Originally from: Letters from Linden
Date: September 1997
By: Linda M. Collins
Linden’s Second Owner
Magruder’s portrait hangs in the Prince Frederick Courthouse, his torso and face shifted to gaze directly at the presiding judge. The portrait depicts a handsome, older gentleman with very bright blue eyes. For twenty-two years Magruder spent his life in Calvert County, shaping it, influencing it, defending it and becoming a part of the county’s history. Those twenty-two years of Magruder’s life, beginning in 1858 until 1881, chronicle and reflect one of the most studied periods of history in the State and Nation. These years are marker years for social and economic changes in American life.
Daniel R. Magruder began his life, on January 6, 1835, in Annapolis, Maryland the second son of George Lee and Henrietta Sanford (Randall) Magruder. His mother’s family, the Randalls dominated the political, social, financial, and educational life of the city. The Magruders were equally important in that city. However, some event occurred around 1840 which caused his father to uproot the family and venture out to Illinois where they remained until approximately 1846. As a young boy Magruder heard Lincoln and Douglass speak which he often recounted to his friends and associates in later years. Apparently these speeches would have a greated impact on him later in his life. Attending church in Illinois, he heard the brother of Henry Clay preach and several times met the distinguished brother.
Daniel was enrolled while in Illinois in the school of Professor Norton of Carrollton, Illinois, who said of him that he had never known a boy with such facility for learning and who comprehended so quickly. In the fall of 1846, young Magruder returned to Annapolis and enrolled in the Preparatory School of St. Johns College and in a short time was advanced two classes. Magruder graduated with first honors on February 22, 1853 having just celebrated his seventeenth birthday.
Daniel’s father must have found the means to educate his sons as both graduated from St. Johns. Daniel was clearly a favorite of his mother’s family. His uncle, Daniel Randall provided for him in his will of 1851.
“Maintenance and education of nephew Daniel R. Magruder, to be paid by Err. to extent of $3,000 of stock in Farmers Band of Maryland at Annaapolis; to hold in trust until nephew arrives at age 21 years. Pay expenses of nephew Daniel R. Hanger, now a medical student in Philadelphia, in attending the lectures, after graduated, procure him books and required to commence the practive of his profession. My brother Thomas Randall and brother in law George L. Magruder are each much indebted to me for sums of money loaned to them, at different times for many years back, my exr. not required to demand payment. All property except that specified to be equally divided between brothers and sisters living except that sisters Eliza and Henrietta shall receive a double portion, and brother John having no child, 1/2 proportion of other brothers and sisters except Eliza and Henrietta; no part of share to siter Henrietta Magruder shall be received by her husband. To my nephew Daniel R. Magruder my watch. 1
The executor of the will was Alexander Randall, an uncle and one of the founders of Farmers National Bank.
