A REGISTER OF THE RIDGELY FAMILY PAPERS
AT THE MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
By Cynthia H. Requardt
October 1977
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INTRODUCTION
The Ridgely family is most well known for its economic and
political activities of the eighteenth century. The men of this
period were wealthy planters, ironmasters and politicians, and
their papers reflect these activities. Subsequent generations
withdrew fron iron and political activities and concentrated on
running "Hampton" farn and traveling in Europe. Their papers are
less extensive but do reveal their lives as gentlemen farmers.
The women of the Ridgely fanily were by no means silent.
Their papers reveal their religious and civic pursuits as well as
their duties in operating "Hampton."
Col. Charles Ridgely
The earliest Ridgely represented is Col. Charles Ridgely (1702/3-1772).
His first avocation was as a merchant, and he operated a store in [Patapsco,
Maryland ?] during the years 1732-1755. The records of this venture are in
MS. 691 and MS. 1127.
The store was apparently successful enough to allow Ridgely to begin
buying land in Baltimore County. The land papers in MS. 692 and MS. 1127 record
the family's land purchases fron 1664 until 1850.1
In 1761 Col. Ridgely went into partnership with his sons Capt. Charles (1733-
1790) and John (d. 1771) and began an iron works, the Northanpton Furnace. By
1775 Northanpton Furnace was successfully operating, but there are no records in
these 9 collections that date fron 1761-1772 when Col. Ridgely was operating it.
The only record of his connection with the furnace are 2 letters (1765) he wrote
to his sons concerning operations at the furnace. These letters are in MS. 692.1.
The extant financial records all date fron 1772 when Col. Ridgely's son was the
sole proprietor.
With the exception of the 2 letters about the furnace, Col. Ridgely's extant
papers are confined to his earlier mercantile activities.
Capt. Charles Ridgely
Capt. Charles Ridgely (1733-1790) was the son of Col. Charles Ridgely. He
had a varied career as sea captain, planter, iron master, and politician.
Ridgely began as a nariner in the English trade and worked his way up to
Captain by 1757. His duties were to sail English goods to colonial planters and
to return their payments of tobacco, pig iron, and lumber to London.
1 - See Anne C. Edmonds, "The Land Holdings of the Ridgely's of Hampton,"
(Master's thesis, Johns Hopkins University, 1959).
Ridgely's earliest records deal with his sailing career. Collection MS. 717
contains his logbook for the snow "Baltimore Town" of which he was naster fron
1756 until 1758. Most of Ridgely's correspondence fron 1757 until the Revolution
deals with his transactions with London nerchants. These letters in MS. 692,
MS. 692.1, and MS. 1127 give a detailed picture of English colonial trade.2
Ridgely appears to have quit sailing the ships hinseif about 1763, but until
the Revolution he continued to obtain goods from London merchants and pay with
ship loads of pig iron, tobacco, and lumber. In these transactions Ridgely often
acted alone but sometimes with partners. He formed at least 2 partnerships:
Ridgely & Goodwin (1767) and Ridgely, McClure, & Goodwin (ca. 1770-1773). The
ledgers, journals, and daybooks (1763-1773) from Ridgely's mercantile activities
are in MS. 691.
One probable reason Ridgely stopped sailing and stayed in Maryland after 1763
was to devote time to the ironworks, Northampton Furnace. In 1761 he had formed
a partnership with his father Col. Charles Ridgely and his brother John to start
an iron furnace. In 1770 Charles bought his brother John's share and became the
sole owner on inheriting his father's share in 1772. Since there are no furnace
records earlier than 1772, all the Northampton Furnace account books (up to 1790)
record Capt. Charles Ridgely's actions. These record books are in MS. 691.
Supplementing the furnace account books is Ridgely's correspondence l770s-1780s.
After the decline of his trade with England in the l770s, Ridgely's attention
turned to the forge. Letters in MS. 692 and MS. 1127 discuss operation of the
2 - A detailed account of Ridgely's mercantile activities is William D. Hoyt, Jr.,
"Captain Ridgely's London Commerce, 1757-1774." Americana 37 (April 1943):
326-70.
furnace, especially the hiring and buying of forge workers. These records con-
tain information on indentured servants. There is a letter (1778) recommending
enlistment of servants on the American side before the British enlisted them and
a notebook (1772) describing their physical characteristics to identify them in
case they ran away. The letter is in MS. 692.1 and the notebook is in MS. 691.
