Ridgely, Charles of Hampton biographical sketch and Justices of the Peace of Frederick County appointment document, 1818 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.