On May 26, 1774, Purdie and Dixon published in their Virginia Gazette the Rules of Precedency of Men and Women in America, which had been prepared by Joseph Edmonson, Mowbray Herald.
This set the official hierarchy in the American colonies ranking the Gentlemen of the Province and the wives.
At the top of the rankings was the Governor of the Colony or Province, and his wife. He was typically addressed as "His Excellency."
Next in line was the President of the Council and his wife followed by the Counselors and their wives. These gentlemen were typically addressed as "the Honourable."
The Speaker of the Commons House of Assembly, or in Maryland the House of Delegates, and his wife came next.
This was followed by the Chief Justice and his wife, the Treasurer and his wife and the Associate Justices and their wives.
Next in line were Baronets and their wives, of which none were present in Maryland during the period of Provincial rule, Robert Eden receiving his after his return to England on October 19, 1776, but when present were addressed as Sir, in the case of the Baronet of Maryland. A Baron ranked higher than a Baronet, in the case of the Baronet of Botetourt, and ranked above all others in Colonial America except an Earl, and was addressed as "Lord." Lord Dunmore, being an Earl, ranked above all others in Colonial America including Barons and was addressed as "Lord" as well.
The Attorney General and his wife ranked next followed by the Judge of the Admiralty and his wife.
The Secretary of the Colony or Province and his wife ranked next followed by the Gentlemen of the Assembly, or in the case of Maryland, the House of Delegates, and their wives.
The Mayor and his wife, followed by the Aldermen and their wives ranked next (in Maryland this applied only to Annapolis, the only city in the Province) followed by members of the Corporation and their wives.
These ranks stood only in the Colony or Province in which there were granted and the rank did not carry into other Provinces, except for the rank held in private life, such as Esquire. For those not familiar, Esquire is a title given, which ranks below a Knight and above a Gentlemen and has no connection to the legal profession, though in Modern America lawyers had adopted this title somehow appointing themselves to lower nobility in only a way a lawyer can.
Rank for women of government officials was dependent on their husband holding the office and did not continue after his death.
Military officers holding the rank of Captain held the social rank of an Esquire. Esquire was simply denoted as Esq. following the name and was used in conjunction with titles such as His Excellency and The Honorable.
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