Autographs
Continental Congressman & Chief Maryland Court Judge
BENJAMIN RUMSEY (1734-1808). American Jurist from Joppa, Maryland. He served as a Delegate for Maryland in the Continental Congress in 1776 and 1777, and or over twenty-five years, beginning in 1778, he was the Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals.
c. 1794, Autograph Letter Signed, "Benjamin Rumsey", 1 page, measuring 8.25" x 6.75" at Cecil County (MD), Choice Very Fine. Rumsey writes, in full; "To His Worshipfull the Justices of Cecil County the Petition of Benjamin Rumsey of Harford County Humbly showeth That your Petitioner was in the Year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and ninety three overrated in the assessment and the Commissioners took off from said assessment the sum of four Pounds ten Shilings which their Clerk promissed to represent to your Worships and try to get an allowance made for the same in the succeding years Levy which your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that he may be allowed the said overpayment in the next Levy and your Petitioner as is Duty bound - (Signed) "Benjamin Rumsey". Ex: Russ & Jane Sears Maryland Collection.
BENJAMIN RUMSEY (1734-1808). Planter. Lawyer. Member of Lower House, Cecil County, 1771. Member of Harford County Conventions, 1775-76. Member, Committee of Observation, Harford County, elected 1775. Captain, Company 6, Harford County Militia, enrolled September 16, 1775. Colonel, Lower Battalion, Harford County Militia, elected January 6, 1776. Member of Councils of Safety, Western Shore, 1776.



Delegate, Continental Congress, 1776-77. Judge, General Court, 1777; Chief Judge, Maryland Court of Appeals, 1778-1806. Member of St. Stephen's Parish, Cecil County; North Elk Parish, Cecil County; St. John's Parish, Baltimore and Harford Counties. St. John's Parish Vestryman.