There is evidence that Ridgely's servants did run away and were not well-
treated at the forge. One letter (1777) from a doctor at the forge accused both
Ridgely and his wife Rebecca of mistreating the workers. This letter is in MS.
692.1. The Northampton Furnace account books in MS. 691 have records concerning
the workers' time, their allotted clothing, and their grocery accounts.
Capt. Charles Ridgely was a political power in Baltimore County after the
Revolution. He was elected to the House of Delegates for the county ten times
between 1777 and 1787. His papers, especially the letters in MS. 692, MS. 692.1,
and MS. 1127, shed light on his political career. Issues discussed include: a
proposed turnpike in Baltimore County that Ridgely opposed, a new method of land
valuation (1787), and the proposal to create a new county, Paca County, out of
Baltimore and Frederick counties.
Ridgely's business ventures were highly successful, and in 1783 he began
building a home befitting a man of his means. It took about 6 years to build
"Hampton," and Ridgely's financial papers, especially the loose bills and receipts,
for the years 1783-1789 record the building expenses. Especially revealing is the
[l787~ account submitted by the estate of "Hampton's" builder Jehu Howell. This is
in MS. 692.1. The loose bills and receipts are in MS. 692, MS. 692.1, and Ms. 1127.
Capt. Charles Ridgely died in June 1790. He designated his sister's son
Charles Carnan his heir. Papers pertaining to Ridgely's estate, especially
financial papers, are in Charles [Carnan~ Ridgely's papers in MS. 692. The
agreement between Charles Ridgely's heir and his widow Rebecca is filed with
her papers in MS. 693.
Rebecca [0orsey~ Ridgely
Rebecca [Dorsey~Ridgely (1740-1812) was the wife of Capt. Charles Ridgely.
Her papers revolve around her religion, Methodism, and her financial affairs
after her husband's death.
Rebecca Ridgely was a devout Methodist. Her papers in MS. 693 include a
reminiscence by her concerning her early religious life, her conversion about
1777, and her subsequent religious life from 1786 until 1798. She was a supporter
of Rev. Francis Asbury, and her papers contain 4 letters from him.
After her husband's death, Rebecca Ridgely's financial affairs were tied up
with those of her husband's nephew and heir (and Rebecca's brother-in-law),
Charles [Carnan~ Ridgely. Money he paid to her is documented in the receipts
contained in MS. 692 and MS. 692.1. The records of MS. 693 also reflect Rebecca's
difficulties.
Charles [Carnan~ Ridgely
Charles [Carnan~ Ridgely (1760-1829) was the son of Achsah [Ridgely~ Carnan
and the nephew of Capt. Charles Ridgely. As Capt. Ridgely had no children, he
willed his estate "Hampton" and his iron works to his nephew on the condition he
take the surname Ridgely. In 1790 his name legally became Charles Ridgely. He
was known variously as Gen. Ridgely after a 1794 conmision in the militia, and
as Charles Ridgely of Hampton. To avoid confusion in this register he has been
designated Charles [Carnan~ Ridgely.
Ridgely was quite active in politics, serving as a state delegate, 1790-1795,
as a state senator, 1796-1800, and as Maryland governor 1816-1819. His papers,
however, do not shed light on his political career. They deal with his operation
of Northampton Furnace and "Hampton."
The records of Northampton Furnace in MS. 691 are less complete in the nine-
teenth century than the eighteenth, but those dating from 1790 until 1829 record
the actions of Charles [Carnan~ Ridgely. His small amount of correspondence in
MS. 692 and MS. 1127 discuss operation of the iron works.
The remainder of Charles [Carnan~ Ridgely's papers are loose bills and receipts
for the iron works and for food, clothing, and household items. These are found in
MS. 692, 692.1, and 1127.
