Owners of Enslaved Persons on the Eastern Shore Who Served in the Maryland Legislature and in the U.S. Congress, Part 3

George Shivers • April 13, 2022

Article 24, Declaration of Rights, Maryland Constitution of 1864. Image: Maryland State Archives

This is the last of three articles about Eastern Shore owners of enslaved persons who served in the Maryland legislature and in the U.S. Congress. Part 1 covered the Lower Shore counties. Part 2 described the Mid-Shore counties. This article covers 14 enslavers who lived in the Upper Shore counties of Queen Anne’s, Kent, and Cecil.

Ezekiel Forman Chambers (1788-1867), Kent
John Angel Creswell (1828-1891), Cecil
Levin Gale (1784-1834), Cecil
Hart Benton Holton (1835-1907), Cecil
Hiram McCullough (1813-1885), Cecil
George Edward Mitchell (1781-1832), Cecil
Joseph Hopper Nicholson (1770-1817), Kent
James Alfred Pearson (1805-1862), Kent
Philip Reed (1760-1829), Kent
Samuel Ringgold (1770-1829), Kent
Joshua Seney (1756-1798), Queen Anne’s
Joshua Van Sant (1803-1884), Kent
George Vickers (1801-1879), Kent
Robert Wright (1752-1826), Queen Anne’s

The names of these politicians are taken from a Washington Post project to identify enslavers.

Ezekiel Forman Chambers. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Ezekiel Forman Chambers

Born in Chestertown, Kent County, in 1788, Ezekiel Forman Chambers graduated from Washington College in 1805, was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1808, and established a practice in his hometown. He served in the War of 1812, becoming a brigadier general after the war. In 1822, he was elected to the Maryland Senate and was then elected to the U.S. Senate, from which he resigned in 1834. Chambers then served as presiding judge of the Second Judicial Circuit of Maryland Court of Appeals until 1851.

Chambers enslaved as many as 54 persons; his son, however, claimed he was an abolitionist.

During his time as a judge, he represented Maryland in a landmark case in defense of slavery. In that case, Edward Prigg was trying to retrieve alleged fugitives from across the Mason-Dixon Line. The Supreme Court in 1842 sided with the rights of enslavers to their property, establishing Chambers’s role as a major figure in the political debates about slavery. In 1858, he played an active role in the expulsion of Kent County resident James L. Bowers from his home. Bowers was rumored to be involved in abolitionist activities and Chambers ruled the local mob was justified in tarring and feathering him and chasing him out of town.

In 1864, Chambers lost his bid to be elected as Maryland’s governor. At that time, he still owned several enslaved persons, even though the new Maryland constitution of that same year abolished slavery. He died in 1867 and is interred in the Chester Cemetery.

Hiram McCullough. Photo: Wikipedia

Hiram McCullough

Born in Elkton in Cecil County in 1813, Hiram McCullough studied at Elkton Academy, was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1837, and practiced in Elkton. From 1845 to 1851, he served in the Maryland Senate. After running for U.S. Congress in 1850 and losing, he was appointed as one of the codifiers of the laws of Maryland. Elected as a Democrat to Congress, he served until 1869. He then resumed his law practice and for many years was counsel for the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad.

He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1864 and in 1868. In 1880 and 1881, he was a delegate in the Maryland General Assembly and was elected as Speaker of the House. He died in Elkton in 1885 and was interred in the Presbyterian Cemetery.

McCullough owned two male slaves in 1860, ages 30 and 35.

Philip Reed. Image: U.S. House of Representatives

Philip Reed

Philip Reed was born in Kent County near Chestertown in 1760. He served in the Revolutionary Army and reached the rank of captain. In 1787, he served in the Maryland House of Delegates. From 1791 to 1794, he was sheriff of Kent County. He was elected as a Democratic Republican to the U.S. Senate in 1806; reelected the same year, he served until 1813.

