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HISTORY
1
OF
KENT COUNTY
MARYLAND
1630-1916
By FRED. G. USILTON
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INTRODUCTION
The superintendent of the schools of Kent County, Prof. J. L. Smyth, in his long experience as a teacher and in his present position, feeling the great need of some historical data concerning our home county of Kent and its county town, Chestertown, requested the writer to compile this book, which is here presented to the public. It is hoped that it may, at least, be the foundation, or incentive, for someone to produce a book, with other data dis- covered and other facts recovered from the dim ages of the past.
In the completion of this volume, "The History of Kent County, Maryland," we realized the enor- mity of the task when we began. Impressed, how- ever, with the great need of some record in book form of even a few of Kent's historical facts, we have undertaken this work. It is based on a careful study of the means at hand and of persistent effort in exhuming facts contained in books, newspapers and articles by various writers. Among the latter to whom we are indebted are: Percy G. Skirven, who contributed the chapter on the old Court House, Caulk's Field and some P. E. Church his- tory; Hanson's family history, Hon. James Alfred Pearce, files of the Kent News, Mrs. Harriett Hill, Swepson Earle, who furnished us six pictures of old homes, and others whom we regard as authority on the subjects discussed.
"There is nothing," says a well-known writer, "that solidifies and strengthens a nation like read-
ing the nation's history, whether that history is re- corded in books, or embodied in customs, institu- tions, and monuments." It also is true as regards a count3^ Not to know what has been transacted within our own borders in former times is to be always a child. If no use is made of the labors and happenings of past ages, we must remain always in the infancy of knowledge.
Kent, as a county, is rich in precious historical gems, and the object of this book is to present in a clear, connected and authentic manner some of these events. The author has had three chief objects in view^accuracy of statement, siinplicity of style, im- partiality of treatment. .
It has been written in the midst of a busy life, but if it shall give to the future generations a rea- son to feel proud of this ^'Garden of Eden," and also preserve the noted events in its life from extinction, then our labor will not be in vain.
Frederick G. Usilton.
CONTENTS
Chapter. Page.
1. Events leading up to the founding of Kent County. 15
2. The Isle of Kent 24
3. The County of Kent 29
4. Tench Tilghman's ride through Kent 38
5. The battle of Caulk's Field 41
6. Burning of Georgetown and story of Kitty Knight. 64
7. Freedom of religious thought and worship — An-
cient Shrewsbury 72
8. Old St. Paul's Church, built in 1713 78
9. Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal Church — Where
the name originated 85
10. The Friends' Meeting House 88
11. Methodist records — Catholic Church — First Sunday
School — Colored Churches 92
12. Schools, public and private — Founding of Washing-
ton College 103
13. Records of first sailing vessel and early steamboat-
ing on Chester — The first railroad 114
14. Financial institutions and their official boards 123
15. First military organization — Musical organizations 129
16. Kent in the War of 1812-14 138
17. Four United States Senators from Kent — Other
notable men 140
18. Old records showing transfers of land in old Kent. 147
19. Some weather records of other days 157
20. Women vote in Still Pond, first place in State 160
21. Some records on the farm 162
22. Old-time Christmas in Kent 169
23. Chestertown — The County Town — Its early history 173
24. "The White House" Farm, on a part of which Ches-
tertown stands 179
25. Throwing tea overboard in the Chestertown har-
bor— Plays — Racing events — Novel ordinances... 182
26. The noted Chester Bridge — Lovers and fishermen —
Some noted events 190
27. Notable houses in Chestertown — Newspapers —
First hotels 197
28. Rock Hall — Its early history — Great oyster centre. 205
29. A noted resort — Tolchester Beach — Founded 1877.. 212
30. Fish Hall, Betterton's first house — A lonely place. . 217
31. Shell banks made by Indians — Happy council places 220
32. "Monomac" — An Indian tale 225
33. Some recollections — Old residenters — Kent's silver
mine — Vote on local option — A great prize fight — Negro superstition — Crow Hill ZZ9
34. The old Court House " 241
COUNTY OFFICIALS.
Circuit Court.
Hon. Albert Constable, Chief Judge.
Hon. W. H. Adkins, Associate Judge.
Hon. p. B. Hopper, Associate Judge.
A. Parks Rasin, Clerk.
J. Thomas Haddaway, Sheriff; Mark Perkins, deputy.
Terms of Court: Third Monday in April and third Mon- day in October for Jury terms.
Orphans' Court.
John H. Simpers, Chief Judge.
Edward A. Scott, Associate Judge.
J. Henry Thompson, Associate Judge.
OTHER OFFICIALS.
Police Justices.
R. Hynson Rogers, Chestertown.
W. H. Schwatka, Rock Hall.
Notaries Public.
Colin F. Buyer, Chestertown.
Harry C. Coleman, Chestertown.
Eben F. Perkins, Chestertown.
S. P. TowNSHEND, Chestertown.
James W. Crouch, Chestertown.
J. Raymond Simpers, Chestertown.
J. W. Clark, Still Pond.
Justices of Peace.
S. E. Burgess, Rock Hall.
G. C. Townsend, Millington.
J. M. Sutton, Betterton.
Vernon M. Barnett, Chestertown.
R. C. Morgan, Galena.
J. H. Kelly, Still Pond.
H. M. Massey, Massey.
Register of Wills. Robert R. Hill. L. B. Russell, Jr., Deputy.
Treasurer. Howard F. Owens, Ollie Estes, Deputy.
History of Kent County, Maryland 9
County Commissioners.
Carey W. Reinhart, President. Olin S. Davis, John N. Bennett,
T. B. Crew, John C. Wood.
Samuel Hicks, Clerk.
School Board.
John P. Ahern, President. John D. Urie, C. Romie Skirven.
Almshouse Board.
Harry T. Rash, Henry B. Rasin,
Louis E. Smith, M. Wilber Thomas,
Thomas W. Trew.
State's Attorney. Harrison W. Vickers.
TOWN OFFICIALS. Commissioners.
William L. Fowler, George R. Rouse,
Robert Moffett. R. Groome Parks, Esq., Attorney.
Samuel E. Cooper, Day Bailiff.
Beverly Hyland, Night Bailiff.
U. S. Senators From Maryland. Blair Lee, John Walter Smith.
County Representatives in State Legislature.
Henry Brown, Senator.
Harry Willis, House of Delegates.
Herbert Urie, House of Delegates.
Coroner. Dr. Prank B. Hines, Chestertown.
Member Board of Managers Eastern Shore Hospital. W. W. Beck, Esq., Chestertown.
Bureau of Immigration. Harry C. Willis, Chairman, Worton.
10 History of Kent County, Maryland
Supervisors of Elections.
George R. Rasin, Kennedyville.
C. Feaxk Crow, Worton,
John C. Davis, Chestertown.
W. F, Russell, Jr., Clerk.
State Tax Commission.
L. W. WicKEs, Member of Board.
OwEx C. Smith, Supervisor of Assessments.
Lodge Directory.
P. O. S. of A. No. 34 meets every Tuesday evening in Fraternal Hall.
P. O. S. of A. No. 87 meets every Tuesday evening in Culp Building.
Daughters of America No. 58 meet every Monday eve- ning in Fraternal Hall.
Jr. O. U. A. M. No. 177 meets every Wednesday in Fra- ternal Hall.
Loyal Order of ]Moose No. 1496 meets every Friday night in Westcott Building.
Modern Woodmen of America No. 8745 meet second and fourth Friday evenings in Fraternal Hall.
Chester Lodge No. 115, A. F. & A. M., meets first and third Wednesday evenings in Lyceum Theatre Building.
Red Men meet every Thursday evening in Fraternal Hall.
Heptasophs meet first and third Friday evenings of each month in Fraternal Hall.
TRANSPORTATION LINES.
Train Schedule.
Train leaves Chestertown at 7.37 A. M. for Baltimore and Philadelphia, connecting north and south, every day except Sunday. Returning, train reaches here 11.02 A. M. In the afternoon train leaves at 2.53, returning at 7.03 P. M. On Sunday train leaves at 3.55 P. M., returning at 7.28 P. M.
Boat Schedule.
Boat leaves Chestertown for Baltimore at 7 A. M. Mon- day, Wednesday and Friday, arriving in Baltimore at 1 P. M. Returning, leaves Baltimore at 1 A. M., arriving in Chestertown at 7 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Auto Lines connect with day boat at Tolchester and with train at Elkton.
History of Kent County, Maryland
11
DISTANCES IN KENT.
Chestertown to —
Worton 5.0 miles.
Lynch 6.0 "
Kennedyville ._ 8.2 "
Still Pond 9.4 "
Millington . . . 13.6 "
Galena 15.6 "
Masseys 17.1 "
Georgetown ... 17.1 "
Sassafras 20.9 "
Chestertown to — Pomona . . . Fairlee .... Crumpton . Chesterville Tolchester . Rock Hall.. Sandtown . Betterton ..
4.0 miles.
6.0
9.0 10.7 11.6 12.4 13.0 12.5
POPULATION OF KENT COUNTY, CENSUS OF 1910.
District 1 — Masseys, including Galena and Milling- ton towns 3,342
Galena town 262
Millington town 399
District 2— Kennedyville 2,391
District 3 — Worton or Betterton, including Betterton
town 2,041
Betterton town 308
District 4 — Chestertown, including Chestertown 2,941
Chestertown town 2,735
District 5 — Edesville, including Rock Hall town 3,207
Rock Hall town 781
District 6— Fairlee 1,700
District 7 — Pomona 1,335
16,957 The population of Kent County in 1900 was 18,786.
ALTITUDES IN KENT.
Chestertown 22 feet.
Blacks 80 "
Still Pond 70 "
Masseys 64 "
Sassafras 34 feet.
Millington 27 "
Edesville 24 "
Georgetown 5 "
ROADS IN KENT.
The Kent County Commissioners give the road mileage as follows: First District and Second District, each 120 miles; Third District, 85 miles; Fourth District, 60 miles; Fifth District, 100 miles; total, 480 miles.
12 History of Kent County, Maryland REGISTERED VOTE OF KENT COUNTY, 1915.
|
i Prec. S Q Q |
i |
1 |
-0 c |
Q |
4>> |
6 |
1 |
||
|
1. 1 |
. ... 248 |
131 |
3 |
• • • |
... |
3 |
272 |
113 |
385 |
|
2 |
... 232 |
133 |
• • • |
• a • |
4 |
6 |
250 |
125 |
375 |
|
2. 1 |
... 155 |
130 |
• • • |
4 |
• • • |
1 |
174 |
116 |
290 |
|
2 |
... 169 |
143 |
2 |
2 |
198 |
118 |
316 |
||
|
3. 1 |
... 194 |
104 |
1 |
2 |
• • • |
3 |
212 |
92 |
304 |
|
2 |
... 135 |
110 |
1 |
• ■ • |
1 |
4 |
159 |
92 |
251 |
|
4. 1 |
... 232 |
206 |
• • • |
5 |
• • • |
7 |
269 |
181 |
450 |
|
2 |
... 210 |
111 |
1 |
3 |
11 |
238 |
98 |
336 |
|
|
b. J. . . . . |
. ... 345 |
95 |
• • • |
• • • |
5 |
10 |
408 |
47 |
455 |
|
2 |
... 254 |
104 |
• • • |
• • • |
2 |
• • • |
275 |
85 |
360 |
|
6 |
... 183 |
231 |
1 |
1 |
• • • |
• • • |
204 |
212 |
416 |
|
7 |
... 148 |
184 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
184 |
155 |
339 |
Totals.. 2505 1682 9 17 14 50 2843 1434 4277
TOTAL ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY IN KENT
COUNTY, 1916.
Real and Personal, $9,477,889.00.
Ordinary Business Corporations, $24,118.69.
Bonds and Securities, $501,966.64.
KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
BY FRANK H. RUTH, GALENA.
With the dawning of creation, when the earth began to roll Through the mazes of countless planets, with the Master in control ; When its broad expanse of verdure turned its face first toward the sun. There was just one little corner that he straight pronounced well done.
There the undulating acres spread themselves in vast array,
With their sparkling streams of nectar lost in clouds of silver spray ;
There the sleepy knoll and dingle were the essence of delight.
And the murmur of the breezes crooned the glory of His might.
'Twas a pleasing land ecstatic, just where heaven touched the heath. Where the green and gold of nature intermingled in a wreath Thro' the woodlands bold and stately, where they crowned the verdant shore Of dark meandering rivers now replete with mystic lore.
It was just the spot ideal, where the son of man might roam With thrills of wild abandon 'neath the blue empyrean dome ; Where he saw in rich profusion all the earth had to display. In one gorgeous panorama like the charms of Mosellay.
'Twas the masterpiece primeval, of the great creative God ; Once the rendezvoua of angels, when its heather was untrod. "The hidden soul of harmony," where the lotus brewed its spice. In lordly, proud magnificence stood the world's lone paradise.
Now that favored land elysian to our* vision yet appears.
As the ages turn their pages after twice ten thousand years ;
'Tis the same today as ever — still a land of sweet content.
Still the pearl to which man's pleasure has affixed the name of Kent.
Ah ! those perfumes so delicious where the living roses blow.
Where the moons are more effulgent, where the suns more kindly glow,
Where her solitudes will lull you into dreams of Eden's bow'r.
And a world of wonders greet you in the cycle of an hour.
Yes, she blooms today as ever in her robes of green and gold, Whilst the splendors of her raiment will remain for aye untold ; 'Tis to see this "Isle of Beauty," feel her ozone in your veins. Feel the tingle of enchantment as you scan her fair domain.
Then you'll realize what blessings are about you to enjoy,
Not a shadow of disquiet to discourage or annoy ;
Here you'll see man's art has failed him to enhance one single charm.
And the dream of life has centered 'bout "an old Kent County farm."
'Bout her bayous, coves and meadows — -'bout each pebble on her strand — 'Bout the wind scarped bluffs and headlands where the Chester laves her sand. Where the moonglades are idyllic, where the loveleis entrance. Where the whole is an oasis and a perfect necromance.
'Tis the scene of joys exquisite, lulling life's sojourn away. Blissful rhapsodies of pleasure in an endless roundelay Lull the soul to dreamy fancy, into reverie and muse — Oh, ye gods ! what have you better to enthrall man — to enthuse ?
Seek sequestered vale and mountain, tread the globe from pole to pole. Not one spot like "Old Kent County" has the charm to reach the soul. 'Tis the bourne at which, men marvel, 'tis the one supremely blest, 'Tis the "fairest of ten thousand" and of God's creation— BEST.
\
CHESTER RIVER SCENE, NEAR CHESTERTOWN, MD.
History of Kent County, Maryland 15
CHAPTER I.
Events Leading Up to the Founding of Kent County.
Blood Shed and Dissensions — Claihonie Wins Good Will of Indians — Jealousy of Oicnership Beticeen Virginia and Maryland — The Old Desire For More Territory Plainly Seen.
The Virginia colony was jealous of Maryland chiefly for three reasons. First, Maryland had once been a part of the territory of Virginia; secondly, Maryland was ruled bv Catholics, while Virginia was Protestant ; thirdly, the commercial rights and priyileges of Maryland were much greater than those of Virginia. Thus for a time Maryland's sister colon}^ and nearest neighbor unfortunately became her worst enemy. The ^^irginians Ayere represented by William Claiborne, their Secretary of State. This man, not unjustly called the eyil genius of Maryland, was the prime moyer of mischief from first to last, and deyoted all the energies of his un- usually determined and perseyeriug nature to the task of ruining the Maryland colon A^ For twenty Axars his influence seriously affected Maryland his- tory, and more than once nearly brought about the colonA^'s destruction.
Claiborne's opportunity came in the following manner. Coming oyer to Virginia in 1G21 as sur- veyor, his force of character brought him rapidly into notice, and at the time of the settlement on the St. Mary's he was Secretary of State for Virginia
16 History of Kent County, Maryland
and a member of the Governor's Council. He began to engage to some extent in the fur trade with the Indians. In this he was so successful as to induce a firm of London merchants to employ him, as a special agent or partner in the business of trading with the Indians. Claiborne then established a post on Kent Island, in the Chesapeake Bay, for this purpose, and obtained licenses to trade; but he did not secure any grant of land. A few dwellings were erected, which were paid for by the London merchants, Cloberry and Company. To complete the claim of Virginia, it should be noted also that Palmer's Island had been occupied by traders, and trading expeditions had been conducted by Henry Fleet, John Pory, and possibly other Virginians. The Maryland charter spoke of the country as ^'hitherto uncultivated" ; but this was descriptive merely, and not a condition of the grant, and if it had been, the traders had not settled or cultivated the country.
The instructions of the proprietary regarding Claiborne were very generous. Acting according to these instructions. Governor Calvert notified Clai- borne that his post was within the limits of Mary- land. He was given to understand that he would be welcome to the land he had occupied, but that he must acknowledge the authority of Lord Balti- more, and hold the land from him and not from Virginia. Claiborne, on receiving this notice, asked the Virginia Council what he should do. Their answer was, that they wondered at his asking such a question ; could there be any more reason for giv- ing up Kent Island than any other part of Virginia?
History of Kent County, Maryland 17
Thus Claiborne made his OAvn cause and that of Virginia one, and feeling sure of support now, he returned an answer to Governor Calvert in which he utterly refused to acknowledge the authority of Maryland and Lord Baltimore.
The Dispute Leads to Bloodshed,
The proprietary's instructions i)rovided that if Claiborne should refuse to acknowledge the jurisdic- tion of Marvland, he was to be undisturbed for a year. But trouble soon arose. The Indians, hitherto so friendly and sociable, became cold and reserved — a change which alarmed the people greatly. On investigation, Claiborne was charged with telling lies to the Indians for the purpose of stirring them up against the Marylanders, but in justice it must be said that when the Indians were questioned in his presence they declaimed that he had never done anything to prejudice them against the people of Maryland.
But there was trouble of a more serious nature when a vessel of Claiborne's, under the command of Thomas Smith, was seized in the Patuxent river for trading without a license in Maryland waters. In return, Claiborne fitted out an armed vessel, the Cockatrice, under the command of Lieutenant Ratcliffe Warren, which he sent out with orders to capture any Maryland vessel that might be met. When news of these mighty doings came to the ears of Governor Calvert, he promptly armed and sent out two vessels, the St. Mar- garet and the St. Helen, under the command of Captain Thomas Cornwallis. "The two expeditions
18 History of Kent County, Maryland
met at the mouth of the Pocomoke on April 23d, and then and there was fought the first naval battle on the inland waters of America." Several men were killed and wounded on both sides, Lieutenant War- ren being among the killed, and the Cockatrice sur- rendered. A second fight took place a few days later, in which Thomas Smith commanded the vessel of Claiborne, resulting in more bloodshed.
