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Welcome to Winds of Revolution: 1775 at Haberdeventure Audio Tour!
In 1776, Thomas Stone and 55 other courageous men signed the Declaration of Independence, choosing revolution in the process. By doing so, Stone risked his home, his family's security, and even his life for independence. The revolutionary document he signed gave birth to a new nation and ultimately changed the world.
As the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026, we reflect on the year 1775 and the world of Thomas Stone, a frequently overlooked Founding Father. Although he would sign the revolutionary document that established a new nation in 1776, the winds of revolution were already gathering at Haberdeventure in 1775.
This interpretive audio tour offers a unique perspective on the dynamic history surrounding not only Thomas Stone but also the Stone family and the historic property of Haberdeventure, where their story is preserved today.
Introduction - Winds of Revolution Audio Tour - Stop 1
Welcome to our Winds of Revolution Audio Tour. The tour can either be done in the park or virtually. Explore the life and legacy of Thomas Stone.
Welcome to Thomas Stone National Historic Site and our “Winds of Revolution” interpretive audio tour!
We are thrilled to have you with us as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States by exploring the life and legacy of Thomas Stone, a frequently overlooked founding father. This tour offers a unique opportunity to delve into the dynamic history surrounding not only Thomas Stone but also the Stone family and the historic property of Haberdeventure, where their story unfolds and is preserved today.
Thomas Stone was not just a signer of the Declaration of Independence; he was a prominent figure whose decisions and actions significantly influenced the course of the American Revolution. The Stone family played a crucial role in the events of their time, navigating the challenging landscape of a budding nation while grappling with personal and political struggles.
As you journey through this audio tour, you will be guided by myself, Ranger Jonathan Malriat, and my colleague Ranger David Lassman. Together, we will lead you through seven stops that will illuminate various aspects of Thomas Stone's life, the historical significance of Haberdeventure, and the revolutionary ideas that shaped our nation.
The audio tour will begin here at the visitor center parking lot and will end at the original home of Thomas Stone. Each location is designed to evoke the challenges and triumphs of the era, allowing you to experience the “Winds of Revolution” firsthand. We invite you to immerse yourself in this rich narrative and reflect on the pivotal moments that defined a new country.
So, without further ado, let’s embark on this journey together and begin our exploration of the “Winds of Revolution.” Enjoy the tour!
The Origins of Thomas Stone - Winds of Revolution Audio Tour - Stop 2
Explore the early life and career of Thomas Stone with this second stop on our audio tour, Winds of Revolution.
In 1743, Thomas Stone was born at the family estate of Poynton Manor in Charles County, Maryland, which is located about six miles west of the county seat of Port Tobacco. His father, David Stone, was modestly prosperous, and unlike his ancestors and his famous sons, David Stone was not active in politics.
Between his two wives, David Stone had 12 children. Three children with Sarah Hanson, his first wife, and nine more children with his second wife, Elizabeth Jenifer, which included Thomas Stone.
The education of David Stone’s children, especially his sons, was performed in a combination of hands-on experiences, mentorships with professionals, and private schools or tutors. Evidence suggests that Thomas Stone and some of his brothers were educated at the nearby school run by Reverend Isaac Campbell of Scotland. Reverend Campbell served at what is now called Christ Church Durham Parish, which is located about four miles west of Poynton Manor.
An insight into Reverend Campbell’s political and social mindset could be found in the book that he wrote on Civil Government. One significant point in his book was that monarchies were destructive to the liberties bestowed upon humans by God.
Thus, a young Thomas Stone may have been exposed to ideas hostile to the foundations of the British empire. In 1754 Reverend Isaac Campbell married Jane Brown. Fourteen years later in 1768, Thomas Stone married Margaret Brown, who was the sister of Jane Brown Campbell. Thus, not only did Reverend Campbell and Thomas Stone have a teacher and student relationship, but they were in-laws.