He was a lieutenant colonel in the Maryland militia during the War of 1812. Subsequently, Reed was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served from 1817 to 1819. He was elected for another term, 1822 to 1823. He died in 1829 and was buried in the Christ Church cemetery near Chestertown.

In 1800, Reed owned 10 enslaved people. That number had increased to 23 in 1820. At the time of his death, according to the 1830 census, he owned four enslaved persons.

Samuel Ringgold. Image: U.S. National Park Service

Samuel Ringgold

Samuel Ringgold was born in Chestertown in 1770, but moved to Washington County, where he farmed and served on the vestry of St. John’s Church in Hagerstown. He was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1795, and later served in the state Senate (1801-1806). From March 1817 to 1821, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives. After leaving Congress, he returned to his estate, Fountain Rock. He died in Frederick and is interred in Fountain Rock Cemetery, near Hagerstown. In 1820, Ringgold was the owner of 28 enslaved people.

George Vickers. Image: Govtrack.us

George Vickers

Born in Chestertown in 1801, George Vickers was employed by the Kent County clerk’s office for several years. He was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1832 and established a practice in Chestertown. He served as a major general in the Maryland militia during the Civil War. One of his four sons fought in the Union Army; a second fought in the Confederate army and was killed at Shiloh.

A Democrat, Vickers was a U.S. senator from Maryland from 1868 to 1873. He reportedly rushed to Washington from Chestertown to cast his vote against President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment.

In 1870, he led the effort by southern Democrats to block the swearing-in of Sen. Hiram Revels of Mississippi, the first Black member of that body. Vickers argued the Dred Scott decision meant Revels had only been a citizen for two years, since the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified, and not the nine years required by the Constitution. The Senate voted down this objection, and Revels was sworn in.

After his Senate term, Vickers resumed his law practice and died in Chestertown in 1879. His remains are interred in the Chester Cemetery.

According to the 1860 Slave Schedule (population schedules used in the 1850 and 1860 Federal Censuses), Vickers enslaved eight persons, including two boys and one man, and three girls and one woman.

Robert Wright. Image: U.S. Senate Historical Office

Robert Wright

Robert Wright was born in Queen Anne’s County in 1752. He was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1773 and began his practice in Chestertown. He served during the Revolutionary War, first as a private, then as a lieutenant, and eventually as a captain.

From 1784 to 1786, he served in the Maryland House of Delegates, and in the state Senate in 1801. He was elected as a Democratic Republican to the U.S. Senate in 1801 and served there until 1806. From 1806 to 1809, he was governor of Maryland. In 1810, he was clerk of Queen Anne’s County.

Wright served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1810 to 1817. He was subsequently reelected and served from 1821 to 1823. Then, until his death in 1826, Wright was district judge of the lower Eastern Shore district. He was buried in the private burying ground of the DeCourcy family in Queen Anne’s County.

In 1820, Wright enslaved 20 persons, including 11 boys and young men, one man, four girls and young women, and three women.

John Andrew Jackson Creswell. Image: Brady-Handy Photographic Collection

John Andrew Jackson Creswell (mistakenly given the name John Angel Creswell in some sources)

Born in Creswell’s Ferry (now Port Deposit) in Cecil County in 1828, John Creswell is something of an enigma. First, there is a mistaken version of his name and second, he appears on a list of enslavers who served in the Maryland and U.S. legislatures.

Yet in all my research, Creswell is presented as an abolitionist by conviction who contributed in significant ways to that cause. One source suggests that he came to his abolitionist ideas somewhat late, which may explain why he has also been identified as an enslaver earlier in his life.

Even though it isn’t appropriate to discuss him further in the context of this article, I will address his interesting career in a future article.

