Individual Details

"DESCRIPTION OF SPRIGG ESTATE," NORTHHAMPTON":

(published in the Baltimore Sun previous to the destruction of the Manor house by fire on March 17, 1909)" "In Prince George's County, some six or seven miles inland from the grant steel highway, along which travelers between Annapolis and Washington are borne swiftly to their destination, there stands an old Manor House, encircled by a plantation of 800 acres. "Northhampton" was built by Thomas Sprigg, Colonist and Gentleman, from England, whose death occurred in 1704. A full length portrait of that worthy gentleman, still in the possession of descendants represents a handsome man in full Court Costume, while the archives of Maryland give abundant proof that the original was a gentleman of official distinction and social importance. The Manor House is a frame, about 125 feet front, and such portion as is of the original architecture, is put together without nails. The drawing room, library and dining rooms, all with high chimney places and wide open fireplaces, face the front and in the rear according to the fashion of 200 hundred years ago, are bedrooms with tall gothic windows, and other rooms now used as pantries. The place is well wooded and about the residence are Elm and Willow trees, also flowering Magnolia trees, White Fringe trees, trailing their delicate blossoms. There is a real lover's walk, winding between a hedge of old fashioned Lilacs, that being in clusters of purple and white send their fragrance through the early spring sunshine. Here was spent the youth of Governor Samuel Sprigg. Who became the heir of his uncle Osborne Sprigg and from him inherited "Northhampton". Here was brought in 1811 the Governor's bride and here was born in 1811 the Governor's little daughter, Sally whose baby helplessness was the safeguard of "Northhampton from destruction by the British, when the latter's troops advanced along the Patuxcent River to attack Washington. Governor Sprigg was in hiding at the time and the house was examined but owing to the young baby and its mother, the homestead escaped injury, or pillage beyond the seizure of Wines and provisions."

For more of his descendents, see the Prather database.

For more of his ancestors and descendents, see the Prather2222 database in the World Connect Section of Rootsweb.com.