The colony of Maryland was founded in 1634[8] by Cecilius Calvert, with Leonard Calvert as first Governor. Foremost among the Irish families early in Maryland were the Carrolls, all of whom threw their influence on the side of independence and at least three of whom played particularly distinguished parts in the subsequent conflict. The first of them to come to Maryland was Charles Carroll, who was a clerk in the office of Lord Powis in the reign of James the Second and who left Ireland on the accession of William and Mary in 1689. Before he was two years in Maryland he was appointed Judge and register of the land office and receiver of the rent of Lord Baltimore. His son, Charles Carroll, was one of the most prominent men in the colony, whose son, Charles, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Charles, the signer’s cousin, John Carroll, a priest of God, was sent with Franklin, Charles Carroll and Samuel Chase in 1776 to secure the coöperation of the French Catholics with the American cause. After the war, Father Carroll became Bishop and Archbishop. Daniel Carroll, cousin of both Charles and John, was one of the foremost members of the first Congress. He was a member of the Continental Congress for four years and a delegate to the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States. His farm formed a part of the site of the present City of Washington. Associated with him in Congress was Thomas Johnson, whose grandfather, also Thomas Johnson, came from Ireland in 1689 with Charles Carroll, the founder of the Carroll family in Maryland. He was three times Governor of Maryland, Chief Judge of the General Court of Maryland and Justice of the United States Supreme Court. In regard to South Carolina[9] Ramsay says, Vol. I., page 20, “Of all other countries none has furnished the province with so many inhabitants as Ireland. Scarcely a ship sailed from any of the ports that was not crowded with men, women and children.” Among the prominent men of Irish origin were the Moores, Rutledges, Jacksons, Lynches, Polks, Calhouns, who distinguished themselves as patriots and statesmen. Speaking of Kentucky, H. Marshall[10] says: “John Finley explored Kentucky in 1767 and circulated accounts and descriptions which Boone authenticated and enlarged.” Finley was the pilot of Boone in 1769. No permanent settlements were made in Kentucky till 1775. According to Marshall, page 13, in this year, a few permanent settlements were made, particularly at Harrodsburg and at Logan’s Camp, later called St. Asaphs, and at Boonesborough, named after Boone, the leader of the first colony to the bank of the Kentucky River. Associated with Boone in his hazardous labors we find Michael Stoner.