Sources:

More than 1700 congressmen once enslaved Black people. This is who they were, and how they shaped the nation. Julie Zauzmer Weil, Adrian Blanco, and Leo Dominguez. Washington Post, Jan. 10, 2022.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/interactive/2022/congress-slaveowners-names-list/?itid=ap_juliezauzmerweil

Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress, 1774-present

https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=W000768

American Abolitionists and Antislavery Activists: Conscience of the Nation

http://americanabolitionists.com/anti-slavery-political-leaders.html#Congressional%20Reps%20Who%20Opposed%20Slavery

Wikipedia, John Creswell

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Creswell

Wikipedia, William Hindman

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hindman

Wikipedia, John Leeds Kerr

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Leeds_Kerr

Wikipedia, Hiram McCullough

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_McCullough

History, Art, & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, Philip Reed

https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/R/REED,-Philip-(R000125)/

Find a Grave, George Vickers

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7954973/george-vickers

Wikipedia, George Vickers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Vickers

InfoPlease, Robert Wright

https://www.infoplease.com/biographies/government-politics/robert-wright-md

A native of Wicomico County, George Shivers holds a doctorate from the University of Maryland and taught in the Foreign Language Dept. of Washington College for 38 years before retiring in 2007. He is also very interested in the history and culture of the Eastern Shore, African American history in particular.

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Speak up for Eastern Neck and NWR System

By Friends of Eastern Neck Board of Directors • April 16, 2025

Let your elected representatives and business and cultural leaders know that our Refuge and others like it all over the country deserve to be protected. They deserve our stewardship for the natural wonders they shelter, and because they provide refuge for people, too.

Letter: These Republicans Are Right — Hogan is Responsible for Maryland’s Budget Deficit

By Elaine McNeil • April 9, 2025

The Budget Deficit In a recent debate on closing Maryland’s budget deficit, Minority Leader Jason Buckel, a Republican delegate from Allegany County, made an important point: “The man upstairs has only been there for two, three years. I don’t blame him for our economic failures of the last 10,” referring to Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, who was elected in 2022. Ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial elections, Buckel’s comments highlight a key reality that many of his Republican colleagues seldom admit: It isn’t right to blame Gov. Moore for a budget deficit that has been brewing for years. Now projected at $3.3 billion, Maryland’s structural deficit is a problem that started long before Moore took office. In fact, it was first projected in 2017, during the tenure of former GOP Gov. Larry Hogan. This isn’t an opinion — it’s a fact that Buckel and other lawmakers, including Republican Del. Jefferson Ghrist, have bravely acknowledged. During that same debate, Ghrist remarked that the Department of Legislative Services had warned about this deficit throughout Hogan’s administration, yet he did little to address it. Ghrist pointed out that during Maryland’s “good years,” when the state received a flood of federal covid-19 relief dollars, spending spiraled without regard for long-term fiscal health. Hogan used these one-time federal funds to support ongoing programs, which masked the true state of Maryland’s finances and created an illusion of fiscal stability. Hogan continues to take credit for the “surplus” Maryland had in 2022 — even though experts repeatedly note it was caused by the influx of federal dollars during the pandemic. As Ghrist correctly observed, the lack of fiscal restraint and slow growth during the Hogan years laid the groundwork for the $3.3 billion structural deficit the state faces today. Indeed, Maryland’s economy has been stagnant since 2017, especially in comparison to its neighboring states, well before Moore took office. Compounding these challenges are President Donald Trump’s reckless layoffs and trade wars with our allies. Thousands of federal workers who live in Maryland are losing their jobs, which will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue. Trump’s tariffs will also put an enormous strain on local businesses, including Eastern Shore farmers, who are now subject to up to 15% retaliatory tariffs on chicken, wheat, soybeans, corn, fruits, and vegetables. FY2026 Budget Considering this grim reality, Maryland’s lawmakers are making difficult, but necessary, decisions to shore up the state’s finances. Gov. Moore and state legislative leaders recently agreed to a budget that prioritizes expanding Maryland’s economy without raising taxes on most residents. In fact, 94% of Marylanders should see either a tax cut or no change at all to their income tax bill under the proposed agreement. Lawmakers also plan to cut government spending by the largest amount in 16 years, while at the same time making targeted investments in emerging industries, such as quantum computing and aerospace defense, so the state is less dependent on federal jobs. While the richest Marylanders might see their income taxes go up, it’s reasonable to ask someone making over $750,000 a year to pay $1,800 more to support law enforcement, strengthen our schools, and grow our economy. As for the proposed tax on data and IT services, these products aren’t subject to Maryland’s sales tax under current law. Maryland leaders want to modernize our tax code by levying a 3% sales tax on these products. Because they don’t raise income taxes on the majority of Marylanders and because state leaders are also cutting spending by billions, these ideas are fair. They’re also necessary after Gov. Hogan chose to kick the can down the road instead of addressing Maryland’s long-predicted deficit and now that Trump’s policies will lay off thousands of Marylanders and his tariffs will hurt our state. By making responsible choices now, Maryland leaders are putting the state on a path to long-term economic stability. Their decisions will help Maryland thrive, create jobs, and invest in the vital services that every resident relies on — without burdening hardworking families. I’m confident Maryland will emerge stronger, more resilient, and ready to lead in the industries of tomorrow. Elaine McNeil is chair of the Queen Anne’s Democratic Central Committee.

