Richard Williamson Ringgold papers
Scope and Contents Note
This collection contains the papers of the early Presidents of Washington College. Beginning with Washington College’s first President William Smith through it’s fourteenth Dr. Charles W. Reid. Francis Waters served two times as President making him the fifth and nineth President. Due to the fires of 1827 and 1916 many of the early records were lost including the identity of the Presidents from 1805-1813. These papers consist of original materials, research from primary and secondary sources, facsimile copies, and published materials.
This Record Group is divided into thirteen groups: Group 1: William Smith papers; Group 2: Colin Ferguson papers; Group 3: Hugh McGuire papers; Group 4: Joab Goldsmith Cooper papers; Group 5: Gerard E. Stack papers; Group 6: Francis Waters papers; Group 7: Timothy Clowes papers; Group 8: Peter Clark papers; Group 9: Richard W. Ringgold papers; Group 10: Andrew J. Sutton papers; Group 11: Robert C. Berkeley papers; Group 12: Thomas N. Williams papers; Group 13: Charles W. Reid papers.
Dates
- 1752-1997
Access restrictions
Collection in open for research.
Biographical Information
Richard Williamson Ringgold (1807-1873) was born in Kent County, Maryland to James Ringgold and Sarah Williamson Ringgold. The Ringgold’s were a prominent family in the area, Thomas Ringgold built the Custom House and created great wealth through maritime trade including enlsaved people. Richard entered Princeton University in November 1817 but took an honorable leave and returned November 1822, graduating in 1824. He returned to Chestertown and began practicing law. In 1832 Ringgold was asked to become principal of Washington College. The college had still not fully recovered from the fire of 1827 and the state had refused to allow another lottery to raise funds. The conditions were so bad professor of English, James M. Spencer, resigned. Ringgold worked to improve the financial state and begin to rebuild the campus. After serving as Principal for twenty-one years he retired at the end of 1853. he moved to his farm in Kent County Ringgold entered public life being elected to Maryland’s Constitutional Convention in 1867 and later as Examiner of Public Schools for Kent County. Richard Ringgold passed away in 1873.
Extent
From the Record Group: 3.5 Cubic Feet (7 boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Record Group: English
Repository Details
Part of the Washington College Archives & Special Collections Repository
300 Washington Avenue
Chestertown MD 21620