The Capture of Kent Island.
For a time Claiborne remained in undisturbed possession of Kent Island. But his afi'airs presently took on a different color, for his London partners, Cloberr}^ and Company, became dissatisfied with his management, and sent out an agent named George Evelin to take charge of their propert3\ Claiborne tried hard to induce Evelin to promise not to give up the island to the Marylanders, but could not suc- ceed. He then went to England and engaged in a lawsuit with the London merchants who had em- ployed him. Evelin went to St. Mary's, after a time, and there he heard the other side of the story, and was fullv convinced of the riffht of Marvland's claim to the island. On his return, he called the people together and explained the situation to them, and Lord Baltimore's authority was recognized. Gov- ernor Calvert then appointed Evelin commander of the island.
But the matter was not vet settled. A number of persons were arrested for debts owed to Cloberry and Companj^, and Thomas Smith (the same who had already taken part against the Marylanders) and John Butler (a brother-in-law of Claiborne) used
History of Kent County, Maryland 19
every opportunity to stir up dissatisfaction. The matter finally amounted to a rebellion, and Governor Calvert, after several warnings, proceeded to the island himself, with a body of armed men, to offer a little more forcible persuasion. The attack was a complete surprise, and Smith and Butler were captured. The Maryland flag was first used in this battle and was known as Baltimore's flag. The Governor then offered to pardon all others who would come in at once and submit themselves to the government of Maryland, ^'whereupon," says Gover- nor Calvert, in a letter to his brother, the proprie- tary, "the whole ileand came in and submitted them- selves." Smith was tried before the Assemblv on charges of piracy and murder, was convicted and sentenced to death; Butler, not being accused of crimes so serious, and having shown a better dispo- sition, was pardoned by the Governor and afterward came to hold office in the province.
In England the final blow was now struck against the cause of Claiborne. The quarrel over Kent Island had been referred to the Board of Commis- sioners for the Plantations (a body having charge of colonial affairs), and they decided that as Lord Baltimore had a grant from the King of England, while Claiborne had merely a trading license, the title was undoubtedly with the former. This was due to the fact that Virginia had forfeited its rights to all territory and it was within the King's right to grant to whomsoever he chose any part of the land that had been within the Virginia Company's jurisdiction.
20 History of Kent County, Maryland
Claiborne refused to submit to the Lord's Pro- prietary's demand, and in September, 1634, he was forced to withdraAV, and fled to Virginia ; he was attainted and his property confiscated. GoYernor Harvey refused to surrender him to the authorities of Maryland or to protect him, but, under the pre- tense of high respect for the King's license, sent him to England, with the witnesses, to await the royal pleasure. Claiborne never forgot or forgave this conduct of the authorities of Virginia, and brought it bitterly to their remembrance in 1652.
Claiborne went to England a bitter, vindictive and unrelenting enemy to the Lord Proprietary. He petitioned the King for a confirmation of his former license to trade, for a grant of other lands adjoining Kent Island, and the power to govern them. The King, influenced by Sir William Alex- ander, his Secretary for Scotland, and one of Clai- borne's associates in the license, issued the order. The matter was finally adjudicated, in April, 1638, and determined "that the right to all the territory, within which Claiborne's settlements were made, was vested in Lord Baltimore."
The next year, as an humble supplicant, he begged of the Governor and Council of Maryland the resti- tution of his confiscated property. This was sternly and harshly denied. Failing in this, in 1644, he instigated the Indians to make war upon the colony. As soon as peace was restored to the afflicted people, he associated himself with Kichard Ingle, a pro- claimed "traitor to the King," excited and led a re- bellion against the Proprietary's government, and actually drove the Governor out of the colony. For
History of Kent County, Maryland 21
more than a year lie held possession of the govern- ment, during which time valuable records of the province were lost or destroyed.
The Governor, Leonard Calvert, did not long sur- vive his restoration. He died at St. Mary's the 9th day of June, 1047. Among his last acts, and pe- culiarly interesting to us, Avas the reconstruction of the government of Kent Island.
After this, when King Charles had been beheaded (30th January, 1G19), and the Commonwealth was established, the irrepressible Claiborne, with Fuller and others, was commissioned, in September, 1G51, by Cromwell's Council of State, to subjugate the province whence he had been lately driven as a rebel. They were empowered ''to reduce and govern the colonies within the Chesapeake Bay." Here was a fine and open field for Claiborne to glut his ven- geance, and he was swift to avail himself of the opportunity. Never did a towering hawk more eagerly swoop upon a poor, mousing owl than did Claiborne, straight as an arrow from a bow, seek and find his quarry. He paid his respects first to Virginia — performed his agreeable task of "reduc- tion" neatly, cleanly and expeditiously. Then, like a falcon, he plumed his feathers, and in March, 1652, borne upon the wings of the wind, pounced upon St. Mary's. He treated Governor Stone with insolent indignity, violently seized upon his commission, and deposed him from office.
Claiborne, then, the 29th of March, appointed a council, of which Robert Brooke was made presi- dent and acting Governor, took possession of the records, and abolished the authority of the Proprie-
22 History of Kent County, Maryland
tary. In July, 1652, Stone submitted, and was re- instated and permitted to retain and administer the government ''in the name of the keepers of the liberty of England." Claiborne again took posses- sion of Kent Island and Palmer's Island, at the mouth of the Susquehanna. Having triumphed, this man of Belial was master of the situation, and the power of Lord Baltimore was overthrown.
A proclamation, in the name of Cromwell, was is- sued, dated 22d day of July, 1654, and a commission appointed for the go^^rnment, at the head of which was Captain William Fuller.
As soon as convenient. Lord Baltimore made an effort to regain his rights, and directed Stone to require all persons to take the ''oath of fidelity" and re-establish the Proprietary government. This was done in the latter part of 1654. As soon as Claiborne heard of these proceedings, with one fell spring he grappled with all his foes. At the battle of Providence (now Annapolis), 25th March, 1655, he took Stone prisoner, and compelled him again to submit. He condemned Stone to be shot, but the soldiers loved the amiable Governor, and refused to execute the cruel order.
In 1658 the government was, happily, restored to the Proprietary by treaty, and the claims of Vir- ginia and Claiborne at once and forever ex- tinguished.
History op Kent County, Maryland 23
^i'&k
9
'CUSTOM HOUSE" ON HIGH STREET— H. L. BOYD'S AND J. B. SAPPINGTON'S HOMES ON MILL STREET— T. W. ELIASON'S RESIDENCE ON SPRING AVENUE— SACRED HEART CHURCH AND OLD RECTORY.
24 History of Kent County, Maryland
CHAPTEE II. The Isle of Kent.
This beautiful island was settled, as we have seen, between the years 1627 and 1630, by William Clai- borne, its government organized as a colony of Vir- ginia and as such represented in the General As- sembly of Virginia, which was held at James City on the 21st of February, 1631-2.
It appears that, toward the latter part of the year 1637, the Isle of Kent had been in some measure reduced to the obedience of Lord Baltimore. Clai- borne had failed in his attempts to regain possession of it, by force, and had, as before stated, been sent b}^ the Governor of Virginia to England, to seek what remedy he might find there.
It now became necessary to extend and establish the civil authorit}^ of the Lord Proprietor over the Island, as a part of the Province of Maryland. Ac- cordingly, on the 30th day of December, 1637, Leonard Calvert, Governor of Maryland, constituted and appointed his ''good friend Captain George Evelin, of the isle commonly called Kent," "to be Commander of the said Island and the inhabitants thereof," with power to elect and choose a Council, and to call a "court of courts," to hear and deter- mine "all causes and actions whatsoever civil" not exceeding in damages or demands the value of ten pounds sterling, and with the criminal jurisdiction of "justice of peace in England," not extending to life or member, etc.
History of Kent County, Maryland 25
Notwithstanding, and although, Claiborne was ab- sent, many of the inhabitants did not hesitate to express their contempt for and resist the constituted authorities; and it was deemed necessary that the Governor, assisted by Captain Thomas Cornwallis, one of the Council, and a competent armed force, should proceed to the Island and reduce its seditious inhabitants, by martial law if necessary.
The Governor thought the emergency a serious one, and he appointed Mr. John Lewger, his secre- tary, to act in his stead during his absence from St. Mary's.
On the 22d day of April, 1638, Governor Calvert appointed William Brainthwayte to be ''Commander of the Isle of Kent in all matters of warfare by sea and land necessary to the resistance of the enemy or suppression of mutinies and insolencies,-' in all matters civil and criminal to exercise the jurisdic- tion of a Justice of the Peace, to hold a court of courts, and to hear and determine all causes civil ''not exceeding in damages or demands to the value of one thousand weight of tobacco."
A General Assembly met at the Fort of St. Mary's on Mondav, the 25th of Februarv, 1638-1639. Mr. Nicholas Browne, planter, and Mr. Christopher Thomas, appeaiied among the Burgesses, as the dele- gates from Kent. Their credentials, the returns from the Isle of Kent, were certified by twenty-four signatures. Supposing these signatures to have been the names of all the male heads of families, then on the Isle of Kent, as they most probably were, it would afford a tolerable datum from which might be inferred the aggregate white population
26 History of Kent County, Maryland
of Ihe Island at this period of time. Accounting five to a famil}^, the usual computation, the popula- tion would amount to one hundred and twenty souls.
At this Assembly (1638-1639) the powers of the Commander w^ere more clearly ascertained, and a ''court of record" was erected, to be called the Hun- dred Court of Kent; of Avhich the Commander of the Island was to be the judge, and from which court an appeal lay to the County Court at St. Mary's. Provision was also made for the Supreme Court at St. Mary's to sit occasionallv on the Isle of Kent.
In consequence of dangers arising from the hos- tility of the ''savages/' Captain Giles Brent, Esq., one of the Council, "was commissioned, February 3d, 1639, to be Commander of the Isle of Kent," with military powers. This was for special and temporary purpose. He remained on the Isle, in commission, but a few months, for it appears that on the 14th day of August, 1640, William Brain- thwayte was acknowledged by the Governor as Com- mander of the Isle, and ''Giles Brent," as the treas- urer of the province.
The Indians had again become so hostile that the Governor on the 10th day of July, 1641, issued his proclamation, prohibiting all persons Avhatsoever to harbour or entertain any Indian, under pain of the penalties of martial law, and declaring it unlawful for any inhabitant whatsoever of the Isle of Kent to shoot, wound or kill any Indian whatsoever com- ing upon the said island.
On the 16th day of December, 1642, Mr. Giles Brent was appointed, by commission, to be Com-
History op Kent County, Maryland 27
mander of the Isle and County of Kent; to be Chief Captain in all matters of warfare; and to be Chief Judge in all matters civil and criminal, happening within the said Island, not extending to life or mem-
AN OLD LOG CABIN ON ROAD TO MILLINGTON.
ber or freehold. In the same commission also, Wil- liam Ludington, Richard Thompson and Eobert Vaughan were appointed to be commissioners within the said Island to all powers and effects as to com- missioners of a county by the law of the province da or shall belong. Commissioners of a county appear to have been then considered as having not only the power of conservators of the peace at common law,
28 History of Kent County, Maryland
but as thereby authorized to hold a county court. These gentlemen seem, therefore, to have been now first authorized to hold a county court in the Isle of Kent.
If any such court was held by them the record, and all evidence of it, has been lost.
History of Kent County, Maryland 29
CHAPTER III. To Be Known as Kent County.
The Isle of Kent, the proud but beautiful Virgin Queen of the Chesapeake, was now joined in the bonds of holy wedlock with Maryland ; changing her state she also changed her name, and, together with all her possessions, will hereafter be known as Kent County, until irreverent hands carved away with invisible lines her ancient domains; and herself, sole relic of the olden time, deprived of her mar- riage croAvn, was given as a dowry to the daughter of her elder sister.
Governor Calvert, the 18th day of April, 1647, commissioned Robert Yaughan to be chief captain and commander of all the militia of the Isle of Kent, and invested him with the power of martial law. He further authorized the said Captain Robert Vaughan to award all process necessary, according to the law and custom of this province, etc. ; and he also authorized the said Captain Robert Vaughan, William Cox, Thomas Bradnox, Edward Comins, Philip Conner and Francis Brooke, or the major part of them, whereof the said Robert Vaughan ta be al- ways one, to hear, try and judge, according to the laws of this province, all actions and causes civil, except where the freehold of any one shall come in question, provided that it shall be lawful for any man, at any time before execution served, to appeal unto the provincial court ; and he also invested them with criminal jurisdiction, excepting when the life or members of any one person shall come in question.
30 History of Kent County, Maryland
He further aulliorized Captain Yaiighan, by com- mission dated the 31st of May, to collect, demand and receive, for the use of the Lord Proprietary, all cus- toms, confiscations, forfeitures and escheat, by any means and at any time, due to his said Lordship upon the said island, and also by two other commis- sions to Mr. Francis Brooke, he was required to take into his custodj^ all neat cattle belonging to his said Lordship in the said island, and particularly all the estate of John Abbott, late of said island.
These were the last acts of Governor Leonard Calvert. A few days afterwards, on the 9th of June, 1647, he died, after having appointed, by a verbal nomination, Mr. Thomas Greene as his successor.
The first parliament of Maryland assembled in April, 1649, at St. Mary's, fifteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims under Governor Calvert.
Kent was the only other county within the limits of the principality. Captain Nicholas Martin rep- resented the County in the parliament and was paid twenty-six pounds of tobacco each day (|1.56). In 1650-60 arrived the families of Burgess, Ringgold, Hynson, Jones, Wickes, Smyth, Leeds, Paca, Chase, Pearce, Chambers, Tilghman, Thompson, Frisby, Wroth and other well-known names w^hose descend- ants figure prominently in Kent.
This county was named after the English shire from whence came most of the early settlers, who saw in its smiling landscape a replica of the fairest county of England. It has an area of 315 square miles, of which about 75 miles are water. It has 435 miles of county roads.
History of Kent County, Maryland 31
To what sort of country did our colonist come? Notliing small or mean greeted the eve. There was the magnificent expanse of the Chesapeake Bay; there was the beautiful Chester, beside which it can well be said, ^'the Thames was but a rivulet" ; there were mighty forests stretching as far as the eye could reach, unchoked by briers, and containing "strange and beautiful trees" ; there were banks and groves dotted with the early flowers of spring ; there were myriads of water fowl and flocks of wild tur- keys; there were new and wonderful birds — the jay with his coat of blue, the tanager in his feathers of scarlet, and, strangest of all, the oriole in a dress of black and green — and this was Kent. No scarcity of food ever existed. The bay and rivers were teem- ing with fish and covered with water fowl, while the forests held multitudes of wild turkeys, deer, bears and small game. As for corn harvests, they were so bountiful that corn was almost immediately sent to New England and there exchanged for salt fish and other supplies.
In 1GJ:8 the county had 135 persons. In 1652-3 there were 66 white males and 330 white souls in Kent. In 1910 there were 10,795 white inhabitants and 5,162 colored. The assessment was |9,880,450 on real estate and |30,629.40 on stocks.
It is separated from Delaware on the east by a line run by Mason and Dixon. The western boun- dary is formed by the upper portion of the Chesa- peake Bay, while the Sassafras Eiver separates it from Cecil and the Chester River from Queen Anne's County. The county is located between the parallels of 39 degrees and 39 degrees 22 minutes, south lati-
32 History of Kent County, Maryland
tude, and between the meridians of 75 degrees 42 minutes and 75 degrees 16 minutes, west longitude.
In 1910 the farms in Kent were estimated at 956, and the average acreage 179.
Tobacco was the most common currency of the province, and in 1650 one pound of it w^as worth three pence of English mone}^ Our ancestors sat upon stools, dined without forks, made free use of the napkin, and paid especial attention to the furni- ture of their bed chambers. The walls of their prin- cipal rooms were wainscoted; tea and coffee were rarely tasted; cider and sack were drank freely; plenty of fish, oysters and canvasback ducks.
History of Kent County, Maryland 33
CHAPTER IV.
Tench Tilgh man's Ride Through Kent.
Beneath the broad and extending shade of a noble oak in old St. Paul's Cemetery, there rest the re- mains of James Tilghman, once Provincial Coun- cilor of Pennsylvania, the father of Colonel Tench Tilghman, the confidential secretary and aide-de- camp to Gen. George Washington. On the surrender of Cornwallis, October 19, 1781, Tilghman was selected by Washington to carry his official dispatch to the Congress at Philadelphia, announcing that glorious and all-important event.
Taking boat in York Harbor, he was lost one night aground on Tangier shoals. On reaching Annapolis he found a dispatch from the Count de Grasse dated on the eighteenth, to Governor Thomas Sim Lee, had reached there a day ahead of him and been forwarded to Philadelphia. Without stopping he pushed on across the bay to Kent, having lost a whole day in a calm between Annapolis and Rock Hall. From there to Philadelphia is about eightj^ miles as the crow flies. De Grasse's courier had passed through Kent a day ahead. The people were on tiptoe to hear the news from York. Their hearts stopped as they imagined they heard the great guns of the English and the French booming over the waters in the still night. All looked with wistful eyes to the South for some sign of the issue of the weary struggle.
It was the supreme efl'ort of American liberty. It was the very crisis of freedom. But the flower
34 History of Kent County, Maryland
of Maryland was in that fight, and the lower coun- ties on the Delaware had sent their bravest and best to back their brethren of the Eastern Shore. One of the miracles of history, attested time and again by indisputable evidence, is that when the minds of a whole people are at white heat of excitement and expectation, knowledge comes to them independent of the senses. The victory of Pharsalia was known in Rome at the time it occurred, and the events of Waterloo Avere discussed on the London Stock Ex- change before it adjourned, on the 18th of June; and in June, 1863, the attack of Ewell on Milory was heard and the result detailed in Eichmond, 150 miles away from Winchester, where the battle took place, on the Sunday afternoon on Avhich it occurred. There were no telegrams or possible means of com- munication.
