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Note: [Brøderbund WFT Vol. 14, Ed. 1, Tree #2926, Date of Import: Nov 5, 2004] Major General John Hammond and Colonel Nicholas and wife Ann Greenberry have large tombstones in St Anne's Episcopal Church graveyard in Annapolis. The stones, however were moved there. He was a very wealthy man. He was in Maryland shortly after 1652. Maj. Gen. John Hammond, (1643-1707) son of Thomas Hammond was born December 5, 1643 on the Isle of Wight, off the English Coast. In the early 1660s Thomas (his father) emigrated to Maryland with his wife (his mother) and sons John and Thomas Jr. (his brother). The family settled on "Mountain Neck" a site near present-day Annapolis, in Anne Arundel County. The Hammonds were Quakers. John's military career had a shaky start. In 1662 an Anne Arundel County Court convicted John and his brother Thomas Jr. for delinquency, namely, failing to report for military drill, an act of defiance based on his Quaker beliefs. A fine of 500 pounds of tobacco was assessed against John that was paid by his father Thomas Hammond. John's views about the militia changed, apparently because he shared the colonists fear of action by the Indians He joined a militia group established for protection. This military activity did not sit well with John's fellow believers and in 1683 the Quaker's Half-Year's Meeting carried out condemnation proceedings against him. One account of his "excommunication" stated the cause was disagreement with church leaders. It seems likely that both accounts could be true. Historian Richmond commented succinctly, "After receiving the condemnation, John Hammond became convinced of the virtues and benefits of the ancient faith of the English Church and became a vestryman in the St. Anne's Parish in Annapolis, Maryland." John, came into full possession of his father's estate "Mountain Neck" where he established his seat. He was a gentleman planter, seemingly well-respected and active in Colonial affairs. In 1678, after the death of his first wife, Mary Howard, John married Mary Roper the recent widow of Thomas Roper another prominent planter. Roper's will gave half of his estate to his widow, and half to their daughter Mary, naming trustees for the daughter's share On November 1, 1678 one of the trustees entered court on the ground that Roper's will required the trustee's to secure the daughter's estate in case the widow should remarry. The petition stated " ye said widow is since Maryed to John Hammond of ye Sd County Who is likely to Imbezzell ye sd Estate and therefore humbly craves Citation to Mary Hammond ye Relict of sd Thomas Roper to render Acct to Acct before your Hon of ye said Thomas Roper Estate that ye orphant's share may be by ye County Court secured." There was no scandal, Hammond was elected a member of the Lower House of the Assembly and served from 1692 to 1698, In 1698 he was appointed to the Colonial Council [similar to the Privy Council] and was a member until his death in 1707. At the time Hammond's appointment to the Council was being considered in London, Sir Thomas Lawrence a representative of the Crown was asked to report on the then three candidates . He wrote- ".John Hammond is an elderly man, grave and serious, of a good estate, [he] has been one of the Provincial Justices and lives within three miles of Annapolis" [This rather bland evaluation seems a strong recommendation when compared with the comments on the other candidates "Robert Quarry is an honest gentleman, but engaged in the service of [bitter rival] Pennsylvania. Edward Dorsey lives near Annapolis and builds houses there. Those who have had dealings with him say his honesty oftener fails him than his wit. During the same period John advanced in his military career. In 1694 he was Captain of a "troop of horse" [cavalry} by 1698. He was addressed as Major, [in another place he was mentioned as Lt. Col. of infantry in 1695] and in 1707 he was commissioned by Governor Seymour as a Major General to command of all military units on the Western Shore of Maryland However, the significance of John Hammond's appointment is not clear and deserves further research. He was commissioned in the last year of his life, when there is some indication that his health may have been declining. NOTES ON MAJOR GENERAL JOHN HAMMOND AND HIS SON THOMAS All notes are from volumes of CALENDAR OF STATE PAPERS, AMERICA AND WEST INDIES (Indexed collections of minutes and communications between Colonial Officals and the Colonial Office in London) found in the Reference Room of the Public Records Office, Kew, London. Mar 27, 1697, Documents forwarded to London with letter from Maryland Governor Nicholson included a list of officers ...Justices of the Provincial Court ..John Hammond. Item 864 Calendar 1696-97 May 