William Steuart (planter) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Steuart
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William Steuart
1754 Anne Arundel County, Maryland
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| Died | February 12, 1839 Anne Arundel County, Maryland
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| Occupation | planter |
William Steuart (born 1754 – died February 12, 1839) was a rich farmer in colonial Maryland. He owned a large estate called Dodon in Anne Arundel County. He inherited this land from his father, George H. Steuart, who was also a planter and a politician.
Contents
Early Life and Family
William Steuart was born in 1754 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He was the fourth son of George H. Steuart (1700–1784). William grew up at Dodon, which was his family's large farm. It was located on the South River, close to Annapolis, Maryland.
Working in Colonial Maryland
When he was young, William Steuart worked as a clerk. He helped the two Judges of the Land Office. These judges included his father, George H. Steuart, and Benedict Swingate Calvert. Benedict Calvert was the son of Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore. Charles Calvert was the third owner and governor of Maryland.
The Steuart family was closely connected to the Calvert family, who ruled Maryland. In 1770, there was a disagreement in the Maryland Assembly. This was Maryland's law-making group. The upper and lower parts of the Assembly argued about how much money the Land Office could collect in fees.
William Steuart collected fees that were higher than what the lower house wanted. Because of this, he was put in jail. The governor at the time, Robert Eden, then stopped the Assembly from meeting. He freed Steuart and took him out of the Assembly's control. The issue of these fees caused a lot of unhappiness among Marylanders. This happened just before the American Revolution.
The American Revolution
The American Revolution divided William Steuart's family. His father, George H. Steuart, was a Loyalist politician. This meant he supported the British Crown. He had gained a lot from being an ally of the ruling Calvert family.
George H. Steuart also owned land in both Maryland and Scotland. When the war started, he had to choose sides. He decided to go to Scotland in 1775. He said he "could not turn rebel in his old age." He wisely divided his property among his sons. William Steuart went with his father to Scotland. He returned to Maryland after the war ended.
Even though his father was a Loyalist, William Steuart supported the American side. His nephew, Richard Sprigg Steuart, wrote about him. He said, "Uncle William was mild and conciliatory, rather Republican." This means he was calm and leaned towards the American cause. But he respected his father too much to speak out often.
After the war, William Steuart inherited the family estate, Dodon. It was on the South River, near Annapolis, Maryland. He also helped restart the Maryland Jockey Club. This club was for horse racing. It was re-established on March 1, 1783, in Annapolis. They set rules for races, including the prize money and yearly fees.
Later Life and What He Left Behind
William Steuart never married. He died on February 12, 1839. He left a lot of land and many people who worked on his farm. These were divided among his family members who were still alive. His will gave detailed instructions on who would inherit his large estates in Maryland.
His nephew, Richard Sprigg Steuart, also wrote about him. He said, "The fifth of my grandfather's children was William, also a bachelor, [who] left a very large landed property and numerous slaves. He was our good old 'Uncle Billy'."
William Steuart is buried at the family estate of Dodon. This is on the South River, near Annapolis.
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William Steuart