Fighting the President’s Executive Orders

By John Christie • April 2, 2025

Among Donald Trump’s most recent targets is what he calls “rogue law firms.” At 6pm last Thursday, March 27, he issued an Executive Order (EO) aimed at my old law firm, WilmerHale, as one of those “rogue” firms. Approximately 15 hours later, the firm filed a 63-page complaint challenging the EO on multiple constitutional grounds. The EO is an “unprecedented assault on the bedrock principle that one should not be penalized for merely defending or prosecuting a lawsuit” and constitutes an “undisguised form of retaliation for representing clients and causes Trump disfavors.” And by 8pm on Friday, March 28, a little over 24 hours after the EO was first issued, a federal district court judge in Washington granted a request for a temporary restraining order, blocking key provisions of the EO from taking effect for now. In doing so, the Court found that “the retaliatory nature of the EO is clear from its face. There is no doubt that it chills speech and legal advocacy and qualifies as a constitutional harm.” The Executive Order The EO and a so-called “Fact Sheet” that went with it recites that the Administration is committed to addressing the significant risks associated with law firms, particularly so-called “Big Law” firms that engage in conduct detrimental to critical American interests. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) is yet another law firm said to have abandoned the legal profession’s highest ideals and abused its pro bono practice by engaging in activities that “undermine justice and the interests of the United States.” The specific examples offered in support of this conclusion: The EO asserts that WilmerHale “engages in obvious partisan representations to achieve political ends,” an apparent reference to the firm’s representation of Trump’s political opponents — namely the Democratic National Committee and the presidential campaigns of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The EO cites WilmerHale’s “egregious conduct” in “supporting efforts to discriminate on the basis of race,” an apparent reference to the firm’s representation of Harvard in the Students for Fair Admissions litigation. The EO accuses WilmerHale of “backing the obstruction of efforts to prevent illegal aliens from committing horrific crimes,” an apparent reference to the firm’s litigation related pro bono practice and successful challenges to immigration related policies. The EO accuses WilmerHale of “furthering the degradation of the quality of American elections,” an apparent reference to the film’s involvement in challenges to restrictive state voter-identification and voter-registration laws. The EO singles out certain current and former WilmerHale partners, including Robert Mueller, for special criticism by describing Mr. Mueller’s investigation as “one of the most partisan investigations in American history” and having “weaponized the prosecutorial power to suspend the democratic process and distort justice.” The EO then Revokes security clearances held by WilmerHale attorneys; Prohibits the federal government from hiring WilmerHale employees absent a special waiver; Orders a review and the possible termination of federal contracts with entities that do business with the firm; Calls for the withdrawal of government goods or services from the firm; and Calls for restrictions on the ability of WilmerHale employees to enter federal buildings (presumably including federal courthouses) and on their “engaging” with government employees. WilmerHale’s Complaint WilmerHale engaged Paul Clement, a former Solicitor General during the George W. Bush administration and a well-known advocate frequently representing conservative causes, to represent the firm in this matter. Assisted by some 15 WilmerHale litigators, the complaint names the Executive Office of the President and 48 other Departments, Commissions, and individual Officers in their official capacity as defendants. A variety of constitutional violations are alleged: The First Amendment protects the rights of WilmerHale and its clients to speak freely, and petition the courts and other government institutions without facing retaliation and discrimination by federal officials. The separation of powers limits the President’s role to enforcing the law and no statute or constitutional provision empowers him to unilaterally sanction WilmerHale in this manner. The EO flagrantly violates due process by imposing severe consequences without notice or an opportunity to be heard. The EO violates the right to counsel protected by the Fifth and Sixth Amendments and imposes unconstitutional conditions on federal contracts and expenditures. The complaint alleges that WilmerHale has already suffered irreparable damage in the 16 hours since the EO issued. The firm has been vilified by the most powerful person in the country as a “rogue law firm” that has “engaged in conduct detrimental to critical American interests. The EO will inevitable cause extensive, lasting damage to WilmerHale’s current and future business prospects. The harm to the firm’s reputation will negatively affect its ability to recruit and retain employees. Further Proceedings Temporary restraining orders constitute emergency relief upon a showing of likely success on the merits and irreparable harm were the temporary relief not entered. A later hearing will be held in order for the judge to determine whether a preliminary injunction should be issued preventing the government from executing the EO during the continued length of the litigation. Editorial Note: In light of the recent capitulation of several “Big Law” firms to the unreasonable and unconstitutional attacks by the Trump administration, WilmerHale is providing a blueprint for resistance as it fights back. More law firms need to be inspired by WilmerHale’s response to Trump’s demand for revenge on his so-called political enemies. John Christie was for many years a senior partner in a large Washington, D.C. law firm. He specialized in anti-trust litigation and developed a keen interest in the U.S. Supreme Court about which he lectures and writes.

