the business.
MS. 692 CONTAINER LIST
Box 1 Charles Ridgely Correspondence 1757-1784 ittul I
Box 2 Charles Ridgely Correspondence 1785-1786 tNetI Q
Box 3 Charles Ridgely Correspondence 1787-1790, n.d. kqu\
Indentured Servant Contracts 1782
List of Hirelings at Northampton Furnace - 1786
Laws Passed, April 1782 Session 1782
Confiscated Property Papers 1783, 1787
Turnpike Law Papers 1785, 1787
Plan of Land Valuation to Equalize Tax [1786]
Estate Papers m.d.
Legal Memoranda 1780's
Box 4 Charles Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1758-1791, m.d. ~Q%I $
Box 5 Charles [Carnan] Ridgely Correspondence 1790-1811, n.d. fl~t(
Advertisements For Runaway Negro 1791
Contract to Find Coal 1801
Catalog of Belongings at Hampton 1829
Extract of Will m.d.
Legal Papers 1804-1814
Charles [Carman] Ridgely Estate 1831
2ok 6 Charles [Carmam] Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1784-1820, m.d. frt~t
-Box 7 Nicholas C. Ridgely Correspondence 1799-1823 k'tut 7
Box 8 Nicholas C. Ridgely Correspondence 1824-1829, m.d. kq'uI
Eliza [Eichelberger] Ridgely Letters 1799-1800
Nicholas C. Ridgely Wills 1817, 1820, 1822
Legal Papers m.d.
Powers of Attorney m.d.
Memoranda m.d.
Gettysburg & Petersburg Turnpike Papers 1825
Reisterstown Road Stockholders List 1820
Transfer of Property 1824
Union Bank of Maryland vs. Nicholas C. Ridgely m.d.
Box 9 Nicholas C. Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1793-1819 k~eIp 9 +
Box 10 Nicholas C. Ridgely Bills and Receipts l82O--l829,cn.d.k~uIs II,
Nicholas C. Ridgely Estate Correspondence 1829-1836 kuu\ L~
Nicholas C. Ridgely Estate Bills and Receipts 1830-1834
Nicholas C. Ridgely Estate, Ground Rents m.d.
Box 11 Nicholas Ridgely and Alexander
McDonald vs Sanuel and
Thomas Chase re Chase's Wharf 1816-1826 W~ut '3
Box12 Maryland Militia Papers l794-1809,'n.d. kz~l
William Ridgely Accounts 1759-1761
Col. Charles Ridgely Accounts 1785-
Unidentified Bills and Receipts' -
John Carnan Ridgely School
Book, St. Mary's College - 1806
Charles G. Ridgely Letter 1845
Deposition re Northampton 1746
List of Slaves - [1780's, l840's]
Bill of Sale for Slaves- 1818, 1832
Architectural Drawings (oversize) n.d.
Pdems ca. 1865, n.d.
Insurance Policies 1818-1819
Fragments m.d.
James P. Erskine Correspondence 1834-1840
Otbo W. Eichelberger Letters 1846-1855
Eichelberger Insurance Policies 1810-1872
Matbew Smith et al. 1781
William Livington Letter 1781
William Andrew Will 1782
McHenry to John Caldwell 1789
Louis Gassawav to Samuel Moale 1822
Gagneau Freres to 1853
Agreement re Sale of Shot and Small Bar Lead [182O's?]
List of Stereopticon Views ca. 1814
Advertisement re a Lost Horse 1785
Index to Account Book n.d.
Medicinal Recipe n.d.
Letter re Vaccination m.d.
John Ridgely of Hanpton Legal Papers 1831, 1846, 1852
John Ridgely of Hampton Bills and Receipts 1829-1845
t'~,,,\ 15
Box13 John Ridgely of Hampton Bills and Receipts 1846-1861, n.Y'1"'
Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely Bills andReceipts 1817-1859
Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely Account Books 1849-1853 ':5?
Charles Ridgely (1829-1872) CancelledChecks 1867-1869
Margaretta S. Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1870-1871
Box14 Ridgely Land Papers 1664-1809
Box15 Ridgely Land Papers 1810-1850, n.d.
31
RIDGELY PAPERS Ms. 692.1
Scope and Content Note
These papers are an addition to those in MS. 692. The papers in this collection
are largely those of Capt. Charles Ridgely and deal with his earlier career as sea
captain and merchant. There are a few papers pertaining to Charles [Carnan] Ridgely.
Captain Charles Ridgely Papers
Ridgely's papers in this collection supplement those in MS. 692. They deal
primarily with the years 1757-1778. Ridgely began his career as a mariner and had
reached the rank of Captain by 1757. He sailed ships for London merchants bringing
cargoes of pig iron and tobacco or lumber from the colonies to London. Sailing was
his only avocation until 1761 when he formed a partnership with his father Col. Charles
and brother John to build the Northampton Furnace. His time was increasingly spent
with the iron works especially after his brother's death in 1771 and his father's in
1772. He did continue to buy goods from London merchants paying with shipments of
pig iron and tobacco until the Revolution.
This portion of Ridgely's papers is almost exclusively concerned with Ridgely's
mercantile pursuits although there are a few items relating to the Northampton
Furnace, Ridgely's political career in Baltimore County, and his home "Hampton."
Ridgely's papers in MS 692.1 consist of incoming letters with some drafts of
his replies (1757-1790, ca. 300 items), bills and receipts (1757-1789, ca. 400 items),
and land and legal papers (1759-1789, ca. 100 items).
The letters are concentrated in the years 1757-1778. During this period Ridgely
acted alone or as Ridgely & Coodwin (1767), or as Ridgely, McLure, & Coodwin (ca.
1770-1773). The letters are business letters dealing with shipments of goods and
methods of payment. Ridgely frequently was unable to pay his debts to London merchants,
and there are letters requesting payment. The London merchants he dealt with most
frequently were James Russell, William Molleson, John Buchanan, and the firm
Mildred & Roberts. These letters reveal much about colonial trade in the 1760s and
1770s.
Two topics outside routine trade arrangements were land and guns. There is
frequent correspondence between Ridgely and James Russell over "Affinity", a tract
of 1500 acres on the Gunpowder River, that Russell purchased for Ridgely from John
Hyde. This dispute was under discussion throughout the 1760s. Letters from
William Molleson during 1765-1768 discuss procuring guns and shot for Ridgely.
The few letters in this collection that do not concern mercantile activities
deal with Northampton Furnace and Baltimore County politics.
