Towson in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

In Memoriam

Cemetery

— Egyptian Revival Vault, 1815 —

In Memoriam Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

1. In Memoriam Marker

Inscription. This gated cemetery, where generations of Ridgleys are buried, is still in use by the family. Feel free to enter and walk among the tombstones and monuments, but show proper respect. Notice the family vault at center, the names and inscriptions on the graves, and the various sculptures that mark them. One grave has a little stone lamb, the resting place of a young son of Charles Ridgely , fourth master of Hampton. Large families and limited medical knowledge meant early death was a sad aspect of everyday life, one the Ridgelys shared with their slaves and servants. To your left, in the oval stand of trees, is the pet cemetery, where several of the Ridgelys' treasured Chesapeake Bay retrievers and other animals rest. A slave cemetery is believed to have been in the general area, location uncertain.

[Caption:]
On a cold day in December 1867, a service for Hampton Mistress Eliza Ridgely was held in the mansion's Great Hall. Mr. Hoff, the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, delivered the eulogy. Afterwards, mourners followed her casket to this site.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Animals

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• Architecture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1867.

Location. 39° 24.865′ N, 76° 35.169′ W. Marker is in Towson, Maryland, in Baltimore County. Marker can be reached from Hampton Lane, 0.2 miles east of Hampton Garth, on the right when traveling east. On the grounds of the Hampton National Historic Site, 535 Hampton Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 535 Hampton Lane, Towson MD 21286, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Behind the Big House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Romance with Nature: The Falling Garden (about 700 feet away); Greenhouse #2 (about 800 feet away); Oranges in January (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ice Cream in July (approx. 0.2 miles away); Captain Charles Ridgely (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ridgely's Pride (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hampton: An American Story (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Towson.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

2. In Memoriam Marker

Eliza Ridgely's Funeral image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

3. Eliza Ridgely's Funeral

On a cold day in December 1867 as service for Hampton Mistress Eliza Ridgely was held in the mansion's Great Hall. Mr. Hoff, the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, delivered the eulogy. Afterwards, mourners followed her casket to this site. Close-up of Richard Schlecht painting on marker

Arriving at the Cemetery. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

4. Arriving at the Cemetery.

Eliza Ridgely's casket arrives at the Ridgely family cemetery.Close-up of Richard Schlecht painting on marker

The Ridgely Family Vault image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

5. The Ridgely Family Vault

Eliza Ridgely at 15<br>The Lady with the Harp image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2014

6. Eliza Ridgely at 15
The Lady with the Harp

This painting of Eliza Ridgely in 1817 by Thomas Sully hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. It was sold to the gallery in 1945 by John Ridgely Jr. as part of a complex deal in the course of which he gave Hampton to the NPS in 1948.

Eliza Ridgely at 59. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

7. Eliza Ridgely at 59.

Carte de visite of Eliza Ridgely (1803-1867), third mistress of Hampton, circa 1862.Close-up of photo on display in the visitors center.

John Ridgely image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

8. John Ridgely

Infant son of J.C. & E.R. White
Born
March 16th 1852
Died
May 7th 1852
----------------
He shall gather the lambs
with his arm and carry
them in his bosom.
Isaiah XL, 11.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

9. John Ridgely Jr.
of Hampton
September 28, 1881
March 6, 1959.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

10. John Ridgely Jr.
This 1959 painting of John Ridgely Jr. by Stanislaw Rembski hangs in Hampton House. John Ridgely was the 6th and last master of Hampton.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

11. Louise Roman Humrichouse
Wife of
John Ridgely Jr.
Nov. 19 1883
May 6, 1934

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

12. Jane Rodney Ridgely
September 10, 1902
July 1, 1978
(John Ridgely's Second Wife)

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 17, 2015

13. Leaving Hampton
John and Jane Ridgely leaving Hampton House in 1948 when they moved to the lower house after giving Hampton to the NPS. Close-up of A. Aubrey Bodine photo on display in the visitors center

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 527 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on May 21, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.