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The Overlooked Founding Father
Date published: 8/31/2002 By LEE WOOLF
THOMAS STONE--lawyer, politician and signer of the Declaration of Independence--rests beside his wife in a quiet clearing four miles west of La Plata, Md., and about an hour from Fredericksburg. The small family cemetery is just a short walk from Haberdeventure, the country home built by Stone and his wife, Margaret, in the early 1770s and now owned by the National Park Service. Only the the rustle of the trees and the occasional "bobwhite" call of a quail intrude on the serene setting. It seems appropriate that Stone, who was characterized by a reserved manner and unassuming personality, should rest in a quiet place. And while that is fine with Charles County historians John and Roberta Wearmouth, they insist that Stone's legacy as a patriot and Founding Father should not be relegated to a quiet corner of history. So the couple, who live on the other side of Rose Hill Road just opposite the entrance to Haberdeventure, have collaborated on a book, "Thomas Stone--Elusive Maryland Signer," that they hope will enlighten readers about Stone's contributions to America's creation. John Wearmouth says that Stone's place in history has suffered because he was a cautious and practical man. "Stone was hard-working, very sure of himself, deliberate and had a great deal of depth in his thinking," says Wearmouth. "He was not a particularly good orator or very inspiring, except when he wrote. When you read his arguments on paper, they always are very well-constructed." Stone was the youngest of Maryland's four signers of the Declaration. He is not more well-known today because he died in 1787 at age 44, and few documents relating to his life have survived. In addition to signing the Declaration, Stone was on the committee that crafted the Articles of Confederation, America's first attempt at creating a strong central government. He was elected to attend the Constitutional Convention of 1787, but declined because of his wife's failing health. Margaret Stone's health problems were the result of mercury poisoning after an inoculation for smallpox during a visit to Philadelphia in 1776. According to the Wearmouths, Stone loved his wife very much and blamed himself for her illness. "She was only 17 when they were married and he felt a strong sense of responsibility for her," says Wearmouth.
Date published: 8/31/2002
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