So when Tench Tilghman landed at Rock Hall he was furnished a horse for his hundred miles' ride through the countrj^, and found the hearts and minds of men and women aglow with divine frenzy. They felt what had occurred without knowing it, and were Avild for confirmation of knowledge. Up through Kent, without drawing rein, this solitary horseman sped his way. He followed the old post road through this county by way of Forktown (now Edesville), passing by old St. Paul's Church, then to Chestertown and on to Georgetown, where he crossed the Sassafras River. When his horse began to fail he turned to his nearest kinsman — for they were mostly of the same blood — and riding up to the lonely farmhouse in old Kent would shout, "Cornwallis is taken; a fresh horse for the Con-
History of Kent County, Maryland
35
gress I" and in a minute lie would be remounted and pushing on in a free gallop. All the night of the twenty-second he rode up the peninsula, not a sound disturbing the silence of the darkness except
the battle marker at caulk's field.
the beat of his horse's hoofs. Every three or four hours he would ride up to a lonely homestead, still and quiet and dark in the first slumbers of the night, and thunder on the door with his sword : "Corn- wallis is taken; a fresh horse for the Congress!'^ Like an electric shock the house would flash with an instant light and echo with the pattering feet of women, and before a dozen greetings could be ex-
36 History op Kent County, Maryland
changed and but a word given of the fate of the loved ones at York, Tilghman would vanish in the gloom, leaving a trail of glory and joy behind him. So he ^ ,, sped through Kent, across the head of the Sassafras,'-:^ through Christiana, by Wilmington, straight on to Philadelphia. The tocsin and the slogan of his news spread like fire in dry grass, and left behind him a broad blaze of delirium and joy.
'^Cornwallis is taken!" passed from mouth to mouth, flew through the air, was wafted on the autumn breeze, shone with the sunlight. "Cornwal- lis is taken! Liberty is won! Peace is come! Once more husbands, fathers, sons, lovers shall return to the hearts that gave them to the cause! Once more shall joy set on every hearth and happiness shine over every roof tree!" When or where in all the tide of time has such a message been carried to such a people?
Liberty with justice!
Peace with honor !
Victory with glory ! Liberty, peace, victory, honor and glory now and forever, one and inseparable!
These were the tidings that Tench Tilghman bore when he rode into Philadelphia at midnight of the twenty-third, four days from the army of York. The dispatch from De Grasse had been received, but the Congress and the people waited for Washington. Nothing was true but tidings from him. Rousing the President of the Congress, McKean, Tilghman delivered his dispatch to him and the news was instantly made public. The watchmen as they went their rounds cried : "Twelve o'clock, all is well, and Cornwallis is taken!" In a minute the whole city
History of Kent County, Maryland 37
was wild; lights flashed from every window; men, women and children poured into the streets. The State House bell rang out its peal of "Liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof !" And thirteen sovereign and independent States were proclaimed to the world.
TENCH TILGHMAN'S RIDE THROUGH KENT.
By the Rev. Dr. Oliver Huckel.
The sword of Cornwallis was yielded in shame;
The twenty-eight regiments, called out by name,
Their colors surrendered. The whole British host
Marched out 'twixt the ranks of America's boast,
And laid down their muskets. Redcoat drummers with
frown Beat the old English air— "The World's Upside Down!"
And the great war was ended; the last battle fought, And freedom was won, so long eagerly sought! 'Twas October nineteen, and the year eighty-one. When at Yorktown full triumph crowned great Washing- ton; The vet'ran's bronzed check was wet with a tear, But ne'er had his heart known dishonor or fear.
Who shall carry the message to Congress afar.
That Cornwallis is taken, and ended the war?
Who shall spread the glad tidings to hamlet and town
That freedom is won with an honored renown?
What trustiest courier, swiftest and strong,
Shall bear the glad news they have waited for long?
The General looked anxious and pondered awhile, Then selected his man, and with confident smile Spake, "Tilghman, to horse! And speed night and day! Take this message to Congress without a delay!" 'Twas a sprightly young officer, long his close friend. Who had served in the war from beginning to end.
Then swift to the stirrup Tilghman leaped at the word, Snatching holster and pistols and girding his sword; He stopped not a moment, but with joy on his face He was off like the wind in the desperate race; The dispatch buttoned tight, naught else would he heed. But northward as fast as his good horse could speed.
38 History of Kent County, Maryland
He reached the York Ferry as dusk darkened the day And chartered a sloop for quick course up the bay. The white stars crept out as they drove swift along; The fresh gale seemed singing a patriot song, As it sped the glad news, like a swift-flying dart — The glad news of victory thrilling his heart.
Now Chesapeake Bay can be mild as a lamb,
With softest of zephyrs and waves smooth and calm.
That night came a thunderstorm. Fierce lightnings
crashed And the sloop rocked and reared as the angry waves
dashed; For hours were they driven till the tempest was past, And on far Tangier Shoals they had drifted at last.
A whole night had been lost. As the morning dawned
gray. They got off the shoals and went driving away Up the Chesapeake under full canvas. They steered For Annapolis shore. Oh, how slow time appeared! Through the day, through the night, drive they swift as
they can. And at last they could hear the faint bells of St. Ann.
So they came to the wharf of Annapolis soon — On Sunday as the worshipers came forth at noon; They found all excitement, for the good Count de Grasse Had writ Governor Lee what must sure come to pass; So they shout with great joy when Tench Tilghman
appears, And the good news is told amid answering cheers.
Where the Peggy Stewart burned the people went wild; They thronged around the State House, every man, woman,
child; The guns roared salute, great fires glory lent. But Tilghman must haste on his voyage 'cross to Kent. He cried: "Take the message to old Baltimore, I must speed on my way through the far Eastern Shore!"
Now again did the elements hinder his way.
For smooth as a mill pond was Chesapeake Bay;
No wind — not a breath — and they lay like a log
All night on, the water becalmed in a fog;
The night and the water were calm as the morn,
But Tench Tilghman's hot heart with a tempest was torn.
History of Kent County, Maryland 39
At Rock Hall he landed; found horse; off they go Like a well-chosen arrow let loose from the bow; Through rich meadows they pass, over bridges they shoot, By gardens and orchards hung heavy with fruit. He rode 'cross the head of old Sassafras stream, And on through the green hills as fleet as a dream.
More than once as he rode this peninsular way
His horse trembled and sank. Whether night, whether
day. He cried to some farmhouse: "Ho, good folks, awaken! A fresh horse for Congress I Cornwallis is taken!" Lights flashed, quick feet echoed, a strong horse was given. And Tilghman was off like a courier of Heaven.
"Hurrah!" cried the farmers from meadow and door, And cheers rent the air at the good news he bore; Wives and children rushed out as the horseman went by And laughed with delight at his jubilant cry; And bonfires were lit and church bells were heard As the countryside roused into joy at his word.
'Twas dark when old Wilmington loomed like a dream. And they swam through the shallows of Brandywine
stream ; The ships on the Delaware plainly in sight. But eerie and strange in the gathering night. He galloped through Chester with rollicking song, "God speed!" cried they all, as he thundered along.
Four days and four nights had he ruthlessly sped. By horse, boat, and horse again, forging ahead; Scarce stopped he to sleep, but drove on like blind fate; Oft ate as he rode, for his news could not wait; Tens of thousands were longing, as keen as could he. For word of war ended and the Colonies free.
'Twas just after midnight, on a mare strong and fleet. He rode swift over Schuylkill and down Market street. Philadelphia slumbered beneath peaceful roofs. The cobblestones echoed the beat of the hoofs; Then a-sudden with one dreadful shudder and groan His black steed fell dead — but Tilghman ran on!
"O where is the President, Thomas McKean?
Dispatches for Congress!" But no one was seen.
At last came a sleepy watch pointing the way,
And off Tilghman rushed like a roysterer gay.
He knocked and he shouted. The watch bade him cease
And threatened arrest for disturbing the peace.
40 History op Kent County, Maryland
But he shouted the louder: "Cornwall is is taken!" And at last the deep-slumbering town did awaken; Lights flashed from the windows and forth came a throng To make the streets gay with their laughter and song; And the bell in the State House was rung by glad hands, Again sounding liberty all through the lands.
'Twas a night of rejoicing for the staid Quaker town, A great night of hist'ry and of noble renown. Cried the ancient night watch, with his lantern and bell: "Cornwallis is taken — three o'clock and all's well!" And couriers set off for New York and "down East," To tell the good news for the Thanksgiving feast.
Dawn came, and a dozen great cannon boomed forth The jubilant news that had come to the North; And Congress met early, the dispatches were read. And orators praised both the living and dead; And they crowded to church and laid by the sword With hosannas from thousands of hearts to the Lord.
And gallant Tench Tilghman, the hero of all, Was feted in homes and high honored in hall; Congress voted him thanks, a great sword chased with
gold. And the noblest black steed with accoutrements bold; And America ne'er in its patriot pride Shall forget his good news and his glorious ride!
History of Kent County, Maryland 41
CHAPTER V.
'^The Battle of Caulk^s Field."
This Battle Was Fought In The Early Morning Hours of Angust 31, ISlJf, on the Soil of Historic Old Kent, Near What Is Now Knoivn As The Well-Known Summer Resort, Tolchester.
Of the land battles of the war with Great Britain, 1812-1814, the battle of Caulk's Field was of signal importance upon the result of the battle of North Point and the defense of the City of Baltimore (September 12, 1814). The war had been in prog- ress nearly two years and neither country had been able to force its conclusion.
Wearying of the rather desultory fighting, at last Great Britain determined to make a final effort to terminate the struggle with the United States. In August, 1814, she directed her war vessels to again enter the Chesapeake Bay. The ^^A.nnual Register" of 1814, a British publication, says : ''The opera- tions of the British Armaments on the coast of the southern American States had hitherto been on a small scale and calculated rather to alarm and irri- tate than to produce any considerable effect — but in this year the resolution was taken of striking some important blow in these quarters." Tactics in that war were similar to those of earlier date and Eng- land's policy of burning the defenseless shore towns and villages, as well as the pillaging of farms that laid along the water courses, was expected by the American citizens and soldiers at that time.
42 History of Kent County, Maryland
The previous year the British had burned Havre de Grace and Frenehtown at the head of Chesapeake Bav. Thev then went into the Sassafras River and burned both Georgetown and Frederiektown — inci- dentally bringing to light the heroism of Kitty Knight, which is herein fully told.
The Maryland forces were preparing to defend the city, and soldiers were being drilled throughout the State with the expectation of going to the aid of Baltimore's defenders when they were needed. Across the Chesapeake on the Eastern Shore, bodies of volunteers were camped ready to move at a mo- ment's notice. In Kent the Twenty-first Regiment of Maryland Militia under Col. Philip A. Reed was encamped at Bellair, now known as Fairlee, a little village about five miles from the bay shore and about seven miles west of Chestertown. The regiment con- sisted of five companies of infantry, one cavalry and one artillery company, in all just 174 men. They had five pieces of artillery and were fairly well equipped with guns, pistols and swords, but had only twenty rounds of ammunition for each man. It is needless to say that Colonel Reed was kept posted by the citizens of the county, and he quickly received news from the bay-shore farms whenever a strange sail was seen out on the waters of the Chesapeake.
Late Saturday afternoon, August 27th, news reached Colonel Reed that a frigate was headed up the bay about abreast of Swan Point, and with her were two smaller vessels. A strong southerly breeze filled their sails and they came bounding up the Chesapeake over the white caps presenting a beauti- ful sight. This ship was the "Menelaus," com-
History of Kent County, Maryland 43
manded hy Captain Sir Peter Parker, Bart. She carried iu addition to lier regular cre\\' about one hundred and twenty soldiers. She ^vas armed with thirty-eight guns — only six less than our then famous warship '"Constitution."
That Sir Peter Parker was ordered to make a ''diyersion'' on the Eastern Shore is yeritied by the following extract from a letter to the Admiralty written September 1st, 1814, by Vice-Admiral Coch- rane, then on board the flagship "Tonnant" in the Patuxent Riyer. ''Captain Sir Peter Parker on the 'Menelaus' with some small yessels was sent up the Chesapeake aboye Baltimore to divert the attention of the enemy in that quarter."
The most important part of ''diyerting the atten- tion of the enemy" Ayas to preyent the troops from crossing the bay to the assistance of Baltimore. Captain Sir Peter Parker was ordered to capture when possible the small bodies of American soldiers, to burn the farmhouses along the bay shore and to harass the people in eyery possible way.
Following the instructions of his superior officer, he brought his yessel to anchor late Saturday night off the mouth of Fairlee Creek. Sunday morning, August 28th, Captain Parker landed about one hun- dred men on the farm known as "Skidmore," then owned by Mr. John Waltham, where they burned eyery building on the farm, together with all the wheat in the granary, as well as in the stacks in the fields. According to a letter written from Chester- town on September Gth, 1811, to the ''Weekly Star," published in Easton, Talbot County, Maryland, (a copy of this old paper can be seen in the library of
44 History of Kent County, Maryland
the Maryland Historical Society) Mr. Waltham sus- tained a loss of eight thousand dollars. On the fol- lowing Tuesday morning, August 30th, the farm be- longing to Richard Frisby, Esq., then living in Baltimore, was raided and buildings burned. His farm of 422 acres in Kent County just north of Fairlee Creek was part of the grant known as "Great Oak Manor." He sustained a loss of not less than six thousand dollars.
That night the "Menelaus" dropped down the bay and anchored off the shore about a mile north of the farm on which Tolchester Beach is now located, abreast of "Chantilly," the farm recently owned by Captain William I. Rasin. The day had been hot and sultry and the ship's crew as well as the ma- rines welcomed the cool evening breezes off the bay as the vessels swung to their anchors.
Captain Parker had watched from the deck of the ''Menelaus" the golden path on the waters of the Chesapeake that led straight out to the great red orb — had watched with thoughtful gaze the great red sun set behind the hills of the Western Shore. His thoughts were of home and loved ones. Far away in his home in England his wife and three little sons, Peter, Charles and George, were looking forward to his return to them. When Sir Peter was twenty-two years of age (in 1809) he had courted and married Marianne, second daughter of Sir George Dallas, Bart. To her he now sat down and wrote :
"H. M. S. Menelaus,
August '60, 1814. My Darling Marianne:
I am just going on desperate service, and entirely depend upon valor and example for its successful issue. If any
History of Kent County, Maryland 45
thing befalls me, I have made a sort of will. My Country will be good to you and our adored children. God Almighty bless and protect you all — Adieu, most beloved Marianne, Adieu!
Peter Parker. P. S. I am in high health and spirits."
That he had a premonition tliat his end was near is borne out by this very touching letter to his wife. Certain are we that he realized tlie risk he was tak- ing, and as certain are we that he did not shirk what he regarded as his duty. He had been told by one of the negroes on Mr. Frisby's farm that morning that about two hundred militia were encamped behind a woods about a half mile inland from where his vessel lay at anchor. The negro intentionally misled them as the troops under Colonel Reed were five miles away ! Sir Peter Parker determined to surprise and capture this body of soldiers later in the night. It has recently been stated in one of the weekly papers printed in Chestertown that Sir Peter Parker made the statement on leaving the vessel that night that he would eat his breakfast in "Chestertoivn or hell." This statement is entirely without foundation and is an unwarranted aspersion on the character of the man. There is no historical evidence that he even thought of attacking Chestertown. Captain Sir Peter Parker, his chief officer, Henry Crease, and his Lieutenant Pearce together discussed that evening the proposed attack on the American camp. They formed their plans and determined to w^ait until after midnight to land the soldiers and seamen on the shores of historic old Kent.
The night was hot ; the breeze had died out and the mist hung over the water, almost shutting out the
46 History of Kent County, Maryland
shore, along which the little waves chased one an- other on the pebbles. The '4ap" of the waves and an occasional plaintive call of a whippoorwill in the woodland bordering the shore were sounds that added to the oppressiveness of the night.
At Bellair, out in the country about five miles from where the vessels lay at anchor, Colonel Keed, who had fought the British in the War of the Revo- lution, discussed with his officers and a few of the leading citizens of the county the plans to meet the threatened attack of the British. He had sent pick- ets to the bay shore to give warning when there was a landing made by Sir Peter Parker.
About twelve o'clock at night one of those pickets brought word to Colonel Reed that Captain Parker ''had landed about one hundred and fifty men" and was marching eastward out the road past the north end of the "Big Swamp." The moon had risen and thrcAV long shadows over the fields, making objects in the mist less distinguishable than they otherwise would be. Colonel Reed lost no time, but ordered the militia to advance at once. They proceeded toward the Chesapeake Bay, crossing the ''Tulip Forest," ''Eccleston" and the "Everest" farms, and reached the ridge on the high ground on Mr. Isaac Caulk's farm, just to the south of his house, at about half -past twelve.
To the left of the ridge the main road ran down towards the bay. To the right of this road a strip of heavy timber stretched away to the west. Immedi- ately in front of his position Colonel Reed could see the open low land of "Moore's Field," fifty acres, per- haps, of cleared land. Here Colonel Reed halted his
History of Kent County, Maryland 47
men, forming in position to cover the probable ad- vance of the enemy.
The following letter written by Colonel Reed to Brigadier-General Benjamin Chambers gives a very excellent description of the arrangement of the troops as well as a fair acconnt of the engagement and result:
"Camp at Belle Air.
3d Sept., 1814.
"Sir:
I avail myself of the first moment I have been able to seize from incessant labor, to inform you that about half past eleven o'clock in the night of the 30th ult., I re- ceived information that barges of the enemy, then lying off Waltham's farm were moving in shore. I concluded their object was to land and burn houses, etc., at Wal- tham's and made the necessary arrangements to prevent them and to be prepared for an opportunity which I had sought for several days, to strike the enemy. During our march to the point threatened it was discovered that the blow was aimed at our camp.
"Orders were immediately given to the Quarter Master to remove the camp and baggage, and to the troops to countermarch, pass the road by the right of our camp, and form on the rising ground about three hundred paces to the rear — the right towards Caulk's House, and the left retiring on the road, the artillery in the centre, supported by the infantry on the right and left.
I directed Captain Wickes and his Second Lieutenant Beck with a part of the rifle company to be formed so as to cover the road by which the enemy marched, and with this section I determined to post myself, leaving the line to be formed under the direction of Major Wickes and Captain Chambers.
The head of the enemy's column soon presented itself, and received the fire of our advance party at seventy paces distance, and being pressed by numbers vastly superior, I repaired to my post on the line, having ordered the rifle- men to return and form on the right of the line.