The letters concerning the Northampton Furnace include 2 from Col. Charles (1765)V
to his sons and 2 from John Ridgely 1768, 1769. There are 2 letters, l777~and l780~-
from doctors for the iron works. In 1777 Dr. Rangle Pulse detailed the reasons
he was leaving Ridgely's employ. Included were Ridgely's poor treatment of his
workers and Rebecca Ridgely's inept attempts at medical practice. Pulse's indenture
and will are in Box 6. In the 1780s there are several letters referring to the
furnace from Ridgely's employees John Sterett and Daniel Sheredine.
The 4 letters concerning Baltimore County politics cempliment those letters in
MS. 692. Samuel Chase wrote Ridgely in 1778 asking him to oppose an unnamed pending
proclamation. Ridgely also had a copy of a 1778 letter from Samuel Smith to Gov.
Thomas Johnson. In it Smith explains how and why the continYral Army should enlist
convict servants before General Howe did. An undated exchange between Ridgely and
Harry Dorsey Cough discussuGough's impending candidacy Another undated (possibly
1786) letter from Ridgely discusses a pending road bill~ This could be in reference
to the turnpif£e Ridgely opposed in Baltimore County.
53
One unrelated letter was one written in 1788 by a Richard Sheepshanks. In
applying for a job as clerk for Ridgely he gives a detailed autobiography.
Ridgely's bills and receipts (1757-1789, ca. 400 items) also deal largely
with his mercantile activities in the 1760s and 1770s. Many receipts are for money
owed Ridgely or money owed London merchants which Ridgely was empowered to collect.
There are some receipts relating to Northampton Furnace and receipts for building
"Hampton'1 including the account with the estate of builder Jehu Howell. This
account [1787] details the cost of building.
Among Ridgely1s legal papers are land deeds and bonds for convict servants bound
to him and to others. In [1785] there was a move to create a new county, to be
called Paca County, out of Baltimore and Frederick counties. Several signed petitions
for this are in these papers. Also included is a list of books purchased [by Ridgely?]
and a list of horses beaten by Ridgely's horse.
Charles [Carnan] Ridgely Papers
There are few of Ridgely's papers in this collection. Most are bills and
receipts (1787-1808, ca. 50 items) for food, clothing, some household items.
H', Di -? CAL
sue! ElY
MS. 692.1 C0NTAIMSR LIST
Box1 Capt. Charles Ridgely Incoming Letters 1757-1767
Box2 Capt. Charles Ridgely Incoming Letters 1768-1790, n.d.
Box3 Capt. Charles Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1757-1766
Box4 Capt. Charles Ridgely Bills and Recaipts 1767-1789, n.d
Box 5 %Capt. Charles Ridgely Land Papers 1762-1775
'V V' If Servants' Bonds 1759-1770
Bonds 1765-1789
I' V? Legal Papers 1769-1784
Paca County petitions
List of books
List of horses beaten by ,Figurel,Th
William Ridgely (son of Robert) Receipts 1755-1764
Col. Charles Ridgely Papers 1758-1768
Henry Ridgely Receipts 1765
John Ridgely Bill 1765-1769
Box6 Charles [Carnan] Ridgely Incoming Letters 1797, 1817
Bills and Receipts 1787-1805
Non-Ridgely Papers
° land grant 1733
° Randle Pulse papers
servant bonds
list of workers and families at "Olde - -,
Plass" and "Stansbury Quarter"
Ann Chew petition
53
MS. 693 RIDGELY-PUE PAPERS
Scope and Content Note
-- - The collection consists of 2 sets of family papers, and the connection between
them has not been determined. There are papers of the Ridgely, Pee, and Penniman
families and of the Stricker, Nicholson, and Harris families. Family trees of
these two family grotips follow. There are a few papers relating to many family
members but not the complete pap&rs of any one person.
People represented in the papers include Rebecca Ridgely (1740-1812); her
niece Rebecca Pue; Thomas Dobbin Penniman (1870-1957); General John Stricker (1758-
1825); and his son-in-law Joseph James Nicholson (1791-1838).
The papers span the years 1748-1932 and consist of about 500 items. A note con-
cerning the provenance and a cal%endar of the Ridgely, Pee, Penniman papers are
included in the collection.
R--~beccaRidelPaers
Rebecca [Oorseyj Ridgely (1740-1812) was the wife of Capt. Charles Ridgely. She
was a devout Methodist after her conversion about 1777. She left a reminiscence of
her conversion and religious life written in 1786 and added on to it until 1798. She
was a financial supporter of Rev. Francis Asbury, and her papers include 4 letters
(1804-1810) from him thanking her for generous snpport and describing his travels.
The remainder of Ridgely's papers deal with her finances after her husbandts
death in 1790. There is the agreement (July 1790) between Re6ecca and her husband's
heir and nephew Charles Carnan concerning her property and one letter (October 1790)
in which Rebecca complains of ill-treatment by Carnan. A poem (n.d.) in the collection,
probably by ReYecca, notes that her life would have been easier had her husband lived.
Family relations did not improve, and in 1811 she refused to grant Charles [Carnanj
I,
Ridgely power of attorney to settle her father's estate. Copies of these unsigned
documents are in the collection.
An account book (1790-1805) listing expenses for tunning a farm and accounts
with Charles [Carnan] Ridgely appear to belong to Rebecca Ridgely. Other records
of her accounts with her nephew are found in his bills and receipts in MS. 692 and
MS. 692.1. Her loose bills and receipts (1791-1812, ca. 40 items) are for taxes,
court costs, and household items. There is also a receipt book for her purchases
(1791-1805) and an account book of her expenses (1811-1812) and those of her estate,
1812-1815.
Rebecca Pue Papers
There are bills and receipts (1812-1836) for a Mrs. Rebecca Pue and a Miss
1Rebecca Pee. The bills and receipts of both deal mainly with taxes and rent on
Baltimore property.
Penniman Papers
The few Penniman papers (1900, 1931-1932) concern the family's ownership of
the Francis Asbury letters to Rebecca Ridgely. Mrs. Penniman (Rebecca Pee [pobbin]
Penniman) was descended from Rebecca Ridgely's executor Rebecca Pee. Her papers
consits of one letter (1900) from Helen jwest$ [Stewart) Ridgely which speculates on
Rebecca Ridgely's character based on the Asbury letters, Rebecca s conversion
reminiscence, and her portrait. Mrs. Penniman s son Thomas U. Penniman was interested
in selling or publishing the Asbury letters, and his papers deal with this. He corresr
ponded with Mrs. Anna Onstott historian of the John Street Methodist Church in New
York. This church claimed to be the Mother Church of American Methodism, and Cnstott's
letters (1932, 9 items) detail the basis for this claim.
