Smallwood, William biographical sketch and registry for schooner “Polly”, 1788 April 14

The collection is comprised of documents signed by the governors of Maryland from 1777-1987, including letters, autographs, and signed official documents collected by the donor, Robert R. Hudson. A majority of the items correspond to the governor’s tenure in office, and are official documents, such as Justice of the Peace appointments. Most of the state’s governors are represented with a few exceptions. The most notable exclusions include William Paca, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Spiro Agnew, Vice President to Richard Nixon. The donor also corresponded with a few of the later governors and was appointed as a member of the Advisory Panel to Study the Movement Toward Electric Funds Transfer System by Governor Blair Lee III. A letter from Governor Theodore McKeldin to Hudson details the former governor’s political philosophy and reflects on his professional life.