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The Hughletts have figured largely,
both politically and financially, in Caroline County ever since the
first William Hughlett, in 1759, arrived from
Northumberland County, Virginia, and settled near Greensboro (then in
Queen Anne County).
Thomas Hughlett, eldest son of this family,
came into political prominence at the time of the organization of our
present county by receiving the appointment s our first sheriff.
Later he became a coroner, then a member of the legislature.
When the Revolutionary War broke out
he entered Military service and was appointed a Captain of the Caroline
County Militia and as such was actvie in the defense of his country,
continuing in this service until the close of the war. In later
years he was judge of the County Courts which position he held at the
time of his death.
His tomb bears the following
incription telling of his merit and worth:
"In memory of
Thomas Hughlett Esquire
Son of William Hughlett and
Mary, his wife,
| who departed this life on the 26 day of
March 1805, in the 65th year of his age. He was an affectionate
husband, and tender parent, a kind master, a social and
agreeable friend and an active industrious and enterprising
citizen. He was honored by the free suffrage of his fellow
citizens with the office of Sheriff of Caroline County then a
delegate to the General Assembly of Maryland for many years. A
justice of the Peace, and was at the time of his death one of
the Associate Judges of the County Court. His integrity,
justice and moderation has endeared his memory to the citizens
of Caroline. Let his virtues be a stimulus to the descendants
to preserve. The slothful will be covered with shame and none
but those who preserve will reap the fruit of their labor." |
Thos. Hughlett's eldest
son, William Hughlett 2nd, was born Sept. 9, 1769.
While he held some positions of political preferment, having been in
1816 elected to the Maryland senate and acted as president pro-tem of
that body, he had few aspirations in that direction.
Because of his extensive land
holdings, amounting to several thousand acres, he was better known in
the agricultural world and was at one time a member of the "Board
Trustees of the Maryland Agricultural Society of the Eastern Shore."
As landmarks showing the holdings of the
second Wm. Huglett we have the well
known line of square stone markers each having the initials W. H. cut
thereon while on a few are such inscriptions as "Last grant," "Skin
Ridge," "Last bit," etc. The line of markers extends from near
Milford, Delaware to Whitelysburg thence through Hughes Corner above
Whitelysburg and on through the Maryland line to Greensboro, while in
Talbot County almost the entire neck of Bolingbroke is spanned by these
markers.
On leaving Caroline this William
Hughlett removed to "Warwick Manor" in Dorchester
County near Secretary Creek. Later his home was at "Pleasant
Valley" near Easton, where he died in 1845.
His eldest son, Col.
William R. Hughlett of "Chancellor's Point," was well
known and highly esteemed. His daughter and grandchildren are
present residents of Greensboro, Caroline County, and of Talbot County,
and end the long line of a well known and honorable family, whose
residence in this section covers a period of more than a century and a
half.
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