37
Stricker-Nicholson-Harris Papers
There are about 100 items relating to Col. George Stricker, his son Gen.
John Stricker, John's daughters Catherine Stricker and Laura [Stricker] Nicholson,
Laura's husband Joseph James Nicholson, their son John Stricker Nicholson, and
their daughter Helen [Nicholson] Harris.
John Stricker's papers (1794-1834) deal with land he owned with his father
George in Ohio County, Virginia and with John's estate. John's estate is also the
subject of the few papers of his daughters Catherine and Laura Nicholson.
The Nicholson family had a long association with the U.S. Navy, and the papers
of both Joseph James and his son John Stricker Nicholson relate to their naval
careers. These papers are mainly official documents and correspondence. A third
generation member Joseph Nicholson Harris also planned a naval career, and his
family's papers include letters of recommendation from Severn Teakle Wallis to the
Naval Academy and his rejection due to poor eyesight. Joseph N. Harris' sister
Alice married a descendent of Uaniel Brent, an agent for American claims against
foreign governments. The collection contains 2 letters (1829, 1833) from Brent
concerning indemnities awarded by the Brazilian government.
Compton Family Papers
The collection includes 3 items of the Compton family. One is a letter (1833)
by Eliza Compton to [astronomer?] Mr. Gwynnn in which she describes an astronomical
phenomenon she observed.ing a farm and accounts
with Charles [Carnan] Ridgely appear to RIDGEU£-PUE-PENNIMAN FAMILIES
Rebecca Dorsey m. Charles Ridgely
[1740-1812] (1733-90)
D40 ISSUE
Rebecca Pue m. Dr. Arthur Pue
(1778-1852) (neice of Rebecca
Ridgely)
Rebecca Rue . George W. Dobbim
(niece of Reb eco
Pue)
Rebecca Rue Dobbim m. Nicholas 0. Penniman
Reb4cca Penniman Thomas Gobbin Pennisan
(1870-1957
STRISKSR-NIGi{OLSON-MARRIS FAMILIES
George 6tricker m.
(1732-1810)
John Stricker .
(1758-1825)
Catherine Stricker Laura Stricker m. Jos e th James Nicholson
(1791-1858)
John Stricker Micholsom Helen Nicholson m. R. Hopkins Harris
Josmph Nicholson Harris Alice Harris m. Robert Fenwick Erent
(d.1958) (d. 1922)
97
MS. 693 CONTAINER LIST
Box 1 Land Papers 1748-1828 (15 items)
Rebecca Ridgely Account book 1790-1805
- - - - Receipt book 1791-1805
Ac&ount book 1811-1815
Box 2 Rebecca Ridgely Letters 1790, 1801-1810, n.d.
Bills and Receipts 1794-1812, n.d.
I' Reminiscence 1786-1798
'I Religious writing 1790, n.d.
Poem n.d.
Legal Papers 1790, 1801, 1811
Estate papers 1812, 1813, 1817, n.d.
Dr. Arthur Pue Papers 1801, 1805 (2 items)
Mrs. Rebecca Pue Bills and Receipts 1812-1836, n.d.
Miss Rebecca Pue Bills and receipts 1812-1835, n.d.
George W. pobbin papers 1831-1836 (8 items)
Rebecca Pue [pobbin] Penniman ~~tter 1900
Thomas D. Penniman letters 1932
notes on Methodist history
Box 3 George Stricker letter 1809
Gen. John Stricker papers 1794-1834
Catherine Stricker papers 1823, 1836-1856
Laura [Stricker] Nicholson papers 1825-1850
Joseph James Nicholson papers 1804-1837, n.d,
John Stricker Nicholson papers 1845-1850
Joseph Nicholson Military Commission 1857
John Nicholson receipts 1795
Helen [Nicholson] Harris letters 1860s-1870s
R. Hopkins Harris incoming letters 1885
Joseph Nicholson Harris incoming letters 1874, 1883-1885, 1903
Daniel Brent Letters
Compton family material
Recipes
Unidentified receipts
Fragments
Newspaper clippings
Collection notes
MS. 1127 RIDGELY FAMILY PAPERS
Scope and Content Note
This group of papers is a continuation of the faniThy papers in MS. 692 and
MS. 692.1. It contains papers pertaining to Capt. Charles Ridgely (1733-1790);
his nephew and heir Charles [Carnan] Ridgeiy (1760-1829); his son John (1792-
1867); John's wife Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely (1803-1867); their son Charles
(1830-1872); Charles' wife Margaretta S. [Howard] Ridgely (1824-1904); and their
children John (1851-1938), Eliza (1858-1954), and Margaretta (1869-1949).
Capt. Charles Ridgely Papers
Capt. Charles Ridgely (1733-1790) was an iron master, politician, and builder
of Hampton. His papers (1757-1791) in this collection supplement the larger
collections of his papers in MS. 692 and 692.1.
His incoming letters (1757-1790, ca. 40 items) are largely from the period 1784-
1790. They concern his iron works, especially company policy (1786) and his finance:
such as money owed to him. There is some mention of servants working at the furnace:
and one letter/bill (1787) detailing the capture and return of runaway servants.
The earliest letter (1757) is addressed "Monsieur Chas. Ridgely prisonnier de guerre
and is from a man who was a prisoner in Bayonne. The letter has been damaged and is
difficult to read. Charles Ridgely's correspondents include: Jesse Hollingsworth,
Samuel Chase, Richard OsIlan, John Oorsey, John Dennis, Thomas Rossiter, and banici
Sheredine.
Ridgely's bills and receipts (1759-1791, ca. 50 items) deal with both persoosi
and business expenditures. There are a few receipts for material to build "Hampton"
There is a listing of his property in 1783 used to assess his taxes. Also incLuded
are receipts (1785-1787) mentioning black money and one (1787) mentioning confiscate
-property.
V-- -~
Charles Ridgely's legal papers (1768-1790, ca. 15 it ens) consist of indentures
and depositions. The Collection also includes tfie 1762 land grant for the Forge Mill.
There is one ledger (1780-1782) in Ridgely's hand. It records sales of liquor
and sone groceries to various individuals and probably belongs with the account
book in MS. 691. It is located with the oversize material.
Charles [Carnan] Ridgely Papers
Charles [Carnan] Ridgely (1760-1829) was the nephew of Captain Charles Ridgely
who took the surname Ridgely in order to inherit his uncle s estate. His papers
in this collection deal with running the Ridgely iron forge and his personal finances
and do not relate to his political career as state legislator and as governor.