31, 1697, Journal of the House of Delegates, Maryland "As to finishing the ditch[unspecified in my notes] and other repairs adjoining it, resolved that John Hammond and Edward Dorsey see to the work and that the Treasurer pay them 8,000 pounds of tobacco for the [project]" Item 1050 Calendar 1696-97 Apr 2, 1698, Minutes of Council, Maryland "Agreed to represent to the King that the rumors of Lord Baltimore's restoration caused much unrest and that his restoration would do much mischief not only to the Protestant Church but to the good frame and constitution of the courts of Justice" ....and "agreed to recommend John Hammond and three others as candidates for the Council." Item 334 Calendar 1697-98 Aug 2 1698, Address of Maryland Council to the King proposing as Counselors John Hammond (and 6 others) Aug 17, 1698, Report of Sir Thomas Lawrence on the proposed new Counselors for Maryland ". . . .John Hammond is an elderly man, grave and serious, of a good estate, [he] has been one of the Provincial Justices and lives within three miles of Annapolis" [Sir Thomas' comments on two others were not as favorable .. "Robert Quarry is an honest gentleman, but engaged in the service of Pennsylvania.....Edward Dorsey lives near Annapolis and builds houses there. Those who have had dealings with him say his honesty oftener fails him than his wit."] Aug 20, 1698, Letter from Governor Nicholson to Council of Trade and Plantations [London] "Several times I have not been able to get three of the council together, so finding it to be absolutely necessary I have called up Major John Hammond who lives within three miles of this place (and two others). Without appointing these gentlemen I must either have let the King's business undone for want of three counselors or must have done it with the assistance of one or two counselors only. I ask your pardon for it."Page 393 Calendar 1697-98 [An interesting reference to the relationship of John Hammond and the Governor appeared in an earlier Calendar (1691, I think) that merits another look. It appeared that John Hammond helped the Governor prepare his lists of Council nominees. My notes on this are sketchy because I had no more time -- ) Jan 20, 1699, Congratulatory Address of Maryland Governor, Council and others to King upon the peace. Signed by John Hammond and six other councilors [need to find out what peace] June 29, 1699, Journal of House of Delegates, Maryland Warrants signed for writs of election to sheriff of Anne Arundel Co [for election to replace] John Hammond now of His Majesty's Council. Item 568 Calendar 1699 July 20, 1699 Journal of House of Delegates Maryland "An allowance to the transcriber of laws was recommended and 120 pounds agreed to. The Board proposed that the House should appoint some person near at hand to draw orders on the Treasurer for money granted in the session. Captain Richard Hill, Samuel Young, John Worthington and Major John Hammond were appointed. Item 673 Calendar 1699 July 22, 1699, Journal of House of Delegates Maryland noting an address to the King expressing humble thanks for sending Nathaniel Blakiston as Governor of Maryland. Signed by John Hammond and eleven others. Item 674 Calendar 1699 July 22, 1699, With letter from Governor Blakiston to Council of Trade and notations (London) "Copy of an Association to defend His Majesty's most sacred person and government against the late King James[then in exile in France] and all his adherents" Signed by Governor, Speaker, and Council, including John Hammond. Item 719 Calendar 1699 Mar 12, 1700, Letter from Governor of Maryland to Council of Trade and Plantations "..I am put at great difficulty in getting a Council meeting here at any time for only Mr. John Hammond lives adjacent to our town. Item 213 Calendar 1700 May 8, 1700, Journal of the Maryland Assembly. "The Delegates concurred with yesterdays message about building the Church(?) and resolved that the money be lodged in Maryland in the hands of the Governor, Col. John Addeeson, Thomas Brook and Col. John Hammond and that full powers be given them to agree and pay for the building. They accepted the trust proivided the House agree that they should put the money in some responsible merchants hands in London p.232 Calendar 1700 Date missing, Minutes of Council taking note of a long letter on problems with papists, quakers and dissenters urging moderation toward the latter. Signed by John Hammond and three others. p. 385 Calendar 1700 July 5, 1700, With letter from Gov. Blakison a letter regarding laws on popery and assessment of taxes for church opposed by Papists and Quakers, asking patience. Signed by "Jon Hammond" and 4 others. [This was indexed as Jonathan Hammond, but I believe it could only have been John] Item 617 Calendar 1700 Aug 5, 1700, Copy of the bond given by