"The fire now became general along the whole line and was sustained by our troops with the most determined valor. The enemy pressed our front; foiled in this he threw himself upon our left flank which was occupied by Capt. Chambers' company. Here, too, his efforts were un- availing. His fire had nearly ceased when I was informed
48 History of Kent County, Maryland
that in some parts of our line the cartridges were entirely expended, nor did any of the boxes contain more than a few rounds, although each man brought about twenty into the field. The artillery cartridges were entirely expended.
Under these circumstances, I ordered the line to fall back to a convenient spot where a part of the line forti- fied when the few remaining cartridges were distributed amongst a part of the line, which was again brought into the field, where it remained for a considerable time, the night preventing pursuit. The artillery and infantry for whom there were no cartridges, were ordered to this place (Belle Air).
The enemy having made every effort in his power, al- though apprized of our falling back manifested no disposi- tion to follow us up but retreated about the time our ammunition was exhausted. When it is recollected that very few of our officers or men had ever heard the whistling of a ball; that the force of the enemy, as the most accurate information enables us to estimate, was double ours; that it was commanded by Sir Peter Parker of the "Menelaus" one of the most distinguished officers of the British navy and composed (as their ofiiicers admit- ted in subsequent conversation) of as fine men as could be selected from the British service, I feel justified in the assertion that the gallantry of the officers and men engaged on this occasion could not be excelled by any troops.
The officers and men performed their duty. It is, how- ever, but an act of justice to notice those officers who seemed to display more than a common degree of gallantry. Major Wickes and Captain Chambers were conspicuous; Captain Wickes and his Lieutenant John Beck of the rifle corps. Lieutenant Enneck (Everest?) and Ensign Wm. Skirven of Captain Chambers' company exerted themselves, as did Captain Hynson and his Lieutenant Grant, Captain Usselton of the brigade artillery and his Lieutenant John Reed and Morgan Brown. Lieutenant Tilghman, who com- manded the guns of the volunteer artillery in the absence of Captain Hands, who is in ill health and from home, was conspicuous for his gallantry; his ensign Thomas also manifested much firmness. 1 am indebted to Captain Wil- son of the Cavalry who was with me for his exertions and also to Adjutant Hynson who displayed much zeal and firmness throughout. To Dr. Blake, Dr. Gordon and to Isaac Spencer, Esq., who were accidentally in camp I am indebted for their assistance in reconnoitering the enemy on his advance.
You will be surprised, Sir, when I inform you that in an engagement of so long continuance, in an open field, when the moon shone brilliantly on the rising ground occupied by our troops, while the shade of the neighboring
History of Kent County, Maryland 40
woods under the protection of which the enemy fought gave us but an indistinct view of anything but the flash of liis guns, tliat under the disparity of numbers against us, and the advantage of regular discipline on the side of the enemy we had not one man killed, and only one sergeant, one corporal and one private wounded, and those slightly.
The enemy left one midshipman and eight men dead on the field and nine wounded, six of whom died in the course of a few hours. Sir Peter Parker was amongst the slain; he was mortally wounded by a buck-shot, and died before he reached the barges to which he was conveyed by his men. The enemy's force consisted of marines and mus- keteers, was in part armed with boarding pikes, swords and pistols, no doubt intended for our tents, as orders had been given by Sir Peter Parker not to fire.
Many of these arms, with rockets, muskets, etc., have fallen into our hands, found by the picket guard, under Ensign William Skirven which was posted on the battle- ground for th(; remainder of the night. Nothing but the want of ammunition saved the enemy from destruction. Attached are the names of the wounded; and as an act of justice to those concerned, I enclose you a list of every officer and soldier engaged in this affair. Certain inforn a- tion from the enemy assures us that his total loss in killed and wounded was forty-two or forty-three, including two wounded lieutenants.
I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Phil. Reed, Lieut. Col. Commanding" "Names of the wounded of Captain Chambers' Company: John Magnor, Sergeant, slightly in the thigh; Philip Crane, Corporal, a ball between the tendons and the bone of the thigh, near the knee. Of Captain Page's Company: John Glanville, a private, shot in the arm,"
The ''Menelaiis" and her two companion vessels were withdrawn on Wednesday night, Augnst 31st, after taking aboard the body of Sir Peter Parker and the wounded men and an anchorage made across the bay off Pool's Island, Her acting commander, Henry Crease, reported the Caulk's Field engage- ment to his superior officer, Vice-Admiral Sir Alex- ander Cochrane.
50 History of Kent County, Maryland
Under date of September 1st, 1814, lie says in part: '^Witli grief the deepest, it becomes my duty to communicate the death of Sir Peter Parker, Bart., hite commander of His Majesty-s Ship ''Menelaus," and the occurrence attending an attack on the en- emy's troops on the night of the 30th ult., encamped at Bellair."
''The previous and accompanying letters of Sir Peter Parker will, I presume, fully point out the respect the enemy on all occasions evince at the approach of our arms."
"An intelligent black man gave us information of two hundred militia being encamped behind a woods, distant half a mile from the beach, and described their situation so as to give us the strongest hope of cutting them off and securing the largest part as our prisoners, destroying the camp, field pieces, etc., and possessing also certain information that one man out of every five had been levied as a requisition on the Eastern Shore for the purpose of 'being sent over for the protection of Baltimore, and who are now only prevented from crossing the 'bay by the activity and vigilance of the tender and ship's boats."
''One hundred and four bayonets with twenty pikes were landed at eleven o'clock at night under the immediate direction of Sir Peter Parker, Bart., captain, the first division headed bv mvself and the second by Lieutenant Pearce. On arriving at the ground we discovered the enemy had shifted his po- sition, as we were then informed, at the distance of a mile farther. Having taken the lookout picquet (picket) immediately on our landing, Ave were in
History of Kent County, Maryland 51
assurance our motions had not been discovered, and with the deepest silence followed on for the camp. After a march of between four or five miles in the country, we found the enemy posted on a plain sur- rounded by woods, with the camp in their rear ; they were drawn up in line and perfectly ready to receive us. A single moment was not to be lost. By a smart fire and instant charge we commenced the attack, forced them from their position, putting them before us in full retreat to the rear of their artillery, where they again made a stand, showing a disposition to outflank us on the right. A movement was instantly made by Lieutenant Pearce's division to force them from that quarter, and it w^as at this time, while ani- mating his men in the most heroic manner, that Sir Peter Parker received his mortal wound, which obliged him to quit the field and he expired in a few minutes. Lieutenant Pearce, with his division, soon routed the enemy, while that under my command gained and passed the camp. One of the field pieces was momentarily in our possession, but obliged to quit it from superior numbers. The marines under Lieutenant Beynon and Lieutenant Poe formed our centre, and never was bravery more conspicuous."
••'Finding it impossible to close on the enemy from the rapidity of their retreat, having pressed them upwards of a mile, I deemed it prudent to retire towards the beach, which was effected in the best possible order, taking with us from the field twenty- five of our Avounded, the whole we could find, the en- emy not even attempting to regain the ground they had lost. From three prisoners (cavalry) taken by us we learnt their force amounted to five hundred
52 History of Kent County, Maryland
militia, a troop of horse and five pieces of artillery, and since, by flags of truce, 1 am led to believe their numbers much greater. Repelling a force of such magnitude with so small a body as we opposed to them will, I trust, speak for itself, and although our loss has been severe I hope the lustre acquired to our arms will compensate for it."
This engagement upon the soil of old Kent, though participated in by few men on either side, was hotly contested, and no one can accuse either side of being cowardly. It is reasonable to suppose that the American forces expected to find at least two hun- dred men on the British vessels under Sir Peter Parker. On the other hand, the British captain had been purposely misinformed as to the number of the American force opposing them.
Colonel Philip A. Reed, who commanded the Mary- land militia at this battle of "Caulk's Field," was a native of Kent County and at the time of the battle was in his fifty-fourth year. At the age of sixteen he had joined a volunteer company enlisted in Kent County by Nathaniel Kennard, Jr. This company was inspected and passed for service in the Conti- nental Army by William Henry on July 22nd, 1776, just sixteen days after the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia.
Having seen hard service in the Revolutionary War, having risen from private to the rank of cap- tain, Philip Reed returned to his home in Kent at the close of the war, where he entered the public life of his county. He was a member of the ''I. U." Par- ish of the Protestant Episcopal Church and attended services in the little brick parish church at "I. U."
History of Kent County, Maryland 53
In 180G he was elected to the United States Senate. He served that time one year, and was re-elected and served until 1813. In that year he was made a lieutenant colonel of the volunteers of the State of Maryland, and, as previously stated, commanded the Twenty-first Maryland Militia until peace was re- stored with Great Britain. Colonel Reed became a charter member of the Maryland Society of the Cin- cinnati and was elected vice-president of the society in 1828. He lived to be 69 years old, dying on No- vember 2nd, 1829. He was buried in Christ Church Cemetery at "I. U." and a memorial slab marks the grave of this one of Kent's most distinguished citizens.
Captain — afterwards known as Judge — Ezekiel F. Chambers commanded the first company of the regi- ment under Colonel Reed. He was born in Chester- town on the 28th of February, 1788, acquired his col- legiate education at the famous old Washington Col- lege, where he received his degree. In 1808 he was admitted to the bar, and soon developed into an able advocate. He became identified with the local mili- tary organization and was a loyal and capable soldier, rising, as I have already stated, to be captain of his company at the age of twenty-six.
At the election of 1824 he was sent to the upper house of the Maryland Assembly. The legislature of 1828 elected him United States Senator, to which office he was re-elected in 1832. The following year Yale Universitj^ conferred upon him the degree of L. L. D. To fill a vacancy occurring upon the bench of the Court of Appeals, he was appointed Chief Judge of that body in 1834, which place he retained
54 History of Kent County, Maryland
until 1857. Owing to ill health he was forced to decline the portfolio of Secretary of the Navy, offered to him by President Fillmore at that time. The famous old Bedingfield Hands Mansion, facing the Chester Eiver, in Chestertown, became the home of Judge Chambers. Here he died in 1866. This beautiful example of Colonial architecture is now the home of Mr. Wilbur W. Hubbard.
Joseph Wickes was second in command, with the rank of Major. He was a brother-in-law to Captain Chambers, and from him was descended two of Kent's prominent men, Judge Joseph A. Wickes, and his brother. Judge Pere L. Wickes of Baltimore. Col. Joseph L. Wickes of Baltimore and Lewin W. Wickes of the State Tax Commission are also de- scendants.
Time will not permit reference to the other men who took part in the defence of old Kent; we will let this suffice at this time. It is, however, proper to speak of the distinguished British officer who was killed in the Battle of Caulk's Field. As has been stated, his body was taken aboard the "Menelaus," and as soon as possible taken to Bermuda, and there buried with military honors on October 14th, 1814. The following Spring his body was taken up and carried to England, where on the 14th of May, 1815, it was placed in the Parker family vault at St. Mar- garet's Church, Westminster. While the ceremonies took place at the early hour of six in the morning, many notables of the British Government were there, to show their respect for the memory of this distinguished citizen and soldier.
History of Kent County, Maryland 55
Caiilk's Field farm was in possession of Mr. Isaac Caulk at the time of the battle. He had inherited the property. It was part of a tract known as ''Arcadia," which was granted as 1,000 acres to Michael Miller, one of the first vestrymen of old St. Paul's Church, Kent County. This particular part of "Arcadia" had belonged to Isaac Caulk's uncle, John Moore, and upon the death of Mr. Moore, in August, 1812, the property became Isaac Caulk's. The War Department records at Washing- ton call the engagement the "Battle of MoorefieM' or "CaiiWs Field." It is also thus spoken of in "Niles' Register." The bricks in the gable of the old Caulk's Field House show that it was built in 1713. It is one of the oldest buildings now stand- ing in Kent, and is now owned by Mr. E. J. Watson.
On the initiative of the late Rev. Chris. T. Den- roche, in 1902, then rector of St. Paul's Parish in Kent, a handsome granite battle-marker was placed beside the main road that leads from Chestertown to Tolchester, on ''Caulk's Field." Assisting Mr. Denroche in raising the necessary funds to erect the marker were Capt. Columbus A. Leary, Charles 0. Hopper, Fred G. Usilton, L. B. Russell of Kent, Col. Wm. M. Marine, James E. Carr, Jr., Mr. Thomas Hill and W. H. Gill of Baltimore.
That there can never be offence given to those who by chance should pass that way the monument bears the following inscription:
''ERECTED TO COMMEMORATE THE PATRIOTISM AND FORTITUDE OF THE VICTOR AND VANQUISHED.'^
56
History of Kent County, Maryland
List of Soldiers.
Among the old papers now in the librar}- of the Maryland Historical Society we find a "list of offi- cers and men who were in the action at Caulk's Field on the night of the thirtieth of Angust last under Colonel Eeed," in the issue of October 4th, 1814, of the RepiiWcan Star or General Advertiser^ published at Easton, Talbot County, Maryland. The names of the companies and the men in each com- pany are as follows :
Of Captain Chambers' Company:
Ezekiel F. Chambers, Captain Thomas Eunick, Lieutenant William Skirven, Ensign
Alford, Aaron Bordley, Thomas Benton, Benjamin Chambers, David Chambers, Benjamin Lee Crane, Philip Coleman, Isaiah Coleman, James Comegys, Lemuel Constable, Robert Coleby, Edward Dugan, Thomas Dunk, Alexander Deal, Samuel Elliott, William Falls, David Floyd, Samuel Gooding, James Griffith, Samuel Haltzman, George Hickenbottom, James Herbert, Zabedel
Haley, James Jones, John Kennard, Richard Kennard, Thomas J. Kemp, John (drummer) Lassell, William S. Lasell, William C. Magnor, John (sergeant) Mansfield, James Miller, James D. Notts, William Rumney, Samuel Russell, Theophelus Robinson, James Toulson, Andrea Usselton, John Vickers, James Vickers, Jesse Watts, George Wickes, Joseph (4th) Wickes, Thomas
History of Kent County, Maryland 57
Of Captain Hand's Company: (Captain Hand was too ill to serve).
(Volunteer Artillery.) Henry Tilghman, Lieutenant Richard S. Thomas, Ensign
Barnes, Robert Brown, James F. Copper, Henry Eccleston, John B. Edwards, James Elbert, Samuel Gibbs, Joseph Hyland, William Hague, William James, Thomas J. Maslin, James Middleton, James Martin, William McGuire, Robert
Nicholls, Jeremiah Parsley, Arthur Ringgold, James, Jr. Redue, Joseph Robertson, Henry Seymour, Richard Staveley, Wilson Tonson, Nathaniel Taylor, Thomas Vickers, Thomas Wilcox, James W'ilmer, Lemuel , Wilmer, John R.
Of Captain Wickes' Rifle Corps:
Simon Wickes, Jr., Captain Joseph Brown, First Lieutenant John Beck, Second Lieutenant
Airy, John Beck, Peregrine Beck, John Coleman, Samuel Bowling, Eliphar Fricks, Richard Fellingham, Robert Hartley, Thomas Hyland, John Jones, John Kennard, Richard Lamb, William
Pearce, John Rolinson, Levin Sparks, Bazilla Stokes, Horatio Smith, James Smith, Richard Swift, Elisha Tharp, James Urie, Henry Wickes, Samuel C. Yates, James
Of Captain Griffith's Company:
Samuel Griffith, Captain Joseph Thomas, Lieutenant
Baker, Samuel Brown, Hiram Crouch, John Crouch, James Dank, Henry
De Course, Barney Harriss, Jonathan Jones, David Kendall, William Simmonds, George G.
58
History of Kent County, Maryland
Of Captain Hynson's Company:
Thomas B. Hynson, Captain Richard Grant, Lieutenant
Hague, William Love, Robert Whaland, Peregrine
Shaw, James Warum, John
Of Captain Page's Company:
Samuel Wickes, Lieutenant Merritt Miller, Ensign
Ashley, George Alloway, Gabriel Beck, Elisha Benton, Thomas Bryan, Stephen Covington, Thomas Covington, Jesse Coleman, Ezekiel Clark, Jesse Cleaves, Nathan Crouch, Thomas Collin, Robert Downey, James Dudley, Nicholas Dunn, John
Eagle, James Frisby, William Glanville, John Hynson, Benjamin Humphrey, John Hudson, James Ivry, William Legg, James Miller, William Simons, William Spencer, Thomas Warum, Abraham Wickes, William, Jr. Yearley, John, Jr.
Artillery Company Aquilla M. Ussleton, Captain John Reed, Lieutenant Morgan Brown, Lieutenant
Apsley, William, Jr. Apsley, Dulaney Carroll, Philip Cannon, Edward Dugan, John Forman, Ezekiel Gedley, Joseph Hatcherson, James Leatherberry, Charles
Nicholson, Edward Pennington, Benedict Rasin, Siras Rasin, Philip, Jr. Stewart, Henry H. Ussleton, James Ussleton, William T. Wickes, Mathias Weaver, William
Part op Caulk^s Field Story.
The British official list of their killed and wounded reported by Henrj^ Crease, acting com-
History of Kent County, Maryland
59
mander, were: Killed, Sir Peter Parker, baronet; Capt. J. T. Sands, midshipman ; R. Friar and R. Robinson, quartermasters; J. Perren, swabber; T. Dorris, sailmaker; G. Hall, ordinary seaman; J. Evans, sergeant-of-marines ; W. Hooper, W. Davis,
THE THOS. HILL CAULK'S FIELD HOUSE. Built in 1743 and now owned by E. Jos. Watson.
R. Johnson, W. Rogers, W. Powell and R. Jones, marines, a total of fourteen acknowledged to have been killed. The wounded were reported to be: T. Fitzmaurice, boatswain's mate, severely ; J. McAllis- ter, J. Mooney, seamen, severely ; M. Cullen, seaman, slightly; J. Cooper and J. Malcolm, seamen, severely; A. McArthur, captain of the forecastle, severely; W. Noel, seaman, slightly; T. Taffield, quartermaster's mate, severely; M. Halligan, quar-
60 History of Kent County, Maryland
tei'-guuuer, slightly; B. G. Beynon, lieutenant-of- mariues, seyereh ; G. Poe, similar officer, slightly; J. List, J. Haryey, J. Schriber, G. Morrell and W. Smith, marines, slightly ; W. Golatham, E. Turner and W. Pritchard, marines, and J. Manderson, a seaman ; J. Eowe, landsman, and G. Hobbs, captain of the foretop, seyerel3\ A total of 28 admitted to haye been wounded, some of whom subsequently died.
