Short History of the Golden Lyon
Copyright© 1996-2003 R. A. Riggin. All Rights Reserved. Last Updated 29 Sept.2003
These electronic pages should not be reproduced, copied, or distributed without the expressed permission from the author.
The Golden Lyon was a tract of land in early Somerset County, Maryland purchased by one of my original ancestors in this country, Teague Riggin[c.1666]. He apparently had at least one brother Darby Riggin who first immigrated and married on the Eastern shore of Va. but entered Somerset Co. Md. before 1682. He came with his wife, three sons John, Jonathan, and Nathaniel, and a daughter Mary. Darby moved back to Accomack Co., Va. with at least one son, Nathaniel, but records show that Darby's son, John Riggin stayed in Annemessex in Somerset Co and died there in 1751. "John Riggin of Annemessex" was only a little older then Teague Riggin's son, "John Riggin of Marumsco", who was likely dubbed this to distinguish him from his cousin. Along with John, Teague Riggin Sr. also had sons Samuel, Teague Jr., Darby, Ambrose and daughters Mary, Ruth, Rachel, and Sarah Riggin.
Teague and his brother Darby emigrated from Ireland and had ties to many of the other Irish refugees that first settled on the Eastern shore of Virginia and eventually migrated into Somerset Co. Md. Most notably were the Conner/Connaway, Dennis, Nehulian, Donoho, O'Cane, Ward, and Evans families among others.
Public Record. Office Colonial Entry Book No. 53- "The Lord Proprietarys Assent to twelve Lawes in Maryland sent by Capt: Thomas Harwood Master of the Golden Lyon July the 30th 1659." (Thomas Harwood sold the acreage in Somerset County Maryland, named the Golden Lyon after his ship, to Teague Riggin.)
In essence, this genealogical study is the story of the many allied families of refugees, pioneers, explorers, cavaliers, entrepenuers, soldiers, paupers, craftsmen, and farmers that settled in this new province of religious toleration they called Maryland. Ruins of the 2nd Coventry Parish built 1707, only the foundation stones of the original Parish remain directly next to this one in Somerset County Maryland, very near the Golden Lyon Plantation. Photograph R.A.Riggin
Ruins of the 2nd Coventry Parish built 1707, only the foundation stones of the original Parish remain directly next to this one in Somerset County Maryland, very near the Golden Lyon Plantation. Photograph R.A.Riggin