John Ridgely
John Ridgely (1792-1867) was the son of Charles [Carnan~ Ridgely. Unlike his
father and great-uncle, Ridgely does not appear to have had much interest in the
iron works or politics. Although the furnace was not abandoned until the mid-
nineteenth century, there are no records of its operation dating later than 1827
when Charles [Carnan~ Ridgely was still living.
John Ridgely's main concern was running "Hampton," and the bulk of his papers
deal with this. His ledgers (1829-1870) of accounts with workers and memoranda
books (1830-1871) of money spent are part of MS. 691. His loose bills and receipts
(1829-1861) of expenses at "Hampton," including the sale of slaves, are in MS. 692.
The few letters (1825-1866) that survived are part of MS. 1127.
Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely
Eliza E. Ridgely (1803-1867) was the daughter of Nicholas G. Ridgely. In
1828 she became the second wife of John Ridgely (1792-1867).
Eliza E. Ridgely is best known as the girl with the harp in a Thomas Sully
portrait done in 1818. She was quite musical, and her bills and receipts (1817-
1859) contain many for music lessons and harp repairs. These receipts are in
MS. 692. Other receipts are for household expenses in running "Hampton." Eliza
was active in running "Hampton," and her clothing record (1835-1854), her house-
hold account books (1838-1848), and her "Hampton" farm account book (1850-1864)
are in MS. 691.
Eliza Ridgely's incoming letters (1816-1868) in MS. 1127 are from her father,
Nicholas, Eliza Kingsworth, a former governess to Eliza's daughter, and Eliza' s son
Charles when he was away at college.
Nicholas Greenberry Ridgely
Nicholas Greenberry Ridgely (1771-1829) was a descendent of Col. Henry Ridgely
and the Delaware Ridgely family. He was connected to the "Hampton" Ridgelys
through the marriage of his daughter Eliza E. Ridgely to John Ridgely son of
Charles [Carnany] Ridgely. His papers apparently were kept by his heir Eliza E.
Ridgely, and therefore are part of the "Hampton" Ridgely family papers.
Ridgely was a grocery merchant in Baltimore. By 1797 or 1798 he had formed
a partnership with Alexander Macdonald under the name Macdonald and Ridgely. The
partnership lasted until Ridgely's death in 1829 and the firm continued until about
1839. They did a considerable amount of business with customers in Louisiana,
Tennessee, and Ohio. A few of Macdonald and Ridgely's ledgers and journals
survived as well as two letterbooks. These are all in MS. 691.
Nicholas Ridgely's personal records in MS. 692 give a more detailed picture
of Macdonald and Ridgely's financial success. Ridgely's correspondence includes
many letters from his agents especially discussing the collection of money owed
to him personally or to the firm. Other topics discussed in his correspondence
are two lawsuits in which he was involved.
Ridgely's financial papers consist of an account hook (1798-1799, 1809) and
a cash book (1811-1812) in MS. 691 and loose bills and receipts in MS. 692. These
cover his personal expenses and include some pertaining to Macdonald and Ridgely.
Eliza [Ridgely~ White Buckler
Eliza [Ridgely~ White Buckler (1828-1894) was the daughter of John and Eliza
E. Ridgely. She was known to her family throughout her life as Didy. Eliza grew
up at "Hampton" and the only records that survive from that period are a diary
(1842) she kept of her schoolgirl activities. Dating from this period is a story
possibly written by Eliza entitled, "The Little Travellers; or, A Visit to the
Springs in the State of Virginia." Along with these 2 items in MS. 716 are exercise
books and a diary of an English woman Eliza Kingsworth who was probably Eliza
Ridgely's governess. Kingsworth's letters to Eliza's mother, Eliza E. Ridgely1in
MS. 1127 are related to this material.
In 1849 Eliza Ridgely married John Campbell White. Before his death in 1853,
the Whites made plans to build a house designed by N. G. Starkweather in Towson.
The architectural drawing is in MS. 692. The remainder of Eliza's extant papers
of this period are in the John Campbell White Papers, MS. 1005.
After marrying her second husband, Thomas H. Buckler, in 1865, Eliza moved
with him to France and England. Most papers pertaining to Eliza from this period
are letters she wrote to her family. Her letters can be found in the incoming
letters of her brother Charles and his wife Margaretta in MS. 1127, and those
of their daughter-in-law Helen [Stewart] Ridgely in MS. 715. These collections
also include letters fron Eliza' 5 sons Henry white (1850-1927), Julian LeRoy white
(d. 1923), and Willian H. Buckler.
