The Maryland Protestant Revolution of 1689 Rev. Col. John Coode and the Glorious Revolution

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Index to Rev. Col. John Coode

1689 Glorious Revolution of Maryland

The Glorious Revolution in England occurred in 1688 with the bloodless overthrow of James II and the accession to the throne of Mary, his daughter, and her husband William of Orange, a Protestant, who was invited to invade England in this pursuit. James fled in December of 1688. William and Mary thwarted James' favoritism toward Catholics, possibly averting a second civil war, and opening the way to a constitutional monarchy.

In Maryland, the people were fearful that Catholicism would be named the state religion, although the Protestant population was in majority. News of William and Mary's takeover was well received, althought George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, was slow to recognize the new rulers, thus agitating his subjects. A short synopsis of events of the Glorious Revolution in Maryland is available for further reading.

John COODE siezed upon false rumors of an Indian invasion purportedly under control of the Catholic proprietor and the French in early 1689, similar to the false Indian incursions of 1681. John COODE and his co-conspirators formed the Protestant Association to take over the government making it a royal colony under Parliament and the Crown, not a Proprietary Colony answerable to the Lord Baltimore.

The 26th Aprill 1689
May it please your Majesty
We have furthered considered the present condition of Maryland, Penselvania and Carolina, as they are Provinces of great extent and importance to the Crown, but as they have been formerly granted by your Majesty's Predecessors to severall persons in absolute propriety by which Title they claime a right of Government. Wee humbly conceive their present circumstances and relation they stand in to the Government of England to be a matter worthy the consideration of the Parliament for the bringing of those proprietys and dominions under a nearer dependance on the Crown
All which is most humbly
submitted.

(Archives of Maryland, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1687/8-1693, volume 8, p. 100

The Declarations of the Association were presented on 25 July 1689 at the Talbot County courthouse.

…Wee are every day threatened with the loss of our lives, libertys and Estates of which wee have great reason to think ourselves in eminent danger by the practises and machinacons that are on foot to betray us to the French, Northern and other Indians of which some have been dealt withall, and others invited to assist in our distruccon, well remembering the incursion and invade of the said Northern Indians in the year 1681, who were conducted into the heart of this Province by French Jesuits, and lay sore upon us while the Representatives of the Country, then in the Assembly were severely prest upon by our superiours to yield them an unlimited and tyrannicall power in the Affairs of the Militia As so great a piece of villany cannot be the result but of the worst of principles, soe wee should with the greatest difficulty believe it to be true if undeniable evidence and circumstances did not convince Us…
Given under our hands, Maryland the 25th day of July in the first year of their Majesties Reign Anno Dom: 1689.
John COODE Hen. Jowles Jno Cambell Hum: Warren Kenelm CHESELDYNE
Wm Purling Nea BLACKISTONE Ricd Clouds.

(Archives of Maryland, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1687/8-1693, volume 8, pp. 101-107.)

Nehemiah BLACKISTONE and Kenelm CHESELDYNE were brothers-in-law of John COODE and all were sons-in-law of Dr. Thomas GERARD.

On 27 July 1689, the Protestant Associators, about 250 strong, led by Capt. John COODE, captured the capital, St. Mary's, by storming the Assembly House, with some loyalists resisting, namely Col. William DIGGS.