The Americans buried the fallen British by the roadside, Ayhere a hedge now grows in thrifty luxu- riance. About the year 1830, a small boy (the late Columbus A. Learj ) on his way home from school saw some Ayorkmen opening a mound on the road- side; he stood and watched the dirt-heayers. The friends of the dead midshipman had sent across the ocean to bear the relics of their loyed ouie over the sea. He was identified and his remains conyej^ed to England, where he sleeps, perhaps, in one of those beautiful country churchyards where sublime still- ness hoyers oyer the sward. The earth was thrown back and has not since been disturbed. The dead Britons haye graves secured against depredations, in which they will rest securely until the Judgment Day.
The late Columbus A. Leary has placed a rough stone in the hedge, on a located spot where the graves are supposed to be.
History of Kent County, Maryland 61
THE BATTLE OF CAULK'S FIELD.
(By Dr. P. Wroth.)
I sing of War, and all its thousand woes, Of bloody wounds and death's convulsive throes, Descend, oh Muse, and while thy Vot'ry sings. Let thine own fingers touch the sounding strings.
'Twas noon of night when round the frozen Pole His sluggish form the Bear was seen to roll. And earth and ocean wide-extended lay Beneath pale Cynthia's sleep-inviting ray. When hostile barges moored upon our shore, And Albion's flag the peerless Parker bore: That flag Avhich Gaul's proud Tyrant long had braved, Which wide o'er Europe's bloody plains had waved — No more alas! for victory won to wave- But shroud Sir Peter in his bloody grave!
Three hundred warriors, a selected band, With dire intention by their Chief's command. Propelled by sails and oars soon reached our shore, Their native Britain doomed to reach no more.
Thus some dark cloud, driven on by Eurees' blast.
Which bows the trees and bends the lofty mast —
Dispersed by rising Zephyr instant flies
And scowling, darkens all the eastern skies!
And thus Goliah's boasted prowess yields
To God's anointed Shepherd of the fields.
One hundred youths, Columbia's chosen seed. Led on by gallant, dauntless god-like Reed; With shining muskets gleaming from afar. And bristly bayonets, stood the tug of war. High in the midst, the bravest of the brave (Like Calpi's mound amidst old Ocean's wave). Stood Tilghman firm, while loud his cannon roars, And ghastly deaths in swift succession pours.
The battle rages now and warmer grows. Each hostile chief with burning ardour glows, Here brutal Mars — his garments bathed in blood, And there Billona, war's dire goddess, stood; When Tilghman rose, and cast his eyes around — He spoke — and quick the hills returned the sound. "My friends, my comrades, brave compeers in arms — Who stand unmoved Billona's dread alarms — Mark yonder Chief who towers amidst his friends — Whose voice of thunder heav'n's blue concave rends — The shield, the buckler of the hostile host — See that he falls — and all their hopes are lost."
C2
History of Kent County, Maryland
He spoke, unerring Nicols heard the sound With fatal speed his cannon wheeled around; Out flew the ball— Sir Peter bit the ground- Life's purple current issued from the wound! Affrighted Cynthia veiled her radiant eyes In clouds of Smoke, and fled beyond the skies! The polar star and all who walk the rounds From the eastern limits to the western bounds, Concealed their orbs — and dyed old Ocean's flood — Oh! strange to tell, with streaming tears of blood!
Sir Peter slain, the hostile squadrons fled; The woods and valleys groaned beneath their dead! Regained their barges — plied the lab'ring oars. And fled forever from our blood-stained shores.
Incidents Preceding the ^^Caulk^s Field^^ Battle.
The success attending the operations of the British during the early part of 1814 encouraged them
to carry out the determination of the Admiralty to strike some formidable blow. The army under Maj.
History of Kent County, Maryland 63
Gen. Sir Robert Ross consisted of 4,000 picked troops and these were landed in the Patuxent River about the middle of August. They marched upon Washington, burned Bladensburg as they went, and, meeting with only a feeble resistance from the American army who were supposed to be defending the national capital, the British entered the city, burned the President's house, the Capitol, the Navy Yard and the vessels therein. This was on the 24th day of August, 1814. They returned to the fleet in the Patuxent and under the immediate command of Vice- Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane proceeded up the bay to attack Baltimore. The city was then the home of the famous "Clipper ships" and ''privateers" that were the persistent foe of the British navy and it was determined if possible to capture the city and destroy her shipping. That was the '^important blow" spoken of in the "Annual Register."
64 History of Kent County, Maryland
CHAPTEK VI.
Burning of Georgetown and Fredericktown on
THE Sassafras.
The ThriUing Story of How the Valiant Kitty Knight Saved Georgetoicn, From the Pen of Mrs. Harriett L. W. Hill, a Scion of One of the Old Families of Kent.
The eyes of one looking for the unique and beau- tiful would dance with admiration at the romantic story and facts connected with the burning of Georgetown and Fredericktown on the borders of the Sassafras Eiver during the war with England in 1812 and 1813.
This story has to do with the Kitty Knight home now standing at Georgeto^ni.
Miss Kitty Knight was one of the most beautiful and accomplished women Kent County has ever known. She was a great-aunt to Mr. William Knight, of Baltimore, and related to the Knights of Chestertown and Cecil County. Miss Kitty was tall and graceful, with hair dressed high on her head in colonial style and represented as queenly in appearance. She attended one of the great State balls in Philadelphia during a session of the Con- tinental Congress in that city and danced with General Washington.
Mrs. Harriett L. W. Hill has spent much time delving into hidden incidents of historv, and savs : ''The attack is said to have been led by Admiral Cockburn. Mrs. Ireland, an old lady (living in
History of Kent County, Maryland
Go
Cliestertown Avlieii I was a child) related her per- sonal experience at the time the British landed at Georgetown, which place was then her home. Great was the consternation at the rumored approach of the British soldiers. The men of all classes, and boys able to shoulder a musket or use any other weapon, hastily collected, carrying whatever arms
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they could procure and marched out of the town to meet the foe, and prevent, if possible, his nearer approach.
Only old men, women and children remained to guard their homes and household treasures. From time to time, alarming news came of the continued onward march of the enemy and the firing of guns at length was distinctly heard by the refugees from the town as they hastened in search of a place of
66 History of Kent County, Maryland
safety. This natural desire to escajje the impending destruction of their homes Avas, of course, universal, also the wish to carry away with them as much of their money, silver articles and other valuables as was possible in their hasty flight.
Mrs. Ireland said that only her small children and their nurse remained at home with her; all terribly friohtened. She hastened to her stable and har- nessed a horse to an old-fashioned, high swung, two- wheeled ''gig'' such as was used in those days, in which she took her children and their nurse to a thick woods about two miles away from the town, where she left them together, hastening back to her house, catching up her table silver, valuable papers and other small articles, returning with them to the woods and putting them on the ground near her children. Again and again did she make these trips, emptying bureau drawers and closets of clothing; taking in her small conveyance anything else she could, urging her horse to his utmost speed each time, thus saving some few of her things from the fire which afterwards consumed the town.
It was a time of great distress to the stricken people, who were experiencing only a common result of warfare. We can readily imagine the inconveni- ence and loss, the burning of even these two small towns on the Sassafras Eiver caused the inhabitants. These little details help us to realize historical oc- currences far more vividlv than the bare mention of facts. The story of Miss Kitty Knight, of course, has varied in some minor points, from the number of narrators. I was told that her youth and beauty, added to a stately carriage, made a strong impres-
History of Kent County, Maryland 67
sion upon all who saw her iu those da^s, and that wheu the British soldier w^eut from house to house in Georgetown, bearing the command of his officer in charge of the troops for the inmates to vacate their homes, as the torch would soon be api)lied. Miss Kitty, with head erect and flashing eyes, re- plied : "I shall not leave; if you burn this house, you burn me with it." This defiant reply being reported to the officer, while some of the houses were alreadv in flames, he came himself to repeat his command. Miss Kitty received him with the same courage, reiterating her resolution not to leave. The young- officer was struck with admiration at the daring of the handsome, high-spirited American damsel, feel- ing that she would keep her word and be immolated if he persisted in his design of a general conflagra- tion. Twice when the attempt was made by British soldiers to fire the house Miss Kitty extinguished the kindling flame. At last, the officer, in deference to her coolness and courage, gave the order to spare the Knight house and the one next to it — both of which are still preserved.
In addition to this storv of Miss Kittv Knight's vouthful davs, I was told later bv a friend who knew Miss Kitty Avell (describing her as continuing to wear in her old age a turban in the quaint and stately style of a bygone fashion), that twenty-five years after our war with Great Britain in 1812, an iVmerican gentleman of Kent County, Maryland, traveling in Europe, met the same British officer on the "riviera" who commanded the attack upon Georgetown.
68 History of Kent County, Maryland
This officer, learning that the American belonged to Maryland, expressed to him his recollection of the incident of Miss Knight's courage saving lier home from the torch. Learning that she was still living, the officer inquired particularly about her, and sent her his sincere compliments.
BALLAD OF THE SASSAFRAS UiVFK.
Kitty Knight in Song. By Rosalie Mitchell Schuyler.
The beautiful river Sassafras
Flows onward in its pride, Between the level fields of Kent
And Cecil rolling wide.
Fair river, on thy sunny banks
Peach orchards spread their bloom. Where red men once chased fallow deer
Beneath the harvest moon.
Along the creeks and reedy swamps,
Where stately cat-tails grow. The furry muskrat makes his home,
And lazily caws the crow.
The wild ducks seek their feeding place
Far from the haunts of men — The water snipe struts proudly free
Along the marshy fen.
Fish hawks, alert upon their nests,
High up a gnarled old tree. Watch, dip, and plunge — a wriggling perch
Is caught successfully.
There was a time, there was a time —
Full four-score years gone by. When on these peaceful banks was heard
The sound of musketry.
When quiet Georgetown on the hill,
And Fredericktown below. Were menaced by a British fleet,
A reckless, dreaded foe.
History of Kent County, Maryland 69
When loyal sons of Kent arose,
A gallant little band. While Cecil, to repel the foes,
Stretched forth a helping hand.
Then valor struggled hard against
The soldiers of the crown, But Cockburn sent his shot and shell
Upon the helpless town.
Destruction grim, and ruin then, Seemed wrangling in the air,
And every heart was beating fast With terror and despair.
When suddenly a kerchief white Waved o'er the smoking streets,
The cruel guns a moment ceased Aboard the British fleet.
A maiden fair, with courage bold,
With spirit pure and high. Displayed her flag of truce, and all
For poor humanity.
She feared not shell, nor British guns,
Nor soldier of the king — Her kerchief waved above the smoke.
Her voice aloud did ring.
"Not for myself I speak," she said, "Though all my lands are lost.
But for two orphan children. Whose lives are tempest-tossed."
"Spare them their little homes I plead," Her eyes were sparkling bright;
They rested on the admiral.
And — well! they stopped the fight.
Tradition sings a sweet old song,
A song of long ago. That Kitty Knight, of Georgetown,
Struck then a fatal blow.
An officer was vanquished.
Not by the battery's raid, But by a dart of Cupid
Shot by a fearless maid.
The British fleet has sailed away, -
Adown the shadowy past; Now, only memories drift along
The lovely Sassafras.
70 History of Kent County, Maryland
Burning of Georgetown and Fredericktown.
May 6, 1813, the streets of Georgetown and Fred- ericktown, her twin sister across the Sassafras, resounded with the tramp of British soldiery and received a baptism of tire. About a mile below the old breastworks at Pearce's Point show where the citizen militia made a vigorous defense to the British soldiers as they rowed up the river, having anchored their ships in the Chesapeake otf the moutb of the Sassafras. The valuation of property destroyed in Georgetown in this battle was as follows :
Amos Bagwell Furniture, etc. . . $156.UU
Smith & Bagwell, heirs Shoemaker's
shops 200.00
Margaret Downes Dwelling, etc. . . . 150.00
Denis Donlevy Apparel, etc 3,744.1.5
Thomas Dollis Furniture, etc.. . . 110.00
Margaret Jackson Money, etc 1,865.75
Arthur Nicholson's heirs Dwelling, etc 350.00
Mary Nicholson Furniture, etc.. . . 150.00
Joseph Jarvis Furniture, etc 67.12 i/o
Archibald McNeil House 200.00
Fanny McNeil Furniture, etc. . . 109.87y2
Philip F. Rasin Granary, etc 428.75
Isabelle Taggert ....Furniture, etc 134.56
Robert Usilton Furniture, etc 119.16
Mrs. Willson Dwelling, etc 800.00
William Ireland Stable, carriage
house, etc 850.00
Mrs. Bearer Dwelling, etc 850.00
Mrs. Mary Everett Carriage house. . 80.00
Jacob Roads .Old house 40.00
Heirs of Wm. Pope —
Tavern House Granary 1,000.00
Miss Staugueses ......Brick dwelling,
etc 2,500.00
Arthur Nicholson's heirs Brick dwelling,
etc 200.00
History of Kent County, Maryland 71
Isabelle Freeman Dwelling, etc 800.00
Mrs. Mary Henney Store house 250.00
Robt. Elliott Dwelling, etc 300.00
Stepliany Congo Dwelling 150.00
Ann Pearce , Kitchen and store
house 150.00
William Jackson Kitchen and store
house 500.00
Inois Spuran Dwelling, etc 1,000.00
Heir of Alex. Williamson Dwelling, etc 1,500.00
Total $19,755.81
The two red brick houses which escaped the havoc in Georgetown still stand side by side near the pub- lic road, and are two of the most substantial homes in the little town, and are the only historic land marks left of the original town.
The sum total of the property destroyed in Fredericktown was i^l5,8Tl. 071/4, making a total of 135,025.881/4 destroyed by the British.
72 History of Kent County, Maryland
CHAPTER VII.
Freedom of Religious Thought and Worship.
Quakers, Catholics and Protestants Arrive Together and Feel Free to Worshi]) God in Their Oivn Way — Interesting Churches Grotv Up in Old Kent — The Name ^'Protestant EinscopaV First Given to the Church in Chestertown.
The little colony which came over from England included Quakers, Catholics and Protestants, all to have equal rights here. The}^ cut down a tree and made a large cross of it, then, kneeling around that cross, they all joined in worship and thanksgiving. This was the beginning of the Christian Church in Kent. Father White was the first priest of the Ctitholics Avho began services in a wigwam donated by Indians. Every one of these ''villagers" living in 30 or 40 log huts and wigwams in the woods en- jo^^ed religious liberty, being the only place in the wide world where such liberty existed.
William Claiborne, a member of the Virginia Company, established a trading post at Kent Island, and brought there, in 1632, the Rev. Richard James, who conducted the first services of the Church of England within the territory known as Maryland.
Ancient Shrewsbury.
On the road between Kennedy ville and Locust Grove, in the upper part of Kent County, stands Shrewsbury Church. The first house was likely built in 1G93. The present house of worship is the
History of Kent County, Maryland 73
third built by tlie parishioners, and several years after its erection it was remodeled and beautified; about twenty years ago a tower w^<xii added. While it is the third church that was built on the present site, it is quite probable that the first building was
SHREWSBURY P. E. CHURCH, NEAR LOCUST GROVE.
Founded 1692.
a very small affair and that it became necessary to add to it very soon after the first year of the eighteenth century.
After the enlarging of the church it does not appear that any changes in the building were made until the old wooden structure gave way for a more pretentious one said to have seated 700 persons, built in 1729, of brick. This brick church was
74 History of Kent County^ Maryland
torn down in 1829 and the present clinrch was built in 1832.
There is reason to believe that the very first build- ing erected for public worship within the present bounds of Shrewsbury parish stood on the southern bank of the Sassafras Eiver on "Meeting House Point," on what is now known as Shrewsbury Neck, and was there as earlv as 1680.
From 1680 to 1694 the population rapidly in- creased along the south side of the Sassafras, being materially augmented by emigrants from England, who were granted land in this picturesque and fer- tile section of the Province. Roads were cut through the county and the travel, which had been confined to the canoe and shallop, gave way, in a measure, to travel by horse and the old gig or chaise. Upon the laying out of the parish it became necessary to find a central location for the place of worship, and it was for this reason that the present site of Shrewsbury was selected.
The ''Archives of Marvland" show that, "at a court held for Cecil County the 22d day of Novem- ber in the fourth year of their Majesties' Eeign, etc., Anno Dom 1692," the following Commissioners w^ere present: Capt. Charles James, Col. Casperus Her- man, Mr. William Ward, Mr. John James, Sr., Mr. Humphrey Tilton, Mr. Henry Eigg and Mr. Wil- liam Elmes.
There were four more of the Commissioners who did not attend this meeting, at which the important business of dividing the county into parishes was consummated.
History of Kent County, Maryland 75
Two Parishes Are Laid Out.
When the ''Act of Establishment'- was passed by the Assembly those of the Protestants who were ''Freeholders/' together with the Commissioners of Cecil Conntv, met Xovember 22d, 1G92, at the conrt- house on the Elk River and -laid out and divided Cecil County into two parishes. That is to say, one for Worton and South Sassafras Hundreds, and the other for North Sassafras, Bohemia and Elk Hundreds."
Worton and South Sassafras (afterwards Shrews- bury) parish Avas bounded on the north and west by the Sassafras Eiver and the Chesapeake Bay and verv probablv extended as far south as Worton
ft- X ft/
Creek. The southern boundarv is vet unknown, but
ft- e, /
doubtless a line drawn in an easterly direction from Worton Creek to the Chester River, to the vicinity of the present site of Chestertown, divided this parish from that of St. Paul's in Kent.
On March IS, 1697-8, a petition was sent to the Assembly at Annapolis asking for a better division of the two parishes ; and on April 3, 1698, an Act of Assembly (Chapter 5) was passed authorizing the running of the division line between St. Paul's and Shrewsbury parishes nearly parallel to the old line, but about three miles farther to the north.
This latter line began at the crossing of a branch of Morgan's Creek east of William Bateman's house and runs to the head of a branch of a creek issuing out of the bav called Churn Creek. Bv reference to the land record of Kent County, we find that the line began where the main road from Chestertown
76 History of Kent County, Maryland
to Kennedy ville no AY crosses the stream at the foot of Goose Hill. From there it ran northwest to the stream that crosses the road leading from Hanes- Yille to Still Pond, jnst south of where Christ Church "I. U." now stands.