%-Aw!harlesRidel
Charles Ridgely (1830-1872) was the son of John and Eliza E. Ridgely. He
followed his father by beconing a gentlenan farner and devoting his tine to
running "Hanpton." Few of his records have survived, but those that do deal
with the operation of "Hanpton."
Ridgely's earliest records are a journal of daily activities he kept while
traveling in Europe in 1847 and 1848, and letters he wrote to his nother while
he was a student at Harvard University in 1849 and 1850. These are in MS. 1127.
Ridgely' s activities while running "Hanpton" in the 1850s and l860s are
revealed in a nenoranda book (1850-1865) of his expenditures and an account
book of farm expenses (1864-1870). During this period Ridgely apparently kept
nenoranda books of his father's expenses which Charles continued on his own until
1871. These financial accounts are in MS. 691 and are supplenented by Ridgely's
cancelled checks (1867-1869) in MS. 692.
Ridgely and his fanily left for Europe in 1870, and the fanily did not return
until after Charles' death in 1872. while in Europe Ridgely received nonthly
reports on farm production at "Hanpton." Another frequent correspondent while
Ridgely was in Europe was his friend and banker J. L. Johnston of the firn Johnston
Brothers & Co. His letters contain news fron Baltinore and advice on Ridgely's
investnents. These letters (1870-1872) conprise alnost all Ridgely's extant
inconing correspondence and are in MS. 1127.
Margaretta S. [Howard] Ridgely
Margaretta S. [Howard] Ridgely (1824-1904) was the wife of Charles Ridgely
(1830-1872). She grew up in Baltinore and collection MS. 1127 includes a few
letters written to her before her narriage in 1851. This collection also contains
about 20 letters written to her sister (?) Julia Howard during the l840s and 1850s.
The bulk of Margaretta S. Ridgely's papers are financial accounts kept during
her married life and after her husband's death in 1872. MS. 1127 contains account
books of her expenses for 1864, 1878-1884. The nost revealing of her papers are
the 400 bills and receipts covering the years 1870-1885 which are in MS. 692 and
MS. 717. The Ridgely's lived in Europe from 1870 until the death of Charles Ridgely
in 1872. Margaretta S. Ridgely retained all the receipts for her London expenses
in 1870 and 1871. She returned to Baltinore following her husband's death and lived
with her son John and his wife Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely at "Hampton." She also
had a house in town. The bills and receipts for the years up to 1885 record
expenses for repairs and furnishings for both residences as well as dry goods and
groceries. Margaretta S. Ridgely was apparently an avid reader since the receipts
list the purchase of many books. There are no papers pertaining to her life after
1885.
Eliza Ridgely
Eliza Ridgely (1858-1954) was the daughter of Charles and Margaretta S. Ridgely.
She was raised at "Hampton" and educated in England and France. She returned to
Baltimore with her mother after the death of her father in 1872.
In Baltimore Ridgely was active in home mission work through the Trinity P. E.
Church in Towson. In the l890s she established and helped support free playgrounds
for city children. This work introduced her to other women interested in civic
reform, and Ridgely organized the United Women of Maryland to bring like-minded
women together. Their projects ran from Vacation Bible Schools to street trash
receptacles.
Ridgely's extant papers in MS. 1127 do not, however, deal with her reform
activities. They are largely incoming letters (l880s) from suitors and friends.
Margaretta S. Ridgely
Margaretta S. Ridgely (1869-1949) was the daughter of Charles and Margaretta
S. Ridgely. She lived with her mother until her mother's death in 1904; then she
applied to the Woman's Auxiliary of the Board of Missions (of the Protestant
Episcopal Church) for foreign mission work. She was sent to Cape Mount, Liberia
where she founded a boarding school for native girls. Ridgely ran the school
until 1932.
Ridgely's papers in MS. 1127 deal with her mission work and are mainly letters
she received from former students and writings about the school.
