When Thomas was home from Congress, this is the room where he entertained guests. There was no Internet, television, or radio to inform citizens of congressional procedures. This is one of the places that members of the upper-class would gather to hash-out the news Thomas brought back from Philadelphia.
Times were tense. Shots had been fired at Lexington and Concord. In Vermont, colonists had captured Fort Ticondaroga. Red-coated soldiers were streaming in from Great Britain. Plantation owners like Stone had participated in economic protests by refusing to buy goods from England. As much as they tried to enjoy playing cards at the table in on the left or listening to the music from the harpsichord, the alien idea of revolution had to be on everyone's mind.
The Continental Congress met again in 1776 and, once again, Thomas Stone was there. The Maryland Delegation had received specific orders not to support any measure tending toward independence. Thus, on May 10th, when congress adopted a inflammatory resolution, the Maryland Delegation walked out. A month later, Thomas spoke to the governing body in Maryland. He urged that the "Vox Populi" or the voice of the people be taken regarding independence from Great Britian. For Thomas Stone himself, it was most likely in this room that he wrestled with the question by talking with other plantation owners and family members. Finally, on July 4th, 1776 Thomas Stone cast his lot with the Revolution when he voted for the Declaration of Independence. It had been a long, and no doubt heart-rending journey for Thomas, and new challenges would lay ahead for him and his family. We invite you to come and visit Thomas Stone National Historic Site to learn more about America's "Quiet Patriot."
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