History of Kent County Maryland United States of America

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Colin Ferguson, educator, was born in Kent county, Md., Dec. 8, 1751; the son of Scotch immigrants. He acquired his education in the University of Edinburgh; Scotland, and on his return to America in 1782 became a teacher in the academy of the Rev. Dr. William Smith at Chestertown, Md., which upon the organization of Washington college in June, 1782, was merged into that institution. Mr. Ferguson was made vice-president of the college and subsequently professor of languages, mathematics and natural philosophy, and in 1789 he succeeded Dr. Smith to the presidency. In 1804 when the college was deprived of an appropriation from the state he resigned his office and retired to his farm in Kent county. While connected with Washington college he studied theology and was ordained a priest by bishop Seabury, Aug. 7, 1785. He was rector of St. Paul's parish, Kent county, Md., during the remainder of his life. He was a delegate to the Episcopal general convention in 1789 which adopted the constitution of the church. The honorary degrees of A.M. and D.D. were conferred upon him by Washington college in 1783 and 1787 respectively. He died in Kent county, Md., March 10, 1806.

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

John Woodland Crisfield, representative, was born in Kent county, Md., Nov. 6, 1808 He attended Washington college, Chestertown, Md., and was admitted to the bar in 1830, practising in Somerset county. He was in the Maryland legislature in 1836; represented his district as a Whig in the 30th congress, 1847-49: was a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1850; to the peace congress in 1861; was a Union representative in the 37th congress, 1861-63; was defeated in 1862 as the Democratic candidate for representative in the 68th congress; and was a delegate to the Philadelphia union convention in 1866. He died in Princess Anne, Md., Jan. 12, 1897.

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

Cornelius Parsons Comegys, governor of Delaware, was born in Kent county, Md., Jan. 15, 1780; son of Cornelius and Hannah (Parsons) Comegys, and a lineal descendant from Cornelius and Millimenty Comegys, who emigrated from Holland to America about 1650. He was a member of the Delaware house of representatives, 1810-15, having been twice speaker, and resigned the chair to enter the army. He was major, lieutenant-colonel and adjutant-general in the war of 1812; cashier of the Farmers' bank, Dover, 1817-1828; state treasurer, 1834-36; and governor of Delaware, 1837-41. He was married Feb. 16, 1804, to Ruhamah, daughter of John Marim, a lieutenant in the Revolutionary army. Their daughter, Sally Ann, became the wife of Henry M. Ridgely, U.S. senator. His other children were Joseph Parsons, U.S. senator and chief justice of Delaware; Dr. Cornelius George of Cincinnati; Benjamin Bartis, president of the Philadelphia national bank and a director of the Pennsylvania railroad company; William; Mary Elizabeth; Maria; and John. He died in Dover, Del., Jan. 27, 1851.

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

Charles Lowndes, naval officer, was born in Kent county, Md., in 1798; son of Charles and Elizabeth (Lloyd) Lowndes. He entered the U.S. navy as a midshipman, March 18, 1815; was promoted lieutenant, Jan. 13, 1825; commander, Sept. 8, 1841; and captain, Sept. 14, 1855. He commanded the steam sloop Hartford. 1860-61, and was placed on the retired list, Dec. 21, 1861. He was promoted commodore on the retired list July 16, 1862, and served as a prize commissioner, 1854-65. He was married, May 24, 1824, to Sally Scott, daughter of Gov. Edward and Sally Scott (Murray) Lloyd. Commodore Lowndes died in Easton, Md., Dec. 14, 1885.

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

History of Kent County Maryland

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