John Ridgely
John Ridgely (1851-1938) was the son of Charles and Margaretta S. Ridgely.
He was educated in Europe and returned home to take charge of "Hampton" following
his father's death in 1872. The earliest of his papers are letters in MS. 1127
written to John concerning his father's estate.
The remainder of his papers concerns the running of "Hampton." His corre-
spondence with his wife Helen W. [Stewart] Ridgely in the 187 Os and 1880s discusses
his work at "Hampton." These letters are in MS. 715 and MS. 715.1. A few of
Ridgely' s account books for "Hampton" especially his stock breeding records are in
MS. 1908.
Helen West [Stewart] Ridgely
Helen West [Stewart] Ridgely (1854-1929) was the wife of John Ridgely (1851-
1938). Her papers are the most complete of any Ridgely family member and consist
of correspondence, diaries, scrapbooks, and writings.
Helen W. Ridgely was the daughter of Baltimore lawyer John Stewart and his
wife L. Josephine [Moulton] Stewart. Helen grew up in Baltimore but spent much
time with her grandparents Joseph W. and Leonice [Sampson] Moulton in Roslyn, N. Y.
A good number of her incoming letters are from her grandmother.
The bulk of her papers are letters she received from the year of her marriage,
1873, until 1901. Most letters are from her mother, grandmother, husband, brother
and children. In the early years there are many letters from her girlhood friends
discussing their own marriages and young children. Helen also received numerous
letters from her mother and grandmother with advice on raising children. These
letters are supplemented by Ridgely's diaries for 1881-1888 in MS. 716 which record
her thoughts on her children and how to raise them to be useful adults.
Ridgely's activities outside her home were largely literary. One notebook in
MS. 716 contains her Bible study class notes for 1877. A series of letters during
1880-1883 discusses German lessons. She also corresponded with Baltimore author
Sarah E. Bennett about her work and Bennett's.
Helen W. Ridgely was an active member of the Maryland Society of the Colonial
Dames of America. She was chairman of its committee to compile a record of Maryland
graveyards and editor of the resulting Historic Graves of Maryland and the District
Of Columbia (New York, 1908). There is correspondence with Annie L. Sioussat, the
Colonial Dames historian, in MS. 715. Earlier, Ridgely had published The Old Brick
Churches of Maryland (1893).
Ridgely's diaries for 1906, 1907 and 1909 deal with her activities in the
Colonial Dames as well as her role organizing the Maryland exhibit for the
Jamestown Exposition in 1907. There are few of Helen W. Ridgely's papers after
1901 although she lived until 1929.
RIDGELY PAPERS MS. 692
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains papers pertaining to Capt. Charles Ridgely (l733~l79O);
his nephew and heir Charles [Carnan] Ridgely (1760-1829); Charles [Carnan] Ridgely's
son John (1792-1867); John's father-in-law (and distant relative) Nicholas Greenberry
Ridgely (1771-1829); and John's son Charles Ridgely (1830-1872). This collection
does not contain all the papers of any one nentioned ahove, hut deals largely with
their husiness activities.
Capt. Charles Ridgely Papers
Capt. Charles Ridgely (1733-1790) was a sea captain, planter, iron naster,
Baltinore County politician, and builder of the Ridgely estate "Hanpton." His papers
in this collection reflect all these activities.
The papers consist of correspondence (1757-1790), ca. 240 itens) and financial
papers, nostly accounts and receipts (1758-1791, ca. 200 itens). The hulk of Ridgley's
correspondence dates fron 1782-1790 and correspondence fron the earlier years can be
found in MS. 692.1. Ridgely's correspondents in the 1782-1790 period include: John
Dorsey, John Sterett, Sanuel Chase, Benjanin Nicholson, Tench Tilghnan, Willian
Goodwin, Horatio Belt, Daniel of St. Thonas Jenifer, John Dennis, Jesse Hollingsworth,
Daniel Sheredine, Robert Gilchrist, George Lux, and Jehu Howell. Topics covered in
these letters are the nanagenent of Northanpton furnace, the hiring/buying of forge
workers, and the acquisition of land, including sone nention of property confiscated
during the Revolution.