By March of 1763, at the age of 20, Thomas Stone was training as a lawyer in Annapolis. Unlike today, when aspiring attorneys go to law school, it was common in Colonial America for students of the law to study under one or more practicing lawyers.
This provided men, like Thomas Stone, with access to law books, papers, abstracts, and legal briefs, which were often hard to obtain. This also exposed the students to the forms, the procedures, and the obscure terminology and traditions associated with the courts.
Over the two years, Stone interacted with some the best legal minds in Maryland, who would later represent Maryland in the Continental Congress. Some were already accomplished attorneys, while others, like Stone, had yet to pass the bar.
This list included Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Samuel Chase, William Paca, and John Rogers. Most significantly Thomas Stone likely found a mentor in the politically astute Thomas Johnson, who following American independence in 1776 became the state of Maryland’s first governor.
In 1765, at the age of 22, Thomas Stone’s formal education was at an end and his career as a lawyer was about to begin. He had learned practical skills related to farm life from his family. He had received a classical education from Reverend Isaac Campbell. He had trained and debated with men who would become Founders of the United States.
And although he did not realize it in 1765, Thomas Stone’s education had exposed to ideas of about the rights, freedoms, and liberties of his fellow Americans, A decade later, those same ideas inspired the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
Buildling a Home - Winds of Revolution Audio Tour - Stop 3
Listen as we explore how Thomas Stone and his family lived here at Haberdeventure and how that is still reflected here today.
Surrounding you is a portion of the 442-acre plantation known as Haberdeventure and Hanson’s Plains Enlarged, which Thomas Stone purchased in December 1770 for 400 pounds—approximately $100,000 today. Just two years earlier, Stone had married Margaret Brown, whose father, Dr. Gustavus Brown, was one of the most prominent physicians in the British Colonies. Although Stone came from a respected family and was a skilled lawyer, some believe that Margaret's inheritance helped finance the land purchase.
The house began construction in the early 1770s. Initially, the central block of the house was intended for Thomas Stone, his wife, and their three children: Margaret, Mildred, and Frederick. A separate kitchen building was also constructed.
Unfortunately, shortly after these two buildings were completed, Thomas Stone's father and two older siblings passed away. As the oldest surviving son, Thomas suddenly found himself responsible not just for his wife and children, but also for as many as five of his siblings, along with the rest of their households, who all would now live at Haberdeventure.
While the original house build was quite large, it would not be large enough to accommodate the new residents, he needed more space. To accommodate his enlarged household, Thomas connected the house to the kitchen building with a small room called a hyphen, which served as a dining room during the day and could be repurposed as a guest room at night. He also relocated a storage building to the other end of the house to use as additional bedrooms. These modifications are reflected in the current structure you see today.
By the time the house was officially completed in the mid-1770s, it featured six bedrooms for the family, a dining room/guest room, and a kitchen area. As a result, many people could live on the property. The exact number of inhabitants fluctuated over time, but there were often 15 or more residents in the house.
In the mid-1780s, Thomas Stone moved his family to Annapolis, as most of his legal and political duties were centered in the state capital. He purchased the Peggy Stewart House, which became his primary residence for the remainder of his life.
On June 2, 1787, Thomas Stone’s wife, Margaret Brown Stone, passed away in Annapolis. She was taken back to Haberdeventure and buried in the Stone family cemetery on the property, likely becoming the first burial in the cemetery. Today, her grave is the second from the left in the rear row.
Four months later, on October 5, 1787, Thomas Stone died in Alexandria, Virginia, while waiting to board a vessel intended to transport him to the Caribbean in hopes that the warmer climate would improve his poor health. In his will, Thomas requested that "my body may be buried at Haberdeventure near to that of my dear wife according to the rites of the Protestant Church."
Today, Thomas Stone’s grave is located in the back left corner of the cemetery. His inscription reads, "He was an able and faithful lawyer, a wise and virtuous patriot, and an honest and good man.”