Remembering Tom Timberman

By Bill Flook & CSES Staff • April 2, 2025

Tom Timberman was one of the founders of Common Sense for the Eastern Shore. Sadly, he died last month. He will be missed. Common Sense exists because of his leadership and inspiration. His vision was to provide factual and timely commentary and analysis on topics that concern people who live and work on Maryland's Eastern Shore, and to provide factual reporting to help readers shape their own lives. It was important to Tom, as it is today to the editorial board, for Common Sense to help voters to be aware of the effects — personal and local — of decisions made at the federal and state levels. Especially relevant now is this from our Mission Statement: “We seek an America responsive to its citizens and its constitution.” We reprint this tribute from Bill Flook, President of the Democratic Club of Kent County : Many of us were deeply saddened to learn of TomTimberman’s passing last week. It’s hard to believe that such a strong Democratic voice is gone. I worked with Tom for much of the past decade on many good projects promoting our values and activities, including helping on his campaign for County Commissioner, and I’ll particularly miss following his lead as Captain of the Dawn Patrol. Our group met most Saturday mornings for coffee and some good chat, before heading up to Dems HQ to set up the booth there. We’ll miss you, Tom!

The Truth About the FY2026 Md. Budget HB350

By Jared Schablein • April 2, 2025

After over 12 hours of debate over two days (and a whole circus from the other side), the Maryland House of Delegates has passed HB 350, this year's state budget, and sent it to the State Senate. This budget is a deal between House Democrats, Senate Democrats, and Governor Wes Moore. It faces our state's $3 billion deficit head-on not with fantasy math, but with real choices: smart cuts and fair new revenue. This is what grown-up governing looks like. How We Got Here: Maryland’s budget problems didn’t start overnight. Leaders began warning about a shortfall in 2017 when Governor Larry Hogan was in office. Hogan made our state budget bigger every year, but the legislature wasn’t allowed to move money around or make common-sense changes. By law, they could only make cuts. In 2020, Maryland voters changed that. Starting in 2023, lawmakers finally got full power to shape the budget, not just cut from it. Instead of fixing the problem, Governor Hogan used federal COVID relief to hide our fiscal instability. Then, before leaving office, he drained our state’s savings from $5.5 billion to $2.3 billion to boost his image. Today, we are facing a new fiscal arsonist. Donald Trump’s trade wars and cuts to federal programs hit Maryland hard. We have more federal jobs and agencies than any other state, so we felt it worse than most. A University of Maryland study says Trump’s tariffs alone could cost us $2 billion. Trump/Musk's policies caused over 30,000 people in Maryland to lose their jobs, offices to shut down, and promised investments to disappear. These federal cuts added another $300 million to our budget deficit. COVID relief gave us a short break and even created a fake