George Calvert (planter)
Encyclopedia
George Calvert was a plantation owner in late Eighteenth and early Nineteenth century Maryland
. His plantation house, Riversdale plantation, also known as the Calvert Mansion, is a five-part, large-scale late Georgian
mansion with superior Federal interior, built between 1801 and 1807, and was designated a National Historic Landmark
in 1997. Calvert's wife, the Belgian-born heiress Rosalie Stier Calvert
, was an indefatigable correspondent whose letters, titled Mistress of Riversdale, The Plantation Letters of Rosalie Stier Calvert, was published by the Johns Hopkins University Press
in 1991. The letters range in date from 1795 to 1821, and illuminate the life of the Calverts' plantation household during the events leading up to and during the War of 1812
.
George Calvert was born at his father's plantation home of Mount Airy
, Maryland
, on February 2, 1768, the youngest son of Benedict Swingate Calvert
, who was himself the illegitimate son of Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore
, the penultimate Lord Proprietor of the Province of Maryland
.
George Calvert lived at the Riversdale plantation, also known as the Calvert Mansion, a five-part, large-scale late Georgian
mansion with superior Federal interior, built between 1801 and 1807. Also known as Baltimore House, Calvert Mansion or Riversdale Mansion, it is located at 4811 Riverdale Road in Riverdale Park
, Maryland
. It was designated a National Historic Landmark
in 1997.
Once the manor house and centerpiece of a 739 acres (3 km²) plantation, Riversdale was built for Belgian émigré Henri Joseph Stier, Baron de Stier, who lived in the Brice House in Annapolis, Maryland
immediately prior to building Riversdale. Stier planned the house in 1801 to resemble his Belgian residence, the Chateau du Mick. Four years later, Stier returned to Belgium
, leaving the unfinished Riversdale to be completed by his daughter, Rosalie Stier Calvert
and her husband George.
in 1991, edited by Margaret Law Callcott. The letters range in date from 1795 to 1821, and illuminate the life of Stier's plantation household during the events leading up to and during the War of 1812
.
The couple had a large family. Their son Charles Benedict Calvert
established the Maryland Agricultural College, now the University of Maryland, College Park
, on part of the Riversdale property. Another son, George Henry Calvert
(January 2, 1803 - May 24, 1889) was a noted editor, essayist, dramatist, poet, and biographer.
Rosalie herself died on March 13, 1821, according to her physician, "of a general dropsy affecting the whole system", at the relatively young age of 43.
. However, pressed by his wife Rosalie to avoid politics, he was persuaded to devote his energies instead to the economic well-being of his family. However, it seems he may have missed an opportunity, as the Federalist candidate chosen in his place, Charles Carnan Ridgely
was duly elected that year.
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. His plantation house, Riversdale plantation, also known as the Calvert Mansion, is a five-part, large-scale late Georgian
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
mansion with superior Federal interior, built between 1801 and 1807, and was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1997. Calvert's wife, the Belgian-born heiress Rosalie Stier Calvert
Rosalie Stier Calvert
Rosalie Stier Calvert was a plantation owner and correspondent in Nineteenth century Maryland. A collection of her letters, titled Mistress of Riversdale, The Plantation Letters of Rosalie Stier Calvert, was published by the Johns Hopkins University Press in 1991...
, was an indefatigable correspondent whose letters, titled Mistress of Riversdale, The Plantation Letters of Rosalie Stier Calvert, was published by the Johns Hopkins University Press
Johns Hopkins University Press
The Johns Hopkins University Press is the publishing division of the Johns Hopkins University. It was founded in 1878 and holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously running university press in the United States. The Press publishes books, journals, and electronic databases...
in 1991. The letters range in date from 1795 to 1821, and illuminate the life of the Calverts' plantation household during the events leading up to and during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
Early life
Mount Airy
Mount Airy is the name of several places in the United States of America:*Mount Airy, Georgia*Mount Airy, Louisiana*Mount Airy, Maryland* Mount Airy , listed on the NRHP in Maryland...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, on February 2, 1768, the youngest son of Benedict Swingate Calvert
Benedict Swingate Calvert
Benedict Swingate Calvert was a Maryland Loyalist during the American Revolution. He was the son of Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore, the third Proprietor Governor of Maryland , and may have been the grandson of King George I of Great Britain...
, who was himself the illegitimate son of Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore
Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore
Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore, 3rd Proprietor and 17th Proprietary Governor of Maryland, FRS was a British nobleman and Proprietary Governor of the Province of Maryland...
, the penultimate Lord Proprietor of the Province of Maryland
Province of Maryland
The Province of Maryland was an English and later British colony in North America that existed from 1632 until 1776, when it joined the other twelve of the Thirteen Colonies in rebellion against Great Britain and became the U.S...
.
Riversdale
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
mansion with superior Federal interior, built between 1801 and 1807. Also known as Baltimore House, Calvert Mansion or Riversdale Mansion, it is located at 4811 Riverdale Road in Riverdale Park
Riverdale Park, Maryland
Riverdale Park is a town in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 6,690 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Riverdale Park is located at ....
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. It was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1997.
