Journal and Correspondence of the Maryland
Council of Safety, January 1-March 20, 1777
To the Honorable The Council of Safety of Maryland.
The memorial of Thomas Sparrow, Humbly sheweth that agreeable to the
warrant your Honors was pleased to grant me for the purpose of
recruiting men for the service of this State, I repaired to
Dorchester county where I had had the promise of a sufficient
number, and firmly believes that I could have enlisted them, but for
the reasons hereafter mentioned. I was four days on my passage from
Annapolis to Cambridge, and on my arrival Major Thomas Muse being
dead, I was obliged to wait a week before I could acquaint your
Honors therewith. Colonel Traverse knowing the disappointment I had
met with, told me he was going to Annapolis, and should soon return
with an answer, if I would write to have another Gentleman appointed
to assist me with cash for the recruits. I waited six days after
Colonel Travers's return to his House at Hooper's Island for the
letter directed to Capt Daffin, which Gentleman supply'd me with a
Horse to ride for it, as Col. Traverse had omitted to send it to
him. I received the letter, and on my return to Cambridge, heard the
corps belonging to Dorchester County was to meet at the Lightwood
knot chappie. Mr Peter Carvil told he would ride to that place with
me, and made no doubt but that I would enlist thirty men, as he had
heard many intended to meet me there for that purpose. I had not
received any cash, but as that opportunity offered, I concluded to
advance the Small Sum I had to bear my expenses, which if not
Sufficient, Mr Carvil offered to supply me with, and to do him
justice he was the only friend I had in the field who had courage
enough to stand by me. I proceeded to do my duty, and undertook to
read the resolve of Convention with respect to raising matrosses.
One of the Company told me it was all false and if any man should
enlist, he would be sent to Philadelphia, and not to Annapolis, and
that they were damned fools that would go to either to fight against
their King. I then told him he was a Tory, another told me I should
not come there to find any thing else; I told him I hoped to find it
otherwise. A young man then desired to hear the proposals; I
attempted to read them to him, but one of the Company struck the
paper, and many of them made such a noise, that prevented me from
informing those who wanted to enlist. I then put up my papers, lest
they should take them from me. About an hour after a man called me
aside and told me he would enlist at Cambridge, for he was afraid to
do it there. Mr George Slakum overheard him, and said Dam your forty
shillings, it is not worth six pence. I have gold and silver enough,
and will give fifty shillings to a man either to fight for the King,
or not fight against him, which of the two I am not positive, but
believe I can prove both, if I can be enabled to go there for the
evidences. Mr George Slakum told me I was a damned rascal in
offering to enlist men against the King and they were damned fools
that would go with me. I saw immediately after that in different
places men whispering together, at which time a young man as he
passed by me said go off immediately or you will be murdered. I took
his advice. It being dark, I knew not the road perfectly. In a few
minutes I heard some horses in full speed coming after me; on which
I took to the woods and made my escape for that time. It would take
up too much time to relate what I suffered in that night, which had
almost cost me my life. In Cambridge I received of Capt. Daffin
eight pounds, which he told me was at his own risk, being bound up
by the Instructions he received not to advance more than forty
Shillings at one time, but as I proved to him the inconveniency
attending it he advanced me more. When I came away I returned him
the whole Sum advanced. I have advanced some cash to the men I have
enlisted, to do which I was under the necessity to sell my sword and
watch. As I have been so much disappointed in getting men, I was
determined not to make use of the public money. In Cambridge I next
beat up for men in the presence of many of our principal Gentlemen,
being the time of the Election. I had a flag made of two sheets of
small bills, which one of a mob that had raised against me, often
attempted to take from the man who had it and struck him. They then
proceeded to insult me, and was very industrious in advising men not
to enlist. John Chalmers seeing the treatment I met with told me he
had two swords and that I was welcome to one of them. I accepted of
one of them and soon chased the Town of my enemies. Lieutenant James
Gray was much my friend in this affair. I intended next to go to
New Market as I understood there was to be two days races, but
my friends advised me not, as It was expected many of Capt. Andrew's
men would be there, and I should be used ill. I complained to many
of the Committee, and in particular to Capt. Daffin and Mr. Ennals
who told me the night I came away they were sorry I was so ill used,
but that it was out of their power to help it, and advised me to
apply to your Honors, who I hope will find my Conduct in this matter
to have been such as will not disgrace the warrant you Honored me
with, which conduct I am determined to pursue in any station you may
think proper to place me in, if it is only a private, and hope that
the trifling irregularities I have some years ago committed, may not
prevent me from being preferred according to the services I have,
and am willing to render in the present dispute.
January 5th 1777. Thomas Sparrow
The deposition of Levin Todd of Dorchester County aged about thirty
years being sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God, saith,
that he was present at the Corps Battalion of Militia of Dorchester
County aforesaid, when Thomas Sparrow was recruiting there. That he
heard some dispute between the said Sparrow, and a certain Edward
Pearson, but on what subject this Deponent Cannot tell. That this
Deponent very soon after the said dispute began left the Battalion
and further saith not.
Taken before me, This 3d January 1777. Thos Brooke Hodgkin
The Deposition of Jacob Todd of Dorchester County aged about 20
years being duly sworn saith, That he was present at the Corps
Battalion of Militia of Dorchester County aforesaid, when Thomas
Sparrow was recruiting there That he heard some dispute between the
said Sparrow and William Shorter upon which Sparrow told Shorter he
was a Tory, but Shorter said to make the worst of him he was only
half a Tory. That this Deponent thought the said Shorter did not
behave himself well and reprimanded him, and soon after left the
Place, and further saith not.
Taken before me,
This 3d January 1777. Thos Brooke Hodgkin