…Thus matters stood untill towards the latter part of July 1689 at which time the people of Virginia did often threaten us and were ready (in great numbers) to come over into Maryland to reduce us alleadging wee were Rebells for not Proclaimeing their Majesties in the mean time news being brought to some of the aforesaid Protestants that the Deputy Governors were fortifying the Court house at St Maries and Matapany garrison and raiseing men to keep the same; they sent over to the Magistrates in Virginia desireing them to restrain the proceedings and designes aforesaid of their people. And there upon about two hundred and fifty Protestants tho very badly provided with Armes and Ammunition marched down to the City of St Maries to know the truth of the aforesaid Report and to desire the Deputy Governors to call an Assembly which had been for a long time prorogued against the desires of all honest men. That speedy course might be taken for the satisfaction of both Protestants and Papists untill orders from England. But when they arrived there they found the said Court house full of armed men made a garrison ready to oppose them. Whereupon they sent into the said Fort the Protestant Declaration demanding to have King William and Queen Mary to be proclaimed and submitted To which they refuseing to do the said Protestants marched up resolutely to the said Garrison and haveing gained the Doores and Windows and being ready to enter Those within did surrender takeing with them their private armes and leaveing the publick armes to the Protestants and then they marched to Matapany Fort about eight miles distant where about four hundred men were in Garrison and demanded surrender of the same to the use of King William and Queen Mary the which they refused for sometime to do. But finding the number of the Protestants to encrease and resolveing to attacke the same They surrendered upon Articles…
John COODE

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland 1687/8-1693, Volume 8, p. 225-229.)

On 1 August 1689 the Associators siezed the garrison and powder magazine under command of Col. Henry DARNALL. The county's armaments and powder were at the Mattapany Magazine (archeologists have identified the site of the Magazine on the lands of the Patuxtent River Naval Air Station), built on the land of late Provincial Secretary Henry SEWELL (d. 1664). Sewell's widow, Jane LOWE, married Charles Calvert, third Lord Baltimore, in 1666. They lived at Mattapany-Sewell until 1685 when Calvert returned to England. Calvert had built the Magazine in about 1675-1676 during Indian uprisings.

In 1689 John COODE circulated rumors that Seneca Indians had landed at Mattapany-Sewell. Capt. Richard Smith of Calvert County, garrisoned at Mattapany-Sewell, recounted the events of August 1.

…soe having about forty men, SMITH marched with them to Mattapany the garrison and place where the Government then was, COODE and his party had soe possest the minds of the people of the necessity of displacing all papists, for that the Indians were coming forthwith to kill all the Protestants, soe that in few days after Smith being at Mattapany it was beseiged by said COODE, and a strong party of his accomplices, and Mattapany surrendered upon termes, all this while the pretence was against none but papists, but Smith himself being a Protestant and all his men except only four were Protests…
(Archives of Maryland, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1687/8-1693, volume 8, pp. 147-149.)

No blood was shed at the Magazine that day. John Coode presented Col. Henry Darnall with a demand for surrender with very generous terms and Col. Darnall and Gov. Joseph Williams accepted.

1689 The Associators Assembly

On 22 August 1869, the Protestant Associators called for an Association Assembly which was held on 4 September 1689.

1689 September 4. An Ordinance for regulating of Officers Military and Civill and other necessary affairs for the present settlement of this Province…

That for regulating the affairs of the Militia in St Marys County Capt: John COODE Commander in chiefe who is by this Ordinance impowered to raise and command a troop of horse as he shall see convenient, Major John CAMPBELL for St Georges Poplar Hill, Newtowne St Clements bay hundred, Capt: Edward GREENHALD for St Marys, St James, St Inegoes and St Michaels hundreds, Capt. Thomas ATTAWAY for St Clements hundred, Capt: John DENT for Chaptico hundred, Mr Nehemiah BLACKISTONE Capt: of a troope of horse for St Georges, Poplar hill Newtowne and the other hundreds on the east side of St Marys river in the said County and the said Troope of horse to consist of fifty horsemen.

That for regulating the affairs civill in St Marys County Mr Kenelme CHESELDYN, Mr John DENT, Capt: John COODE, Mr Nehemiah BLACKISTONE Justices of the Quorum Major John CAMBALL, Mr Richard CLOUDS, Mr John LLEWELLIN, Mr John WATSON and Mr Edward GREENHALGH Justices, Mr John WATSON, Mr Elias BEECH and Mr Nehemiah BLACKISTONE Coroners, Mr Robert CARSE Sheriffe and Mr William TAYLARD Clerk

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly April 1, 1684 - June 9, 1692, Volume 13, p. 240-242.)

