We want The Sun's editorial board to know how much we appreciated the July 4th "Editorial Notebook" on Charles Carroll of Carrollton ("Charles Carroll of Carrollton: Maryland's First Citizen"). Even in Maryland, his contribution to the birth of our country and his influence on a number of aspects of our state's history are mentioned far too seldom. His place in our national memory as an outstanding patriot could certainly benefit from a Broadway hit musical. Your piece was a valuable history lesson.
You may be interested to know that a Charles Carroll-related site is now undergoing an extensive historic preservation effort. Carrollton Hall was a grand residence that he gave to his granddaughter, Emily Caton McTavish, along with 1,000 acres that he carved out of his Doughegan estate in Howard County in 1832. After her death in 1867, it had a series of owners, including Van Lear Black, publisher of The Baltimore Sun, who purchased it in 1910 and sold it in 1924.
Today, the structure often referred to as The Manor House belongs to the Shrine of St. Anthony on Folly Quarter Road. Their restoration efforts will include interpretation of the site that emphases the spirit of freedom of religion in the United States.
Judy and Joe LeGath, Catonsville