Although Ridgely was a political power in Baltinore County and a nenber of the
Maryland House of Delegates, 1777-1787, this group of papers does not shed nuch light
on his political activities. There is a deposition (1786) stating that Ridgely was
overheard to say he voted for Sanuel Chase because Chase pronised to nove the seat of
governnent to Baltinore. There is also one letter (1782 Sept. 23) fron Sarnuel Chase
to ____ [Ridgely?] about British prisoners and the possibility of peace. There are
two letters (1786, 1788) fron George Lux detailing the political situation in Balti-
nore County and two letters (1787) fron Robert Gilchrist about the 1786 election.
Ridgely was accused of inpropriety concerning his opposition to a turnpike in the
county; there are two depositions regarding this issue. Another controversial topic
was the new (1786) valuation of land in Baltinore County. George Lux's letter (1786)
describes this, and there are also notes and calculations on this new valuation.
The financial papers in this collection are loose accounts and receipts for
Ridgely' 5 personal transactions as well as sone for his business. There are a few
receipts (1786 and n.d.) for work done in building "Hanpton." Sone of Ridgely '5
receipts could be in the unidentified receipts in Box 12. Ridgely's financial record
books for both his iron furnace and his mercantile business are in MS. 691. Financial
papers fron his estate are found in Charles [Carnan] Ridgely's papers, Box 5.
Charles [Carnan] Ridgely Papers
Charles [Carnan] Ridgely (1760-1829) was Capt. Charles Ridgely's nephew and
heir. Charles [Carnan] Ridgely inherited both Northanpton Furnace and the estate
"Hanpton$" He served in the Maryland legislature and was governor of Maryland fron
1816-1819. His papers in this collection, however, do not deal with his political
career. His correspondence (1790-1811, ca. 40 itens) deals with running the iron
forge and farning. Other itens include a contract to find new stratun of coal, 1801;
advertisenents he circulated for a runaway Negro, 1791; and a catalog, 1829, of the
contents of "Hanpton" sold at his death.
The collection includes loose accounts and receipts (1784-1811, ca. 150 itens)
for Ridgely's personal and business transactions. Included in these papers are re-
ceipts concerning Capt. Charles Ridgely '5 estate. See also Box 12 for unidentified
bills and receipts that could belong to Charles [Carnan] Ridgely.
John Ridgely Papers
John Ridgely (1792-1867) was the son of Charles [Carnan] Ridgley. In 1828 he
narried his distant relative Eliza E. Ridgely (1803-1867) who was the daughter of
Nicholas G. Ridgely. The collection contains financial papers of both John and
Eliza Ridgely while their correspondence is in MS. 1127 and their financial record
books are in MS. 691.
John's bills and receipts (1829-1861), ca 200 itens) contain nany bills of
sale for slaves (1829-1838). There are also accounts of farn itens produced at
"Hanpton" (1840s). John was trustee for the estate Nicholas G. Ridgely left his
daughter Eliza, and annual accounts appear with John's financial papers.
Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely Papers
Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely's (1803-1867) papers deal with finances. Eliza was
quite nusical and loose bills and receipts (1817-1859, ca. 100 itens) include those
for nusic lessons and repair of her harp in the years (1820-1826). (Eliza and her
harp are the subjects of a portrait by Thonas Sully; the pertinent receipts are in
Nicholas G. Ridgely's papers, Boxes 7 and 10..). Eliza's bills in 1840-1859 are for
household goods. There are two record books kept by Eliza which list subscriptions
to the Inpartial Society (1849-1854), donations to the Widow's Asylun (1849-1851), and
her personal expenses (1849-1853). These supplenent her account books in MS. 691.
Nicholas Greenberry Ridgely Papers
Nicholas Greenberry Ridgely (1771-1829) was a Baltinore grocery nerchant in the
firn of Macdonald and Ridgely. Account books and letter books of this firn are in
MS. 691. The firn was apparently successful; nost of Ridgely' a papers deal with the
disposition of his wealth, not the grocery firn' a activities.