Ridgely's incoming letters (1787-1809, ca. 30 items) discuss orders for pig iron,
workers at the forge, and Ridgely's personal finances especially the settlement of
an estate in England. There are 2 letters (1796, 1798) from wi~lian Pinkmey who was
helping to settle this e-state. There is a holograph copy of a letter (1809) fron
S[anuel] Chase to ( ? ) Dorsey about tobacco trade and the Embargo.
Ridgely's bills and receipts (1781-1817) also refer to the iron furnace and
Ridgely's personal finances. Included are several receipts (1812, 1817) to architect
Robert Cary Long, Sr. for the College of Medicine in Baltimore.
John Ridgely Papers
The papers of John Ridgely (1792-1867) in this collection are 19 letters (1825-
1866). The remainder of his papers are in MS. 691 and MS. 692.
Ridgely's letters deal with running "Hampton", building a chapel and a house
in Towson, and a suit (1866) against Ridgely by a former slave who wanted her
possessions returned. Correspondents included: Charles Carroll, Robert Gilnor,
and N.G. Starkweather.
Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely Papers
Eliza K. [Ridgely] Ridgely (1803-1867) was the wife of John Ridgely. Her
papers in this collection consist of inconing correspondence (1816-1868) and
receipted bills (1843-1859). Other financial records may be found in MS. 691
and MS. 692. Included are letters (1816-1818) from her father Nicholas U. Ridgely
while she was at school in Philadelphia and letters (1849-1850) from her son
Charles (1830-1872) while he was a student at Harvard University. Other letters
are from a former governess Eliza Kingsworth, a friend in Vienna during the 1848
Revolutions, and Philemon Chase describing his Jubilee College (1850). Ridgely's
papers include the spreifications (1851) for a high mirror at "Hampton".
Charles Ridgely Papers
Charles Ridgely (1830-1872), the son of John and Eliza E. Ridgely, was a
gentleman farmer at "Hampton". His papers in this collection consist of incoming
correspondence (1843-1872) and receipted bills (1852-1872). Much of this material
concerns his financial affairs between 1870-1872 when Ridgely was living abroad.
Chief correspondents are his bankers and friends Henry and J. L. Johnston and the
foreman at 'Hampton" who sent him monthly financial statements on the farm's pro-
duction. Earlier correspondence includes letters (1852, 1866-69) from his sister
Eliza [Ridgely] White Buckler in Paris. There is one letter (185?) from Robert
Gilnor concerning a railroad right-of-way through "Hanpton~', and one (1B61) from a
Missouri woman venting her anger toward Federal troops.
The collection contains Charles Ridgely's journal (1847-1848) of daily activities
during a year in France and England. Letters written by Charles while he was at
Harvard (1849-1850) are in his mother's (Eliza K. Ridgely) letters in this collection,
and there are some letters from bin in his wife's (Margaretta S. [[{oward1 Ridgely)
letters also in this collection.
Margaretta S. [Howard] Ridgely Papers
Margaretta S. [Howard] Ridgely (1824-1904) was the wife of Charles Ridgely
(1830-1872). Her papers in this collection are incoming letters (1840-1889, m.d.,
ca. 20 items) and 3 account books (1864, 1869, 1878-1891). These financial papers
are supplenented by records in MS. 691, MS. 692, and MS. 717.
Ridgely's letters (1845-1870) are from family members who were living in
Europe, especially her sister-in-law Eliza ("0idy") [Ridgely] White Buckler who
wrote about life in London and Paris in 1866-1870. Eliza's father-in-law Henry
White and her son Henry White (1850-1927) also wrote frequently to Margaretta
Ridgely. There are also letters from her husband Charles in the 1860s and from
her sons and daughter Eliza at school in France 1866-1872. Although most letters
were from family members, Margaretta did receive letters from others including two
bitter southern friends who wrote at the close of the Civil War.
After hen husband's death in 1872, Margaretta Ridgely returned to Baltimore,
living at "Hampton" and in town. Her correspondence after 1872 is sparse, but in
MS. 717 are her bills and receipts (1870-1885). These are supplemented by her
London bills and receipts (1870-1871) in MS. 692.
The three account books in this collection are accounts of produce from "Hampton"
(1864-1865), family clothiog (1869, which is erroneously labelled 1883 butter account)
and taxes 1878, 1879, 1891.
John Ridgely Papers
John Ridgely (1851-1938) was the son of Charles and Margaretta S. Ridgely. - Few
of his papers have survived. 'those in this collection are letters (1872-1876, ca.
15 items) he received after his father's death and pertain to the estate. Another
small group of letters received by John is in MS. 715.1.
Eliza Ridgely Papers
Eliza Ridgely (1858-1954) was the daughter £f Charles and Margaretta S.
Ridgely. She was active in Baltinore social reform movements, but her papers
do not reflect these activities. The papers (1870-1901, ca. 30 items) are
largely incoming letters from-suitors (1881-1886), and~a short story based on
a dream.
Margaretta S. Ridgely Papers
Margaretta S. Ridgely (1869-1949) was the daughter of Charles and Margaretta
S. Ridgely. She was a Protestant Episcopal missionary (1904-1932) to Liberia,
and her papers deal with her work. She founded and ran a boarding school, House
of Bethany, for native girls in Cape Mount, Liberia. Her papers are mainly letters
written to her by former students after she retired in 1932. There are also some
of her writings on the school. There is a 7-page proposal of marriage (1904) to
Ridgely from a stranger who had read about her wealth and her Plans to become a
missionary.
Miscellaneous
There is an unidentified daybook (1743) listing groceries sold which probably
belonged to Gel. Charles Ridgely. Also included are notes on ca. 20 sermons
preached at Ennanuel Church, 1854-1856. The collection has about 20 letters (l840s-
l850s) written to Julia Howard, probably the sister of Margaretta S. [Howard] Ridgely.
Photographs were transferred to the Prints and Photographs Division in July 1982.
MS. 1127 CQNTAINKR LIST
-Box 1 Capt. Charles Ridgely Incoming Letters 1757~1790, m.d. F\ttl
Legal Papers 1768-1790 ktut ~
-t ', ', " Bills and Receipts .1759-1791, m.d.
Power of Attorney, Colin Dunlap to Robert Chrystie 1773
Order for Mourning Clothes m.d.