Location, Location, Location - Winds of Revolution Audio Tour - Stop 4
Why did Thomas Stone choose to build his house here so far away from everything? Join us as we explore the potential reasons.
For centuries, the fertile land at the intersection of the Potomac River and the Port Tobacco River provided American Indians with game, edible fish, native plants, and productive soil to grow their crops. This same fertile land attracted European colonists in the 1600s who established the community of Port Tobacco and sought new economic, social, and religious opportunities.
The 150-acre plantation of “Habberdeventure” was first surveyed on the north of the “Port Tobacco Hundred” by John Barefoot in 1682. For over two decades, Barefoot’s family cleared virgin woods, farmed in fresh fields, and built a variety of structures for their own use.
In 1708, the property was purchased by John Lambert for 500 pounds of tobacco, several casks, and “diverse other considerations.” According to the deed, the sale included “dwelling houses, barns, stables, gardens, orchards and outhouses.”
In 1724, the site was purchased by Robert Hanson, one of Charles County’s leading citizens for 2,000 pounds of tobacco and five barrels of Indian corn.
In 1750, Daniel Jenifer and his wife, Mary Hanson Jenifer, inherited the 225-acre plantation of Haberdeventure and Hanson’s Plains Enlarged. Sixteen years later, the couple successfully doubled their land to 442 acres without having to purchase it. Numerous property surveys were conducted at Haberdeventure for over a century, but the results were riddled with inaccuracies or unverifiable information.
One survey listed a starting point as “a stone…at the foot of a thorn bush.” Other boundary markers used in surveys included locust posts, piles of stone, and “witness” trees. Overtime, these markers would disappear or be moved, thus causing confusion as to the correct ownership of the land.
Sometimes the surveys resulted in overlaps with neighboring properties and contested surveys might be litigated in court for years. Other surveys might leave gaps of “unclaimed lands” between properties as small as several square feet or as large as hundreds of acres. Thus, when Daniel and Mary Jenifer resurveyed their lands in 1768, the were able to gain over 200 acres of unclaimed lands.
Two years later in 1770, Thomas Stone purchased Haberdeventure and Hanson’s Plains Enlarged from one of his uncles, Daniel Jenifer. Today, this plantation is simply known as “Haberdeventure,” but it is noteworthy that the Thomas Stone House technically resides on the tract of land known as “Hanson’s Plains Enlarged,” and not the original “Haberdeventure” tract.
The Dawn of Independence - Winds of Revolution Audio Tour - Stop 5
Thomas Stone, one of the lesser known of the Founding Fathers, had an extensive political career that got jumpstarted in 1775. Join us as we explore the start to his career that led him on the path towards Independence.
The decision to separate from Great Britain in July of 1776 did not arise suddenly; it was the result of a gradual process that eroded the colonies' trust in British rule. For Thomas Stone, this transformation began as early as 1765 with the passage of the Stamp Act, which significantly impacted the start of his career as a lawyer.
By 1775, a decade after the Stamp Act's passage, the winds of revolution were beginning to stir among Thomas Stone and the other residents of Maryland. Stone's first foray into patriotic ideals came through his involvement with the Charles County Committee of Correspondence. This committee was part of a broader effort across the colonies to disseminate information about British actions and celebrate the efforts of patriots. Committees of Correspondence played a pivotal role in establishing the Continental Congresses, allowing Stone to gain a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by fellow colonists and the motivations of those advocating for revolution. By early 1775, Thomas Stone was actively engaged in the mechanisms leading towards independence at the local level.
In April of 1775, Stone's involvement escalated when he was appointed to the Maryland Convention. This convention served as a locally organized replacement for the Maryland Assembly, which had been shut down by the royal governor in 1774. Stone, who had primarily been a lawyer up until this point, now had the opportunity to represent his county in this important Maryland governing body raising the level of his involvement.
