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GREENSBORO – A brick vault in a tiny, privately owned graveyard in Greensboro houses the remains of one of Caroline’s Revolutionary War patriots.
Born in 1740, he was the eldest son of William and Mary Lewis Hughlett, who migrated from Northumberland County on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and settled near Greensboro in 1759.
The Hughletts became a prosperous and politically influential family in the colonial period and during the early years of the new United States of America. They owned a plantation and provided civic leadership to the county and state.
At one point the Maryland governor appointed Hughlett to a one-year term to be in charge of weights and scales because of his reputation for trustworthiness. The next year he was commissioned captain of the Caroline County Militia Fifth Company, which encompassed Greensboro, Goldsboro and Bridgetown during the American Revolution.
He later became the first sheriff of Caroline County. He also became a coroner, then a member of the state legislature. In 1797 he was appointed commissioner and was given authority in 1797 to levy a tax in 1797 and 1798 in order to build a prison.
In later years he was judge of the County courts and held that position until his death in 1805 at the age of 65.
One Jan. 2, 1778, he married Rebecca Mason, and their son Richard Hughlett served in the War of 1812.
The marble slab that covers his tomb bears the following inscription
"In memory of Thomas Hughlett Esquire(,) Son of William Hughlett and Mary, his wife, who departed this life on the 26th March 1805, in the 65th year of his age. He was an affectionate husband, and tender parent, a kind master, a social and agreeable friend and an active industrious and enterprising citizen. … His integrity, justice and moderation has endeared his memory to the citizens of Caroline. Let his virtues be a stimulus to the descendants to preserve. The slothful will be covered with shame and none but those who preserve will reap the fruit of their labor."