Ridgely's correspondence (1799-1829) largely deals with the collection of funds
owed hin. There are nunerous letters fron relatives needing noney including Ridgely's
brother Frederick in Lexington, Kentucky; his sister Sally in Elk Ridge, Maryland;
his nephews Greenberry W. Ridgely, Willian S. Ridgely, and David Griffith in New
Orleans; and relatives by narriage Henry Gassaway in Cincinnati and Alfred H. Dashiell
in Philadelphia.
Many other letters deal with two lengthy lawsuits in which Ridgely was involved.
In one case Ridgely sued the heirs of Sanuel Chase (Sanuel, Thonas, and Richard M.
Chase) for a piece of waterfront property nortgaged to Ridgely. There is nuch corres-
pondence (1816-1826) as well as a box of legal papers pertaining to Ridgely vs. Chase.
A Chase bank book bearing on this case is in MS. 691. In the other case the
Union Bank sued Ridgely for various reasons. Correspondence relating to these cases
is found during the years 1822-1826.
Other topics covered in Ridgely's correspondence include: the sale of Ridgely's
land near Natchez, Louisiana (1800-1809); the bill for Thonas Sully's 1818 portrait
of Eliza Ridgely (in Box 7) and an 1820 bill for Sully's portrait of Nicholas (in
Box 10); the 1819 financial depression; the Gbttysburg & Petersburg turnpike (1824-
1825); stock in a Chanbersburg, Pennsylvania, bank (1825-1829); Ridgely's support
of Andrew Jackson (1827-1829); and the controversy over Macdonald and Ridgely' a
contracts to provide the U.S. Navy with groceries in 1829. Ridgely's correspondents
included Sanuel Chase, Sanuel Chase, Jr., Thonas Chase, Jesse Eichelberger, Reverdy
Johnson, and John Greene Proud. Nicholas Ridgely's papers also contain two letters
(1799) fron E[lizabeth] Patterson. These were written to his wife Eliza [Eichelberger]
Ridgely.
Nicholas Ridgely's financial papers consist of loose bills and receipts (1793-
1829). The record books are in MS. 691. 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 G. 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
settlenent of the estate are in Box 10.
Charles Ridgely Papers
Charles Ridgely (1830-1872) was the son of John and Eliza E. Ridgely. There
are few of his papers in the collection. Tbose 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' bills and receipts (1870-1871, ca.
100 itens) 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 family 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 Gem. Clinton's
departure for Delaware.
There are also two accounts (1759, 1761) of William 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 G.
Ridgely.
John [Carnan] Ridgely's 1806 school book while at St. Mary's College is also
in the collection. There are three letters of a Charles Ridgely (1845, l860s). 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 Canal Street and another of an uni-
dentified house; and N.G. Starkwether's floor plan for Mr. White's villa in Towson.
James P. Erskine was in business with an Eichelberger, a relative of Mrs.
Nicholas G. Ridgely, and there are about thirty of his letters (1834-1840) concerning
the business.
MS. 692 CONTAINER LIST
> Box1 Charles Ridgely Correspondence 1757-1784
Box2 Charles Ridgely Correspondence 1785-1786
Box3 Charles Ridgely Correspondence 1787-1790, n.d.
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 n.d.
Legal Memoranda 1780's
Box4 Qharles Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1758-1791, m.d.
Box S Charles [Carnan] Ridgely Correspondence 1790-1811, m.d.
Advertisements For Runaway Negro 1791
Contract to Find Coal 1801
Catalog of Belongings at Hampton 1829
Extract of Will n.d.
Legal Papers 1804-1814
Charles [Carnan] Ridgely Estate 1831
box6 Charles [Carnam] Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1784-1820, n.d.
Box7 Nicholas G. Ridgely Correspondence 1799-1823
Box8 Nicholas G. Ridgely Correspondence 1824-1829, n.d.
Eliza [Eichelberger] Ridgely Letters 1799-1800
Nicholas G. Ridgely Wills 1817, 1820, 1822
Legal Papers n.d.
Powers of Attorney n.d.
Memoranda n.d.
Gettysburg & Petersburg Turnpike Papers 1825
Reisterstown Road Stockholders List 1820
Transfer of Property 1824
Union Bank of Maryland vs. Nicholas G. Ridgely n.d.
Box9 Nicholas G. Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1793-1819
Box 10 Nicholas G. Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1820-.1829,.n.d.
