Thomas Sprigg "Lt.Col-MD assembly-Lt.Col.-J.P."

Thomas Sprigg, described in family-tree material as “Lt.Col-MD assembly-Lt.Col.-J.P.,” was born about 1668 and died on 28 May 1726 in Maryland. He married Margaret Mariarte about 1690 in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The supplied notes associate him with public service in Prince George’s County and membership in the Maryland Assembly during the early eighteenth century.

Thomas Sprigg was born about 1668, reportedly at Northampton in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Family-tree notes state that Thomas Sprigg Jr. was brought up by his stepmother, Eleanor Nuthall Sprigg. He is also said to have lived in Anne Arundel County.

About 1690, Thomas married Margaret Mariarte in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She was identified in the supplied material as a daughter of Edward Mariarte and Honore O’Brien. Their listed children were Thomas, Priscilla, Margaret, Eleanor, Mary, John, Henry Wright, Ralph Crabb, Elizabeth, and Osborn Sprigg.

The notes identify Thomas Sprigg as a justice of the peace for Prince George’s County from 1697 to 1704. They also record his service in the Maryland Assembly for Prince George’s County in 1712, 1713, 1714, and 1715. In the 1713 record he was called “Major Sprigg”; in 1715 he was called “Lieutenant Colonel”; and in 1716 he was called “Colonel.” A further note reports membership in the Maryland Assembly from Calvert County in 1676, though that date conflicts with his reported birth about 1668 and should be treated cautiously.

Thomas Sprigg died in Maryland on 28 May 1726.

Historical context

The supplied material places Thomas Sprigg’s reported public service in colonial Maryland, particularly in Prince George’s County. His listed roles as justice of the peace and Assembly member indicate participation in county and provincial government. The titles recorded for him changed from major in 1713 to lieutenant colonel in 1715 and colonel in 1716.

Sources & research

Maryland Archives, Vol. 7, p. 104.
Orig. Proceed., Vol. 42, Folio 446, 1704–1713.
Orig. Proceed., Vol. 42, Folio 505.
Org. Proceed., Vol. 43, Folio 44.
“Monnet Family Genealogy,” copyright 1911.