Goldsborough, Robert Henry, 1779-1836

Robert Henry Goldsborough V was born on January 31, 1779, at his family’s estate “Myrtle Grove” near Easton, Talbot County, Maryland, to Robert Henry Goldsborough IV and Mary Trippe. He married Henrietta Maria Nichols on January 16, 1800 and together they had ten children, all of whom lived to adulthood. Goldsborough followed his father into both the agricultural and political arenas, became a lawyer after studying at St. John’s College in Annapolis, and was instrumental in establishing the Easton Gazette. He served in the 9th Cavalry, Independent Light Dragoons, Maryland Militia during the War of 1812, where he was a Captain until his promotion to Major in February 1814. He was a member of the House of Delegates for Talbot County in 1804 and 1825, Board of Public Works of the Eastern Shore from 1825-1828. He served twice as a U.S. Senator from 1813-1819 and 1835 until his death in 1836. In the 1800 U.S. Census, he lived in a household of 67 people, 61 of whom he enslaved. He died at Myrtle Grove on October 5, 1836 and was buried at the family home, Ashby, in Easton, Talbot County, Maryland.