Francis Brown Sappington

Francis Brown Sappington (died c. 1839) was an American politician and physician from Maryland. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Frederick County.

Francis Brown Sappington
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the Frederick County district
In office
1808–1809
Preceded byBenjamin Biggs, Thomas Hawkins, Henry Kuhn, David Shriver Jr.
Succeeded byGeorge Baer Jr., John Schley, John Thomas, John H. Thomas
In office
1799–1800
Serving with David Shriver, John Thomas, Henry Ridgely Warfield
Preceded byUpton Bruce, John Gwinn, John Thomas, Henry Ridgely Warfield
Succeeded byThomas Hawkins, Henry Kemp, Roger Nelson, David Shriver
In office
1792–1793
Serving with William Beatty, Joshua Dorsey, Roger Nelson
Preceded byWilliam Beatty, George Burkhart, John Ross Key, Patrick Sim Smith
Succeeded byMountjoy Bayly, William Beatty, Benedict Jamison, Roger Nelson
Personal details
Bornnear Ellicott City, Maryland, U.S.
Diedc. 1839
Libertytown, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyFederalist
SpouseAnn Ridgely
Children7, including Thomas
RelativesJames McSherry Jr. (grandson)
James McSherry (great-grandson)
Richard F. Sappington (great-grandson)
Alma materCollege of Philadelphia (BA)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • physician

Early life

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Francis Brown Sappington was born near Ellicott City, Maryland, to Frances (née Brown) and Thomas Sappington.[1][2] He graduated from the College of Philadelphia with a Bachelor of Arts in 1775. Members of the Second Continental Congress, including George Washington attended his commencement. At the commencement, Sappington spoke on the topic of "The Education of Young Ladies".[3]

Career

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Sappington worked as a physician in Libertytown.[2] He was considered one of the founders of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland[4] and an incorporator of the University of Maryland.[5] He was associated with John P. Thompson in the founding of the Frederick Town Herald.[6]

Sappington was a Federalist.[3] He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Frederick County from 1792 to 1793, 1799 to 1800 and 1808 to 1809.[7]

Personal life

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Sappington married a cousin of his brother Thomas Jr.'s wife. He married Ann Ridgely, daughter of Greenberry Ridgely and descendant of Cardinal Richelieu.[1][2] They lived in Libertytown. He had seven children, including Thomas, Francis B., Matilda or Martha, Harriet, Annie, Lydia and Nancy.[1][2] His daughter Nancy married a McSherry, the father of James McSherry Jr. and grandfather of James McSherry.[1][2] His son Thomas was a state delegate and served in the War of 1812. His great-grandson Richard F. Sappington was a state delegate.[2]

Sappington died in Libertytown around 1839.[2]

Legacy

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His Windsor armchair is displayed in the Etchison Room of the Historical Society in Frederick. The University of Pennsylvania preserves Sappington's knee breeches worn under his graduation gown during his College of Philadelphia commencement.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Warfield, J. D. (1905). The Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. Kohn & Pollock. pp. 378–379. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via Archive.org. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Portrait and Biographical Record of the Sixth Congressional District, Maryland. Chapman Publishing Company. 1898. pp. 130, 255–256, 267–268. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via Archive.org. 
  3. ^ a b c "Sappington". The News. June 2, 1975. p. 6. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  4. ^ "Attention is called..." The News. February 3, 1899. p. 2. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  5. ^ "Dr. Thomas Sappington". The Baltimore Sun. August 13, 1901. p. 7. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  6. ^ Eisenhauer, Joe (June 15, 1949). "AP's Weekend Visitors to See Prolific Newspaper Field Here". The News. p. 3. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  7. ^ "Historical List, House of Delegates, Frederick County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. March 20, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.