Elias BEECH married (by 9 August 1679) Sarah COLE of St. Mary's County, sister of a Richard COLE, and daughter of William Cole. Richard CLOUDS married Judith, widow of John GOLDSMITH, who was transported to Virginia in 1650 by Dr. Thomas GERARD.

4 September 1689
…And Whereas it is thought convenient for the encouragement of trade and dispatch of shipping that naval Officers be appointed in convenient districts in this Province Be it Ordained & enacted by this present Generall Assembly and the authority of the same that Capt: Samuel BOURNE be and is hereby appointed naval Officer for Patuxent river and the bay and Capt: John COODE for Potomack River and Mr Robert KING for Somersett County in this Province to have and to hold the said respective Offices…

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly April 1, 1684 - June 9, 1692, Volume 13, p. 246.)

1689 September 4. …And be it likewise Ordained by the authority aforesd that Mr Kenelm CHESELDYN, Capt: John COODE, Mr Nehemiah BLACKISTONE, Coll Henry JOWLES, Mr Gilbert CLARK, Mr John ADDISON and Mr John COURTS or any four of them together with John LLEWELLIN or William TAYLARD their Clerk be and are hereby constituted and appointed a Committee for the whole Province for the allotting, laying and assessing the publick leavy of this Province to meete and conveene at Charles Towne in Charles County on Munday the seaventh day of October next for that purpose…

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly April 1, 1684 - June 9, 1692, Volume 13, p. 247.)

…That tenn thousand pounds of tobacco be raised and lodged in the hands of Capt: COODE, Coll: JOWLES and Coll: WARREN as a gratuity from this House to the souldiers late in Armes under their comand vizt four thousand pounds of Tobacco to Captain COODE, three thousand pounds of tobacco to Colonel JOWLES, and thousand to Coll: WARREN for the souldiers to drink their Majesties health, together alsoe with the thanks of this House for their good service, more particularly to Capt: COODE, Mr BLACKISTONE, Col: JOWLES and other the Gentlemen therein more principally concerned.

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly April 1, 1684 - June 9, 1692, Volume 13, p. 247.)

Maj. William COMBES, a Protestant, of Talbot County married Elizabeth ROE, daughter of Edward and Mary Roe. Their daughter, Mary Roe, had married John COMBS. Nicholas Lowe was later the second husband of Elizabeth Roe Combes. William COMBS aligned with COODE and the Associators. He signed the Talbot County Associators Petition. COODE rewarded him for his alliegence by appointing him an officer in the county militia and a justice of the court. Col. Henry Darnall wrote that many men aligned with COODE because they believe "COOD rose only to preserve the Country from the Indians and Papists and to proclaim the King and Queen and would do them noe harm."

That for regulating the affairs of the Militia in Talbott County, Mr William COMBES Major of the horse, Mr Thomas HARMAN Capt: of a troope of horse, Mr John STANLEY Capt: of a troope of horse, Mr John DAVIS Capt: of a foot Company in the roome of Mr James MURPHY, Mr Wm BECKSLEY Capt: of a foote Company in the roome of Capt: George COWLEY, Mr Henry ALEXANDER Capt: of a foot Company continued as formerly, Mr Wm CRUMP Capt: of a foot Company continued as formerly and Mr Richard SWEATNAM Capt. of a foote Company in the roome of Capt: KENNIMON.

That for regulating the Affairs Civill in Talbott County. Mr Edward MANN, Mr William COMBES, Mr George ROBOTHAM , Mr Thomas SMITHSON Justices of the Quorum, Mr James SMITH, Mr Henry COURSEY junior, Mr George ROBINS, Mr William HINNEY, Mr Michaell TURBUTE, Mr Thomas FISHER, Mr James SEDGEWICK Justices, Mr George ROBINS and Nicholas LOWE Coroners Mr Samuel WITHERS Sheriffe and Mr Nicholas LOWE Clarke.

