Description:

Anti-Catholic Maryland Test Oath Signed by 75+ Incl. John Hanson & More!

An infamous "Test Oath" document from colonial Maryland, signed by numerous political figures, including John Hanson, Edward Tilghman, William Murdock, Matthew Tilghman, and many more. 2pp, measuring approximately 15.25" x 9.5", Annapolis, dated ca. November 22, 1757 to March 31, 1758. The document has heavy dampstaining and chipping, with large portions of the document having been lost. Each sheet is now housed in a silk slip to prevent further damage. Despite this, the ink and signatures are still bold and legible. Overall, a fascinating piece of our country's early history in relation to religious freedom.

The two pages contain two of the five qualifying test oaths: an oath of allegiance to the King of England and an oath against Catholicism. With over 75 names subscribed to the document, one being "Chas. Carroll", although we are unable to determine if this might be the Charles Carroll of Annapolis or another individual. For a full list of names, please refer to the accompanying sheet photographed. 

Maryland was founded by the Catholic Lord Baltimore in 1634, but was thrown into religious conflict during the Protestant Revolution of 1689, following the "Glorious Revolution" in England 1688, when Protestant William III and Mary II deposed the Catholic King James II. Soon after, a series of Test Oaths were initiated by the English government in 1716, in response to the Jacobite movement - a political movement dedicated to restoring James II to the English throne. These Test Oaths were a set of laws designed to prohibit Catholics from holding office in the American colony of Maryland. Office-seekers had to swear fealty to the "rightful" King of England, pledge allegiance to the Church of England and forswear allegiance to the Pope or any other "foreign prince or potentate," and promise reject Catholic doctrines. In this way, the Royalists in the colonies sought to use the Oaths as a form of protection against any possible threat of insurrection. By forcing individuals to publicly disavow any allegiance to the Catholic Church or the House of Stuart, the Royalists sought to quell any potential uprisings against their rule.

The Test Oaths of Maryland were a direct violation of the then-current Royal Charter of Maryland, which prohibited “intermeddling with religion or matters of faith” and required the colony’s governors to protect the rights and liberties of all religious sects in the colony. Despite this, the Test Oaths remained in force in the Maryland colony for the greater part of 150 years, often being revised to be more comprehensive in scope. On rare occasions, the laws were waived, such as in the election of the Catholic Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore, to the seat of Governor of Maryland in 1720. Ultimately, the Test Oaths illustrate how, even in its infancy, the Freedom of Religion embraced by the American colonies of the time was often bent or ignored in favor of establishing a Protestant majority. They serve as an important reminder of the importance of religious liberty in the American Republic.

John Hanson (1721-1783) was a Founding Father, merchant, and politician from Maryland who was elected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1779. He signed the Articles of Confederation in 1781 and was soon after elected as the first President of the Confederation Congress - making him technically the first President of the United States.

Matthew Tilghman (1718-1790) was a Maryland Revolutionary leader who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776, during which times he signed the 1774 Continental Association.

Edward Tilghman (1713-1786) served in numerous political roles in Maryland. He served as Judge and High Sheriff of Queen Anne County from 1739-1742, Justice of the county from 1743-1749, and Keeper of the Rolls for the Eastern Shore from 1746-1750. In 1765 he was elected a member of the Stamp Act Congress and served on the Committee which drew up the Declaration of Rights and Grievances against Parliament.

William Murdock (1720-1769) was a Scottish-born Maryland statesman who also served as a delegate for Maryland in the Stamp Act Congress of 1765.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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