America’s First Suffragette

The first sizeable number of Catholics to settle in the thirteen colonies were in Maryland, beginning in the 1630’s. While the colony was not officially Catholic, its large Catholic population and the high number of Catholics in public office made it seem that way at times. Among the prominent Maryland families were the Brents. Giles Brent (1600-1672) was Deputy Governor during the 1640’s. His sister Margaret (ca. 1601-ca. 1671) was among Maryland’s larger landowners. From an early age, she showed a skill for business. She frequently represented herself in court to collect debts and to advocate her own affairs. In Maryland, as long as women were single, they could own and manage property. But once they married, husbands took control of everything. This may have been a big reason why Brent didn’t marry. When the Governor of Maryland named her as executrix for his estate, Brent petitioned the assembly for the right to cast two votes, one as a freeholder and the other as executrix. The request was refused, but Margaret Brent is regarded as America’s first suffragette.