This line also serYed as the southern boundary of Cecil County until, by Act of Assembly (Chapter 3) in 1706, the Sassafras RiYer was made the southern boundary of that county. Prior to this time the present county of Kent was diYided into parts of two counties, the upper part being in Cecil and the lower a XJart of the old ''County of Kent." The resi- dents were to attend court of the farther side of the Chester and Sassafras RiYers. On June 8, 1692, the folloAYing petitions were sent to the Assembly :
"A Petition preferred by the inhabitants of Kent County on the north side of Chester RiYer praj^ing that if the Island of Kent be separated from them into a countY of itself a reasonable number of the inhabitants of the south side of the Sassafras RiYer may be added to them ;" also :
"A Petition by the inhabitants of the south side of tlie Sassafras RiYer in Cecil County setting forth that their court being held on the north side of the said riYer to their great damage, incouYenience and hazard in bad weather, pray, therefore, to be joined to Kent County in the manner as themselYCS the inhabitants of Kent County on the north side of Chester RiYer haYC prayed."
Although these petitions were made in 1692, it was the misfortune of these people to haYe to endure the hardships for more than 14 years, the line between the two counties remaining unchanged until
History of Kent County, Maryland 77
in 1706 Gov. John Seymour induced the Assembly to act.
It is quite possible that when the two parishes of St. Paul's and Shrewsbury were first laid out, the Commissioners haying the matter in charge ran the line from Worton Creek to the Chester Eiyer, because this may haye been the dividing line (prior to 1674) bietween Baltimore County on the north and the ''County of Kent" on the south. The ''Archives of Maryland," Browne, Vol. 2, page 318, state that at the session of the Assembly on Tues- day, October 17, 1671, "This House will consent to the Bill of Ferries, provided that a ferry may be kept — over Chester River from Baltimore County," thus indicating that the Chester River was a boundary of Baltimore County, and it is also very probable that this has reference to the ferry that crossed the river at the present site of Chestertown.
78 History of Kent County, Maryland
CHAPTER VIII.
St. Paul's Church, Kent County, Maryland.
Built ill 1113, It Is the Oldest Building in the State Used Continuously as a Place of Worship— The ^Vestry House'' Was Built in 1116.
utr.
Previous to the foimdation of St. Paul's parish, there is evidence of a church building on Eastern Neck in 1GU3. It is supposed to have been some- where near what was known as Xew Yarmouth. The town of New Yarmouth was built upon land purchased of Major Thomas Ringgold, b}^ a man named Tovev. Tovev bought a hundred acres of the tract of land called Huntingfield, which is stretched across and to the south of Eastern Neck. In 1838 the farms of that tract belonged to George W. Wilson, Esq., and others. Visitors to this locality found the remains of a wharf, covered with rubbish, and also manv stones which were not native to Maryland, but which had been brought in ships, as ballast, from England; said ships returned to Eng- land having tobacco as chief cargo. The stones had been used to pave the approach to the wharves, and for other i:>urposes. In 1838 Thomas Browne owned this land. New Yarmouth was, in its dav, a com- mercial center, and a port of customs entry; the court sat there, and ther-e the King's justices met. In a short time, and to meet the convenience of the northern trend of the settlers, and when the parish of St. Paul's was founded by law, the church site was moved from this New Yarmouth locality to
History of Kent County, Maryland 79
the place it now occupies at the head of ^'Broadnox Creek."
The first vestry meeting- of St. Paul's Parish was held in the house of Mr. Thomas Joce, of New Yar- mouth, on or immediately after 30th January, 1693.
ST. PAUL'S, BUILT IN 1713. IS THE OLDEST BUILDING IN THE STATE USED CONTINUOUSLY AS A PLACE OF WORSHIP. THE "VESTRY HOUSE," BUILT IN 1776, IS AT THE LEFT.
The early vestry meetings w^ere held in the houses of Mr. Michael Miller, of Lankford's Bay, Mr. Thomas Joce, of New Yarmouth, and of Mr. Simon Wilmer.
After several efforts on April 15, 1695, the Vestry agreed with Mr. Daniel Norris to build a church 40 feet long and 24 feet wide. The church was built upon a parcel of land belonging to Michael Miller, being part of the land called Arcadia lying at the
80 History op Kent County, Maryland
head of ^'Broadnox Creek," for 2,000 pounds of tobacco.
It would appear, then, that in 1707 there were two buildings or churches, one built as a Parish Church of St. Paurs, on ^'Michael Miller's land," the other built "adjacent to the Parish Church of St. Paul's," on two acres from Charles Kinggold for which he got 500 pounds of tobacco.
But of the church before mentioned as having been built by Mr. Daniel Norris, it was not finished according to contract; for the Yestry sued Mr. Nor- ris for his unfulfilled contract, and on ]yovembei' 27, 1707, obtained judgment against him for 4,073 pounds tobacco and 299 pounds for costs of suit, though he (Mr. Daniel Norris) gave a receipt on 6tli February, 1696, in full for x)aynient for building the church.
May 10, 1711, Eev. Alexander Williamson, an Orthodox minister of the Church of England, was sent certified and recommended b}' the Eight Hon. and Rev. Father in God, Henry, Lord Bishop of London, to officiate within this province.
At a meeting of the Vestry at the Parish Church of St. Paul's in Kent County, August 27, 1711: Rev. Mr. Alex. Williamson, Mr. Wm. Scott, Capt. Edw'd Scott, Mr. Wm. Harris, Capt. Jas. Harris, Mr. Wm. Frisby, Sr., contracted with Mr. Jas. Har- ris, as undertaker, to build a church for the use of this Parish of St. Paul's, in Kent County, 40 feet long in the clear and 30 feet wide in the clear ; to be 16 feet from the ground.
Mr. James Harris, William Pott and James Smith gave bond to the Vestrymen in one hundred and
History of Kent County, Maryland 81
fifty thousand pounds of good, sound, merchantable leaf of tobacco, and cask to contain the same, for the completion of their contract.
The Vestrymen gave bond to Mr. James Harris for 140,000 pounds of good, sound, merchantable leaf tobacco, on behalf of St. Paul's Parish, for the due performance of their agreement. At a meeting of the Vestry on 2d February, 1713, Capt. James Harris having complied with his obligation to the Vestry about building the Church, made his delivery of the church and took up his bond. A tax of ten pounds of tobacco on each tax-payer was continu- ally levied each year, pursuant to an Act of Assem- bly, for repairing, beautifying, or building churches. In 1717, 20th November, the Vestry of St. Paul's Parish met in the court house in Chester Town.
The Vestry House was built in 1776, for 20,000 pounds of tobacco. 27th October, 1800, the Kev. George Dashiel held services at St. Paul's only every other Sunday; but what he did, or where he went, on the other Sundays, is not said. On 27th October, 1800, there occurs the first mention of dollars, where a necessary 50 dollars is to be raised to do the repairs of the church that must be done immedi- ately. 11th May, 1801, Simon Wilmer is elected as lay delegate to the convention at Baltimore. 27th May, 1801, William Voss rented the Vestry House for a school house at three pounds per annum, Mr. Voss to keep the house in repair and mend at all times any broken windows.
In 1812 St. Paul's Church was used as a barracks for the troops, during some time of the war of that date with England. Captain Scott, who was mater-
82 History of Kent County, Maryland
nal grandfather to Mrs. George Jessop (nee Maria Harris), Avas quartered there.
26th November, 1843, the church was repaired. It was consecrated to the service of Almighty God by the Eight Rev. William Rollinson Whittingham, Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland. The Rev. Thomas B. Flower, Rector; Thomas Miller, Wm. B. Wilmer, Jamjes P. Gale, James F. Browne, James Browne, Horatio Beck, x\lex. W. Ringgold, Henry W. Carvill, Vestrymen; J. N. Gordon, Sr., Register; Thomas Miller, Esq., Delegate to Convention.
January 10, 1845, G. C. Griffith was made sole supervisor of the cemetery. Ordered that no separate inclosure should be made for any grave. At this time St. Paul's owned a slip of land of an acre, more or less, lying between the main road and Dr. Houston's land, beginning at a boundary of Houston's land, on the Bellair road, and running on with Houston's land to the Rock Hall road. Said slip of land was afjpropriated for a Sexton's House. The Yestry voted in 1878 that it meet once a month regularly and any member not attending or even fifteen minutes late, to be fined |1. That Vestry meant business!
Pews were first let by lot, then in 1862 the rent amounted to nearly |500. From 1862 they were sold to the highest bidder. Pews were made free on the 1st of May, 1870, and again levied in 1872. Since 1887 it has been supported by voluntary con- tributions and subscriptions.
History of Kent County, Maryland 83
Old St. Paul's Cemetery.
Between nature's grand provision and art's care- ful supply, this cemetery of St, Paul's is second to none for quiet grandeur and exquisite beauty. It is situated on the summit of a gentle slope, with
the sacred spot at l u. church— big oak.
a pretty, bright stream of water at the foot of the hill, while the dear old church, at its brow, rises from its 200 years of foundation in a call of peace and rest with God. Gi'^at giant oaks make the scene majestically beautiful from the hand of nature, and art has done her part in promoting most sweet loveliness. The tree tops of the great giant oak trees tower their lofty heads as reaching for the skies, and stretch out their tops as fingers ever pointing heavenward. Their great lower limbs reach out
84 History of Kent County, Maryland
their wondrous length in unusual size and strength, as though topical of the great loving arm, of the Good God, stretched out over His own Sacred Acre, in merciful care of His faithful departed holy dead. Hosts of evergreen and other trees and shrubs are in irregular beaut}- all around the grounds. The graves are all neat and well-cared for, the walks clean and hard. Flowers in abundance adorn the scene and bright green grass everywhere colors and closely covers the whole cemetery. For many years it was under the managment of the late Thomas W. Skirven and now his son occupies the same position. The oldest stone-marked grave has inscribed on its foot-stone :
Here lies ye body of Daniel Coley. He departed this life Oct. ye 20, 112^. Cut by John Godfrey.
The head-stone is as follows :
Behold & see now here I lye As you are now so once was I As I am now so must you be Therefore prepare to follow me.
The next oldest has : "Here Ives ve Bodv of Even Evans. He departed this life June ye 30, 1735." The next is of Benjamin Vickers, Esq., 1790. There are a number of very old graves, Avith rough head and foot-stones, but which bear no inscription at all.
(The Rev. Chris. T. Denroche, rector of this church, 1893, issued a Souvenir History of the Parish of St. Paul's for the Bi-Centennial Celebration of its foundation in 1693, to whom we are indebted for much of the above informa- tion.)
History of Kent County, Maryland 85
CHAPTER IX.
Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal Church —
Chestertown.
The Act of the General Assembly of Maryland, through which the present Episcopal Church was erected, was passed in ITGS, with an appropriation attached, in addition to five hundred pounds in cur- rency subscribed by the people for the purpose of erecting a chapel in Chestertown, in place of the old church. For greater convenience, the act read that it should be erected on a part of the public court house ground, 90 feet on High street and 120 feet on Cross street. The provision in former acts not proving sufficient, another act was x>assed in 1770, assessing three hundred and sixty pounds currency on the parish, to be applied by the trustees for the finishing of the chapel and enclosing the burying ground.
In June, 1781, the war being over, the Rev. Dr. Smith, the President of Washington College, called a meeting of the Episcopal clergymen who could be found in different parts of the country, to meet at Washington College, for the purpose of organiza- tion; but on account of the small attendance noth- ing was effected. Another meeting was called and due notice served on the clergy to meet in the chapel at Chestertown the following October. At this meeting the name Protestant Episcopal Church was adopted as the name of the church, under which name the convention met in May of the following year at Bordentown, N. J. It had previously been
86
History of Kent County, Maryland
known as the Church of England. Emmanuel Church is the local name. The rectory, on Queen street, was purchased in March, 1866, of John Greenwood, for |3,500.
The present church building, of itself, has an
.^^^SMfe.^
EMMANUEL P. E. CHURCH, CHESTERTOWN, MD., BEFORE IMPROVEMENTS
ADDED.
interesting history. The brick of which it is con- structed came from England, and the mechanical laying of the walls — peculiar to the olden time — is an interesting feature of the building today. This building was at first considerably taller than at present, and had a belfry at the west front, in which was held the bell which served for so many pur- poses of public utility as well as for the call to church worship. In 1881 the building was thoroughly remodeled inside and a choir building
History of Kent County, Maryland 87
erected on the site of the robing room. The former interior had galleries on three sides, with choir space and organ in the western end. The pulpit was located on the northern side and the main entrance was on High street. H. M. Stuart was the contrac- tor for the improvements, and his most important work was to lower the walls, which he did, without tearing off the roof.
The Vestry at that time was as follows : Geo. B. Westcott, Dr. W. H. Meeteer,, W. N. E. Wickes, Joseph A. Wickes, Wm. S. Walker, G. W. T. Per- kins, James A. Pearce. Wardens — N. G. Westcott, Thos. S. Wickes. The following comprise the pres- ent Vestry : James A. Pearce, i^llan Harris, E. F. Perkins, George B. Westcott, Lewin W. Wickes, Wm. W. Beck, C. E. Crane, T. G. Wroth. Dr. Henry B. Martin is rector, succeeding Dr. S. C. Koberts in February, 1900.
Dr. Roberts, who received the call here in Decem- ber, 1871, had a continuous pastorate of twenty-nine years. Some of Dr. Roberts' predecessors were Par- sons Jones, Gordon, Bradley, J. R. Hubard, A. A. Curtis (afterwards a Bishop of the Catholic Church), E. H. C. Goodwin and others.
A splendid addition to this church has been built during the rectorship of Dr. Martin. This addition is used as a Sunday School room and chapel, and has all modern conveniences, such as kitchen, gas ranges, etc. A new bell was also bought and placed in a new tower.
88 History of Kent County, Maryland
CHAPTER X.
The Friends^ Meeting House.
A part of Kent Comity known as Quaker Neck was named in honor of the industrious and even- tempered Friends or Quakers. Among these early pilgrims were the Trews, Avho settled in Quaker Neck in 1668. The representatives of this "colony" now living are: Mr. Bartus Trew and his family, in Quaker Neck ; Thomas W. Trew, of Pomona ; Miss Josephine Trew, of Chestertown; Mr. Joseph Trew, near Kennedyville ; Mrs. Virgil Kendall and sister, of Chestertown, and Mrs. T. Benjamin Durding, of Rock Hall. The original dwelling was a log cabin on the shore of Lankford's Bay on the farm now owned by Mr. Bartus Trew. The Trew family, or at least the largest part thereof, has lived in Quaker and Broad Necks ever since the establishment of the original homestead. They have impressed their in- dividuality upon the community in which they have lived for years, and the history of Quaker Neck, all that pertains to its development in all walks of life, could not be accurately written without the inclu- sion of the great part which the Trew family has played in that development. Mr. Bartus Trew is the oldest living member of the family today.
The old meeting house which stood for so many years at the fork of the road has been torn away, but the cemetery was used for some time later. This Friends' Meeting House was the center of all re- ligious and social activity for many miles, but had to give way to the march of time.
History of Kent County, Maryland
89
The commodious brick mansion in which Mr. Trew has lived for these many years was built in 1781, and is, therefore, one of the oldest landmarks in the county. Mr. Trew has in his home a grand- father's clock which was brought to this country in
THE FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE AT THE OLD QUAKER BURYING
GROUND, NEAR LYNCH.
1G68. It is in excellent running order today. There are also in his possession sheets made from flax grown on the farm and blankets made of wool grown on the sheep and spun on the looms in the home. These relics are precious heirlooms, and are in a remarkable state of preservation. All these and more of the links that bind the past to the pres- ent mav be seen at the old homestead.
90
History of Kent County, Maryland
Another landmark of Kent is the Quaker Meeting House at Lynch. John Lynch^ a Quaker, once lived where the village is now, and the meeting house stood on land once owned by him. The Quakers named this the "Cecil Meeting," because at the time (1698) it Avas erected or established it was within
THE BARTUS TREW HOME IN QUAKER NECK— 1781.
the bounds of Cecil County. It was a branch of the Friends' Yearly Meeting established at Phila- delphia by the great Quaker, William Penn, and numbered many of Kent's best families as its mem- bers. From its records the following names have been taken : Turner, Dawson, Corse, Alston, Brown, Thomas, George, Hodges, Atkinson, Trew, Maslin, Norris, Simmonds, Parrott, Bowers, Easin, Neal,
1<"
History of Kent County, Maryland 91
Gale, Beck, Jones and Lamb. From this last-named family came that great educator of the past decade — - Eli Lamb — known to hundreds of men and women as "Cousin Eli."
The early settlers of this neighborhood were: St. Leager Codd, William Frisby, William, Daniel and Gideon Pearce, Edward Scott, George Warner, Charles James, George Oldfield, James Hepburn, James Wroth, Edward Blay, John and Edward Beck, Nathaniel Styles, George Skirven and Philip Kasin. Later came Matthews Howard, Nathaniel Kennard, Cornelius Comegys, John Wethered, Charles Tilden, George Medford and many others whose names appear on the register of Shrewsbury Parish or the land records of the county.
92 History of Kent County, Maryland
CHAPTER XI.
Old "I. U." AND Still Pond — The First Church
IN WORTON.
Properlj' belonging to this county of Kent is old Christ Church at "I. U./' built in 1765, at the head of Churn Ci^ek, within whose walls have wor- shipped men and women whose names are familiar to all.
I. U. Church in Worton takes its name from initials found on a large boundary stone near the church. In early times the natives made a "J" like an ^'I/' so that the letters are no doubt "J. U.," and may stand for John, Jim or Jonas Ute, Usilton, Urie or some other early resident of old Kent.
The Still Pond M. E. Church is probably the oldest continuously organized Methodist Society on the Del-Marvia Peninsula. The original edifice of which the present is the successor Avas erected some time during the Revolutionary War. Bishop As- bury, the pioneer organizer of Methodism, estab- lished a preaching place here in 1772. The present pastor is Ransom P. Nichols. The trustees are: F. H. Cornelius, A. J. Hackett, S. G. Rosebery, C. P. Norris, R. D. Moore, F. B. Harper, L. A. Ford, J. T. Baxter, R. G. Warren, J. N. Bennett, W. L. Ford, J. W. Clark, W. H. Fogwell.
The name of the town — Still Pond — where this church is located, takes its name from "Still Pond Creek," whose name is ascribed to a very deep pond at its source which is said to have never been frozen
I. U. CHURCH. NEAR CATT'S CORNER. IN WORTON.
94 History of Kent County, Maryland
over. This tradition may be taken for what it is worth, but in the laud records of early times, as well as on the map of Maryland in 1673 by the famous Augustine Herman, of Bohemia, the name of this creek is spelled ''Steelpone" Creek.
