Rezin Hammond

Colonel Rezin Hammond (1745–1809) was a United States revolutionary patriot and politician from Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Hammond served as a Colonel in the Anne Arundel County Militia during the American Revolution, and was known for his radical revolutionary views.

Rezin Hammond was born into a politically influential family at Howard's Adventure, their country home near Gambrills, Maryland.

His maternal grandfather, John Brice Jr., was one of Maryland's largest landowners, and Rezin was named after his paternal uncle.

[1][2] Following in his father's footsteps, Hammond became a planter and politician, representing the fourth generation of his family to enter politics.

Hammond later served in the Maryland House of Delegates for Anne Arundel County before resigning during the third session.

[21] On August 15, 1776, an essay titled "Watchman" appeared in the Maryland Gazette arguing for universal male suffrage, which has been attributed to Hammond.

[11][19] "Every poor man has a life, a personal liberty, and a right to his earnings: and is in danger of being injured by government in a variety of ways: therefore it is necessary that these people should enjoy the right of voting for representatives, to be the protectors of their lives, personal liberty, and their little property which, though small, is yet, upon the whole, a very great object to them.

[23] Despite his progressive views on voting rights, Hammond was a substantial slaveholder, who owned and used slaves to tend his vast property holdings.