Michael Brooks
Charles Carroll Jr., also known as Charles Carroll of Homewood, was the son of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a Catholic and the only Catholic signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Charles Carroll Jr. was born in 1775 and was known for his heavy drinking, consuming up to two quarts of brandy a day. He oversaw the design and construction of Homewood, which was completed in 1808 and cost $40,000. Charles Carroll of Homewood's father, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, was an American politician, planter, and the first United States Senator for Maryland. He was born in 1737 in Annapolis, Maryland, and was a wealthy and respected man despite facing restrictions as a Catholic in Maryland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Charles Carroll Jr. |
| Other Names | Charles Carroll of Homewood |
| Father | Charles Carroll of Carrollton |
| Mother | Harriet Chew |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Profession | Oversaw the design and construction of Homewood |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Harriet Chew |
| Year of Birth | 1775 |
| Year of Death | 1825 |
| Known For | Son of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the only Catholic Signatory of the Declaration of Independence |
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What You'll Learn
- Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a Catholic
- He was the only Catholic signatory of the Declaration of Independence
- He was the last surviving signatory of the Declaration of Independence
- He was the only Catholic allowed to hold office in Maryland
- His son, Charles Carroll Jr. of Homewood, was an alcoholic
Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a Catholic
Charles Carroll of Carrollton, also known as Charles Carroll III, was a Catholic. He was born in 1737 in Annapolis, Maryland, and was the only child of Charles Carroll of Annapolis and Elizabeth Brooke. Carroll's grandfather, also named Charles Carroll, had arrived in Maryland in 1688, sent by his father, Daniel O'Carroll, and the proprietor of the Maryland colony, Lord Baltimore.
The Carroll family had ties to the Irish nobility and were Catholics, facing persecution in England under the reforms of the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Maryland, founded under the principle of religious tolerance and owned by a Catholic, provided a natural refuge for the Carrolls. Charles Carroll the settler quickly expanded his landholdings, and his son, Charles Carroll of Annapolis, became a wealthy and respected man despite the restrictions placed on Catholics by their Protestant neighbours.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton, like his father, was a Catholic and, as a consequence, was barred by Maryland statute from entering politics, practising law, and voting. However, he became one of the wealthiest men in Maryland, owning extensive agricultural estates, including the large Doughoregan Manor, and providing capital for new enterprises on the Western Shore. Carroll was well-respected by his fellow Marylanders, and as the dispute between Great Britain and the American colonies intensified in the early 1770s, he became a powerful voice for independence.
Carroll was a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, the only Catholic to sign the document, and the last survivor of all 56 signers, dying 56 years after its signing in 1832. He was also one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and served as the first United States Senator for Maryland. Carroll's witness to his Catholic faith continued until his death, with his last words reflecting his devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton's son, Charles Carroll Jr., was also known as Charles Carroll of Homewood, as he oversaw the design and construction of Homewood Manor. Unfortunately, Charles Jr. struggled with alcohol addiction, consuming up to two quarts of brandy a day, and this behaviour caused a rift between father and son.
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He was the only Catholic signatory of the Declaration of Independence
Charles Carroll, also known as Charles Carroll of Carrollton, was a signatory of the Declaration of Independence. He was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration and the last survivor of all 56 signers, dying 56 years after its signing, at the age of 95 or 96.
Carroll was born in Annapolis, Maryland, on September 19, 1737, the only child of Charles Carroll of Annapolis and Elizabeth Brooke. His parents were not married at the time of his birth due to technical reasons relating to the inheritance of the Carroll family estates. They eventually married in 1757. Carroll was born into a wealthy family with ties to the Irish nobility. His grandfather, also named Charles Carroll, had been appointed Attorney General of Maryland after arriving in the province in 1688. The Carroll family faced persecution in England under the reforms of the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw Catholic King James II toppled from power by a Protestant legislature. As a result, Maryland, founded under the principle of religious tolerance, became a natural destination for the family.
Carroll received a Jesuit education in France, attending the College of St. Omer in Northern France and later the Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris, from which he graduated in 1755. He spoke five languages fluently and was well-versed in the Catholic rebuttal of the Protestant Reformation. Carroll returned to Maryland in 1765 and was given a 10,000-acre land tract called Carrollton, located in Frederick County. He added "`Carrollton`" to his signature to distinguish himself from other Charles Carrolls. In 1768, he married his cousin, Mary "Molly" Darnall, and they had seven children, only three of whom survived infancy: Mary, Kitty, and Charles Jr., also known as Charles Carroll of Homewood.
Despite his wealth and education, Carroll, like his father, was barred by Maryland statute from participating in politics, practising law, and voting due to his Catholic faith. However, as tensions between Great Britain and the American colonies escalated in the early 1770s, Carroll became a powerful voice for independence. He embraced the principle that the people are the true foundation of government and emerged as a "patriot." In 1774, he was elected to the 2nd Maryland Convention, effectively ending the ban on Catholics serving in Maryland politics. Carroll pledged his fortune to the cause of independence and became a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, playing a significant role in the founding of the United States.
