As we have mentioned in previous posts, one attendee of the resignation ceremony who will be featured
in our exhibit is Mary "Molly" Ridout.
Molly was born in England in 1746, the second daughter of provincial Maryland governor, Samuel Ogle, and his wife, Anne Tasker Ogle. The Ogles were a prominent family, with influence in both England and Maryland throughout the eighteenth century. Molly's brother, Benjamin, later served as governor of Maryland between 1798 and 1801.
Molly was born in England in 1746, the second daughter of provincial Maryland governor, Samuel Ogle, and his wife, Anne Tasker Ogle. The Ogles were a prominent family, with influence in both England and Maryland throughout the eighteenth century. Molly's brother, Benjamin, later served as governor of Maryland between 1798 and 1801.
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| Molly's father, Samuel Ogle (c.1694-1752), Maryland State Archives, MSA SC 1545-1074. |
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| Molly's brother, Benjamin Ogle (1749-1809), Maryland State Archives, MSA SC 1545-1071. |
At age 18, Molly Ogle married John Ridout. An Oxford graduate, Ridout accompanied Governor Horatio
Sharpe to Maryland
as his personal secretary. Under Sharpe's patronage, Ridout quickly garnered
several political positions including Judge of Probate (1761-1762) and naval
officer of the Port
of Annapolis Maryland in 1773,
the former governor left the couple his mansion, Whitehall ,
on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay .
This property, along with their Annapolis
townhouse on Duke of Gloucester street known as Ridout House, played host to several
social events attended by Maryland 's
high society.
