"On the map, the western part of
Dorchester county seems to be a part of the mainland. However, for a long
time, and in fact so long that the 'memory of man runneth not to the contrary,'
most of this section has been an island separated by a narrow stream called
Slaughter creek from the mainland. One of the early settlements in the
county was on this island, then considerably larger than at present since much
of it has unfortunately been washed away by the stormy waters of the Chesapeake
bay. The pioneer settler on this island was THOMAS TAYLOR, after
whom the island was named. Shortly afterwards his cousin, WILLIAM
TRAVERS, came there to settle. WILLIAM TRAVERS died in 1701,
devising by his will a considerable amount of real estate. One of his
sons, MATTHEW, became one of the wealthiest and most prominent men in the
county. He married ELIZABETH, daughter of HENRY HOOPER, the second
in line of successive generations of HENRY HOOPERs, who furnished
probably the most striking illustration in the history of the county of the
passing not only of the surname but of a marked degree of prominence from father
to son. A brother of this ELIZABETH was HENRY HOOPER, owner
and builder of Warwick Fort Manor. Another sister married JOHN BROOME,
sometimes spelt BROME, whose prominence personally and that of his family
were well known to students of Maryland Colonial history. From both of
these daughters of HENRY HOOPER, THOMAS BROOME TRAVERS, the subject of
this sketch, was descended.
"Successive generations of Traverses
and other allied families continued to live on Taylor's Island. The status
of island, the distance from Cambridge, the county seat, and the almost
impossible roads prohibited easy communication with Cambridge and other parts of
the county. This isolation and the unusual industrial advantages of
Taylor's Island resulted in the development of a community unique in many
respects. Fertility of the soil, large holdings of slaves, big profits
from shipbuilding, ownership of vessels trading with 'Brazil and The Indies,'
produced a state of considerable prosperity. The water as well as the land
furnished food in abundance. The houses were commodious, although a simple
style of architecture prevailed even in the homes of the richest. The
dominant families were closely bound together by blood and almost daily
association. House parties were large and frequent. Educational
provisions were quite good. The children were usually sent to school in
Baltimore or taught by tutors in private homes. It is doubtful whether any
section of Dorchester county, or of any other county in the colony or State, had
in proportion to populations so many men of wealth. The loss of slaves,
injurious tides, the wash of the sea and other causes brought about serious
changes for the worse in the community life of Taylor's Island. In recent
years a new era of prosperity has begun to develop.
"THOMAS BROOME TRAVERS was born
in 1702, the son of THOMAS BROOME and DELIA TRAVERS. He was born in
one of the Travers' homesteads which had been in the family for many
generations. He increased his inheritance, which was considerable, by
industry and excellent judgment, so that at the time of his death he was one of
the wealthiest men in the county. His many farms were well handled.
Throughout his life he was constantly building vessels, which from their ocean
and bay trade brought in considerable revenue.
"THOMAS BROOME TRAVERS was an
excellent representative of the type of business man which in many respects has
perforce ceased to exist. Since not a bank existed in the county until the
latter part of his life, all of his various operations were conducted
without the use of bank checks. Payments running up in the thousands of
dollars were made and received in gold. Large quantities of gold were
frequently kept on hand. For instance, a package containing $4,000 in
twenty dollar gold pieces was allowed by him in one case to remain unopened for
a period of at least fifteen years. He loaned many thousands of dollars to
his friends, always without any form of note or written acknowledge or receipt.
"He was an Episcopalian throughout his
life and furnished the larger part of the funds for the building of the
Episcopal church now standing on Taylor's Island. This church with its
solid walnut pews and other unusual features is an interesting survival.
It took the place of one of the old Colonial 'Chapels of Ease' which had
been a matter of interest to students of history. The dramatic scenes
illustrated on the coast of Taylor's Island during the Revolutionary War,
especially during the War of 1812, and which have never found proper place in
history were matters of keen interest to him, and he endeavored to preserve
fitting mementoes of these times, especially in so far as members of his family
had participated.
"He married his cousin, ELISABETH
TRAVERS, who died at the age of twenty-two, leaving three little
daughters. These three daughters survived him. They were SOPHIE D.,
widow of JOHN ANTHONY LeCOMPE RADCLIFFE, a sketch of whom precedes this; MARY,
widow of WILLIAM CATOR, and ADDIE, wife of E. L.
GRIFFITH. THOMAS BROOME TRAVERS never married again, but
devoted the best of his time and energy to the welfare of his daughters.
It was his aim to bridge over the loss to his children of their mother by
assuming personally as many as possible of maternal duties and
responsibilities. In spite of the engrossing nature of his business
enterprises, he followed most closely the details of the daily lives of his
daughters. He provided private instruction for them at his home, and as
soon as they were large enough, he sent them to private school. A little
instance illustrating his efforts to see that their desires and plans were
properly looked after is seen in the arrangements which he made in regard to the
wedding cake of his oldest daughter [Sophie D. Travers]. To insure
as much as possible against accident, he sent one of his best sailing vessels to
bring the cake from Baltimore and permitted the vessel to have no other
mission. Possibly the most distinguishing characteristics of THOMAS
BROOME TRAVERS were the personal attention and interest which he gave to the
daily life of his daughters, and his constant efforts to give them the best of
training and education. This was carefully done in spite of engrossing
business cares.
"He died in 1875, leaving one of the
largest estates in the county. The best heritage to his many descendants
was, however, his reputation for integrity, ability and general worthiness.
"
TO
GENERATION 1 Edward and Mary
LeCompte Cator
TO
GENERATION 2 Family of Son,
Levin Cator
TO
GENERATION 3 Families of Joseph & Abel Cator
TO
GENERATION 4 Families of Joseph E, Capt Wm., &
Robinson W. Cator
TO
GENERATION 5 Family of Capt. Wm. Whitefield Cator
TO
THOMAS BROOME TRAVERS +dau.
Mary and spouse WILLIAM CATOR
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