The First Church in Worton.
Prior to 1825, as far as we can learn, there was no established place of worship in Worton. On August 5 an acre of land was purchased from William Tay- lor and wife for the sum of |50, on which to erect a church for the Protestant Episcopal denomination. The church was called ''Parson Handv's Church," in honor of Rev. G. D. S. Handy, a Protestant Epis- copal clergyman, who lived in the commuuit}^ and who was its first, and, as far as known, its only rector. This church afterwards became St. James'. The records show that on June 21, 1832, St. James' Church and lot were deeded to the Methodist Protestants on the payment of the sum of five dol- lars. The trustees at this time were Francis Lamb, Emory Edwards, Joseph Kennard, William Copper and David Arthur. There were but few members and a small congregation. Eev. J. J. Murray, who was sent as an assistant to Rev. Isaac Webster, savs : ''Kent Circuit then embraced Chestertown, Welsch's Chapel School House, above Urieville, Quaker Neck and Wesley Chapel. St. James' at that day was one of the least hopeful of our appointments. I cannot recall the name of one male member who belonged to the class. My first visit to St. James' was on Sat- urday in April or early in May. The country, as I
History of Kent County, Maryland 95
drove out in my sulky from Chestertown, seemed poor and neglected. Fields without fences, over- grown with sedge, dwarf pines, cedars and weeds, and other indications of land overworked and left in a state of nature appeared where the pleasing evi- dences of culture, thrift and comfort are now seen. The congregations were small."
In the midst of wheat harvest Dr. Murray held a revival, which resulted in a number of conversions and additions to the church. This marked a new era in its history. St. James' became a live, aggres- sive church, and has remained so to the present day.
In 1853 Dr. Murray returned to Kent Circuit as superintendent, and during the second year of his pastorate purposed the erection of a new church. The response on the part of the people was so prompt and encouraging that work was begun at once. Winter came and found the building unfin- ished. The following spring Dr. Murray was suc- ceeded by Eev. John Koberts, under whose pastorate the church was completed and dedicated. The building committee was Messrs. John Gale, Isaac Parsons, William Vannort, Robert Nicholson and John T. Skirven. The contractors were George R. Reed and Hyland P. Smith. The dedicatory serv- ice was preached by Rev. John S. Reese. The present pastor is Rev. H. B. Jester. Samuel Vannort is the oldest living member, his name having been enrolled in October, 1856. He was the superintendent of the Sunday School for many years. The present super- intendent is Robert G. Nicholson.
96 History of Kent County, Maryland
The Presbyterian Church in Kent.
Dr. W. S. Maxwell says: "The Georgetown and Old JBrick (near E. B. Pennington's, Sr.) Presby- terian Churches were built in Colonial days. As Upper Kent was a part of Cecil County at that time the records are no doubt at Elkton. Those churches owned a lot in Chestertown, afterward used as a burjing ground b}^ colored people. It was on the road leading out to the Dr. Anderson prop- erty. The Old Brick was used by the Methodist Protestants some time preyious to 1860, when Key. William Megee became pastor and they had a good congregation for a number of years. The church was torn down and material used in erecting the present Presbyterian church in Kennedyyille, Ayhich was dedicated in 1875. Georgetown Church was built in 1872.
The Methodist Episcopal Church.
Fifteen years after the Christmas conference, in 1784, the Methodists of Kent, who had increased wonderfully in numbers and influence, especially in Chestertown and the region round about, resolyed to construct a house of worship in Chestertown. In endeayoring to secure a grant of land on the public square in a day before this stone of Methodism, which the builders rejected, had become the head of the corner, great opposition was manifested by the established church against the project. It was only by calling up the bill in a night session, when many of its opposers were absent, that its passage was
History of Kent County, Maryland 97
secured. Tlie enemies of the new church endeavored to avenge themselves when in a majority on a com- mittee to apportion tlie ground. The smallest al- lotment possible was made on the western part of the public square, where was erected the first Metho- dist Church in Chestertown. The building stands yet, opposite the Voshell House, owned by Harry Thomas, son of Dr. Sjuiiuel W. Thomas, and occu- pied by the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Co., fraternal orders, John D. IJrie, Esq., and Dr. Hughes.
Within these historic walls the voice of the great apostle of Methodism, the tireless Asbury, first Bishop of the Church, had been heard, as well as scores of the illustrious fathers of the church. Chestertown then became the center of the great Kei^t Circuit, and manv noted events in the church's history occurred here. But amid all the church grew in numbers and power. A parsonage was built and a strong organization formed. In 1868 the church in Chestertown felt that its welfare would be en- hanced by being made a station, and it was set off from the old Kent Circuit, of Avhich it was the head. The interest of the circuit in the parsonage was bought for |2,000, and all arrangements in the separation were amicable and satisfactory to all concerned.
About 1870 the need of a new church edifice was realized and preparations for building made. The late Thomas W. Eliason, Sr., who had been a pillar of the church for vears, was chairman of the build
f 7
ing committee.
98 History of Kent County, Maryland
Miss T. Bradshaw, a faithful member of the church, bequeathed a legacy of |8,000 toward the construction of the church, which was the nucleus of the building fund. 'Squire John N. Usilton, a prominent Methodist, since deceased, contributed the present beautiful site, and the present church edifice was soon completed, at a cost of about 120,000. It was dedicated to the worship of Al- mighty God, free of debt, in 1877, and in 1878 the Wilmington Conference convened in the new edifice. A few years ago a pipe organ was erected and dedi- cated at a cost of about |2,000.
The present pastor is T. F. Beauchamp, having been sent here at the conference of 1916, succeeding Dr. L. E. Barrett, who served as pastor seven years. The M. E. parsonage was deeded to Benjamin Price, Edw. Einggold, Thomas Stevens, Thomas Baker, A. M. Merritt, Nathaniel Wiley and William Hayne, trustees, by James Mansfield, on March 9, 1844, and included the whole lot through to Cross street. In November, 1868, this parsonage was deeded to the church for |2,000.
This building was torn down in the spring of 1916, and at this writing a new brick structure is under contract — Walter T. Pippin, contractor and builder. It will cost about |5,000.
The Board of Stewards are: Joel E. Clements, W. B. Copper, I. R. Leaverton, J. C. Davis, J. T. An- thony, M. A. Toulson, M. E. Newsome, C. H. Jeffer- son, W. C. Peregoy, Thomas S. Bordley, Charles S. Hill, J. B. Mclntyre, Prof. Mark Creasy, George R. Rouse. Trustees: T. W. Eliason, Prest., James
History of Kent County, Maryland 99
Brice, H. H. Klinefelter, M. A. Toulson, John 0. Davis, H. E. Perkins, Prof. J. L. Smyth.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Father Villager was the first Catholic priest to visit Chestertown. He would write notices and the members would meet him at Mr. Thomas P. Dixon's, near town. As the congregation grew a larger place of meeting became necessary, and Miss Josie Re- Due's schoolroom was utilized. For about twenty- five years Father Villager served the people, being succeeded bv Father Henche, who made occasional visits. Then in 1871 came Father Bradford, who bought the present church property from Miss Lizzie Voss, for |2,800. The old brick house was torn away and the present church edifice erected, costing |9,000. Mr. Samuel L. Usilton's property was pur- chased for a parsonage at a cost of $1,600, and today a fine rectory, costing |5,000, is the home of Father Urner, the present pastor. This is one of the finest church properties on the Shore.
Christ Methodist Protestant Church.
The first movement toward the organization of the M. P. Church in Chestertown was inaugurated July 13, 1827, at which eTohn Constable presided and James Harris acted as secretarv. In 1829 this or- ganization of sixteen persons erected its first church here, under the pastorate of Dr. John S. Reese. This old whitewashed brick church was built off the main street, in a quiet location. In 1859, during Dr.
1fidPR|:^A
100 History of Kent County, Maryland
Daniel W. Bates' ministry, the old white building was torn down and a new one erected of a more modern character. The building was dedicated on January 30, 1859. Rev. Dr. John J. Murray preached the morning sermon and a big revival followed. In 1878, during the pastorate of Rev. S. A. Hoblitzell, the building was thoroughly repaired, and, with a small frame chapel adjoining (now Hicks' black- smith shop), first built on Queen street and then re- moved to Cross street, the church was well equipped. In 1887 a lot on High street w^as bought for |3,150, and a meeting held to raise money for a new church. Rev. W. R. Graham was pastor. A building com- mittee, composed of the following gentlemen, was appointed: J. K. Aldridge, J. W. Chapman, J. W. Lambert, W. B. Usilton, T. R. Hubbard, W. J. Van- nort, T. W. Russell, S. F. Smith, J. Harr^^ Simpers and William Archibald, Jr. The result of this com- mittee's work is before the Avorld, the total cost of the improvement being |28,517.55. Milton Baker was the contractor and builder, and for years has been sexton of the church, caring for it like a mother would her child. The bell was given by the "Little Folks," and cost |350. The big pipe organ was given by the "Young People's Association," and cost |2,500. The twelve windows in the audience room are beautiful memorials of jeweled cathedral glass. These windows are in memory of M. Amanda Chap- man, Marceline A. Chapman, Emeline E. Frazier, Ann Rebecca Wickes, Elizabeth Walker, Milicent Arthur, Katie Plummer, Daniel Collins, John T. Dodd, Capt. Richard Baker, John Constable, Wil- liam Vannort, C. D. Vannort, David Arthur, Wil-
History of Kent County, Maryland 101
liam Bacchus. The central front window is a me- morial to the late Senator George Vickers; another, ''Our Dead" ; another in honor of Superintendent William B. Usilton, and one in the pulpit for the pastor. Dr. W. E. Graham. Rev. J. M. Gill was pastor here in 1896, succeeded by Dr. D. L. Green-
"r^^C^ P^-, TT
4."
IE OLD PUBLIC SCHOOL AND M. P. CHURCH. NOW ENTERPRISE OFFICE,
CROSS STREET, CHESTERTOWN.
field in 1901; then came Dr. F. T. Little in 1907, and Dr. Graham returned in 1913, followed bv the present pastor, Eev. J. L. Ward. An elegant par- sonage was erected on the site of the old house, corner of Queen street and Maple avenue, in 1896, by W. S. and A. M. Gulp, at a cost of |3,800. The stewards of the church are : Lewin S. Fowler, J. W. Lambert, C. S. Smith, Charles L. Dodd, J. W. Chap- man, W. W. Hubbard, James W. Crouch, William A. Wheatley, J. D. Bacchus, Fred G. Usilton, A. M. Gulp, Robert Huey, Charles N. Satterfield, William
102 History of Kent County, Maryland
A. Burke, J. F. Wheatley, William B. Usilton, Jr., Walter U. Lusby, Ralph Barnett, J. W. Russell, Wil- liam Yansant, T. D. Bowers, C. C. Jones.
The M. P. Conference met here in 1838, 1857, 1871, and in April, 1890, presided over by Isaac Webster, William Collier, D. E. Reese and W. M. Strayer, re- spectively. An interesting fact in connection with the large Sunday School of this church is the super- intendency of the late William B. Usilton, who served for more than forty years. His son, Fred G., was elected to succeed him in 1910.
Colored Methodist Churches.
The pride shown by the colored people in having worthy places in Kent in which to worship is strik- ingly presented in Chestertown. Janes M. E. Church, located on Cross street, built in 1915, cost over 112,000, while the A. M. E. Church, built on College street, cost about |10,000. Both are of brick and well equipped. These buildings replaced frame structures erected in the early fifties.
First Sunday School in Chestertown.
A female Sunday School was organized in 1816, with twenty-seven scholars. It was the first Sun- day School in the town, its church connection not being ascertained.
History of Kent County, Maryland 103
CHAPTER XII.
ScJiools, Puhlic and Private — Founding of Washing- ton College.
The Hon. James Alfred Pearce, former Judge oL' the Court of Appeals, has always felt a warm in-
GRAMMAR SCHOOL, CHESTERTOWN.
terest in the cause of education. After leaving Princeton he was a tutor at Washington College, and for more than thirty years secretary of its Board of Visitors, and now President, succeeding Hon. Jos. A. Wickes. For twelve years, from 1879 to 1890, he
104 History of Kent County, Maryland
was a member of the School Board for Kent County, serving with Sewell Hepburn the elder, and Cor- nelius J. Scott, and later w^ith Richard W. Jones. In "looking back" at the School History of Kent, and more especially of Chestertown, he says : ''If any records were kept by the authorities in the early daj-s of Kent County, none have been pre- served, and the onl}^ available source of information is personal recollection and tradition. My own earliest distinct recollection of the Primarv School, as it was then called in Chestertown, dates back to about 1852. It was kept in an old two-story brick dwelling standing on the site of Davis & Satterfield's present establishment. It was dilapidated and for- lorn beyond description, both in itself and its im- mediate surroundings. The teacher, for there was but one, was Squire James Graves, a former sea cap- tain, whose qualifications, though limited, I am sure were all that his salary could justly demand. I was never a pupil there, but tradition says his discipline was strict and severe, and this was a period when it was commonly held that the rod was the most efficient means of lifting the veil of ignorance, by which was meant the learning to read, write and cipher, with a little geography. There was no pre- tense of systematic grading and little attempt at classification. The schools in each county were gov- erned by local laws. In Kent County there were five trustees elected for each school district by the white miale taxables of the district, and these trus- tees directed the methods of instruction, employed and discharged the teachers.
CHESTERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL— 1915.
EDESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
106 History of Kent County, Maryland
a"
•I am informed by one of the older citizens of the town that he was a pupil under three teachers in this school before Captain Graves, viz., William S. Greenwood, Simon Wickes and Jacob Brown, all of which taught in the house which stood where the house now occupied by Clifton L. Jarrell stands, but my own recollection begins with Captain Graves. After a number of years he was followed by Charles T. Ireland. Next came James M. Vickers, and after him in succession, as principals with one or more assistants. Professors Hanna, Montgomery, J. W. Russell, McBeth, McQuay, Long, William M. Slay, Vickers again, Peterson, McNeil, Fallowfield, Ebaugh, Topping, Smyth and Creasy.
"The old system I have mentioned continued until the Act of 1865, creating a uniform system of edu- cation throughout the State, out of which has come the present law, under which great advances w^re made in methods of instruction, in numbers and qualifications of teachers, and in buildings and equipment. But some of the teachers in the old schoolhouse were men of sterling qualities, from which some of our best citizens received their only schooling. Indeed, it should be remembered that some of the most distinguished instructors of the country were teachers in these early schools, notably Professor Simon Newcomb, of Harvard University, the great mathematician and astronomer, who, in 1853 and 1854, was the teacher of the primary school at Massey, in this county.
"About 1867 Jesse K. Hines and I, with another whose name now escapes me, were the district trus- tees, and under our direction the long one-story
History of Kent County, Maryland 107
brick building containing three rooms was erected by John T. Dodd on the site of the old house; a great improvement on the latter, but wholly inade- quate both in plan and accommodations. A few years later a large two-story frame addition was
ROCK HALL HIGH SCHOOL— 1915.
made to the north end of the brick building, and later still, the Methodist Protestant Church, now the home of the Enterprise^ was bought and added to the ill assorted group of buildings.
"In 1901 the elegant Grammar School was erected by A. M. Culp on the Vickers-Hurtt lot on High street, at a cost of |15,000. The Commission com- prised Wilbur Eliason, J. W. Lambert, William B. Usilton, J. K. Aldridge and M. A. Toulson.
108 History of Kent County, Maryland
"In 1915 the new High School was erected on Washington Avenue at a cost of |3,700 for lot and 116,800 for building. A. M. Gulp was the contractor and builder. The building committee was Messrs. Curtis E. Crane, Thomas G. Wroth, Eben F. Perkins, Professor J. L. Smyth and Charles S. Smith.
HOME OF HON. W. W. BECK, FORMERLY USED AS A SCHOOL.
"The history of the school since the Act of 1865, and especially from the time of Thomas B. Long, has been a steady progress upw^ard. It is a far cry from the meagre, shabby quarters in which James Graves and his little flock toiled and struggled with each other more than sixty years ago, to the ample and well-equipped institutions."
The present Superintendent is Professor Jefferson L. Smyth. Professor Mark Creasy is the Principal of the High School, with these assistants: Misses
History op Kent County, Maryland 109
Nettie Gooding, Mamie Carroll, Barbara Willis, Susie Roberts ; Miss Nellie Waters, Principal Com- mercial Department; Miss Annie Copper, Domestic Science; Professor Owen C. Blades, Manual Train- ing. Miss Fannie Stuart is Principal of the Gram- mar School, with these assistants : Misses Barbara Anthony, Edith Harley, Rose Duyer, Emma H. Davis, Louisa Urie and Ida Smith.
Large, modern, well equipped buildings were erected in 1915 at Betterton, Millington, Kennedy- ville and Rock Hall. The building committees were : Betterton — Jefferson L. Smyth, Arthur H. Brice, Howard F. Owens, W. Clarence Crew and Harry Willis. Millington — J. L. Smyth, John P. Ahern, Joseph Mallalieu, Charles M. Hurtt, R. E. Fedde- man. Kennedyville — J. L. Smyth, William S. Hur- lock, Harry J. Hill, Edgar R. Pennington, and John Medders. Rock Hall — C. Frank Wheatley, Marion T. Miller, J. L. Smyth, James A. Casey and T. B. Durding.
Provision was made in 1916 for building a new school at Galena ; committee — Dr. E. A. Scott, Samuel G. Caldwell, Ervin L. Dempsey, John Quinn and J. L. Smith. Also one at Fairlee; committee — William G. Smyth, T. H. Morris Bram- ble, Dr. Frank Smith, Harry C. Willis, J. L. Smyth. A colored school in Chestertown Avas also provided for.
In 1853 the residence now occupied by Ex-Senator William) W. Beck on Water street was occupied by Mr. Bassford as a seminary. This school gave yearly concerts in the courthouse, and some of the prominent families of the town attended this school.
110 History of Kent County, Maryland
In the house now occupied by J. Waters Kussell, Miss Mollie Usilton conducted a private school.
The house formerly occupied by the "Brick House Club/' on Princess street, was for many years used as a private school house, and w^as taught by Miss Lottie Spencer, now Dr. S. C. Koberts' widow.