Land Grant for Forge Mill 1762
Fragments
Box 2 Charles [Carman] Ridgely Incoming Letters 1787-1809 3
Bills and Receipts 1781-1817, m.d eI3
I? il-I-
Legal Papers 1791-1810 Rc£tW
John Ridgely (1792-1867) Letters 1825-1866
Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely Incoming Letters 1816-1868, m.d.
Bills and Receipts 1843-1859
William Blackford to---- nd.
Box 3Charles Ridgely (1830-1872) incoming Letters 1843-1872, m.d. 5
Bills and Receipts 1852-1872, m.d.
Journal 1847-1848 Kcut 6
Margaretta S. [Howard] Ridgely Incoming Letters 1840-1872
Box 4 Margaretta S. [Howard] Ridgely Incoming Letters 1873-1889, m.d. keel 7
Account Books 1864, 1869, 1878-91 -
Legal Papers 1881-1882
Pamphlet "A Candid
Examination of the Episcopal Church"
John Ridgely (1851-1938) Incoming Letters 1872-1876, m.d.
[Charles] Howard Ridgely, [Jr.], Otho K. Ridgely,
School Papers 1866-72
Howard Ridgely, Valentine n.d.
Eliza Ridgely (1858-1954) Incoming Letters 1872-1890, m.d.
Christmas List 1870
"A Dream Fantasy" 1901
Margaretta S. Ridgely (1869-1949) Incoming Letters 1874, 1904-1942, n.d.%qa
Financial Papers 1910-1911
'V House of Bethany
Papers 1932-1949
Certificates 1973-1930
Passport 1930
J[ames] H[oward] to James Carroll [1828?]
[James McHenry Howard] "A Dream" 1830
Julia Howard Incoming Letters ca. 1840-1850, m.d.
Ella Ridgely Incoming Letters 1873-1887, o.d.
Box 5 Howard Financial Papers 1853, 1868 \k
Ridgely-Howard Genealogy m.d.
- George L.L. Davis "A Brief Menoir of the
Family of Ridgdly"
Sermons Preached at Emmanuel Church (notes) 1854-1856
Charles R. Howard. Papers re Emmanuel Church 1859
Notebook m.d.
Booklis ts 1872, m.d.
Poems 1823-1873, m.d.
Woodcuts of birds m.d.
Printed Material 1850-1887, m.d.
Unidentified Letters 1850-1875, m.d.
Unidentified 1811-1911, m.d.
Oversize Capt. Charles Ridgely (1733-1790), Ledger 1780-1782
[Col. Charles Ridgely?], Daybook 1743
Charles Ridgely Passport 1870
46
MS. 715 HELEN WEST STEWART RIDGELT PAPERS -
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of the incoming letters of Helen West [Stewart]
Ridgely (1854-1929). She was the wife of John Ridgely (1851-1938). The letters
are largely from her immediate family and reveal much about the life of a Balti-
more society matron in the late nineteenth century. The letters are especially
revealing about child~earing practices.
The bulk of the papers are letters (ca. 500 items) she received from the year
of her marriage (1873) until 1901 although the papers span the years 1868-1919.
The letters are arranged chronologically with undated material arranged by the
name of the writer.
Helen West Stewart Ridgely Papers
Ridgely's incoming letters are largely from her immediate family. Her most
frequent correspondents were her mother Josephine [Moulton) Stewart and her grand-
mother Leonice [Sa'spson] 'Moulton (1811-1897). Their letters (1574-1890s) abound
in advice to Helen on raising her children properly.
Helen Ridgely was frequently away from her husband John, traveling for pleasure
or her health, and the collection has many letters from John to his wife. These
letters discuss his activities at "Hampton" in her absence.
Other correspondents during the early years of her marriage were her girlhood
friends Sophie Tyson, Annie Perot, Elizabeth H. Williams, and Mary [Steel) Ralston
who lived in Scotland. Helen's brother David Stewart wrote often while he was a
student at Princeton University (1874-1878). Other relatives writing to Helen were
her sister Leonice [Stewart] Shaw in Baltimore and their uncle John Ordonaux, a
lawyer in New York.
Helen Ridgely's correspondence in the late 1880s and 1890s contain$many letters
from her children, especially Helen S. Ridgely and Margaret H. [Ridgely] Leidy
w"hi~1e th4y \aere traveling. There are also several letters (1887) about the education
of her daughter Leonice.
Ridgely received letters from her husband's cousins Henry (1850-1927) and Julian
LeRoy White (1853-1923). Henry was with the U.S Diplomatic Service in England,
Italy, and Prance, and most of his letters (1880s) were written while he was with
the U.S Embassy in London. Julian White also spent most of his life abroad, and
his letters (1878-1899) discuss his life in France. The White's mother Eliza ("Didy")
[Ridgely] White Buckler (1828-1894) also lived in France and frequently wrote to
Helen about her activities.
Although most of Helen's letters deal with her family, there are some letters
concerning her outside interests. There are a group of letters (1880-1883, ca. 50
items) from a M. Reinhardt. These are all in German and appear to deal with German
lessons.
In 1894 Helen Ridgely published The Old Brick Churches of Maryland. There are
letters (1893) from a J.W. Palmer discussing this book.
Helen Ridgely was active in the Maryland Society of the Colonial Dames of America,
and there are about 50 letters (n.d.) from the Society's historian Annie L. Sioussat
concerning Ridgely's research on graveyards in Maryland done for the Society.
Ridgely also corresponded with Baltimore author Sarah H. Bennett. These letters
discuss Bennett's own work as well as Ridgely's.
MS. 715 CONTAINER LIST
Box1 Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely Incoming Letters1868-1882
Box2 He1e~ W. [Stewart] Ridgely Incoming Letters1883-1888
Box3 Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely Incoming Letters1889-1894
Box4 Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely Incoming Letters1895-1901
Box 5 Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely Incoming Letters 1902-1919
undated
Sarah E. Bennett
Florence Mackubin
Elizabeth H. Morrison
Leonice S. Moulton
Annie Perot
M. Reinhardt
Eliza Ridgely
Helen S. Ridgely
John Ridgely
Julian Ridgely
Leonice Ridgely
Margaret Ridgely
Margaretta S. Ridgely
Stewart Ridgely
Box 6 Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely Incoming Letters n.d.
Helen S. Shaw
Leonice Shaw
Annie L. Sioussat
David Stewart
Josephine M. Stewart
Sophie Tyson
Henry White
Julian White
Sarah (?)
