Author: CMSgt Robert Lee Knott Jr

Zadoch Magruder was born April 2, 1729 in Prince Georges Co., Maryland to John Magruder and Susannah Smith. In about 1754, Zadoch married Rachel Pottinger, who was born about 1729 in Prince Georges Co., Maryland and died June 8, 1807 in Prince Georges Co., Maryland. Colonel Zadok Magruder was a farmer and Revolutionary War patriot. Zadok Magruder and his brother Nathan Magruder were the third generation of Magruders who were born in America. Zadok and Nathan Magruder were the sons of John and Susannah Magruder, the grandsons of Samuel and Sarah Magruder, and great-grandsons of Alexander Magruder, a Maryland immigrant. In 1745, Zadok Magruder inherited six hundred acres of land near Norbeck from his father, John Magruder. Zadok Magruder built a house five years later in 1750 in Redland, a community which had a population of about fifty at the time. Four years later in 1754, he married Rachel Pottinger and they had eleven children, eight girls and three boys. Sarah, born 1755 and died 1822; John, born 1757 and died 1773; Anne, born 1758 and died 1774; Eleanor, born about 1759 and died 1821; Susanna, born 1760 and died 1789; Elizabeth, born 1764 and died 1835; Zadoch, born 1765 and died 1809; Rachel, born 1767 and died 1844; Robert, born 1769 and died 1822; Cassandra born 1771 and died 1797 and Elizabeth, born 1775 and died 1850. Zadoch Magruder later lived in an area known as Mount Pleasant, where there were many large family farms. This area belonged to Magruder and he is said to have built a house, named Mount Pleasant, in that spot in about 1807. After Magruder died, the region belonged to his son and heir, Robert Pottinger Magruder. Zadok Magruder and his brother Nathan Magruder were members of the General Committee to Annapolis in 1774 (as local representatives). The General Committee to Annapolis functioned as the state or colony level of government for Maryland. Zadok Magruder and Nathan Magruder also became members of a committee charged with carrying out the decision of the American Continental Congress on the topic of the British Tea Act. Zadok Magruder also became a member of the Maryland Committee of Correspondence. When Zadok Magruder was in command of the "Home Defense Battalion of Lower Frederick County", which was part of the Maryland militia, he attained the rank of colonel. Zadok Magruder was later appointed, along with his brother Nathan, as a commissioner to organize and establish the government of Montgomery County when it became a separate county from Fredrick County in 1776. When Zadoch was a member of the Committee of Correspondence, he solicited subscriptions in 1775 to purchase arms and ammunition. He also was an Associator in December, 1775 He gave money in the amount of 4 lbs, 5 sh. For arms and ammunition for the Militia in 1775. He was a Juror to the Oath of Allegiance in 1778. Election Judge in the Lower District of Frederick County on July 2^nd, 1776. Colonel in Frederick County by March, 1776. Colonel in the 16^th Battalion of Militia in Montgomery County from 1777 through at least 1778. Zadoch died April 12, 1811 in Montgomery County, Maryland.

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