Hon. Stephen Bordley (1709-1764)

Born in Annapolis, Md., the eldest son of Hon. Thomas Bordley (1677-1726) and his 1st wife Rachel Beard of Richard. Educated in Blackheath, London, England and law apprenticeship in London; admitted to Inner Temple to study law 1729. In summer of 1732 rode 500 miles horseback to visit his uncle Rev. Wm. Bordley (1667-1741) headmaster of Lancaster School and then Vicar of Hawkshead Church in the Lake District. He returned 1733 to the family home built c. 1718 in Annapolis where he remained a bachelor living with his sister Elizabeth. He was a member of the Tuesday Club. As a lawyer he practiced in Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Baltimore County Courts from 1733; in Provincial Court from 1739; Court of Chancery from 1741, Frederick County court 1749 and Kent County from 1753. He trained apprentices in his Annapolis law office. He represented Annapolis in Lower House, Md. Legislature (see Papenfuse) 1745; A.A. County 1749-51; Annapolis 1754-56; Upper House 1759-61, 1762-63; Council 1759-64; Naval Officer of Port of Annapolis 1755-62; Attorney General 1756-63; Commissary General 1762-64; Churchwarden 1734, Vestry, St. Anne’s 1742-45; Common Councilman, Annapolis 1754-55, 1757-60; Alderman, Annapolis 1760-63, Mayor Annapolis 1761-1764. He inherited 1800 acres plus Annapolis lots from his father. He had an extensive law library and miscellaneous books. He wrote many letters, including to his father’s sisters in Newcastle upon Tyne. Some of his letterbooks are at Maryland Historical Society. A portrait of him by John Wollaston is owned by Dr. John E. Bordley, another owned by Bryden Bordley Hyde (probably a copy, it was owned by Stephen’s half-brother Hon. John Beale Bordley (1727-1804). He is said to have had a great sense of humor, entertained lavishly and enjoyed life immensely. After suffering a stroke he died 6 Dec 1764, and was buried in the family vault behind the apse of St. Anne’s.