Harry Dorsey Gough (1745-1808)

He was born in Annapolis to British merchant Harry Gough and his wife Sophia Dorsey. Gough became a successful merchant and bought an estate which he called Perry Hall. In 1771, at the age of 26, he married 18-year-old Prudence Carnan. They had one daughter, Sophia Gough. Prudence was a devout Methodist. Harry rejected the religion until having a conversion experience at a camp meeting in 1775. He took the Methodist abolitionist teachings to heart and manumitted 45 enslaved people (more than half of his holdings) in 1780. He was active in politics and philanthropies that provided for orphans and the poor. Greatly interested in experimental farming and animal husbandry, he corresponded with President George Washington about livestock breeding.

Part of a 20-piece pewter dinner service with the Gough Family crest, used at Perry Hall.

Part of a 20-piece pewter dinner service with the Gough Family crest, used at Perry Hall. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Harry Dorsey Gough, a prominent Maryland merchant, planter, politician, and Methodist, attributed to Gilbert Stuart circa 1800.

Harry Dorsey Gough, a prominent Maryland merchant, planter, politician, and Methodist, attributed to Gilbert Stuart circa 1800. Courtesy Maryland State Archives. 

Prudence Carnan Gough (1755-1822)

Born in Anne Arundel County, she was the daughter of John Carnan and Achsah Ridgley. Her brother was Charles Ridgley Carnan, who served as the governor of Maryland. Charles changed his surname to inherit the estate of his childless uncle, Captain Charles Ridgley. Charles became the second owner of Hampton, his uncles’ industrial plantation.

At age 18, Prudence married Harry Dorsey Gough, a successful merchant. She became a devout Methodist and befriended the founding fathers of the American Methodist church, Bishop Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke. She embraced Methodism’s abolitionist stance. She had one daughter, Sophia Gough, whom she outlived.

Detail from a painting of Perry Hall, formerly attributed to Guy Francis, c. 1803. Shows Prudence Carnan Gough (in a dark dress), with her husband (turned away), daughter (white dress), son-in-law (horseback) and young grandchildren. There is also an enslaved child serving as a caregiver/playmate.

Detail from a painting of Perry Hall, formerly attributed to Guy Francis, c. 1803. Shows Prudence Carnan Gough (in a dark dress), with her husband (turned away), daughter (white dress), son-in-law (horseback) and young grandchildren. There is also an enslaved child serving as a caregiver/playmate. Courtesy of Winterthur Museum Collections.

Prudence Carnan Gough, by John Wesley Jarvis, circa 1810.

Prudence Carnan Gough, by John Wesley Jarvis, circa 1810. Courtesy of  NSCDA-MD.