Harris-Sterett-Winder-Darrell manuscript collection

David Harris, Esq., was Cashier of the Office of Discount and Deposit, a leading banking institution in Baltimore. A prosperous merchant and Revolutionary War veteran, Harris built an estate in northeast Baltimore he called, “Mount Deposit.” He left the estate to his daughter Molly and son-in-law, Joseph Sterett, who changed the name to “Surrey.” During the attack upon Baltimore by the British in September 1814, the house was occupied by a number of British officers, who were so pleased with their stay that they left the dwelling unharmed.

Joseph Sterett (1773-1821) was a Maryland militia officer who served during the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. At the Battle of Bladensburg and North Point, he commanded the 5th Maryland Regiment, composed mostly of volunteers from Baltimore. Joseph Sterett married Mary Harris, and together they had eleven children. Two of Joseph and Mary’s daughters (first Maria and then Louisa), married Commodore George N. Hollins, a U.S. naval commander who resigned his commission to join the Confederate navy.

Charles H. Winder was the son of General William H. Winder and his wife Gertrude Polk, as well as the brother of General John H. Winder, Confederate General officer during the Civil War. General William H. Winder gained notoriety for his role in the defense of Baltimore and Washington against the British during the War of 1812. Due to his blunder at the Battle of Bladensburg, the British army were able to enter Washington and burn a number of buildings, including the White House. In 1864 Charles H. Winder and his brother William were arrested on charges of treason to the Union. They were held as political prisoners at Fort Lafayette. Charles H. Winder, Esq., married Mary Sterett, daughter of Joseph Sterett and Mary Harris. They had two daughters: Mary (who died at the age of 18), and Josephine.

Josephine Winder married Stewart Darrell of Bermuda in 1872. Stewart Darrell’s father, John Harvey Darrell, was chief justice of Bermuda. Josephine and Stewart Darrell had two children, Mary Josephine and Harvey Cavendish. The latter was a real estate dealer in Baltimore for fifty years and lived his entire life on North Eutaw Street.