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly April 1, 1684 - June 9, 1692, Volume 13, pp. 240-242.)

Charles Carrol wrote to Lord Baltimore in England about the Glorious Revolution in Maryland and challenging the legitimacy of the Associator's government.

Charles Carrol to Lord Baltemore St Maryes September the 25th 1689.
My most honrd Lord,
I believe your Lordship has ere now had some intelligence either by Captain Burneham or Johnson of the strange rebellion your ungrateful people of this your Lordship's Province have involved themselves in, moved by the wicked instigations of CODE, JOWLES, BLACKSTON, CHESELDYN PARSON, THURLING and severall others to that degree that they have quite unhinged your Lordship's Government and (as if there were noe justice to be had but such as they please to distribute, or as if the whole body of the Lawes were to be annulled by their wild fancyes) have taken upon themselves to declare your Lordship's charter forfeited as your Lordship may see by their malitious declaration (which the Bearer will shew your Ldp) they have further taken upon themselves to give Comissions to Sheriffs and Justices of their own stamp and constitute other Officers both civill and military utterly excluding not only all Roman Catholiques from bearing any office whatsoever (contrary to an express act of Assembly) but alsoe all Protestants that refuse to joyne with them in their irregularities, imprisoning such of them as declare against their illegal proceedings, and arbitrarily threatening to hang any man that takes upon him to justify your Lordship's right. They have assumed the power of calling an Assembly the Election of which was in most Countyes awed by their souldiers, one County disowned their power and would chuse noe members but in fine they have packed up an Assembly after the most irregular manner that ever was knowne, wherein they have layd down the methods of their future conduct, but is as yet kept private, but I am informed that your Lordship shall speedily have sent you a Copy of their Journall But see it is that neither Catholique nor honest Protestant can well call his life or estate his own and if your Lordship (according to your wonted care & tenderness of your people) by a speedy application and true representation to His Majesty of these most inhuman actions doe not procure some orders whereby to allay their fury a little all your friends here will be reduced to a miserable condition, for dayly their cattle are killed, their horses prest and all the injury imaginable done to them, and to noe other, certainly your Lordship's charter is not such a trifle as to be annulled by the bare allegations of such profligate wretches and men of scandalous lives, as CODE, THURLING, JOWLES and such fooles as they have poysoned by the most absurd lyes that ever were invented, lithe King think that your Ldp or your Deputy Governors have done anything that may render your charter forfeited His Majesty & His Councill know the way of trying it is by a quo warranto which way of proceeding (as I under stand) is not much favoured by the King or Parliament much less I believe will they approve of such unheard of actions as were committed against your Lordship & Governmt by these evill speritts without Commission or order from any superior power, whereby they have not only rebelled against your Lordship but alsoe committed high Treason in takeing up armes as they have done without warrant from His Majesty or your Lordship. I fear I have been too tedious upon this ungratefull subject, yet I could enlarge much more, and would but that the Bearer can informe your Lordship to the full much better then I can he haveing been no small sharer in the grate calamity whereof likewise I had my parte mingled with as hard seasoning of which I am now thank God allmost recovered.
I believe an Act of indemnity with a few exceptions of the most notorious transgressors would prove a great meanes to reduce the people to their obedience; tho' the heads of them are so arrogant as to declare that in case the King should send orders, not to their likeinge, they would not obey them, and a deal of such stuff the Coll: will informe your Lordship at large therefore I will at present conclude with my hearty prayers that your Lordship may meet with noe great difficulties in composeing these matters, as alsoe with a full assurance that I aliwayes shall strive in the station I am in to deserve in some measure the name of My Lord
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Your Lordship's most humble & most faithful servant
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Charles Carrol.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - 25.-- September 1689.

(Archives of Maryland, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1687/8-1693, volume 8, pp. 124-126.)

28 Nov 1689
The Associator Assembly members sent a letter to William and Mary rejoicing over their accession to the throne in protection of Protestantism. The signatories include several infamous men:

(Archives of Maryland, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1687/8-1693, volume 8, pp. 145-146.)

