The Brydens in Baltimore

Undoubtedly a great deal could be said about William Bryden's career as a mariner, but we only know a few of the details. Records of the Port of Baltimore and other ports along the East Coast should show his comings and goings. He was a captain of clipper ships carrying cargo to and from the West Indies. I have a page from one of his account books, headed "Dr Ambrose Clarke Esquire in account current with William Bryden," dates July and August 1805, listing items of cargo, port charges at Barbados, duty on sugar at Jamaica, etc. At that time, a large slave trade existed to and from Barbados. I find no indication that William Bryden was involved in it, although he did own several slaves.

For the first few years after Bryden's arrival in Baltimore, he maintained a residence at Fell's Point, near the waterfront. He later built for his family a large country estate. Tradition has it that its name "Orange" came from early attempts at growing oranges there. Obviously they must have been unsuccessful. It was located on the eastern outskirts of Baltimore, at what was later Canton and Biddle Streets. The property is clearly indicated on maps of Baltimore dated from the 1820's to the 1850's. For example, some of these may be found in Atlas of Historical Maps of Maryland 1608-1908, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1982. I have a painting on beige cloth, said to be of the scene from the front porch painted by his daughter Henrietta during an illness. Bryden Hyde has a similar painting of the house itself, which he says was done by Elizabeth Bryden. We have several photographs of the house and lands. The house existed until at least 1920, but it is now gone.

Capt. Bryden retired from sailing in 1810, at the age of 42.

1810 Census – William Bryden – Balto Co, Patapsco Lower Hundred, p476

1830 Census – William Bryden – Balto, 1st Ward, p5

Oil portraits exist of William and Elizabeth Bryden, and photographic copies of them have been made. Profiles on ivory cameos exist of the entire Bryden family, apparently done around 1830. Clearly identifiable are Capt. and Mrs Bryden, their son and three daughters. There is also an unidentified older woman. I also have samples of Capt. Bryden's signature and handwriting. The backward slant of the writing suggests that he was left-handed.

• Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb 1838, p2 – Elizabeth Bryden, consort of William, died 22 Jan 1838.
• Baltimore American, 2 Jun 1840 – Capt. Wm Bryden died 9th Apr last, in the 73 yr, native of Edinburgh Scotland, but for the last 50 yrs a resident of this city and one of the oldest ship masters out of the port of Baltimore.
• Baltimore Sun, 4 Jun 1840 p 2 – William Bryden d. 8 Apr 1840.

Elizabeth was first buried at Christ's Episcopal Church, St Paul and Chase Streets. Shortly afterwards when her husband also died, she was moved to Westminster Churchyard, a very small burial ground in downtown Baltimore at Greene and Fayette Streets, where they are buried together. Edgar Allen Poe happens to be buried here also. The inscription on their tombstone reads:

Viva Dow had the tombstone recut because it was so worn, but the dates were copied incorrectly. William's death date 1840 was cut as 1810. As indicated above, Elizabeth's birth date 11 October perhaps was also miscut and should be 14 October. I believe her middle initial C on the stone should actually be G for Goodman.

Baltimore Probate Records for William Bryden:

• 1840, Book 19, Folio 205 – notice to creditors published in Baltimore newspapers Republican and Clipper.
• 1840, Book 19, Folio 216 – to sell estate except for Bank and Coal Co stock.
• 1840, Book 19, Folio 225 – to sell property except South side of Fleet St and West side of Albemarle St.
• 1841, Book 20, Folio 8 – to sell Franklin Bank, Merchants Bank and Baltimore Coal Co stock.
• 1841, Book 20, Folio 17 – to sell Albemarle St property.
• 1841, Book 20, Folio 71 – 13 Sep 1841 – application of Augustus D. Clemens et al, George Teague to give new security as administrator. Offers Henry Carr.
• Administration Account: Book 40 folio 179, 222. Capt Bryden's personal estate was appraised at $2980.10.

The administrator's original intention was to keep the residence unsold. This was disputed in Chancery Court (Chancery Papers, #9069, B157–247, Maryland Hall of Records) 21 May 1841 – Sep 1841. Petition to partition Orange. Thomas and Elizabeth Kinnersley, James Bryden, Augustus C. Clemens and Henrietta vs Francis Forsythe and Stracey, and Alexander Tate and Anne. William Bryden d. 9 Apr 1840. Anne daughter of William Bryden, resides outside of Maryland. As an outcome of the case, in the American and Commercial Daily Advertiser, November 1841, William Bryden's residence was offered for sale:

All that part of "Orange," containing twenty acres and six-tenths of an acre, long known as the country seat of the late Capt. William Bryden, situated about one mile and a half north east of the Court House, and near to Monument Street. The improvements are the very best order, and consist of a large two-story BRICK DWELLING HOUSE, containing 10 rooms, in excellent repair, and suitable for the accomodation of a large family. There is a 60 foot porch on the whole length of the house. There are also a Stable, Barn, Milk-House, Smoke-House, &c &c, upon the premises, all of brick, large and in good order–the soil is of the best kind–there is a fine Garden and the place is well set in Fruit, such as Apples, Peaches, Pears, Grapes, Raspberries, Gooseberries, &c &c. The Fences are in good order. The situation is very high and healthy, and from its near proximity to the city, (it being within the city limits) presents great advantages, whether as a Country Seat or Market Garden.

"High and healthy" refers to the danger from malaria, which in those days was common up and down the East Coast. It was known to be more prevalent in the low-lying marshy areas, but the connection with mosquitoes had not yet been made, and people believed the disease to be carried by breezes off the water.