Show OCR
SIDE-LIGHTSON MARYLAND HISTORY — TWR TRANSPORTED SETTLERS.Interesting Sketch Of The Noted Van Suerln^en Family, With Picture Of Ita Coat Of Arina.(OBnrrlghted Ilt;KH. b.r neater !.re* RlcbanUon.)* no uncomfortable condition of affairs in England at the tlmo of the settlement of Maryland made men of fine feeling and true worth anxiou* to leave It at any colt,Many of theae having utterly Impoverished themselves In the cause of religion or in the* Her vice of the King readily embraced the condition* of plantation* offered by Ceceltua Calvert.Hence many a m in 'who had no means of paving his passage over—« matter of £2u sterling—let another transport lilrn for their mutual benefit.Hut this simple word ‘'transported.which represented only a financial accommodation between man and man In Colonial days, ha* In the eyes of many of their descendants Crown Into a bar sinister of the deepest dye. The mere mention of the word seems to give them a sinking sensation, the feeling that their social underpinning is being ruthlessly pulled from beneath their feet. To such persons that a father “transported’ his own son or daughter even implies a lowering of their social statu*.If for a parent to pay the passage of his children to this country In Colonial days w«is a disgrace to be visited upon his de-s. ndanis to the eighth and ninth generation, why is It not equally disgraceful for the twentieth-century American father to •'transport ’ his sons or daughters to Europe each summer? Recent investigations have brought to light the names of many of thefkassengers who came on the Ark. Great as he interest would be, if published, there ar« some person* who would le aghast to be. in that “Lady Anne Wlniour/ Dr. Thomas Garrard and others had paid thepassage of many of these men who came “to plant and inhabit, as did those to whom Thomas Copley made the voyagepcps.bleU was purely a business arrangement. The person who advanced the passage money received a goodly number of acres for each settler, while the latter himself was given a snug little farm of oil acres to ■tart hi* fortune.Even those who entered Into an Indenture for a term of four years to p r or.n some aapvice as clerk, teacher or to assist In cultivating the plantations. lo.st no social cast«‘ even in the province.Those who have jumped to the conclusion that because a man is recorded as having been transported' he therefore belonged to the lower si rata ui society have not loosed very deeply into the peculiar social conditions in the province. How would guch an one account for the fact tlutt man} bo transported and some even designated as 'servants within a few years were Bitting in the Council nr in the Assembly, ami had perhaps married the daughter* of other Councilors or associates of bis Lord-ITlds was an •English settlement, and, a* wv well know, a Palatinate a little kingdom with an English Ln* as sovereign. 80-When. In the history of England,one lt;»f the peasant class at the end of his indenture to a tradesman sit in the House of Lords or with the King's Privy Council?When was the underling ever given the command of the ml 11 buy forces of the Sovereign?There seems, then, only one logical explanation of tin* conditions which existed in the early fwttb'ment of Maryland, when men “transported’* and Indentured. after fulfilling UfeSir service* In very many instances. qufokly appeared h« high dignitaries in the legislative halls and on the field—and it is this: Social caste was so immutably fixed, so absolutely' stationary, that an English gentleman could be trans-Brted—could turn hia hand to earning hi* ing—and still bo an English gentleman!King Alfred played the cook at the old dame'* bidding under the spur of necessity; that he turned the cakes into the fire was from lack of experience, for ho was still King Alfred. 80 with the young men who cr.me to Maryland under the stress of circumstances, in subordinate positions. All who rose to place* of honor In the Province can no doubt be traced to honorable 1 n-eago in England, as have many already.The very fact that well-born young men dared to accept subordinate position* in an hour of financial embarrassment, such aa then prevailed In England, proclaims the Province of Maryland a settlement of most superior gentlemen, since. Instead of trying to keep such men down, history shows those high in authority shoring the honor* with them. Evidently there were as few cads a* there were convicts in royal old Maryland—none in the beginning certainly!It appears that more pre-eminently here than at any known place llw* gold was but the guinea’* stamp and the man the man for s’ that.The spirit that prevailed In Colonial Maryland must have lcen the forerunner of that of the pioneer Western day*, when young fellows of tender rearing would turn In and work a* hard as the man brought up to manual labor; but the leadership was to the fittest, and In a few years they were the cattle king*, and the man \yith the boo was still digging.The Van Sweringen Family.Gerret Van Sweringen, one of the most Interesting figures in the Colonial period, came into Maryland from New Amstei, Del., after the surrender of that city to the British In lOtH. Born of noble family