1689 Parson Waugh's Tumult (Stafford County, Virginia)

The alarms raised in Maryland were readily communicated to the Virginia side of the Potomac River.

Capt Lawrence WASHINGTON, On the twentieth of this instant I was informed by one Henry Norris that Majr Bell liveing at the head of Patuxen River above thirty miles above him had discovered a fort of foreigne Indians being in number as he could guesse ten thousand and this Instant I was informed by William NEWMAN and I saw the said Newman have from under on Mr HUTCHINSONS hand there was landed on the west of the mouth of Patuxen River about Nine thousand Indians that the above said persons did informe me and likewise that they had kilid one Capt BOURNE and severall others This being from Given by me the Subscriber this
Yr servt John COURTS
26th of March 1689 and in the 23d houre of the day.

To the Honble Coll Wm Digges at his house at St Maries
May it please yr honr, Your letter came to my hand on Wednesday night last late but so soone as I understood upon what accompt it was I got boate and hands and went over in the night Yesterday Coll SPENCER Coll LEE and Coll ALLERTON sate in Council for the Virginians were actually in Armes horse and foote They had a greate deale reason of feare when they were sent such Letters as the Enclosed Coppies which I tooke from the originals sent to Coll Spencer Mr Justass COURTS left his house and Run to Virginy But it is my opinion if old HENLEY had left it on such frivolous occasions our Justass had not bin Master of a house The Virginy Gentlemen are mightily disturbed at them for their sillynesse in comeing and writing to Virga after that nature without better assurances For the Stafford men were wholly intent to kill robb and burne what Capt BRENT had. Whereupon Coll Spencer and the other two Gentlemen Coll Lee and Allerton sent to Capt Brent to goe to Mr FITZHUGHES or Capt MASONS and now Capt Brent is at Capt Fitzhughes his house hath beene searched for Armes etc And the report made to Coll Spencer is he hath not sufficiently neccessary for his owne defence Coll Lee presents his service to your honr tomorrow I goe to Virga aboard deare Yoyes ship to see if I can buy Not else from March 29th 1689
yr honr humble servt
Gilbt Clarke

(Archives of Maryland, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1687/8-1693, volume 8, p. 93.)

Stafford County had a Catholic settlement at Aquia Creek, home of George Brent. Parson John Waugh seized the opportunity to rid the area of Catholics.

1689 (VIRGINIA) Parson [John] WAUGH'S Tumult
…"But in Stafford there was another story. There the people abandoned their plantations and arrayed themselves in arms…The Maryland authorities apparently interpreted this activity as preparations for an invasion of their territory…The BRENTS who lived in Stafford for many years were Catholics. They had been discreet in their relations with their protestant neighbours, and had never been Molested…But Burr HARRISON'S news from Maryland offered an opportunity for fanatical agitation and the incumbent of Overwharton Parish took full advantage of it. This Parson John WAUGH had already been in trouble with the authorities for his lack of respect for the law. He was apparently a natural agitator, what was called at the time "of enthusiastic principles" and courted popularity. Egged on by his son-in-law, the second George MASON, WAUGH'S sermons now stirred the community to frenzy…Over these troubled waters Parson WAUGH rode the whirlwind. Beginning as a colonial Titus Oates, under the inspiration of his fellow enthusiast, John COODE, the whilom parson of Maryland who was about to lead a successful revolution in that province, WAUGH gradually developed into what appeared for a moment to be a menace to the Virginia government. From genereal thunder against the Catholics, he evolved the more dangerous thesis that there "being no King in England, there was no Government here," and that the people should remain in arms in their own defence. This advice, smacking significantly of the doctrine which Lord Baltimore charged FENDALL with preaching in Stafford in 1681, was followed, the alarm spread to the Rappahannock settlements, and serious consequences were averted only by renewed vigorous action on the part of Messrs. SPENCER, ALLERTON and LEE. Assuming the authority of the entire council for the emergency, they…arrested the ring leaders, WAUGH, HARRISON, and WEST, forbade the parson to preach, and suspended George MASON from the command of the Stafford militia…Parson WAUGH was eventually brought before the General Court at Jamestown and there "made a publick & humble acknowledgement…with a hearty penitence for his former faults and a promised obedience for the future…"

(Virginia Historical Magazine, volume 30, pp. 31-37)

John COODE became Commander in Chief and Governor of Maryland from 1689-1690. Nehemiah Blackistone, his brother-in-law succeeded him as governor (1690-1692).

