Evening star., 1938-12-11
Eden May PayVisit
ToAn(estor's
Grave in Maryland
Lost Colonial Governor
Laid Corner Stone Of
Stute House
BY JOHN CLAGETT PROCTOR.

BY JOHN CLAGETT PROCTOR.
Sir Anthony Eden certainly
touched a warm spot in the hearts
of the American people when he
called attention to the fact that
his lineal ancestor, Sir Robert Eden,
was the last Colonial Governor. of
Maryland, even though he did hap
pen to be appointed by the British
crown.
At any rate, so far as known, he
quit his offlce quietly, in July,
1776, and returned to England,
where he resided during the hos
tilitiea Opon the declaration of
peace, he returned to Annapolis to
urge the claim of the Calvert family
to their property in Maryland, and
died in Annapolis during this con-
troversy. September 2, 1884. His
body was removed for burial to a
country church about miles from
Annapolis, which was later destroy
ed by fire. Here it remained in an
unnoticed grave until 1925, when,
through the activities of members
of the Colonial Wars Society, it was
removed to Annapolis and buried
in the church yard of st. Anne's.
Tribute to Administrator.
The removal of remains to the
latter place was done by the Society
of Colonial Wars in the State of
Maryland, which erected the tomb.
It was, as has been said, fitting
tribute to an able administrator,
and to one who by natural endow-
ments, family claims and official re-
lations had endeared himself to the
people of Maryland.
Sir Robert Eden was, in large
measure responsible for the building
Of the present State House at An
napolis. He laid the foundation
stone with pomp and ceremony, on
March 2e, 1772 This building was
completed about October, ITS.
while the building Of the present
Maryland State House." 1t is said,
was in itself purely to satisfy a
demand for space and requirements
commensurate with the growing
needs of a rich colony, beneath it
all one conversant with the history
Of the Province Of Maryland will
recognize in its construction as well
the ambitious plans of Sir Robert
Eden, Governor Q769-1776), who
had married Lady Caroline Calvert,
the youngest daughter of Charles,
fifth Lord Baltimore.
Return of Personal Rule.
ellis appointment to the post of
Provincial Governor marked the re-
turn of a personal rule on the part
of a member of the proprietors
family, who had for IS years alb
sented themselves from the colony
content in living in an English home
maintained by an income from the
colony, approximating $4,000 pounds
sterling, a princely sum even for
the luxurious days of George III"
In this historic State House, the
biennial sessions of the Assembly
met. as we'll as other notable bodies.
Here in 1888 gathered the Continen-
tai Congress, which had taken flight
from Princeton because OF the prev
alence of smallpox, and in the Sem
ate chamber, before that body, on
December %, 1888, Gen. Washington
surrendered his sword as comman-
der in chief. This event is pictured
in large oil painting hanging above
the landing of the stairs, painted by
Edwin White in 1860. Here in 1887
again assembled representatives OF
nve States. called to adopt Con-
stitution, but because of lack of at
tendance, this so-called Annapolis
Convention adjourned and later met
in Philadelphia.
It is quite probable that when Sir
Anthony Eden visits Washington
this week, to speak before the Ma
tional Press Club, he will take time
to visit the grave of his distinguished
ancestor at Annapolis, and see how
really strong are the ties between
his own country and the United
States Of America.