in Reonst-ncrdam, Holland, tn the year KWH. we soon find him an active and important factor in the stirring time* sad events with the seating of the Dutch and Swede* on Die Delaware.The Dutch West India Company sold out Its In ten st to the city of S m* terdt mwhereupon a ship called the Prince Maurice was made re idy to go to New Amstei and take possession. Young Gerret Van Sweringen was appointed to the responsible post of supercargo The vessel, we are told, tailed out of the Texel a few days before Christmas in the year 1656 with supplies and defense for the colonists. Arriving off Fire Island on March 8. Ki57, when en routo to New Amsterdam, where they wished to touch, the good ship Maurice stranded neir the southern coast of I-ong Island.The passenger* and crew escaped in the small lifeboat and reached the barren shore bif fro sen. It Is said they remained without fire for several day*, but this seem* incredible* for sensible people, who saved, no doubt, their firebox along with most of their cargo. Finally some friendly lndiins took k message to Governor Stuyvesant at Kcw Amsterdam, who soon after arrived in s sloop and conveyed the party lt;0 what IsK»w the great metropolis, then a straggling ntoh settlement. A* the ship went toKeces It was necessary for Gerret Van veringen to charter one at New Amsterdam In which they continued their voyage to the Delaware, where the Dutch had re-«allied Fort Cast ml r. which had been cap-3red and named by the Bwedes, New Ani-gtel but which is now the city of NewIn writing of the state oft affairs at that time Gerret state* that the Dutch West India Company was bo Indebted to the city of Amsterdam a* to the setting out of a man of warr in reducing the South river lt;meaning tbe Delaware) Into thelre possession againe they were resolved to make sale of their said titleSnto the said city. In fine, he continue* je ditty of Amsterdam were made lord* gnd patrons of that colony. • • • A ship-called the Prince Maurice was provided |0 give to the said colony, a governor andIdum41 appointed and a company of •oiler* consisting of about alxty men put aboard, and 1 myselfe was made supracar-goe over tbe said ship and goods. • • • The pSLSsenger* coming into Delaware In * ship called the Beaver hired at New£ork after the ship Prince Maurice was s«. This was the 25th day of April, 1657, when w e took possession of the fort now tailed New Castle, and the soldier* of theWest India Company quilted the same. Here Genet, the young adventurer, wastho ysar following made second counselor, liter having filled the post of clerk andCmmtssary, from which offices he sought be released.Id this same year he man led at New Cas-gi Barbara de Barrette, who was born Valenciennes, France. Some month*ter ho sailed with hi* bride 011 a diplomatic mission to Holland, and upon hia return resumed his official duties We would never ha vs known anything of this force-Hollander had not the Britishfort and country was brought under si mission by 81r Robert Carr, as deputed w two ehtpp* to that intent Sir Robert G did proteat often to me that b© did. 1 come as an enemy, but aa a friend, demm Ing onely In friendship what was ye Kin right in that country. There was taV from the city and Inhabitants thereaboi 100 sheep. £0 or 40 horses, 50 or 60 00 and oxon, the number of 60 or 70 negn • • * and the estate of the Governor a myself, except some house stuff© and negro. I gott away and some other mo’ blea Sir Robert Carr did permit me to seiIt Is a family tradition that when colony surrendered to tho British Ger publicly broke hia sword across bis kn and. throwing It to the right and left, nounced all allegiance to the Dutch auth itles Certain It is that he sought oltiz* ship in Maryland on the principle. pr« abiy. that If he was to be under Engl ruk* he would live umong English peopbIn the year 166!) Gerret Van 8veering with hi* wife and three children, were n 11 rail zed by act of Assembly, after wh he was entitled to become a landholder tho province.Indeed, If the Rent Roll* of Bt. Mar be correct. Van Sweringen * Point * surveyed for him two years prior to n« t iirallxM BonIt 1* evident that lie built himself a v« commodious residence, a* the Council r there for many years and in hi* will G ret mentions the council roorn and the c fee house. On the 2oth of August. 1681. doubt because of the heat indoor*, hi* Lo ship adjourned the Council to the arbor Van Bwerlngen's.IN bet her 11 es© men of responsibility w tempted by the cool breese* from thepol the scent of the ms** upfiung from Fi Van Sweringen* garden, or by visions be idy steins In the vine-covered arbor I tory siyeth not.On May 4. KIWI. Gerret was appointed II! Sheriff of Nt. Mary's county.At a Council held at Mstapony Sewall the 12th of Mjy, UM. Gerret Van Swerir made oath to hia deposition In relation the seating of Delaware bay and river the southward of Hie fortieth degree latitude by tbe Dutch and Swede*.In the year 1 bHi he and three others w constituted a special court to try a ves accused of transgressing his Majesty * la of shipping and navigation. In the proc mation of the charter of the city of Mary’s issued by Lori Baltimore Gar was made an alderman of the capital.Barbara, the first wife of Gerrett Vcial lines, we have reason to believe, were not relaxed because of freedom of conscience. All men were not declared free and equal.Don SuicartuoetLft* i*9«ful young HOJianasr uaa not uie British 4ftsr taking New Amsterdam sent Sir Robert f*-r* to demand the surrender of NewAmstsl Of tbs svsnt Gfrrst wTheSweringen, died in the year 1670. Six ye* later he married Marv Smith, of St. Mary He died at the age of 62. after as varied an lt;perlenvc as not often falls to the lot of mi He left eight children, three of whom wlt; by the first wife. Barbaro de Barrette. 