At Hungerford Tavern Site, Patriots resolved that every lawful means be used to procure relief from oppressions of the English Parliament and that the most effectual way to secure American freedom would be to break off all commerce with Great Britain. Henry Griffith served as moderator of this historic meeting, and a committee of Henry Griffith, Dr. Thomas Sprigg Wootton, Nathan Magruder, Evan Thomas, Richard Brooke, Richard Thomas, Zadok Magruder, Dr. William Baker, Thomas Cramphin, Jr., and Allen Bowie was appointed to attend a general meeting in Annapolis. By this bold act, these men pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor, anticipating the Declaration of Independence by two years. On September 6, 1776, an act of the General Assembly established Montgomery County in accordance with a resolution adopted in this building, and on May 20, 1777, the first county court also met here.