1690-1692 St. Mary's County, Maryland

1690 August 24. Lionel Copley was appointed Governor by William and Mary, thus ending the governorship of John COODE. More importantly, these appointments demonstrated the Crown's lack of respect and trust in COODE and his ideals.
(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland 1687/8-1693, Volume 8, pp. 200.)

In 1690 several Protestant Association petitions were sent from Calvert and Talbot Counties to William and Mary, pledging loyalty and repudiating the activity of John COODE.

John COODE went to London in 1690 to explain his actions in Maryland during the Glorious Revolution and to seek support for the Associator government. See Charges and Counter Charges concerning these proceedings.

1690 May 7.
Wee doubt not his Majestie has by this time (by some of the severall Papers wee have sent) account of our dutyfull and humble Petitions and Endeavours for his Service, The first wee sent were taken by the French but Captaine Thomas EVERARD Commander of the Thomas and Susanna wee under stand is well arrived, Who had the originall address to his Majestie under the hands of the Representatives of the whole Province in a full and free convention But wee doubt the said EVERARD suffered the said address to be concealed or intercepted by one Colonell Henry DARNALL who got on board the said EVERARD and went home with him to England a Person the Lord Baltemore raised from the meanest condition to be keeper of his great seale and one of the most crimminall of any of his deputies for the many treasonable endeavors and expressions against their Majesties and the many cruelities and opressions committed upon their subjects of this Province of whome and of whose behaviour in some considerable particulars of this nature one Captain William GINNIS, Captaine George COMBES and Captaine Robert GOODINGS can informe who sailed home last yeare without their full clearing, the said DARNALL refusing to signe the same with the Collector in King William's name, with many violent and unbecoming expressions against his Royaltie, We humbly represent that wee shall be always ready when it shall be agreeable to the Royall Will and Pleasure to prove and justifie what is set forth in our Declaration (with a great deal more) not only against the Lord Baltemore's late deputies but his Lordshipp himselfe and humbly begg that the false insinuations and reports of his Lordshipp or his instruments the said DARNALL whereby they have endeavored to create a prepossession of greate Plunders and rapins committed by the protestants upon the Papists here may have no Credit with his Majestie or your Lordshipps which is as false as wee shall aliways be readie to answeare our Proceedings before God and the King. Wee have onely to Petition his Majestie would be graciously pleased to command the speedie Bringing to tryall the murtherers of Mr John PAINE his Majestie's late Collector who are now in Virginia. humbly begging your Lordshipps pardon for this trouble
I subscribe Your Lordshipps most obedient humbly devoted Servant
John COODE.

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland 1687/8-1693, Volume 8, pp. 177-179.)