surplus under Hogan, but that money is gone now. Meanwhile, housing, healthcare, and college prices have gone way up. The Trump–Musk White House is making it worse by cutting even more funding, eliminating research, and gutting the services we rely on. That’s why Maryland had to act. We needed a real plan to protect working people, fund our schools and hospitals, and keep our state strong. Why Cuts Were Needed Trump’s trade wars and cuts to federal agencies hit Maryland harder than any other state. A University of Maryland study says those tariffs alone could cost us $2 billion. That hurts real people: A chicken farmer on the Eastern Shore is paying 25% more for fertilizer. A dock worker in Baltimore has fewer ships to unload. A restaurant owner in Western Maryland can’t afford eggs and tomatoes. We’ve lost over 30,000 jobs. Offices have shut down. Promised investments disappeared. The decisions of the Trump/Musk administration added $300 million to our state deficit.

No, Mr. Trump, You Have No “Mandate”

By Jan Plotczyk • November 19, 2024

The 2024 presidential election was over swiftly. The Associated Press called it at 5:34 am on Nov. 6, and by 8 am, President-elect Donald Trump was crowing about the “ historic mandate ” given to him by the American people. A “mandate”? Turns out not. Trump jumped to an early lead on election night, but in the following days, his lead diminished as mail-in and provisional ballots were counted. A Baltimore Banner article on Nov. 6 highlighted the “Trump shift” that had occurred in every political subdivision in Maryland, even in counties where Democrat Kamala Harris won. This shift described the increase in Trump support since his loss to President Joe Biden in 2020 . As of Nov. 6, the biggest Trump shift was an 8.1% increase in his support in red Cecil County, but there were also shifts in the central Maryland counties that are the state’s Democratic strongholds — 4.3% in Montgomery and lesser amounts in other blue counties. Fourteen counties recorded shifts of 4% or more. On the Eastern Shore, every county had a shift over 4.5% except Talbot (2.7%), and the five largest shifts were Shore counties. For the state’s Democrats, it did not look encouraging. But as mail-in and provisional ballots were counted across the state, the Trump shift was reduced everywhere, and as of Nov. 16, disappeared altogether in Garrett (-1.2%) and Charles (-0.1%) counties. The shift dropped below 3% in all Maryland counties. Cecil’s shift became 2.1%. Montgomery’s shift dropped to 2.9%. Talbot’s shift declined to 0.2%, lowest of the Eastern Shore counties. Now, instead of five, only two of the highest five shifts were in Eastern Shore counties. The red bars in the chart below represent the Trump shift percentage values as of Nov. 16, in ascending order. The grey bars represent the misleading (and ephemeral) Trump shift percentage values as of Nov. 6. Please note the degree to which the Trump shift lessened and disappeared in the 10 days after the election. Another red mirage. But if you had only read the Nov. 6 article and not looked at the updated data, you would have been fooled into thinking Trump support is stronger than it is.