Notes
Checkbook 1892, 1893
"The Acorn" February, 1862
United Women of Maryland Broadside 1899
MS. 715.1 HELEN WEST [STEWART) RIUCELY FAMThY PAPERS
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of papers pertaining to members of Helen Ridgely's
family. Included are papers of: her grand-parents Leonice [Sampson) and Joseph
White Moulton; her parents Josephine [Moulton) and John Stewart; her husband
John Ridgely, and their son Julian White Ridgely.
The papers span the years 1840-1918.
Provenance
Most of these papers were apparently collected by Leonice S. Moulton and
given to her granddaughter Helen W. [Stewart) Ridgely (See Helen West Ridgely, "Ny
Heritage,' p. 18, MS. 716, Pox 4). The papers had been scattered among collections
MS. 692, MS. 692.1, and MS. 715 and were brought back together in 1977.
Leonice [Sampson) Moulton Papers
Leonice [Sampson) Moulton (1811-1897) was Helen West [Stewart) Ridgely's grand-
mother. Her papers consist of letters she received (1840-1892, ca. 50 items), a
diary (1862), and a journal (1832) and Spanish language exercises. These were kept
7
by Purviance while in the Navy in South America and given to Mrs. Moulton.
The letters are from her daughter Josephine discussing her children and also Baltimore
during the Civil War. There are a few letters from her granddaughter Helen while she
was in Europe (1870). Mrs. Moulton's diary has britf daily entries of her activities
in Roslyn, New York.
Joseph White Moulton Papers
Joseph White Moulton was a lawyer, partner of paniel Webster, and an historian.
His papers do not reveal much about his career, but there is one letter (1844) from
"U
Daniel Webster and another letter (1846) from E.B. 0'Callaghan discussing Moulton's
work Novum Belgium. The remainder of his letters (1844-1871, ca. 30 items) are
from his daughter Josephine Stewart and her children mainly while they were in
Europe 1870-1871. There are 2 letters concerning Moulton's brother-in-law (7)
Major-General John Ellis Wool (1784-1869). One (1861) is from Josephine Stewart
while visiting Wool, commander of fortress Monroe; the other (1869) is a letter
from Wool detailing his long military career.
Letters written by Joseph Moulton are found in the papers of John Stewart.
John Stewart Papers
John Stewart (1826-1901 7) was a lawyer in Baltimore. The few papers of his
in this collection are 30 letters (1852-1871) he received. The bulk of the letters
are those (1856) from his wife Josephine while she and her children were visiting
her family, and those (1869-71) from her father Joseph W. Moulton.
Josephine [Moulton] Stewart Papers
Josephine [Moulton) Stewart's papers consist of incoming letters, extracts of
a diary, a coomonplace book, and a scrapbook. The letters (1854-1903, ca. 30 items)
are mainily from her daughter and grandchildren. The diary extract recalls an
incident with her father Joseph Moulton in 1868. The coomonplace book was begun in
1869 on a trip to Europe and also contains thoughts jotted down in later years. The
scraphook contains newspaper clippings and printed material.
John Ridgely Papers
John Ridgely (1851-1938) was a gentleman farmer at "Hampton." The papers in
this collection that belong to him are mainly letters (1870s-1880s, ca. 20 items)
he received from his wife Helen W. [Stewart) Ridgely. John's letters to Helen
9£
during this period describe his farming activities and are part of Helen's papers,
MS. 715. There are also a few certificates belonging to him.
Julian W. Ridgely Papers
Julian W. Ridgely (1887-1939) was the son of John and Helen W.S. Ridgely. 'as
papers consist of 20 items dealing with his education at the Country &chool for
&ys, including grades and compositions.
The collection also includes a few items relating to Helen W.S. Ridgely's
uncle, lawyer John Crdronaux (d. 1908) and her cousin Hariette E. [Criswold) Hart
(d. 1895).
A ~ ~'
F t 1
HI%$'(ft¼; F
32
MS. 715.1 CONTAINER LIST
Box 1Leonice S. -Moulton Incoming Letters 1840-1895, n.4.
Diary 1862
Purviance Papers
Memorabilia
Joseph W. Moulton Incoming Letters 1844-1873
Sketch
John Stewart Incoming Letters 1852-1871
Box 2 Josephine M. Stewart Incoming Letters 1854-1903, n.d.
Coomonplace book
Scrapbook
John Ridge1y Incoming Letters 1872-1918, n.d.
Certificates
Julian W. Ridgely Papers
John Ordronaux Papers
Harriette Hart Papers
9)
MS. 716 RIDGELY-STEWART PAPERS
Scope and Content Note
Th9 99llection consists o~f scrapbqoks and family papers collected by Leonice
Josephine [Moulton] Stewart and her _daughter Helen West [Stewart] Ridgely. Topics
covered include "Hampton," the Moulton, Stewart, and Ridgely families, childkearing,
the Colonial Dames of America, and William Cullen Bryant.
L. Josephine [Moulton1 Stewart Scrapbooks
L. Josephine [Moulton] Stewart (m. 1854) was the wife of Baltimore lawyer John
Stewart. She grew up in Roslyn, New York, attended Emma Willard's Seminary in Troy,
New York, and spent her married life in Baltimore. Her scrapbooks of clippings
(1878-1921, 15 vols.) reflect all these activities.
The clippings relate to Moulton family members' and friends' activities in
Roslyn, especially those of neighbor William Cullen Bryant. Stewart also collected
clippings about her alma mater Emma Willard's Seminary, and clippings from the later
years deal with Stewart and Ridgely family activities in Baltimore.
Stewart was active in the Maryland Branch of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Board
of Missions (P.E. Church) and the Women's Industrial Exchange. Her scrapbooks con-
tain clippings and reports of these organizations. Other topics covered by clippings
include: Baltimore reform politics, women' 5 suffrage, divorce laws, intemperance,
the 1904 Baltimore Fire, the 1907 Jamestown Exposition, and Russian communism. These
clippings supplement Mrs. Stewart's thoughts in her letters to her daughter Helen
that are found in MS. 715.
Stewart kept one scrapbook of manuscript material. The letters, certificates, and
writings (1773-1890) in this volume highlight the legal and historical career of her
father Joseph White Moulton. There are also letters from William Cullen Bryant to
54
her mother Leonice S. Moulton. There is a letter (1852) from Emma Willard about
Stewart's education at the seminary and a few letters about the education of
Stewart's son-Davi4 and daughter Helen 14,,Ridgely. The items in this scrapbook
relate to the paper-s of the Moulton and Stewart femi1y-;members found in MS. 715.1.
Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely Papers
The papers of Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely in this collection are diaries,
scrapbooks, account books, and research notes. These papers supplement her ex-
tensive correspondence in MS. 715.
