History of Cambridge, (Dorchester County) Maryland United States of America

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Biographies:

Robert Goldsborough, delegate, was born at Horn's Point, Dorchester county, Md., Dec. 3, 1733; son of Charles and Elizabeth (Ennals) Goldsborough, and grandson of Robert and Elizabeth (Greenburg) Goldsborough. He was a physician by profession and was elected a delegate to the Continental congress, 1774-76, but was absent at home on a sick bed when the Declaration was signed. He was a member of the council of safety and of the convention of the province of Maryland, Aug. 14, 1776, to form a constitution. He was married in England, March 27, 1755, to Sarah, daughter of Richard Yerbury of Bassing Hall Street, London, and they had eight sons and four daughters. He died at Cambridge, Md., Dec. 20, 1788.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William Vans Murray, diplomatist, was born in Cambridge, Md., in 1762; son of Henry Murray; grandson of William Murray, who came from Scotland to Cambridge, Md., in 1716, and a descendant on his mother's side of Bartholomew Ennalls, who came to Maryland about 1669. William Vans Murray was educated in Maryland until 1783, when he went to London, England, and studied law in the Temple. He returned to Maryland in 1785, practised law and represented Dorchester county in the Maryland legislature. He was a Federalist representative in the 2d, 3d and 4th congresses and served from Oct. 24, 1791, to March 3, 1797. In 1797 he was appointed by President Washington U.S. minister to the Netherlands, where he restored the harmony which had been interrupted through the influence of France. He was appointed by President Adams sole envoy-extraordinary to France in 1799, but was afterward associated with Judge Oliver Ellsworth and Gov. William R. Davie. The Convention of Paris, Sept. 30, 1800, which put an end to the difficulty between France and the United States, was accomplished mainly through his efforts. He returned to his duties in the Netherlands in October, 1800, and in 1801 resigned and returned to Maryland. He published The Constitution and Laws of the United States, a pamphlet. He died at Cambridge, Dorchester county, Md., Dec. 11, 1803.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Samuel Dexter Le compte, jurist, was born in Cambridge, Md., Dec. 13, 1814; son of Samuel D. and Araminta (Frazier) Le Compte. He was graduated at Jefferson college, Pa., in 1834; was admitted to the bar, and practised in Westminster, Md., 1837-44; was a representative in the Maryland legislature, 1841-42; and practised law in Cambridge and Baltimore, 1844-54. He was married in 1841 to Camilia Anderson. He was appointed by President Pierce chief justice of Kansas Territory on its organization, May 30, 1854. In November, 1856, he released on bail Charles Hay, indicted for murder, and Governor Geary pronounced the act a judicial outrage. President Pierce on the representation of the governor appointed Judge Harrison to the position, but Judge Le Compte defended his judicial course before the U.S. senate, and the nomination of Judge Harrison was not confirmed. Judge Le Compte continued to hold his office and direct the courts of the territory until its admission as a state, Jan. 29, 1861. He presided over the convention of Sept. 5, 1857, which fromed the Le Compte constitution and the capital was named Lecompton in his honor. He was a representative in the Kansas state legislature, 1867-68, and was appointed probate judge of Leavenworth, Kan., in 1876. He is the author of Tale of Kansas History and The Other Side both published in book form; and various pamphlets relating to the Kansas difficulty. He died in Kansas City, Mo., April 24, 1888.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor