Phelps Family History From England to America
The first Clagett to emigrate to the American Colonies was Col. Edward
Claget (b. 1613) with his then 26 year old son, Thomas Clagett, who was
born in 1644 in the parish of St. Mary's Hill, London, England. He came
to Maryland about 1670. The Clagetts were gentlemen of upper class origins.
Edward had been Commissioner for the militia of the city of London and
in 1653-1673, Master of the Drapers Company and a member of the London
Common Council. (The Master of the Drapers Company was in many ways one
of the most powerful figures in London. For an enlightening and detailed
description of the history and function of the company, see The
Drapers Company of London ![[Opens external site in new window]](../../resources/Icons/ico_external_site.gif){kind=icon}
.)
Edward Claget was granted large estates in the colonies: Goodlington Manor (1000 acres) on the Eastern shore of Maryland; Weston (800 acres) near Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Greenland in Prince George's County and large tracts near St. Leonard Township. Seven Thomas Clagetts in line have inherited "Weston". The last known owner was Henry Conte Bowie Clagett.
Edward Claget held more than 3,700 acres in Calvert, Prince George's, Baltimore and Kent Counties. He was a Justice and Coroner of Calvert Co., and an opponent of Coode's Revolution of 1689. His many descendants went on to play many key roles in the formation of the United States.