Captain Munday to appear before His Majesty in Council after his arrival in England . John Hammond and Samuel Howard of Anne Arundel County were the sureties. Item 688 Calendar 1700 May 8, 1701, Minutes of Maryland Council "Members of the Assembly were summoned from the State House to attend H.E. the Governor in Council Chamber. Thomas Hammond was absent On May 9, Major Thomas Hammond was sworn a Delegate for Baltimore County. p. 220 Calendar 1701 May 9, 1701, Journal, House of Delegates, Maryland "Major Thomas Hammond appeared and was sworn a Delegate" Item 425 Calendar 1701 May 25, 1701, Letter from Governor to Council of Trade and Plantations{London} listing Council and including ... Col. John Hammond Item 477 Calendar 1701 Mov 29, 1701, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Bart. produced HM Letters Patent for the Secretarys Office and minutes of Nov 19 showing that he had been sworn before H. E. the Governor and Col Hammond.Item 1039 Calendar 1701 June 25, 1702, Minutes of the Council in Assembly of Maryland "Thomas Brooke, the present Judge of the Admiralty Court, living remote from this place, ordered that a commission be prepared for the Hon. John Hammond to be Judge of that Court. p. 427 Calendar 1702 Nov 12, 1702, Minutes of the Council of Maryland "The Hon. Col John Hammond, Judge of the vice Admiralty took the oath and prescribed the test. Item 1146 p. 427 Calendar 1702 Oct 15, 1704, Letter to council of Trade and Plantations "In August last there was a prize brought into the Government, the manner of her caption being very uncommon...... The prize is a small ship, her loading was 150 hhds of brown sugar, 36 hhds of white sugar and a parcel of ginger....Governor Seymour hath taken all the care and caution imaginable in every step relating to this affair, he hath by the advice of his Council put the whole concern into the hands of Col. Hammond, one of the Council, and a gentleman of worth and ability, and resolves that the whole effects shall continue in his hands until he receives further orders. The case of the prize being exrtraordinary H. E. the Governor is not fully satisfied whether the property belongs to H.M. or the Lord High Admiral, nor what proportion of the effects belong to the captors, and therefore resolves to have all the effects kept entire without division till he can receive direction about it; Item 605 Calendar 1704-05 Nov 27, 1706, Address to Queen by the Governor, Council and Assembly on the need for coinage of small copper coins 3 pence and 6 pence John Hammond among the signers. Item 630 Calendar 1706-1708 Mar 6, 1707, sRepresentation of the Council of Maryland in response to the complaints made by Sir Thomas Lawrence against the Governor 1) he hath insinuated to sundry noble personages in England that H. E. the Governor hath put many difficulties upon him 2) He complained that H.E. the Governor and the Council have[taken from him] all his fees and perquisites of office. These and other charges were denied and refuted in document signed by John Hammond and six others. Item 792 i Calendar 1706-08 June 10, 1707, List of persons proposed by Governor Seymour for filling vacancies in the Council of Maryland ... Lt. Col Thomas Hammond and 17 others Item 975 i Calendar 1706-08 June 23, 1707, Again presenting a list of "12 other persons of good loyalty, worth and probity, by whom any future vacancies [might be filled] ... Lt. Col Thomas Hammond Item 1570 Calendar 1706-08 [The latter items suggest the possibility that John Hammond's health was deteriorating (he died in about 6 months), or that his promotion in 1707 to Major General, responsible for the Western Shore might preclude his continuing as a member of the Council.] Sept 10, 1707, Address of Governor, Council and Assembly to the Queen [regarding boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland] "Pray H. M. to direct Lord Baltimore and William Penn to settle their respective bounds" Signed by John Hammond and 7 others Item 1115 i Calendar 1706-1708 *[ I found no reference in the Calendars to John Hammond's being commissioned a Major General. Elsewhere in the 1706-1708 Calendar there was a reference to the fact that the Governor appointed the officers of the militia, but one would expect the Governor to report his appointment of John Hammond to the rank of Major General.] Additonal Source data: Anne Arundel Gentry, Voume One, pages 190-195, Harry Wright Newman, K.C.L., F.A.S. Sources: Wills, Liber 5, folio 313; Test. Proceedings, Liber 10, folio 315, A.A. Co. Deeds, Liber IH no 3, folio 4; Ibid. Liber WTno 1, folio 278, WT no 2,folio 15, Wills, Liber 12, folio 184, Inventories & Acounts, Liber 27, folio 246; Ibid. Liber 144; folio 338; Wills, Liber 16, folio 366. Copy of Will page 194
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