The royal colony of Maryland granted a license to Charles Rumsey in 1710 to operate an ordinary (tavern/inn) on his property located at the headwaters of the Bohemia River. “Katherine, this will help to sustain our family,” he explained to his wife. The income which they derived from his plantation was simply not enough to support the couple and the four children who were still living at home (they had eight in all).
2 “It will mean a great deal more work for me, and we
will have to share our home with strangers,” Katherine protested. “But we will
do what we must do,” she sighed.
3 It did, after all, make sense. Numerous travelers
had passed by their home over the years on their way to Wilmington and
Philadelphia. “We must build a reputation for cleanliness and hospitality that
will draw them to us,” Charles told his wife and children.
4 Toward that end, no one was more enthusiastic or
helpful than their youngest son Edward. Edward was only seven years old when
the Rumsey’s home became an ordinary, but he was determined to do his part from
the very beginning. He especially enjoyed listening to the storytelling and
political debates which their guests engaged in from time to time.
5 In the summer of 1716, two especially memorable
guests stayed overnight at the inn. Thomas Harney was heading south on his way
home from Wilmington, and John Brevard was heading north on his way to
Philadelphia. Both men were travel weary, but they weren’t too tired to discuss
the political rights of Catholics within the colony.
6 “The papists should not have the vote,” John said.
“This is a royal colony of a Christian king and state,” Thomas agreed. “That’s
true, but this was founded as a refuge for them,” another man reminded them.
7 “Do you want papists to rule here?” John demanded.
“I didn’t say that,” the man protested. “Then you must agree with us that they
should not have any opportunity to influence what happens here,” Thomas
finished. “Well, there’s nothing before the assembly at present,” the man said
as he downed his drink and left.
8 Edward had been so mesmerized by the conversation
that he had almost forgotten what his father had sent him to do. He cleared his
throat. “I’ll show you to your room now,” he offered. “Yes, I am very tired,
and I’d like to get an early start in the morning,” Thomas admitted.
9 John nodded in agreement, and the two men followed
Edward out of the common room and down a hallway. Although strangers to each
other, the two men shared the same bed that night in the room designated for
the Rumsey’s guests.
10 The next morning, Katherine served them breakfast
while Edward saddled their horses and led them to the front of the house. John
and Thomas thanked their hosts and paid Charles for their food and lodging.
Then they shook hands, mounted their horses and rode off in separate
directions.
11 Unfortunately, Charles died the following year.
Edward’s older brothers, Charles and William, helped their mother settle their
father’s estate and finish raising him. Moreover, as their father was not a
wealthy man, things would be especially hard on Edward as the youngest son.
Tradition and the law still favored older siblings when it came to inheritance.
As for the Catholics in Maryland, they lost their right to vote a year after
Charles’ death.
12 Now Charles and Katherine Rumsey were the parents
of Prudence, Margaret, Grace, Elizabeth, Mary, Charles, William and Edward.
13 William became a surveyor and went on to become
quite wealthy. His son, Benjamin, served as a delegate from Maryland to the
Continental Congress in 1776 and 1777.
14 Edward was the father of a son named James, who
would one day go on to become an inventor of many marvelous things.
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