Helen Ridgely apparently was a conscientious diarist, but diaries survive only
for the years [1870], 1881-83, 1886-1888, 1906, 1907-08',- amd 1909. eftese diaries
(7 vols.) are detailed and introspective giving her thoughts as well as a record
of her activities. The earliest diary records her activities while in school probably
in the early 187Os. The most interesting diaries are the 3 volumes covereing the
years 1881-83, and 1886-1888, because they give insight into the child-rearing
philosophy of Ridgely. In the 1881-83 volume she records the activities of her 3
daughters as dictated by the girls. They are quite candid about their misdeeds and
punishments. The 2 volumes of 1886-1888 contain Ridgely's thoughts on raising her
children to be useful adults. These diaries coupled with the letters of advice from
Ridgely's mother in MS. 715 give a good view of childrearing in the late 19th century.
The 3 diaries for the years 1906, 1907, 1909 are narratives of Ridgely's activities
and mention her work with the Colonial Dames and Jamestown Exposition as well as her
social commitments. The 1907-08 diary contains her recollections of her uncle John
Ordronaux after his death.
Ridgely's notebooks include her Bible study notes for 1877; one notebook of
research on Maryland churches probably used for her book, The Old Brick Churches of
55
Maryland; one scrapbook of obituaries; and one of articles on Baltimore. There
is also an essay (ca. 1904) by Ridgely on the attitude of inquiry. One book has
notes on keeping poultry-_(1913)-and_raising vegetables (1917).
- - - - Ridgely's account books include her~expenses for 1994-1905 and her grocery
account for 1907.
Helen W. Ridgely was active in the Maryland Society of the Colonial Dames of
America. She was chairman of their committee to research colonial graves, and the
collection includes reports (1897-1900) of committee members. This research resulted
in Historic Craves of Maryland and the District of Columbia (New York, 1908) edited
by Helen W. Ridgely. Ridgely was also chairman of the Maryland Commission to the
Jamestown Exposition in 1907. This collection includes her incoming letters (1906-
1907) about organizing the Maryland display.
There is also some printed material about the 1914 Star-Spangled Banner Centennial,
Helen W. Ridgely wrote a genealogy/reminiscence of her family entitled, "My
Heritage." This 50-page article deals with the Moulton and Stewart families and
contains copies of many family letters. A typescript of this work is part of the
collection.
Other Ridgely Material
The collection includes a personal account book (1876-1878) of Leonice S
Moulton (mother of L. Josephine Stewart). There are also books belonging to Helen
W. Ridgely's children: Juliam's Latin exercise book; Leonice' s social engagement
book (1893-1894); and Helen S. Ridgely's diary (1901). A shelflist (1930) of the
"Hampton" libraries is part of the ~OllS~t~O~~Eo£~waoi%ac&7)
Earlier Ridgely material includes 2 ledgers,'(1787-l79l) and a ledger index
(1789-1790) that belong with the ledgers in MS. 691. There is also a list of wines
56
and liquors located at "Hampton" in the early nineteenth century.
There are several items belonging to Eliza ("Didy") [Ridgely] White Buckler
and [her?] English ~governess Eliza Kingsworth. Kiflgssorth was probably a governess
at "Hamp~ton" in the late l83Os. There are~2 o~f~Eingswotth's school exercise books
(1827-1828). The 1827 book has a diary about teaching in Canada (1835) and how
she disliked it. There is a diary (1842) of the schoolgirl activities of Eliza
("Didy") Ridgely (later Mrs. John Campbell white and Mrs. Thomas Buckler). Dating
from about this time is a manuscript story (by Eliza Ridgely ?) about a family's
trip to the springs in Virginia entitled, "The Little Travellers,' or, A Visit to
the Springs in the State of Virginia."
The collection also includes a Creek exercise book (1865) and a few pages of
genealogical material copied from family books by Margare£kS. [Howard] Ridgely in
1865.
57
MS. 716 CONTAINER LIST
Box 1 L. Josephine7Stewar~-t Scrapbooks __ - 1878-1892, 6 vols.
Box 2 L. Josephine -Stewart Scrapb?oks 1893-1914, 6 vols'.
Box 3 L. Josephine Stewart Scrapbooks 1773-1890, 1920-1921,
Loose newspaper clippings 3 vols.
Box 4 Leonice [Sampson] Moulton Account Book 1876-1878
Leonice Ridgely Notebook 1892, 1893-94
Helen S. Ridgely Diary 1901
Julian Ridgely School book
Hampton Libraries Shelflist 1930
Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely Craveyard Coemittee
Reports 1897-1900
Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely Jamestown Exposition
Letters 1906-07
Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely Star-Spangled Banner
Centennial Material 1914
Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely "My Heritage"
Box 5 Helen W. [Stewart) Ridgely Diaries - [1870), 1881-83, l886-8~
1906-09, 7 volumes
Notebooks 1877, 1892, 1893, 1904,
1913, 6 volumes
Account books 1904-05, 1907, 2 volumes
Box 6 "Hampton" [?) Account Books 1787-1791, 3 volumes
Wines and liquors [at Hampton]
Eliza Kingsworth School books/Diary 1827-1828, 1835, 2 volux
Eliza ("Didy") Ridgely Diary 1842
"The Little Travel1ers~'
Greek Exercise Book 1865
Margaret S. Ridgely Notebook 1865
56
MS 717 RIDGELY-DORSEY PAPERS
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of the bills and receipts (1870-1885) of Margaretta
S. [Howard) Ridgely; a log book (1756-1758) of Capt. Charles Ridgely; and an
account book (1733-1760) of Caleb Dorsey.
Margaretta S. [Howard) Ridge1y Papers
Margaretta S. [Howard) Ridgely (1824-1904) was the wife of Charles Ridgely
(1830-1872). Soon after her husband's death her son John (1851-1838) married
Helen West Stewart, and Margaretta lived with them at "Hampton." She also had a
house in Baltimore. The bills and receipts (1870-1885) are for items she purchased
while at "Hampton" and the Baltimore house. The receipts cover repairs to the
houses, furnit$re, many books, clothing, and dry goods. These bills and receipts
are supplemented by her bills and receipts for the last years she lived in London
(1870-1871) before her husband's death. These earlier papers are found in MS. 692,
Box 15. Margaretta Ridgely's incoming letters are in MS. 1127, Boxes 3 & 4.
