Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Maryland
Charles Carroll of Carrollton was born in Annapolis on September 20, 1737. He was the son of Daniel Carroll, who came from King's County, Ireland, and named after his grandfather, Charles Carroll.As early as 1725, a group of Irish immigrants had established homes on the Potomac River's Virginia bank, opposite the Monocacy's mouth. This particular tract of land was acquired by Charles Carroll, founder of his family in Maryland, who, when he received the land on the Monocacy, was acting as Agent for the Proprietor of Maryland, Lord Baltimore.
The Carrolls were Irish and Roman Catholics; perhaps it was the first Charles Carroll, founder of the family in Maryland, who had encouraged the first group of Irish newcomers to settle on the bank of the Potomac River across from the Virginia Colony. This region was strongly Protestant and surrounded by wilderness countryside on both sides of the Potomac River.
Charles Carroll, the grandson
Later, his grandson, another Charles Carroll, was known as the wealthiest man in America when he inherited the vast agricultural estates, naming it Carrollton Manor.The grandson of the founder, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Federalist, the signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1737 and died in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 14, 1832.
On July 18, 1776, Carrollton was a member of the Maryland Convention convened to elect delegates to the Continental Congress. He was selected for that vital station-took his seat on August 2, and signed the Declaration of Independence. He had previously endeared himself to them through a voluntary mission to Canada with Franklin, Chase, and Bishop Carroll. The object of their visit was to persuade the people of the Canadas to unite with the Colonies against England. The Messrs. Carrolls were Roman Catholics, the prevailing religion of the Canadians.
The defeat of the American troops at Quebec and the death of General Montgomery had thrown so much darkness over the prospects of the American cause that the Canadians refused to enter the compact.
On his return, Carroll was surprised to find that the Maryland delegates in Congress had voted with the Assembly to oppose the Declaration of Independence. His influence caused the rescinding of that vote and a reversal of the instructions. He intensely desired that his native state should do full service in the cause of freedom. To effect this, he spent more time in her legislative hall than in Congress. In the formation of her constitution and laws, he rendered efficient aid. From 1788 to 1791, he was a member of the U.S. Senate.
Charles Carroll died November 14, 1832.