ANNAPOLIS, Md. — When Americans think about the signing of the Declaration of Independence, they often picture 56 men standing together in unanimous agreement. But as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration, it is worth remembering that each signer made an individual decision that carried enormous personal risk. For Maryland’s four signers, placing their names on the document meant risking their fortunes, their reputations and, if the Revolution failed, their lives.
Leading up to the summer of 1776, independence from Great Britain remained a deeply controversial idea. Many colonists still hoped reconciliation with the Crown was possible, and Maryland was among the more cautious colonies.
Leading up to the summer of 1776, independence from Great Britain was still a deeply controversial idea. Many colonists hoped reconciliation with the Crown remained possible, and Maryland was among the more cautious colonies.
Unlike Virginia and Massachusetts, Maryland did not rush toward independence. The colony had prospered under British rule. Many of its leading citizens were wealthy landowners, merchants, and lawyers with strong economic and social ties to England. Declaring independence meant risking not only their fortunes, but their lives. If the Revolution failed, signing the Declaration would almost certainly have been considered treason, punishable by hanging.
Earlier votes and discussions, Maryland’s delegates to the Continental Congress were instructed not to support independence. Instead, they sought a peaceful settlement with Britain.
But by the spring of 1776, King George III had declared the colonies to be in open rebellion. British troops continued military operations against American forces, and hopes for reconciliation steadily disappeared. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had galvanized public opinion, while Maryland’s own revolutionary government, meeting in Annapolis, recognized that separation had become unavoidable.
On June 28, 1776, the Annapolis Convention finally authorized Maryland’s delegates to vote for independence. Just four days later, on July 2, Maryland joined the other colonies in approving Richard Henry Lee’s resolution declaring the colonies “free and independent states.” Two days afterward, Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. Most delegates, including Maryland’s, signed the Declaration of Independence parchment on August 2.
Four Marylanders ultimately placed their names beneath one of the most consequential documents in world history.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737–1832)
Born in Annapolis and heir to one of the wealthiest estates in North America, Charles Carroll was the only Roman Catholic to sign the Declaration. At a time when Catholics still faced discrimination throughout much of the British Empire, his prominence made his signature especially significant.
Carroll owned vast estates throughout Maryland, including extensive holdings in what are now Anne Arundel, Howard, Frederick, Montgomery, and Carroll counties. His family also owned large tracts of land in Southern Maryland and maintained close ties throughout the colony.
According to tradition, Carroll deliberately signed “Charles Carroll of Carrollton” so there would be no doubt about exactly who had pledged his life and fortune to the revolutionary cause.
Had Britain prevailed, Carroll stood to lose immense wealth and likely his life. Instead, he became the last surviving signer of the Declaration, living until 1832 and witnessing the young nation he helped create celebrate its fiftieth anniversary.
Thomas Stone (1743–1787)
Born at Poynton Manor in present-day Charles County, Stone studied law before establishing a successful practice in Frederick. He later returned to his family’s estate, Habre de Venture, along Port Tobacco Creek.
Unlike some of his more outspoken colleagues, Stone was known for his calm temperament and moderation. He did not seek conflict with Britain, but came to believe independence was the only remaining option.
Stone’s personal sacrifices extended beyond politics. Throughout the Revolutionary War, his wife Margaret’s health deteriorated, worsened by the stress and uncertainty of wartime. He devoted much of his later life to caring for her. She died in 1787, and Thomas himself died only a few months later at the age of forty-four.
Today, his home is preserved as the Thomas Stone National Historic Site, one of Southern Maryland’s most important Revolutionary landmarks.
Samuel Chase (1741–1811)
If Thomas Stone was measured and reserved, Samuel Chase was exactly the opposite.
Born near Princess Anne on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Chase became one of the loudest and most passionate advocates for independence. His forceful speeches earned him the nickname “The Maryland Demosthenes,” after the famed Greek orator.
A lawyer in Annapolis, Chase had long challenged British policies before independence was declared. He frequently clashed with colonial officials and became one of Maryland’s leading revolutionary voices.
After the Revolution, President George Washington appointed him to the United States Supreme Court. In 1804, he became the only Supreme Court justice ever impeached by the House of Representatives. His acquittal helped establish the principle that judges should not be removed simply because of political disagreements.
William Paca (1740–1799)
Born in Harford County, William Paca studied law in Annapolis before becoming active in colonial politics.
Though generally quieter than Samuel Chase, Paca firmly supported the Patriot cause. He served in the Continental Congress throughout the Revolution and helped guide Maryland through its earliest years as an independent state.
Following the war, he became Maryland’s third governor before receiving an appointment as a federal judge from President George Washington.
His beautifully restored home in Annapolis remains one of the finest surviving Georgian mansions in America and serves as a reminder of Maryland’s revolutionary leadership.
What They Risked
The phrase written at the end of the Declaration is one most Americans know well:
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
Each Maryland signer possessed substantial property, social standing, and influence. Had the Revolution failed, they almost certainly would have faced charges of high treason. British law prescribed execution for traitors, while their estates and property could have been confiscated by the Crown.
Instead, they accepted those risks in pursuit of an uncertain future.
Today, Maryland remembers these four men not because they were identical in temperament or background, but because each ultimately reached the same conclusion: that the liberties they believed belonged to the American people were worth risking everything they owned. Their signatures helped transform thirteen divided colonies into a new nation.
To discover more local legends, maritime history and fascinating tales from the region’s past, visit Spooky Solomons Tours at SpookySolomons.com
About The BayNet Expert Series
This article is part of The BayNet Expert Series, which highlights local professionals, historians, nonprofits and community leaders who share their knowledge and expertise with Southern Maryland readers.
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