Jonathan Plowman Jr's many accomplishments ranged from a town commissioner member,[3] an attorney,[4] and justice of the peace.
Jonathan Plowman Jr. became a member of the town commission of Baltimore, Maryland, prior to and served during the American Revolution.
[8] Many references to Jonathan Plowman may be found in the Maryland Archives, as he participated in town business and ran afoul of the British more than once.
[9] By this time Jonathan Plowman had started his own business as a merchant in the newly created town of Baltimore established in 1729.
The sole purpose of the law was to limit Irish immigrants, but Jonathan Plowman obviously was not influenced by this since his best friend and business partner Dr. John Stevenson was born in Ireland.
In the Maryland archives appears a request to pay Jonathan Plowman for his service on the Frontier dated January 20, 1767.
Richard[14] also served during the Revolutionary War as an Ensign belonging to the Soldiers Delight Battalion of the Militia in Baltimore County.
In the book "History of Baltimore City and County" it refers to Jonathan Plowman calling him a "variety store-keep"[1] Besides the merchant business, he also did land deals.
Jonathan Plowman, a God-fearing man and devout Christian as most were in that time, donated land to establish a church near Baltimore.
This fact was recounted in an act the state of Maryland passed on January 22, 1829 to incorporate Particular Baptist Gunpowder Church in Baltimore County.
[22] On July 16, 1763, Plowman and others organized a lottery to raise 510 pounds for completing the market house, buy two fire engines and a parcel of land to enlarge the wharf and build a new one.
The ships Virgin and Pocomoke owned by Jonathan Plowman and Peter Hulbert were used on the voyage to transport the 200 passengers and baggage.
Plowman is listed among the bachelors of Baltimore Town age twenty five and older, who were taxed by the Maryland Assembly to pay for the French and Indian War.
[24] On June 22, 1769, Jonathan Plowman was one of the signers of Maryland's Resolution of Non-Importation, in which he and other merchants like him promised, along with other colonies, to avoid importing items that were being taxed by Act of Parliament, for the purpose of raising a revenue in America.
The Assembly decided to swing around its power and ordered all the signers to come to Annapolis to explain their signatures on what they called a "false and scandalous Petition that reflected on the Honour, Justice and Impartiality of the House and highly derogatory of its Rights and Privileges.
[citation needed] Jonathan Plowman apparently did not go, at least not at the time ordered and what happened to this warrant is still being investigated by a genealogist, but we do know that he would continue on to yet another confrontation with Britain and have George Washington's help.
George Washington was asked to intercede on Jonathan Plowman Jr's behalf by the Honorable Daniel Dulany Esq, who had been mayor of Annapolis from 1764-1765.
Dulany Esq., I address this Letter to you, a certain Mr. Plowman of Baltimore has, unfortunately, had his Vessel seized by the Boston Frigate, if it should be condemned, I have to request the favour of you to facilitate the purchase of it and render any Service you can in behalf of the proprietor.
I have no great right to take this Liberty, but you will be good enough, I hope, to excuse the freedom taken by Sir, etc.... George Washington[27]Original copy of the letter may be seen at http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw8a/124/0000/0011.jpg Another passage found in the Maryland archives tells the story of Robert Moreton, a customs/tax collector.
The story is that the ship Speedwell came up from Turk Islands and apparently against Moreton's order began to unload, because of the merchant's insistence to get the goods ashore.
They searched every house for Moreton with their faces being black'd and disguised in sailors' jackets and trousers, but most of them were the principal merchants in Baltimore and Fells Point.
The Governor gave him a letter addressed to "Mr. Plowman a Merchant and a Justice of the Peace at Baltimore –" The Mob assembled again on May 1, 1773 set on burning down the house.
A gentleman took pity and argued not to hurt the wife and innocent children so they put aside their intentions, but they did decide to tar and feather that man and drag him through the water instead.
Mr. Moreton fled to Boston, but then missed a court date to testify against one John Pitts for shooting Mr. Ross the gaoler.
Historians have recorded that the Merchants of Baltimore including Jonathan Plowman Jr. made their ships into privateers and enriched them and the town with the spoils of British commerce.
[citation needed] Some were away serving the cause and names were simply written in; now the DAR (Daughters of the Revolution) won't accept this as proof of service.
This same year many factories were established in and around the Baltimore area to provide the goods that the merchants like Plowman could no longer get from abroad and had been prohibited from making in the Americas by the British.
Life for merchants such as Jonathan Plowman was hard, with a requirement to register their ships in Annapolis before leaving or arriving in Baltimore.
In September 1781, General George Washington passed through Baltimore, on his way to Yorktown; on which occasion the town was illuminated, and an address presented on behalf of the citizens.
[33] From 1800 on more of the family would move to Pennsylvania as well spreading across Huntingdon, Blair and Bedford County, most living in or near the cities of Altoona and Holidaysburg.