Josias Fendall
| Josias Fendall | |
|---|---|
| 4th Proprietary Governor of Maryland | |
|
In office July 10, 1656 – June 24, 1660 |
|
| Preceded by | William Stone |
| Succeeded by | Phillip Calvert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1628 |
| Died | 1687 |
| Nationality | English |
| Signature |  |
Lieutenant-General Josias Fendall, Esq. (c. 1628 – 1687), was the 4th Proprietary Governor of Maryland. He was born in England, and came to the Province of Maryland. He was the progenitor of the Fendall family in America.
Fendall first attracted attention in 1655. In that year, William Stone (c. 1603–1659), the third proprietary governor of Maryland, was resisting the commissioners of Parliament for the government of that province. Stone commissioned Fendall, to be one of his officers, along with William Eltonhead, Esq. (c. 1616–1655) and twenty men, to seize some arms and ammunition at Patuxent, for the governor's force. They ransacked an area of about 40 square miles (100 km2) which included the houses of Mr. Richard Preston “The Great Quaker” (c. 1618–1669) and John Sutton, who were prominent men. The arms and ammunition were gathered for the governor’s force which was planning to attack the Puritan settlers at Providence. Providence was located on the north side at the mouth of the Severn River across from what is today Annapolis, Maryland and was the place of residence of most of the commissioners, and people that were forced out of Virginia by Governor Sir William Berkeley (1606–1677). Along with Governor Stone, who had been injured in the shoulder, Josias was taken prisoner in a conflict which resulted from the attempt, in the Battle of the Severn, by Captain William Fuller (died 1695) of the Puritan Army.
The Battle of the Severn, fought on Sunday, March 25, 1655, was the first battle ever fought between American soldiers on American soil. It was the first battle in which dum-dum bullets were used, bullets that have a hollow point, which expands more than usual upon hitting an object. The battle was the only battle in America in which the flag of the Commonwealth of England was flown. The battle was also the first in which the Provincial flag of Maryland was flown (colors of black and yellow). Among the Proprietary Forces numbering about 225, there were 17 killed and 32 wounded.
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