Although the Maryland Convention aimed to formalize the colony's efforts to organize and coordinate with the other 12 colonies in defending their rights and addressing grievances, it had not yet resolved to break from Great Britain. The convention unanimously agreed that, regardless of their individual views—whether radical, moderate, conservative, loyalist, or patriot—the people of Maryland would maintain their faith and loyalty to King George III. However, during the convention, news arrived in Annapolis that shots had been fired at Lexington and Concord. This development heightened the tension between questions of loyalty and patriotism, yet the decision on which side Marylanders would ultimately align with remained undecided.
At this convention, Thomas Stone was among seven individuals selected to represent Maryland at the upcoming Continental Congress. Why was he chosen, given that he was one of the least experienced politicians present? Several factors may have influenced this decision, including his political and familial connections. His uncle and mentor, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, had served on the Governor’s Council and led the Maryland Council of Safety, tasked with organizing the military forces of Maryland. Additionally, Stone had not been a vocal opponent of parting from Great Britain. In less than a year, Thomas Stone advanced from a position focused on local coordination of information to becoming a representative in the highest body, soon to be national, that would determine the fate of the thirteen colonies.
Even after the incidents at Lexington and Concord, and later at Bunker Hill, Stone believed that peace could still be reestablished, and he was one of the Congressmen who pushed for a letter to be sent to King George III. The letter, which would come to be known as the Olive Branch Petition, informed the king of the continued support of the colonists, but the king refused to read it and declared the colonies to be in rebellion. In a letter to his uncle dated April 1776, he expressed, "I wish to conduct affairs so that a just and honorable reconciliation should take place, or that we should be unanimous in a resolution to fight it out for independence. The proper way to affect this is not to move too quick.” He further stated, “You know my heart wishes for peace on terms of security and justice to America. But war—anything is preferable to a surrender of our rights."
By the time Congress reconvened in May 1776, however, the tone of the war had changed. With no sign that the war would end anytime soon, even Thomas Stone began to see that revolution was imminent, writing in a letter to his friend James Holyday, “The Dye is cast. The fatal Stab is given to any future Connection between this Country & Britain, except in the relation of Conqueror & vanquished, which I can’t think of without Horror & Indignation. . .”
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee stood and put forth the motion to the Continental Congress, that, "...these united colonies are, and of right, ought to be, free and independent states, absolved of any and all allegiance with Great Britain." Thomas Stone had to make a choice that would put his home, his family’s security, and even his life at risk. The choice he made, along with 55 other brave men, birthed a new nation — and ultimately changed the world.
Fighting for Liberty - Winds of Revolution Audio Tour - Stop 6
While Thomas Stone never served in the Continental Forces during the Revolutionary War, his brother John Hoskins Stone served in the 1st Maryland Regiment until an injury in combat forced him to retire. Join Ranger Jonathan as he explores the start of John Hoskins career as an officer.
While Thomas Stone was navigating the political side of the revolution, his brother, John Hoskins Stone, was preparing to defend the decisions of those political leaders.
In 1774, the Maryland Convention resolved that each county should muster a company of 68 militia to defend the province. In 1775, at the age of 25, John Hoskins Stone joined the Charles County militia. The militia members would have to meet monthly for training and were provided a “good firelock and bayonet fixed thereon, half a pound of powder, two pounds of lead, and a cartouch-box”. They were instructed to be in readiness to act on any emergency.
Since there had been no large-scale fighting between colonial militia forces and the British at the time, their time spent training may have seemed a waste to some of the militia soldiers. Any disillusion towards their training would be changed on April 19th with the “shot heard round the world” at the Battle of Lexington. Now, the potential for an attack by the strongest military force in the world—the British Army—on any of the colonies seen as rebellious made the training of militia forces even more important. This ensured they would be prepared should what once seemed unthinkable become a reality and they were called to defend their province.