Nicholas G. Ridgely Estate Correspondence 1829-1836
Nicholas G. Ridgely Estate Bills and Receipts 1830-1834
Nicholas G. Ridgely Estate, Ground Rents n.d.
Box 11 Nicholas Ridgely and Alexander
McDonald vs Samuel and
Thomas Chase re Chase's Wharf 1816-1826
Box 12 Maryland Militia Papers 1794-1809, n.d.
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, 1840's]
Bill of Sale for Slaves 1818, 1832
Architectural Drawings (oversize) m.d.
Poems ca. 1865, n.d.
Insurance Policies 1818-1819
Fragments n.d.
James P. Erakine Correspondence 1834-1840
Otho W. Eichelberger Letters 1846-1855
Eichelberger Insurance Policies 1810-1872
Mathew 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 [1820's?]
List of Stereopticon Views ca. 1814
Advertisement re a Lost Horse 1785
Index to Account Book m.d.
Medicinal Recipe n.d.
Letter re Vaccination n.d.
John Ridgely of Hampton Legal Papers 1831, 1846, 1852
John Ridgely of Hampton Bills and Receipts 1829-1845
Box13 John Ridgely of Hampton Bills and Receipts 1846-1861, m.d.
Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1817-1859
Eliza E. [Ridgely] Ridgely Account Books 1849-1853
Charles Ridgely (1829-1872) Cancelled Checks 1867-1869
Margaretta S. Ridgely Bills and Receipts 1870-1871
Box14 Ridgely Land Papers 1664-1809
Box15 Ridgely Land Papers 1810-1850, m.d.
OVERSIZE Plan and Profile of Proposed Railroad from Furnace
FOLDERS Branch, Dulaney's Valley to a point on Northern
Central Railroad at Lutherville (2 items) 1870
Plan of Rowbouses on Canal Street n.d.
Plan of Mr. White's Villa in Towson by N.G. Stark
wether n.d.
[This genealogy does not include every
RIDGELY FAMILY descendant in each generation, but
notes those individuals mentioned in
the 9 Ridgely collections0 Capital
letters denote individuals whose papers
Robert Ridgely m. Martha - are in the 9 collections.)
(d. 1681)
I I I
Robert Charles m. Deborah Dorsey William Martha
COL. CHARLES m. Rachel Howard (d. 1750)
(1702/3-1772) m. Lydia [Warfield) Stringer
Deborah m. John Sterett Achsah Capt. Carnan Rebecca m. Coodwin CAPT. CHARLES m. REBECCA DORSEY
m. (1733-1790) [1740-1812?)
(no issue)
SAMUEL CHARLES RIDOELY CARNAN m. Priscilla Dorsey
[1756-1833?) (later Charles
[Carnan) Ridgely)
(1760-1829)
JOHN RIDCELY m. Prudence Cough Carroll
(1792-1867) m. ELIZA EICHELBERGER RIDGELY
(see Henry Ridgely genealogy)
I I
ELIZA (DIDY) m. John Campbell White CHARLES m. MARGARETTA ("DUMPS") SOPHIA HOWARD
(1828-1894) (d. 1853) (1830-1872) (1824-1904)
m. Thomas H. Buckler
'I
Henry Julian LeRoy JOHN m. HELEN WEST Otto E. ELIZA Julia m. Yeaton MARGARETTA SOPHIA
White White (1851- STEWART (1855- (1858- (1862- (1869-1949)
(1850-1927) (d. 1923) 1938) (1854-1929) 1929) 1954) 1951)
HENRY RIDGELY GENEALOGY
William Ridgely Henry Ridgely m.
(d. 1716) (d. 1710)
Col. Henry m. Katherine Greenberry
(1669-1699)
Henry m. Elizabeth War field Nicholas
(1690-1749) (b.l694)
progenitor of
_________________ Delaware Ridgelys
Greenberry }. Lucy Stringer
NICHOLAS GREENBERRY RIDGELY m. ELIZA EICHELBERGER
(1771-1829) (d. 1803)
ELIZA EICHELBERGER RIDGELY m. JOHN RIDGELY (of Hampton)
(1803-1867) (1792-1867)