20. Nov: 1690.
To the Kings most Excellent Majesty
The humble Petition of Charles Lord Baltemore.
Sheweth
That yr MajtY by yor Letter sent to Maryland of date the first of February last was pleased to give Orders to the Persons the same was directed to, to suffer yor Petitioner or his Agents to collect the Revenues ariseing there, that pursuant thereunto yor Petr hath been at great charge and expence in sending a person to Maryland for that purpose But that not withstanding your Majesties said order yor Petrs Agent is returned without being suffered to collect anything of the Publick Revenue there to the great Detrement of your Petitioner. That one John COODE and one Kenelm CHESELYN two of the Ringleaders of the disturbers of your Petrs Governmt and who have got the greatest part of the said Revenues into their hands are landed at Plimouth and as yr Pet' is informed by Persons lately come to Town from thence are there embezelling and spending the same. Yor Petitioner most humbly prays yr Maty that you will graciously be pleased to give order for the sending for the said COODE and CHESELDYN to prove (if they are able) their former Declaration against yor Petr And alsoe to answere the just Complaints of your Petr before yor MajtY and to make satisfaction for the great wrongs and injuries yr Petitioner hath suffered by them. And your Petr further humbly prayes your MajtY that what part of the said Revenue is not already paid unto the said COODE and CHESELDYN and their Agents by the Comanders of Shipps or others yor MajtY will graciously be pleased to give Order that the same be paid to yr Petr it being the only support of your Petitioner and his Family here.
And as in duty bound yor Petr shall ever pray &c:
(Endorsed)
Referr'd by Order of the

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland 1687/8-1693, Volume 8, p. 210.)

To the Kings most Excellent Majtie
Maryland
The humble Petition of several of your Maties Loyal Protestant Subjects, and ancient Inhabitants of your Province of Maryland, and lately from thence here arrived, in behalf of themselves and most of the Inhabitants of the said Province.
Sheweth
That your Petrs have for many years enjoy'd the blessing of Peace under the mild Government of the Lord Baltemore and his Father and have been equal partakers of their Justice as well as favours with your Majties subjects there of other perswasions, untill of late your Petrs have been by the malicious designs and wicked Practices of one John COODE and his Accomplices disturbed and deprived of their long continued happiness and yor Majties peaceable and Dutifull subjects have been most barbarously and inhumanly treated by them, having not only in a Tumultuous manner wrested the Government into their owne hands, seizing the Publick Records wherein is the security of your Petitioners Estates and reposing them in the hands of unfitt persons that arbitrarily seized and plundered your Petr's estates and imprisoned their Persons to the ruine of themselves and families, and have violently perverted the Laws of the Province having done what their own wicked Wills suggested which they maintain by force seeking to shelter their oppressions from your Majesties Ears by covering their Actions with the pretence of Zeale for your Majties service, not regarding your Majesties gracious coffiands by your Royal Letter of the first of February in the first year of your Reigne for the preservation of the peace of the said Province; and unjustly stileing those who will not join with them Traytors to your MLs Government Notwithstanding your Petitionrs (as like wise several hundreds of your Majesties Protestant subjects of that your Province and who abhor the Actions of the said COODE and his Complices) no sooner received notice of your Majesties happy Accession to the Crowne but that they shewed themselves with all possible Demonstrations of Joys and only waited your Majesties Orders for your being proclaimed, The Declaration of the said COODE. and eight more persons, which he falsely says to be that of your Majestie's Protestant subjects of Maryland being most notoriously false as were also the subscriptions to the Addresses they presented to your Majtic forged as your Petitioner can make appear; Which per sons have also levied Taxes on us illegally. Those and many other grievances and Irregularities which are set forth in several Addresses of your Majties subjects of that your Province (and here ready in all humble manner to be tendred to your Majtie) will inevitably in a short time bring that your Mats flourishing Province into Ruine and Confusion, unless your Majtie shall in your princely wisdom interpose your Royall Authority to put a stop thereto.
Your Petitioners therefore most humbly pray your Majtie That you will graciously be pleased to give your Orders that the said John COODE together with one Kenelm CHESELYN, who is one of his Accomplices and are both now here in London. may be sent for before your Majtie to answer the Complaints occasioned by the aforesaid oppressions of your Petitioner, and that your Majtie will be pleased to grant such Redress to your Petr against the said Coode and his Accomplices as upon making appear our said Grievances to your Majtie your Majtie in your Princely Justice and wisdome shall think fit.
And your Petr (as in duty bound) shall ever pray &c:
John Lillingston George Lingan Henry Coursey Thomas Knighton Miles Gibson Thomas Tailler John Hinson. Samuel Chew Richard Hill Abraham Wilde. Edward Dorsey.

