Adrian Posey

Adrian Posey (October 14, 1857 – July 02, 1922) was an American politician, attorney, businessman and newspaper publisher from Charles County, Maryland.

Born at Mount Pleasant, the Posey family farm near Allens Fresh, Adrian Posey was one of at least twelve known children born to farmer and grist mill operator, Washington Adrian Posey. Margaret Ellen Hamersley was Mr. Posey's second wife and the mother of five of his children, Adrian being the second oldest of those five.[1][2] Adrian's paternal great grandfather, Belain Posey (1737-1791),[3] served as a Captain in Colonel Thomas Ewing's Third Battalion of the Flying Camp during the Revolutionary War.[4] When the Flying Camp was disbanded in December 1776, Belain was commissioned a Colonel in the Charles County militia.[5]

Practically self taught, Posey was admitted to the bar at age 22 and in 1882 became publisher and editor in chief of The Maryland Independent until his death.[6][7]

A Republican, Posey served one term in the Maryland House of Delegates (1888–1890) and two terms as a member of the Maryland Senate (1890–1894).[1][6] In 1892, he was nominated to contest the post of senate president, losing to Edward Lloyd (1825–1907).[8] It was during this period that Posey emerged as an ardent supporter and the instrumental, driving force behind moving the county seat from Port Tobacco to La Plata. As one writer's estimation, Adrian Posey was "the dynamic arch-enemy of old Port Tobaccoites and the ever vigilant, forceful, enthused supporter of anything having to do with La Plata's county pre-eminence in politics, commerce, and general economic well-being."[9]

After stepping down from the state legislature, Posey served as Charles County State's Attorney (1896–1900) and subsequently continued his legal practice when his tenure ended.[10][11] He also founded the Southern Maryland Savings Bank in 1899,[12][13] which later transitioned into the Southern Maryland National Bank of La Plata in March 1907.[14]

Adrian and his wife Mary Agnes "Mamie" Howard Posey, who were married January 29, 1885,[15] built their Victorian style home, The Maples, in downtown La Plata[16] and raised one son and three daughters. Shortly after the turn of the century, Posey became one of the first residents of Charles County to own a car.[17] Sadly, the original home completely burned in a house fire in 1925, three years after Mr. Posey's death.[18] The Maples was rebuilt in a more modern style and remained in Adrian Posey's family until his heirs sold the property to cousins in 1973.[19]

Posey died of heart disease on July 02, 1922 at The Maples in La Plata and was laid to rest in the cemetery adjacent to historic St. Thomas Manor.[6][20]

Legacy

"If an historian had to select one figure who played a dominant role in the founding of La Plata, it would almost have to be Adrian Posey. As entrepreneur in the broadest possible sense, practicing attorney, State senator, publisher and editor, banker, real estate promoter and society leader, by almost any standard yesterday and today Mr. Posey emerges as the foremost community leader and godfather behind the 19th century development of La Plata."[21]

References
  1. Walthall, Charles Jenkins (October 1995). "Burlean Hall: Summary of Research" (PDF). The Record of the Historical Society of Charles County. 69: 1–4.
  2. McKinsey, Folger (1910). History of Frederick County, Maryland. L. R. Titsworth & Company. pp. 1472–1473.
  3. Bible Records of the Posey Family, viewed June 09, 2018
  4. Steuart, Rieman (1969). A History of the Maryland Line in the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783. Society of the Cincinnati of Maryland
  5. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land-Warrant Application Files. National Archives and Records Administration, retrieved June 06, 2015.
  6. "Other Obituary Notes". Fourth Estate: A Weekly Newspaper for Publishers, Advertisers, Advertising Agents, and Allied Interests. 8 July 1922.
  7. The Senate: Adrian Posey. The Baltimore Sun January 2, 1892
  8. Journal of the Proceedings of the Senate of the State of Maryland. Maryland Senate. 1892. p. 5.
  9. Wearmouth, John M. (1988). La Plata, Maryland 1888-1988. 100 Years. The Heart of Charles County La Plata, MD: Town of La Plata, p. 12.
  10. Law of the State of Maryland. Maryland General Assembly. 1902. p. 551.
  11. Maryland Reports. 99. Maryland Court of Appeals. 1905. p. 245.
  12. Bank at La Plata. The Baltimore Sun August 31, 1899
  13. "Adrian Posey dies, was GOP leader". Baltimore Sun. July 4, 1922.
  14. Wearmouth, p. 21
  15. "Marriage". The Port Tobacco Times. January 30, 1885.
  16. Wearmouth, p. 18.
  17. Charles County, Maryland: A History. Heritage Books. 2013. p. 45. ISBN 9780788416101.
  18. Fine Dwelling Burned. The Port Tobacco Times April 03, 1925.
  19. Charles County Land Records, Liber 284 Folio 214-216, accessed January 30, 2021
  20. "Adrian Posey dies, was GOP leader". Baltimore Sun. July 4, 1922.
  21. Wearmouth, p. 14
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