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He was the last surviving signatory of the Declaration of Independence
Charles Carroll of Carrollton, also known as Charles Carroll III, was an American politician, planter, and signatory of the Declaration of Independence. He was born on September 19, 1737, in Annapolis, Maryland, and was the only child of Charles Carroll of Annapolis and his wife, Elizabeth Brooke. Carroll was born into a wealthy Roman Catholic family and received a Jesuit education in France, becoming fluent in five languages.
Carroll was the only Catholic signatory of the Declaration of Independence and the longest-surviving, dying 56 years after its signing in 1832, at the age of 95 or 96. He was the last surviving Founding Father of the United States and was known as the "First Citizen" of the American colonies due to his political writings in the Maryland Gazette under that pen name. Carroll served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Confederation Congress and was the first United States Senator for Maryland.
Despite being barred from entering politics due to his religion, Carroll became a powerful voice for independence in the early 1770s. He anonymously wrote a series of newspaper articles protesting the right of the British government to tax the colonies without representation. Carroll also played a major role in the framing of the governance of Maryland and the emerging United States, promoting the concept of religious toleration, which was embodied in the founding documents and laws of the country.
Carroll was considered the largest slaveholder at the time of the Revolution, owning nearly 400-500 slaves. He was also a prominent businessman, investing in banks, canal, turnpike, bridge, and water companies in the Washington-Baltimore area. He was involved in the construction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, serving on its first board of directors.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton is remembered not only as the last surviving signatory of the Declaration of Independence but also as a courageous witness to his Roman Catholic faith and a defender of religious freedom and equality in the emerging United States.
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He was the only Catholic allowed to hold office in Maryland
Charles Carroll of Carrollton, also known as Charles Carroll III, was a Catholic. He was born in Annapolis, Maryland, on September 19, 1737, to Charles Carroll of Annapolis and Elizabeth Brooke. Carroll's father was a wealthy man and a Roman Catholic. As a consequence of his religious affiliation, he was forbidden from participating in the political affairs of the colony.
Catholics in Maryland were barred from holding office, voting, and practising law since the 1704 act seeking "to prevent the growth of Popery in this Province". However, Charles Carroll of Carrollton became the first United States Senator from Maryland and served in the Maryland legislature. He was also a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Confederation Congress.
Carroll was able to enter politics and hold office despite being Catholic due to his election to the 2nd Maryland Convention in November 1774, effectively ending the ban on Catholics serving in Maryland politics. He was also one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, the only Catholic to sign the document.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton's son, Charles Carroll Jr., was also known as Charles Carroll of Homewood because he oversaw the design and construction of Homewood Manor. Charles Carroll Jr. did not share his father's interest in business and became a miserable alcoholic.
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His son, Charles Carroll Jr. of Homewood, was an alcoholic
Charles Carroll Jr. of Homewood, also known as Charles Carroll (1775–1825), was the son of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the only Catholic signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Charles Carroll Jr. was an alcoholic, consuming up to two quarts of brandy a day, which led to erratic behaviour and his separation from his wife, Harriet Chew.
Charles Carroll Jr.'s alcoholism developed in the context of a family history of addiction, with his mother, Harriet Chew, struggling with opium addiction before her death. The construction of Homewood Manor, which was completed in 1808, also caused discord between Charles Carroll Jr. and his father, with the former incurring a cost of $40,000 for its construction. Charles Carroll Jr.'s struggles with alcohol and the tension in his family relationships highlight the challenges faced by the son of a prominent and wealthy family during this time period.
Charles Carroll Jr.'s father, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, was a prominent figure in American history, known for his role as a Founding Father and his signature on the Declaration of Independence. The Carroll family had a strong Catholic background, with Charles Carroll of Carrollton being the only Catholic signatory of the Declaration and facing restrictions due to his religious affiliation. Despite these challenges, he became one of the wealthiest men in the colonies and played a significant role in the political affairs of Maryland and the emerging United States.
Charles Carroll Jr. inherited his father's wealth and social status, but his affinity for alcohol and the family's history of addiction took a toll on his life and relationships. The Carroll family's story, including the struggles of Charles Carroll Jr., offers a glimpse into the complexities of early American society, where religious tensions, social expectations, and personal challenges intersected. The family's legacy is remembered through various memorials, including the historical museum of Homewood Manor on the campus of Johns Hopkins University.
Charles Carroll Jr.'s alcoholism and the subsequent separation from his wife, Harriet Chew, highlight the personal struggles he faced. His father, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, tried to intervene and save his family, but his efforts were often futile. The construction of Homewood Manor, which was intended to be Charles Carroll Jr.'s residence, took years and caused ongoing disagreement between father and son due to its high cost. The discord within the family, exacerbated by addiction and financial disputes, adds a layer of complexity to the story of this prominent American family.
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Frequently asked questions
Charles Carroll of Homewood was the son of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a Catholic. However, I cannot confirm if Charles Carroll of Homewood was a Catholic.
Yes, Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a Catholic. He was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Yes, due to his Catholic faith, Charles Carroll of Carrollton was barred by Maryland statute from entering politics, practising law and voting. However, he was the first United States Senator from Maryland.
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