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland 1687/8-1693, Volume 8, p. 212-213.)

John COODE and his supporters wrote a list of 32 articles of indictment against Lord Baltimore and 19 against the Deputy Justices and ministers of Lord Baltimore.

Appointing none but Irish Papists and his owne relacons for the most part to have the Cheife Governing authority over the Inhabitants here.
2. Erecting and founding of Chappells for the Popish superstition to the encouragmt of Popery and subvertion of the Protestant religion the Preists clayming the Ecclesiasticall libertyes and priviledges of the church of Rome and exerciseing papall J urisdiccon from the encouragemt of the first Act of Assembly still in force in this Province being invested with the best and richest Lands for the maintenance and support of them and a popish Clergie.
3. Causeing to be apprehended his Majesties Protestant Subjects by armed Papists in time of Peace without warrant or cause of comittment exhibited and confined by long and tedious imprisonment before Tryall.

19. Actually murdering Mr Christopher Rousby and Mr John Payne his Majesties Collectors here the first in the yeare 1684. the latter in the yeare 1689. by meanes of Coll: Talbott and Major Sueall both his Lordspps Deputies and the same owned and Justified by them and their adherents.

H. P. Jowles. Henry Trippe Nea BLACKISTON John Thomas. Rich: Gassaway Tho: Stavy. Nicholas Greenberry Edward Jones John Edmondson Jno COODE Geo: Robotham Kenelm CHESELDYN David Browne. Rob: King. John Courts. Ninion Beale. John Brooke.

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland 1687/8-1693, Volume 8, p. 216-220.)

1692 St. Mary's County, Maryland

1692 May 31. Mr Samll COOKSEY Navall Officer for Potomack District appeared here to rendr his Acct and rendered an Acct what Capt John COODE had received before his voyage to England and since the time of his being Navall Officer.

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly April 1, 1684 - June 9, 1692, Volume 13, pp. 364.)

Memorandum as to what words was Spoken by Mr Francis PERKINS Merchant of London on the 28th Day of April 1692 at London Town in Ann Arundell County in the hearing of us whose names are underwritten Vizt the said Perkins said that he was on Board Captain Browns Ships in Plymouth when Captain COOD came on Board the said Ship, and the said Cood enquired of the said Brown for one Benjamin RICARD who he Expected to find there bound for Maryland, But the said Brown did tell him that no such person was there; Whereupon the said Captain Cood desired the said Brown to permitt him a passage on Board the Ship Bayley, Mr Peregrine BROWNS Ship riding in the same Harbour, and the said Cood going on Board the said Ship with Captain John Brown where the said Cood met with the said Benjamin Ricard, and there delivered unto him a Pacquet of Letters directed to this Province of Maryland for their Majestys Service; But after the two Browns Ships were out at Sea, and Coll COURSEY & Captain Hynson Passengers in the said Peregrine Browns Ship & Mr LILLINGSTONE and Mr LINGAN Passengers in John Brown's Ship, they made many Visits some times on Board one Ship and the other; & Coursey, HINSON, Lillingstone, Lingan with Mr Peregrine Brown and some others in the said Ship did all Agree and Resolve to make a private Search in the said Ship to find out the said Pacquet of Letters and if they could by any ways find them out was all agreed to break them open and see the Contents what was in them but could not tell whether the said Letters was found or not no other. ways then that he did hear the said Ricard say that such a Pacquet of Letters had been taken out of his Chest.
Nicholas Greenberry
James Saunders
William Hopkins

(Maryland State Archives, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly April 1, 1684 - June 9, 1692, Volume 13, pp. 289.)

The Maryland Protestant Revolution of 1689
Combs &c. Families of Maryland

Index to Rev. Col. John Coode

Edited by Combs Researcher George Baumbach from Archives of Maryland and other sources noted.

Go to George's Genealogical Filing Cabinet (Cody-Ridge-Combs families)