8lt; I eral of the daughters of Gerret Van Swer gen married men of ihe highest social a ' official position, transmitting through soi of our British Mar viand families the bio of this doughty Dutchman, whom all are proud to claim as a forebear.* Thomas the Second, son of Gerret v ! Sweringen. anglicized hi* name by droppi the Van and qddlr.g an a in writing hii self Thomas Swearingen. He was born Bt. Mary's county, but removed to Some set. where he patented land and made 1 hi me. He died in the year 1710, leavl: four sons.Thomas, the eldest of these, born In 801 ersett, married Lydia Riley. Tn middle 1! they removed to Virginia, where Thom Sweringen owned large tracts of land.Both be and his father perpetuated t original patronymic by naming each a a ; Van. The first to bear this Chrlsti name was one of the Somerset brant He married his cousin and removed to V ginla where he became deputy llcutena of Berkely county prior to the Revolutlo ary War. with the title of Kings deput from which he became known as !lt;!' Van. He enjoyed the personal friends! and confidence of Thomas JefTerson, Pi lick Henry, Governor Harrison and George Washington, letters from all these men being still in the possession “King Van’s descendants.His son Joalah. who was born near She herdstow-n. W. Va.. married a descend! of the Duke of Hamilton.JosepVi was a captain under Lord De more during Lewi** expedition to the Pic away plains of Ohio.Maryland “Van Swearingen, born Somersett county in the year I«i2. marri Elizabeth Walker. He removed to Was ington county. Maryland, and took up large tract of land. After building ! home and feeling securely settled, it w found that the land had been previous patented as Ringgold's Manor to anoth€ Not to lose hi* Investment, he leased t! land for 80 year*. He lived to be 100 yea old and lived in three centuries.One of his daughters married Thom One sap. His son. Samuel Sweringen. st tied at Frederick and left a large famil This line Intermarried with the Bonds.*Cr saps, Stulls, Wilsons. Grahams. Beal] Richards, Lncklands and other promine Maryland families.A si l iking Incident in the history of 01 branch of their family distinguished f it* military services during the Colonl and Revolutionary period was the captu of two Swearingen boys by the Shawn Indians.As the story goes, Marmaduke Sweari gen, a youth of about 17 years, who w. out In the wood* hunting wMh his young btother, was captured. Having a hoy's r mantle Interest In the roving life of tl red men. Duke begged that his broth be sent home and he would become one the tribe. From the blue blouse he wo ho was named Blue Jacket. and 11 vi with the tribe on the Scioto river. He b came such a good Indian that at the a* of 35 he was chosen chief and sat in tl councils. Van, the elder brother of Ma maduke. or Blue Jacket, was born ne; HAgerstown, Md. He married 8usann£ Greathouse Like so many of his kinsme he became a distinguished fighter in tl Indian and Revolutionary War*. He hi many descendants in the Far South.Joseph Van 8wearingen, who lived nej Frederick, Md., married Ruth Davis, of tl same county. He became a general ar had charge of the Commissary Depar ment In the War of 1R12 Among the mar distinguished men who were descendan of Gerret Van Swearingen, Colonial offlci. of Maryland, were Colonel James 8trolt;! Swearingen, Colonel King Van Bwearii gen. Brigadi-r-General of Militia Bamu Swearingen; Burgeon Ell Hwearingen, of t! Continental Army; Captain Van Swearii gen, of the Revolutionary Army; Lieu John Swearingen, of Washington count; Georgia, and others too numerous to raei tlon. Among the best-known Maryland d* scendants are Mr. George H. Shafer, 1 Annapolis; Mr. Charles b. Tiernan, Mr Jervis Spencer. Mrs. Theodore G. Lurma Miss Mary Tilghman, Mrs. Christophi Johnston. Mrs. John R, Tait, Miss Dorot! Talt, Mrs. Samuel W. Tlolladay. Mrs. Joh Mulltn. Mrs. Charles Lyon Rogers, Mr Owen Norris and Mrs. George E. WhitneReaders' Letter Box.[Contributors to the Letter Box it dorse their letters with proper nai address for good faith. Readers will send questions or answers to the Box, as persons will not be put Ir communication. Write only on one the paper.—Editor.)Messrs. Editors: I, with other*, wouilike to know what Mrs. Richardson chargi to w rite up a family for Side-Lights.MAMBITIOUS.[To Ambitious ’ and Others: Mrs. Riel ardson charges nothing to write of family for Side-Lights.* M The question ridiculous. The makers of Maryland hi tory are being written Of under **8tdlt;Li*!;:*” The prcsfint-dar GetetBdant
Your clip comment has been saved and pending for approval before it displayed.