John Carnan Ridgely

Third owner of Hampton estate, John Carnan Ridgely (1790-1867), was the first member of the family born in the mansion and the last member of the family to enslave people. His father was Charles Carnan Ridgely and his mother was Priscilla Dorsey Ridgely. John inherited a plantation with no enslaved labor, due to the terms of his father's will. In partnership with his second wife, Eliza, he decided to rebuild the agricultural plantation system and purchased 61 enslaved people. One of the many people John enslaved was a 17-year-old girl named Harriet Hawkins, who John sexually assaulted in the mid-1820s, when he was about 34 years old. This assault resulted in the birth of John’s enslaved son, Charles Hale Brown.

After spending significant money to buy back enslaved people, animals, farming tools and laborers to work the land at Hampton, John Ridgely spent more funds and attention on the mansion, grounds and farm, introducing modern conveniences such as plumbing, gas lighting and “central heating” to the mansion. Less engaged in politics and civic endeavors than his father, he focused his attentions on the estate and was said to have “a great passion for horses and the outdoor life.” John and Eliza’s love of music, travel and collecting is still evident in the mansion today.

Individuals

Who cooked Hampton's elaborate meals
Hampton's cooks

Who were the people behind the elaborate meals for the Ridgelys and their guests?
Hampton's best known enslaved person
Nancy Davis

The story of Hampton's most documented enslaved person.
Sophia Gough Ridgely Howard

According to several historical accounts, she helped influence her father, Charles Carnan Ridgely, to free many of those he enslaved.
Charles Carnan Ridgely

Second owner of the Hampton mansion and at one time the governor of Maryland.
Eliza Eichelberger Ridgely

Eliza Eichelberger Ridgely was one of the most influential women to come through Hampton.
Charles Ridgely

Charles Ridgely was the fourth owner of the Hampton Estate.
Eliza Ridgely White Buckler

Known as "Didy," Eliza was an influential force in Hampton's history.
Henry White

One of the most influential diplomats in American history.
Margaretta Sophia Howard Ridgely

Following the death of her husband, Margaretta ran the Hampton estate for decades

Learn More

The Ridgely Family

The Ridgely Family owned and managed the Hampton Estate for almost 200 years. Explore their impact on history!
The Ridgelys of Hampton

Learn about the history of the Ridgely family at Hampton.
Slavery at Hampton

From the colonial period through 1864, the Ridgelys enslaved over 500 people. Enslaved persons, from young children to the elderly
Indentured Servants at Hampton

Indentured servants were not willing laborers and the working conditions at Northampton Furnace was grueling.
Gruesome
Working Conditions

Accounts of the working conditions of the forced labor iron works.
Forms of Control

From physical to mental abuse for the youngest ages to the oldest. Learn about the harsh truths and forms of control.
Ridgelys as Entertainers

Learn about the Ridgelys events and how in order to maintain such a lavish social lifestyle, a large labor force made up mostly of enslaved.
Horse Racing and the Ridgelys

Learn about the importance of horses and racing for the Ridgelys.
Travels of the Ridgelys

The wealth of the Ridgely family allowed for many extensive world travels.
Hampton During the Civil War

The Ridgely's passed their lives without worry until it became apparent that a civil war was about to impact their lives.
Revealing the Lives of the Enslaved

A recent Ethnographic Study uncovered major information on the lives of those enslaved at Hampton and their descendants. Read about it here.
History & Culture
History & Culture

Hampton National Historic Site today preserves the core of what was once a vast commercial, industrial, and agricultural plantation.