Charles Carroll the Settler

Description

Oil on canvas portrait painting of Charles Carroll I (Charles Carroll the Settler) (1660-1720), ca. 1700-1720, possibly by Justus Engelhardt Kuhn. Charles was born in Litterluna, Kings County, Ireland. As a young man, he attended a university in France and earned a law degree. He moved to London in 1685. In 1688, he moved to Maryland to pursue politics. Due to discrimination against Roman Catholics, he was barred from public office and instead pursued planting, business, and his law practice. He married twice, first to Martha Carroll, who died in childbirth, then to Mary Darnall Carroll (1678-1742). Charles had ten children, and upon his death, was the wealthiest man in the colony.