It was Maury who created the science of the physical geography of the sea, and gave that impetus to its study which, in other hands, continues to produce results alike of practical and speculative importance. The higher qualities of the illustrious hydrographer, his self-denying zeal, his single-minded patriotism, his private virtues, will appear in the course of the narrative.
It is desirable that the student of Maury's life should know something of the stock from which he was derived. Matthew Fontaine Maury was descended from a Huguenot family on the father's side, while his maternal ancestor received a grant of land in Virginia from King Charles II. Dudas Minor, in whose favor this grant was made in 1665, was an English gentleman who became the ancestor of the family of Minor in Virginia; branches of which have since moved into Louisiana, Missouri, Kentucky, and other Southern States. The Virginia planters formed a colonial aristocracy with practical exemption from taxation, great command of labor, and almost a monopoly in the production of tobacco. Some of these planters possessed estates of such extent that they amounted to principalities. Lord Fairfax owned all the land between the waters of the Potomac and the Rappahannock. Twenty six of the finest counties of Virginia were the property of a single nobleman but little over a century ago, whose descendants of today do not own an acre of that vast inheritance. Many of the Virginia estates were granted by Queen Anne, and some are still held under deeds from her. She was a favorite in Virginia, was good Queen Anne, and her name was bestowed upon a whole system of rivers. [1] In the revolutionary war the Virginia planters displayed a patriotic munificence which sufficiently proved their wealth. On one occasion
- ↑ The North Anna, Rivanna, Fluvianna, and Rapid Ann, perpetuate her memory.
