Charles Carroll (barrister) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Carroll
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| Born | March 22, 1723  Annapolis |
| Died | March 23, 1783 (aged 60) Baltimore County |
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| Occupation | Politician |
Charles Carroll (born March 22, 1723 – died March 23, 1783) was an important American leader from Annapolis, Maryland. He helped build the famous Mount Clare home in Baltimore in 1760. He also served as a representative for Maryland in the Second Continental Congress during the American Revolution.
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Early Life and Education
Charles Carroll came from a well-known Roman Catholic family in Annapolis, Maryland. His family had roots in Ireland. He was a distant cousin of other famous Charles Carrolls, like Charles Carroll of Carrollton and Daniel Carroll.
When Charles was ten years old, his father took him to Europe for school. He studied for six years in Lisbon, Portugal. After that, he went to England to finish his education. He attended Eton and then the University of Cambridge. He graduated from Cambridge in 1746 and returned to Annapolis. There, he started learning how to manage his family's farms and mills.
In 1751, Charles decided to study law. He moved to London and joined the Middle Temple, a famous law school. He became a lawyer there before coming back to Maryland in 1755. Because there were other relatives named Charles Carroll involved in public life, he started calling himself Charles Carroll, Barrister. A barrister is a type of lawyer. However, he never actually practiced law in America.
Three months after he returned, his father passed away. At 32, Charles became one of the richest men in Maryland. He was chosen to take his father's place in the Maryland Assembly. This was the main government body for the colony in Annapolis.
Building Mount Clare
In 1760, Charles finished building his summer home. It was located southwest of Baltimore near the Gwynns Falls stream. He named this beautiful estate "Mount Clare" after his grandmother.
In June 1763, Charles married Margaret Tilghman (1742–1817). She was the daughter of Matthew Tilghman. Charles and Margaret did not have children who lived to adulthood. But they stayed together until Charles died. Margaret became known for her amazing greenhouse at Mount Clare. She grew special fruits like oranges, lemons, and even pineapples there!
Charles Carroll and the American Revolution
Charles Carroll continued to serve in the Maryland Assembly. But the Assembly stopped meeting when the American Revolution began. Charles then joined other leaders in the Annapolis Convention. This group acted as Maryland's early revolutionary government. He played important roles in all their meetings.
He joined the Committee of Correspondence in 1774. This committee helped different colonies communicate. In 1775, he joined the Committee of Safety. This group helped protect the colony. Charles even led several sessions of the Convention.
Charles was part of the committee that wrote Maryland's first new constitution. It was called the "Declaration and Charter of Rights and form of government for the state of Maryland." This important document was approved on November 3, 1776.
When the Convention decided to remove the last royal governor, Sir Robert Eden, 1st Baronet, of Maryland, Charles delivered the message. He was the chairman of the Convention at that time. In a kind gesture, he invited the governor and his wife to stay as guests at Mount Clare Mansion. They stayed there until they sailed back to England.
In November 1776, Charles was chosen to represent Maryland in the Continental Congress. He replaced his cousin, Charles Carroll of Carrollton. He served in the Congress until February 15, 1777. He was offered a high position as Chief Justice, but he turned it down.
When he returned to Maryland, he was elected to the first state Senate in 1777. He continued to serve in the Senate until he passed away. Charles Carroll died on March 23, 1783, at his home, Mount Clare Mansion. He was buried at St. Anne's Churchyard in Annapolis.
Mount Clare Today
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In the early 1760s, Charles Carroll helped a young artist named Charles Willson Peale. He encouraged his friends to raise money so Peale could study painting in Europe.
After Charles Carroll's death, his wife Margaret continued to live at Mount Clare. She lived there until she passed away on March 14, 1817. Today, Mount Clare Mansion is a museum. It shows what life was like in colonial times. The museum is managed by the National Society of the Colonial Dames in Maryland. The City of Baltimore owns the property.
Mount Clare is a great example of Georgian architecture. It stands on a hill in the middle of Carroll Park in southwest Baltimore City. You can visit Mount Clare Museum House all year round.
See also