Once the manor house and centerpiece of a 739 acres (3 km²) plantation, Riversdale was built for Belgian émigré Henri Joseph Stier, Baron de Stier, who lived in the Brice House in Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
immediately prior to building Riversdale. Stier planned the house in 1801 to resemble his Belgian residence, the Chateau du Mick. Four years later, Stier returned to Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, leaving the unfinished Riversdale to be completed by his daughter, Rosalie Stier Calvert
Rosalie Stier Calvert
Rosalie Stier Calvert was a plantation owner and correspondent in Nineteenth century Maryland. A collection of her letters, titled Mistress of Riversdale, The Plantation Letters of Rosalie Stier Calvert, was published by the Johns Hopkins University Press in 1991...
and her husband George.
Family life
George and Rosalie Calvert were married on June 11, 1799. His wife was an indefatigable correspondent and a collection of her letters, titled Mistress of Riversdale, The Plantation Letters of Rosalie Stier Calvert, was published by the Johns Hopkins University PressJohns Hopkins University Press
The Johns Hopkins University Press is the publishing division of the Johns Hopkins University. It was founded in 1878 and holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously running university press in the United States. The Press publishes books, journals, and electronic databases...
in 1991, edited by Margaret Law Callcott. The letters range in date from 1795 to 1821, and illuminate the life of Stier's plantation household during the events leading up to and during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
The couple had a large family. Their son Charles Benedict Calvert
Charles Benedict Calvert
Charles Benedict Calvert was a U.S. Congressman from the sixth district of Maryland, serving one term from 1861–1863. He was an early backer of the inventors of the telegraph, and in 1856 he founded the Maryland Agricultural College, the first agricultural research college in America, now part of...
established the Maryland Agricultural College, now the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, on part of the Riversdale property. Another son, George Henry Calvert
George Henry Calvert
George Henry Calvert was an American editor, essayist, dramatist, poet, and biographer. He was the Chair of Moral Philosophy at the newly established College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Baltimore, and in 1854 he served as Mayor of Newport, Rhode Island.-Biography:His mother, Rosalie...
(January 2, 1803 - May 24, 1889) was a noted editor, essayist, dramatist, poet, and biographer.
- Caroline Maria Calvert (July 15, 1800 - November 25, 1842), married on June 19, 1823 Thomas Willing Morris of Philadelphia.
- George Henry CalvertGeorge Henry CalvertGeorge Henry Calvert was an American editor, essayist, dramatist, poet, and biographer. He was the Chair of Moral Philosophy at the newly established College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Baltimore, and in 1854 he served as Mayor of Newport, Rhode Island.-Biography:His mother, Rosalie...
(1803–1889), essayist, dramatist, poet, and biographer. - Marie Louise Calvert (1804–1809), died in childhood.
- Rosalie Eugenia Calvert, of Goodwood, Maryland (Riversdale, Bladensburg, Maryland, October 19, 1806 - Goodwood, May 6, 1845), married in Philadelphia on November 11, 1830 Charles Henry Carter (EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, January 29, 1804 - July 5, 1892). - Charles Benedict CalvertCharles Benedict CalvertCharles Benedict Calvert was a U.S. Congressman from the sixth district of Maryland, serving one term from 1861–1863. He was an early backer of the inventors of the telegraph, and in 1856 he founded the Maryland Agricultural College, the first agricultural research college in America, now part of...
(1808–1864), was a U.S. CongressmanUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
who founded what is now the University of Maryland, College ParkUniversity of Maryland, College ParkThe University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, chartered in 1856. - Marie Louise Calvert (1812–1813), died in infancy.
- Julia Calvert, of Cedar Grove, Virginia (Riversdale, Bladensburg, January 31, 1814 - Cedar GroveCedar Grove, VirginiaCedar Grove is an unincorporated community in Northampton County, Virginia, United States.-References:*...
, June 8, 1888), married in Riversdale on May 7, 1833 Richard Henry Stuart (Pop's Creek, May 31, 1808 - Cedar Grove, May 14, 1889). - Amelia Isabella Calvert (1817–1820), died in infancy.
Rosalie herself died on March 13, 1821, according to her physician, "of a general dropsy affecting the whole system", at the relatively young age of 43.
Politics
In 1816 Calvert was approached by Maryland Federalists who asked him to run as the Federalist candidate for Governor of Maryland. Calvert came from a long line of politicians; his ancestors had ruled the Province of MarylandProvince of Maryland
The Province of Maryland was an English and later British colony in North America that existed from 1632 until 1776, when it joined the other twelve of the Thirteen Colonies in rebellion against Great Britain and became the U.S...
. However, pressed by his wife Rosalie to avoid politics, he was persuaded to devote his energies instead to the economic well-being of his family. However, it seems he may have missed an opportunity, as the Federalist candidate chosen in his place, Charles Carnan Ridgely
Charles Carnan Ridgely
Charles Carnan Ridgely was born Charles Ridgely Carnan. He is also known as Charles Ridgely of Hampton. He served as the 15th Governor of the state of Maryland in the United States from 1815 to 1818. He also served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1790 to 1795, and in the Maryland State...
was duly elected that year.
External links
- Riversdale website Retrieved October 2010
- Riversdale information from Prince George's County Dept. of Parks & Recreation Retrieved October 2010
- Riversdale, Prince George's County, including photo in 2003, at Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved October 2010
- Baltimore House, 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, Prince George's County, MD: 10 drawings, 4 photos, 4 data pages, 1 photo caption page at Historic American Building Survey Retrieved October 2010