Capt. Charles Ridgaly Logbook
Capt. Charles Ridgely (1733-1790) earned his title as a sea captain in the
1750s and 1760s. His logbook covers the period he was captain of the snow (square-
rigged vessel similar to a brig) named "Baltimore Town." The vessel traveled frcm
London to Virginia and Maryland in 1756-1758. It was owned by William Dunn and
Stockton and chartered by James Russell, a London merchant. (Other records of
Ridge1y's dealing with Russell are in MS. 691, Ms 692, and MS* 692.1.) Ridgely's
logbook records wind direction, weather conditions, and the crew's activites during
the voyages.
Caleb Dorsey Account Book
Caleb Dorsey (1710-1771) was Capt. Charles Ridgely's father-in-law, and
also an iron master. His account book (1733-1760) includes accounts of dry goods
purchased and drafts of letters sent. Some letters discuss pig iron and the
Elkridge Iron Works of which he was part owner.
i\ 7~'Y A ~ F)
K I { 4 ffi&: ¾'"
SOUL' 4
£0
MS. 717 CONTAINER LIST
Box 1 Margaretta S. [Howard) Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1870-1885
Box 2 Charles Ridgely Logbook 1756-1758
Caleb Dorsey Account Book 1733-1760
INDEX
Asbury, Francis, 5, 35, 36 Nicholson, Joseph James, 35:
Astronomy, 37 Northampton Furnace, 2, 3,
Baltimore County, Maryland -- Land -- Taxes, 4, 24 16, 23-24, 28, 31, 32,
Baltimore Count>'. Maryland -- Politics, 4, 23, 24, 32 40-41
Bank of Baltimore, 18 Office of Discount and Depo'.
Bank of Maryland, 18 18
Banks and banking, 18 Ohio County, West Virginia
Bennett, Sarah E., 12, 47 Land, 37
Brazil, 37 Ordronaux, John, 46, 51, 54
Brent, Daniel, 37 Paca, William, 4, 33
Bryant, William Cullen, 53 Penniman, Thomas Dobbin, 35:
Buckler, Eliza [Ridgely) White, 8-9, 42, 43, 47, 56 Pinkney, William, 41
Chase, Samuel, 23, 26, 32, 40, 41 Princeton University, 46
Child rearing, 46-47, 49, 54 Pue Rebecca, 35, 36
Civil War -- Civilian affairs, 42, 43, 49 par4iance, ? , 49
Colonial Dames of America, 12, 47, 54, 55 Revolution -- enlistments, 6
Colonial trade, 2, 17, 23, 31, 32, 58 32
Compton family, 37 Ridgely, Charles (1702/3-72)
Dallam, Richard, 40 2, 3, 16, 28, 31, 44
Dennis, John, 40 Ridgely, Charles (1733-90),
Dorsey, Caleb, 59 16, 17, 23-24, 25, 28,
Education -- women, 7, 8, 11, 42, 43, 44, 47, 53, 54, 56 33, 40-41, 55, 58
Elkridge Furnace, 59 Ridgely, Charles (1830-72),
Embargo (1807-09), 41 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 27,
Erskine, James P., 28 42
Foreign trade, 2, 17, 23, 31-32 Ridgely, Charles [Carnan], '
Furnaces and forges, 2, 3, 16, 23-24, 40, 59 23, 24-25, 28, 31, 33,
Cough, Harry Dorsey, 32 36, 40, 41
Grocery trade, 7-8, 17, 23, 26-27 Ridgely, Eliza (1828-94), St
"Hampton," i, 4, 5-6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 24, 25, 33, 40, Buckler, Eliza [Ridgel>
41, 42, 43, 46, 55, 56,~58 White
Harvard University, 9, 42 Ridgely, Eliza (1858-1954),
Health resorts, watering places, 18 11, 40, 43, 44
Housekeeping, 46-47 Ridgely, Eliza E. [Ridgely],
Indentured servants, 4, 16, 23, 32, 40-41 16, 18, 25-26, 40, 42
Iron industry and trade, 2, 3, 16-17, 23-24, 31, 40, 59 Ridgely, Helen 8., 47, 55
Jamestown Exposition, 12, 53, 54, 55 Ridgely, Helen West [Stewart
Johnston, J.L., 9, 42 9, 11, 36, 46-47, 49, 5
Kingsworth, Eliza, 7, 42, 56 53, 54-55
Leidy, Margaret H. [Ridgely], 47 Ridgely, John (1792-1867), 6
Long, Robert Cary, Sr., 41 16, 18, 23, 25, 40, 41
Loyalists -- confiscated land, 23, 40 Ridgely, John (1851-1938), 1
Lumber industry and trade, 2, 17, 31, 40, 43, 46, 50-51
Macdonald, Alexander, 7, 27 Ridgely, Julian W., 51, 55
Macdonald & Ridgely, 7, 16, 26-27 Ridgely, Margaretta S., 11,
Merchants, 2, 7, 16-17, 23-24, 26-27, 31-32 44
Methodist churches -- history, 5, 35, 36 Ridgely, Margarett~ S. [Bowa
Militia -- Maryland, 28 9, 10, 27, 40, 43, 44,
Missionaries -- Liberia, 11, 44 Ridgely, Nicholas C., 7-8, 1
Moulton, Joseph W., 12, 49-50, 53 23, 25, 26-27, 28, 42
Moulton, Leonice [Sampson), 12, 46, 49, 55 Ridgely, Rebecca [Dorsey), 5
Music, 7, 25 32, 35-36
61
Ridgely & Goodwin, 3, 31-32
Ridgely, McLure, & Goodwin, 3, 31-32
Roads -- Baltimore County, Maryland, 4, 32
Rossiter, Thomas, 40
St* Mary's College, 28
Seamen, 2, 31, 58
Shaw, Leonice [Stewart], 46
Sheepshanks, Richard, 33
Ships -- 'Baltimore Town", 3, 58
Ships -- Logbooks, 3, 58
Sioussat, Annie [Leakin], 12, 47
Slave trade, 6, 25, 28
Slavery, 23, 24, 25, 28, 41
Sterett, Samuel, 16, 18
Stewart, David, 46
Stewart, John, 12, 50
Stewart, L. Josephine [Moulton], 12, 46, 49, 50, 53-54
Stricker, John, 35, 37
Sully, Thomas, I~ 25, 26
Temperance, 53
Tobacco trade, 2, 17, 31, 41
Tyson, Sophie, 46
U.S. Navy, 37
Wallis, Severn Teakle, 37
White, Henry (1850-1927), 9, 43, 47
White, Henry (fl. 1860s), 9, 43
Women's organizations, 12, 26, 47, 53
Wool, John Ellis, 50