In January 1776, the Maryland Convention resolved to bring the province to the “best state of defense” and the local militia in Charles County, including John Hoskins Stone, would quickly join this new First Maryland Regiment, under the command of Colonel William Smallwood. John Hoskins Stone would be promoted to captain in charge of the first company of this new regiment. Over the next few months, the regiment drilled and trained in Maryland while recruitment continued.
In July of 1776, while the Continental Congress and John Hoskins Stone’s brother voted for Independence, the First Maryland Regiment was dispatched to support General George Washington and the rest of the new Continental Army outside of New York City.
In August 1776, the British forces landed and attacked the Continental Army, marking the first major battle following the Declaration of Independence. John Hoskins Stone and the Maryland Line were thrust into the thick of the fighting to defend the nascent nation. As the Battle of Brooklyn unfolded, American forces began to collapse and retreat.
Despite the war seeming nearly lost just weeks after independence was declared, 400 soldiers mostly from the First Maryland Regiment courageously faced several thousand of the best-trained British troops. Known today as the "Maryland 400," these brave soldiers repeatedly charged against overwhelming odds. With each assault by the British, the Maryland soldiers suffered heavy casualties, and their ammunition dwindled. By the end of the day, two-thirds of the Maryland 400 had fallen, but their valiant stand helped save the Continental Army. Their determination to hold the line allowed the bulk of George Washington's forces to make a successful escape, ensuring that the fight for independence would continue.
The Legacy of Thomas Stone - Winds of Revolution Audio Tour - Stop 7
Join Ranger David Lassman as he concludes the audio tour with a short summary of Thomas Stone's life and career and the impacts that it had on our nation.
Many important stories are told about the American Revolution. The Boston Tea Party in Massachusetts. The battles of Trenton and Princeton in New Jersey. The winter encampment of Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. The victory at Yorktown in Virginia.
Yet when it comes to Maryland and the American Revolution, some may hesitate to provide examples. It is through Thomas Stone one can find Maryland’s importance.
Thomas Stone is not as well-known as some of the other Founders, but his experiences along with those of his family and his community provide an opportunity to learn about the Marylanders in the founding of the United States of America.
The tall and lanky Thomas Stone has been described as a "most truly perfect man of business” but he was not known as a magnetic public speaker. This may seem unusual for a Founder who spent most of his adult life performing the duties of a lawyer and a politician.
Instead, Thomas Stone’s “clear and powerful” intellect was found in the written word of his legal documents, such as contracts and wills, and in his correspondence as a delegate in a variety of governmental bodies at the local, state, and national levels.
This explains why one contemporary claimed that few rivaled Thomas Stone’s ability to commit his “…thoughts to paper, with more facility or greater strength of argument.”
In 1765, Thomas Stone started his career as a lawyer only two weeks after the news reached the shores of Maryland that the British Parliament had passed the hated Stamp Act.
Over the next twenty-two years, Stone was influenced by political and social issues such as “No taxation without representation” and what rights, privileges, and liberties should his fellow Marylanders and Americans possess.
In 1776, Thomas Stone made the decision to support American independence, but it was not made with fiery passion or haste. He carefully considered the hard questions that needed to be asked:
Are we fighting Great Britain for the right reasons?
Do we have a chance of winning our independence against the might of the British military?
Should we reconcile with Great Britain, if the terms are reasonable and fair?
If we lose, what will be the retribution be like?
Nevertheless in July of 1776, Thomas Stone believed the risks were not as important as the ideals of liberty and independence.
Once independence was declared, Thomas Stone used his skills with paperwork to help win the American Revolution. Organizing supplies, negotiating deals, and establishing new laws and policies. While paperwork may not sound exciting, it was effective, and it helped secure the victory and peace for the young United States.
Finally, in 1787, Stone passed away two weeks after the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention. While Stone never saw the Constitution of the United States put into effect, his efforts and those of his fellow Marylanders, helped to create a more perfect Union. Is there anything of more importance than this?