Miss Josie KeDue for many years conducted one of the largest private schools in town, both for music and other studies, next to the custom house on Water street.
Founding of Washington College.
Washington College, the oldest in the State, was established by Act of Legislature in 1782, as part of the proposed University of Maryland. George Washington, then in camp at Newburg, consented that his name should be given to the infant institu- tion, contributed to its endowment, and visited it in 1784. (The amount contributed by Washington was 1283.33.) On this occasion the students played the tradegy of Gustavus Vasa, in which reference was made to him as the Gustavus of America. He placed at this time his name on the records of the Board of Visitors and Governors, of which he was a member.
The college was based on a flourishing academy, with one hundred and forty scholars, under the Eev. Dr. Smith and his assistants, into which the Free School of Chestertown, established as far back as 1783, had previously been merged. The in- fant college was organized with all its functions immediately on the receipt of its charter in 1782.
History of Kent County, Maryland 111
It held its first commencement with six graduates in May, 1783, when addresses were delivered in Latin and French.
The original extensive structure, 160 feet in length, whose corner stone was laid by Governor
WASHINGTON COLLEGE, CHESTERTOWN, MD.
Paca in 1783, was burned to the ground in 1827. The exercises of the college were continued in Ches- tertown until 1811:, when the central building of the present group was erected upon the old site. The corner stone was laid by Hon. E. F. Chambers. No degrees were conferred from 1827 to 1849, as the institution was at a low ebb, the appropriation from the State having been at times Avithdrawn, or reduced to an inconsiderable amount. It was only
112 History of Kent County, Maryland
by the persistent efforts of the Board of Visitors and Governors that its existence was maintained.
In 1854 two brick buildings were erected, one on each side of the main structure. The college steadily increased in numbers from 1844 until the breaking out of the Civil War.
In 1890 two residences were built for the prin- cipal and vice-principal.
Iti 1892 through the liberality of the citizens of Chester-town, a gymnasium was erected on the col- lege grounds.
In 1896 the Legislature authorized the establish- ment of a Normal Department for ladies, and gave |5,000 towards its erection. A lot was purchased of Mr. John Bell and a commodious building occu- pied by lady students, but at the request of the Visi- tors and Governors, the Legislature of 1910 repealed the api^ropriation for scholarships in the Normal Department and appropriated a like amount for scholarships for male students in the college. By this Act the college reverted to its original position, as a place for a "liberal education in the arts and sciences."
William Smith Hall, so named for the first presi- dent of the college, was erected in 1906 at a cost of 171,000. This building was used as an admini- stration building. It was an imposing and hand- some structure, but it was destroved bv fire earlv Sunday morning, January 16, 1916. A new building is being erected on the site of this burned structure to take its place. A |50,000 gymnasium was com- pleted in 1912. A tract of about five acres of land on College avenue opposite the campus was bought
History of Kent County, Maryland 113
and fitted up as an athletic ground in 1906 and is now known as Wasliington field. The James White property on the w^estern corner of the campus was purchased in 1915 from Fred. G. Usilton for |3,200 and is now a part of the campus. No more beauti- ful or healthful situation for a college can be found. At all times it has clung to high ideals of scholar- ship and of character, yielding to the State and the Nation a rich return in the training of young men for good citizenship. The present faculty com- prises James William Cain, President; James Roy Micou, Vice-President; Edward J. Clarke, Secre- tary; J. S. William Jones, Recorder; A. Sager Hall, Professor of Physical Sciences ; Charles Louis Townsend, Professor of German and French ; Mar- ten Ten Hoor, Professor of Philosophy and Educa- tion ; Julio Del Toro, Instructor in Spanish, Mathe- matics and Science; J. Thomas Kibler, Director of Physical Training.
the original college building.
114 History of Kent County, Maryland
CHAPTER XIII.
Records of the First Sail Vessel and Early Steam- hoating on the Chester River — An Enterprising GomjKiny — The First Railroad^ Its Cost, Oivner- ship, etc.
In November, 1825, M. Tilghman advertises the schooner 'Two Brothers" to carry letters, packages, grain, etc., to Baltimore. He also ran the schooner "Independence" from Travilla.
February 24, 1826, the fast-sailing, copper-bottom sloop, "General LaFayette," Robert Constable, mas- ter, left Chestertown on Wednesdavs at 9 A. M. and Baltimore on Saturdays. "With a good wind can make the trip in live and one-half to seven hours."
The first notice of steamboats is in March, 1827, when the steamer "Maryland" is advertised as leav- ing Baltimore on Monday at 5 A. M. and arriving in Chestertown at 12 M., stopping at Queenstown ; fare, |1.50 each way. "Lender no inducements shall more steam be employed than is necessary for her ordinary voyages." Lemuel G. Taylor was the com- mander of the steamer.
Then came the "Patuxent," Captain Weems. Sail vessels advertise a trip for |1.50, and meals; colored passengers, |1 and found.
The steamer "Cambridge" was put on in 1849, and competed with the "Maryland," Captain J. R. Griffith. The "Osiris" was put on in September, and left Baltimore every Wednesday and Saturday, returning the same day. The "Hugh Jenkins" was
History of Kent County, Maryland 115
put on in April, 1851, and charged fl.OO for the round trip. The Eastern Shore Steamboat Com- pany, in 1852, gave Chestertown a boat as far up as Crumpton thrice a week. The "Wm. Selden," Cap- tain John D. Turner, was put on in the summer of 1852. The "Cecil" also ran here; Corsica and Kent Island Avere the only wharves below here. The steamer "Arrow" Avas put on in November, 18G0, Capt. E. S. L. Young. The steamer "Balloon," of the Eastern Shore Line, was put on in 1860.
The steamer "Chester" arrived in April, 1861. Captain Young, of the "Arrow," took command, and B. S. Ford, then clerk of the "Arrow," took Captain Young's place. H. B. Slaughter was proprietor of this line. The "Chester" and "Arrow" ran alter- nately, making a daily line from this town.
Thompson's wharf was built in 1856-7 by Capt. James Frizby Taylor. Kuth & Emory bought out Hiram Brown in 1854, and Taylor bought from Ruth & Emory, and the Chester River Company now holds all.
The late Col. B. S. Ford, who had served with the late Capt. E. S. L. Young in several capacities of purser and captain in Slaughter's line, about this time (1865) conceived the idea of forming a com- pany, and with the valuable assistance of Capt. E. S. L. Young, who was well acquainted with the representative men of that time, procured a charter from the Maryland Legislature for the corporation known as the Chester River Steamboat Company. This company purchased the steamers "Chester" and "George LaAV," of the estate of H. B. Slaughter, and organized for business by electing B. S. Ford
116 History of Kent County, Maryland
its president and general manager; the duties of which office he ably fulfilled through the struggling period of the young corporation's existence, until the foundation was laid strong and deep for the great success it has since achieved.
"RINGGOLD'S FORTUNE," 1762, NEAR ST. PAUL'S, OWNED BY MRS. CAROLENE HYNSON AND TENANTED BY MR. CHARLES M. BROWNE.
Well does the writer remember the initial trip of the ''B. S. Ford." It having been well advertised that she would come from Baltimore in charge of her first commander, Capt. P. C. McConnor, on the 3rd, and take an excursion to Baltimore on the 4th of July, 1877; the Avharves on the route were
History of Kent County, Maryland 117
crowded on the Nation's holiday to greet this Queen of the Chester b}' an immense throng of people from all sections of the surrounding country; many to embark and many to admire her symmetrical beauty. This event was hailed as a new era of comfort to the traveling public and a marked advance in the busi- ness of the company. Alas ! scarcely more than two years of the bright new era had passed away when the whole State was startled and many homes sad- dened by the news of the death of Col. B. S. Ford at Ocean City, July 28, 1879.
On Saturday night. May 5, 1881, the B. S. Ford was burned at her wharf in Chestertown. She had been off the line for several w^eeks for repairs, w^hich had cost about |2,000. The Ford was insured for $41,000, and cost when new |75,000. She was after- wards rebuilt, and made her first trip to Chester- town on Saturday, May 7, 1887, with Capt. John A. Clark in command.
The elevation of Mr. George Warfield, of Bal- timore city, to the presidency caused no surprise. This gentleman had great experience in business far remote from transportation, but like a good mariner took bearings before venturing too far, and devoted his time and talents to acquiring the experience re- quired for his ncAV duties, and rapid progress he made in that direction. By a wonderful develop- ment of its interests, he proved the wisdom of his election to the management of the company's affairs. Under Mr. Warfield's administration the steamers Corisca and Emma A. Ford were built and the Gratitude purchased, which, with the B. S. Ford,
comprised the fleet. Capt. P. C. McConnor, Mate W.
118 History of Kent County, Maryland
S. Taylor and Capt. Jack Anthony with Capt. Wil- liam M. Vandike for many j-ears were in charge of the fleet. The Chester Elver Company with all its boats and tine wharf property were sold to the
scene along the banks of the chester— oysterman's ark.
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, since which time it has been known as the Maryland, Delaware & Virginia Steamboat Company.
Much wharf property has been added to the hold- ings of the company and piers and warehouses built that are not surpassed by any on the Chesapeake Bay or tributaries. This rich section of the East- ern Shore is highly favored in transportation and
History of Kent County, Maryland 119
mail facilities, and we indulge the hope that the great West may yet find an outlet to the sea through this peninsula.
Several times in its history has the company had to contend with opposition, but they generally managed to get them out of the way before they grew formidable.
On Friday, April 24, 1868, a contract was entered into for the construction of a railroad from near Masseys, by way of Kennedyville, to Chestertown, Bel Air, Eees' Corner, to the terminus on Swan Creek, 32.09 miles; also wharf at Chestertown. The entire work to be completed for |548,000, of which 1169,332 was to be paid in cash, |98,640 in Kent^ County bonds at par, and the balance in the bonds of the company at par. The names mentioned as contractors were A. F. Sears, Peter Sanford, Rod- man Backus, of Newark, N. J.
Cost.
Masseys to Kennedyville $155,272.98
Kennedyville to Worton 95,218.31
Worton to Chestertown 64,003.34
Chestertown to near Fairlee 80,007.(55
Bel Air to Battershell Hill 48,383.89
To Deep Landing (Rock Hall) 105,118.83
Total . $548,000.00
On Friday, January 10, 1869, it was decided to build a railroad on ""the ridge," and on May 15 the following directors were elected : Hon. George Vickers, T. W. Eliason, Isaac Parsons, J. B. Fenni- more, W. B. Wilmer, William Janvier, Abel J. Bees, Thomas J. Shallcross, and officered thus : President, T. W. Eliason ; treasurer, Richard Hynson ; secre-
120 History of Kent County, Maryland
tary, Charles T. Westcott. Bishop & Ferguson con- tracted to carry the U. S. mail between M/iddletown and ChestertoAvn in a two-horse stage coach. On Jnly 23, 1870, the Kent County Eailroad was em-
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OLD COMEGYS home ON "COMEGYS BIGHT"- OWNED BY H. M. BAKER— 1768.
ployed to bring the mail as far asi Kennedyville, and from thence by stage. By this route the Balti- more mail arrived in Chestertown at 3 P. M. in- stead of 6. In August, 1870, the road had reached Worton, and grading to town was begun, Mr. Jack- son contractor. Mr. Eliason resigned the presi- dency after a short service. J. K. Hines resigned as superintendent, and Mr. Owens, of Queen Anne's,
History of Kent County, Maryland 121
was appointed. A stage ran from Hall's Hotel daily at 6 A. M. ; retiiruiug-, would leave Worton at 1.3U P. M., and the fare to Philadelphia was |3.30. In April, 1871, the Board of Public Works appointed the following directors : Abel J. Eees, Kobt. Nichol- son, William S. Walker. A dispute arose, and the road was not accepted until a year later. On Tues- day, February 20, 1872, the first train arrived at Chestertown. On Sunday, March 3, 1872, the train was caught in a snow drift, and the Queen Anne's engine had to come and get our train out. In 1871 a big strike occurred, and the mail to Worton was carried to Worton on a hand car. On July 10, 1871, the road was leased to M. W. Serat, president of the company. In 1877 the road was sold at public sale at the Yoshell House to Jay Gould, through J. F. Bingham, Esq., for .f33,000 and other considerations. Col. Fred Gerker leased from Gould, it is said, for |1 a year, and B. F. Fleming was made manager. Gerker gave it up on April 1, 1889, but previous to this he was offered the road for |275,000. He re- fused, but E. P. Thielens, of New Jersey, bought it at 1375,000. The Jersey Central took |250,000, and gave Thielens the balance. The latter w^as to pay taxes and keep up the road with his one-third for two years, and then the Jersey Central would as- sume control. Col. E. P. Stacey was made superin- tendent. The present corps of men comprise: Con- ductor, J. D. Welch ; engineer, Horace Eeed. The train arrives here at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M., two trains per day besides a freight train running daily. Propositions looking to the extension of this road to the bav have been made, but at this time there
122 History of Kent County, Maryland
is but little prospect of the same being consum- mated. The road bed at one time was finished as far as Tolchester, but the company never placed a track there and the land is now in cultivation.
History of Kent County, Maryland 123
CHAPTER XIV.
Flourishing Financial Institutions and Their Officers — Banks and Loan Association — Kent County Mutual Fire Insurance Comimny.
The Farmers and Mechanics' Bank was incor- porated in October, 1849, with these directors: Geo. Vickers, George B. Westcott, James B. Ricaud, Richard Hynson, Hugh Wallis, William F. Smyth, D. C. Blackiston, Wesley Wiley, Daniel Collins, Thomas R. Browne, G. O. Trenchard; G. B. West- cott, president; S. W. Spencer, cashier. They started in the room occupied by C. H. Wickes, Esq., and a banking house was afterwards erected on the McClain lot. The statement in 1852 showed deposits of 115,037.37, and circulation |52,238.00 ; loans, |53- 891.25. The Kent National succeeded the Mechanics' and closed its career in 1885, under the management of the late George B. Westcott. It paid handsome dividends.
The Chestertown Bank of Maryland is the suc- cessor to the Chestertown National. The Board of Directors are William W. Beck, president; Samuel Vannort, vice-president; Allan A. Harris, cashier; Jesse E. Ireland, assistant cashier; E. S. Valliant; James W. Chapman, C. E. Crane, C. H. Price, James T. Dixon, Wm. B. Usilton, E. A. Scott, James E. Woodall, Jr., Merrick Clements, S. Scott Beck, Arthur L. Harris.
They established a branch bank at Galena a few years ago. The capital stock paid in is, |26,575.
124 History of Kent County, Maryland
The last statement in May, 1916, showed loans of 1199,095.75 ; deposits, |490,680.54 and a surplus sum of 145,000. The total amount of business was |610,- 105.89.
The Second National Bank was organized in June, 1890, and opened in the "Kent News Building." On February 3, 1891, the bank moved into its new building, which cost over |12,000. Its successor is the Third National. This bank is doing a big busi- ness and meeting the fullest expectations of its friends. During the past twelve months this bank paid nearly |23,000 to its savings depositors in in- terest. Its capital stock is |50,000; surplus fund, 130,000; total business, |879,789.90. The Board of Directors are James A. Pearce, Hope H. Barroll, Wilbur W. Hubbard, Adam F. Huey, D. Thomas Hurlock, T. B. Durding, L. Wethered Barroll, Geo. D. Lofland, Elmer E. Leary, Thomas D. Bowers, W. B. Copper. James A. Pearce, president; Hope H. Barroll, vice-president.
The Ivent County Savings Bank was organized in July, 1893, and located in the building opposite the "Kent News Building." September 1, 1901, they mloved into their magnificent new structure. The contract price was |11,992. Capital stock, |20,000 ; this was the first bank in Kent County to pay in- terest on deposits. They all pay 4% at this time, 1916. The last statement shows total business, 1537,829.93; surplus fund |40,000. The Directors are as follows: M. A. Toulson, president; Fred. G. Usilton, vice-president; William F. Eussell, cashier; Jefferson D. Bacchus, John D. Urie, James H. Baker, Philip G. Wilmer, Lewin W. Wickes, James
History of Kent County, MxVryland 125
A. Casey, James E. Hurlock, Charles S. Smith, Howard Turner, William F. Kussell.
The Kent Mutual Loan Association was formed in 18G9. It was succeeded by the Chester Loan Asso-
THE OLD MITCHELL HOME AT TOLCHESTER FARM, OWNED BY WALTER U. LUSBY AND TENANTED BY C. D. WOOD— 1825.
ciation in 1880. The Kent Building and Loan Com- pany is its successor. From |500 to |1,000 per week is paid in by the members ; par value per share |100 ; payments of 25 cents per share per week, and the stock matures in about six years and six months. The officers and directors are as follows : President, L. Bates Russell, Vice-President, Fred. G. Usilton;
126 History of Kent County, Maryland
Secretary and Treasurer, J. Waters Kussell; Coun- sellor, John D. Urie; Dr. H. Benge Simmons, Thos. S. Bordley, Charles S. Smith, William F. Russell, A. M. Culp, J. H. Sides, M. A. Toulson, Charles N. Satterfield. Its assets December 31, 1915, were 185,500.93.
The People's Bank was organized in 1911. Capi- tal stock 125,000; the last statement showed, sur- plus fund of 110,000 and total business, |273,772.62. Its Directors: Dr. H. B. Simmons, president; L. B. Russell, vice-president; A. Parks Rasin, William. M. Slay, Capt. Daniel Hill, William T. Brown, Wil- liam G. Snwth, Joseph DoAvney, John C. Davis, Howard F. Owens, R. Hynson Rogers. They have established a branch bank at Rock Hall, one at Massey and another at Betterton.
Another growing financial institution is the Mil- lington Bank of Maryland, located at Millington. The capital stock is |15,000 ; surplus fund, |5,000 ; total business |138,571.81, according to the state- ment. May, 1916. Its Directors are John P. Ahern, president; Isaac Gibbs, vice-president; R. W. Moffett, T. C. Roe, R. F. Powell, J. H. Wiest, Spen- cer Merrick, J. S. Newman, Joseph Mallalieu.
The Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Kent County is a successful financial corporation in Chestertown, and was chartered in 1847. It has saved to its policy holders at least |175,077.12 dur- ing the past fifty years of its existence. The Direc- tors are Thomas W. Eliason, president; George B. Westcott, secretary and treasurer; Samuel Vannort, James H. Baker, E. S. Yalliant, James A. Casey, Edward W. Emery, R. G. Nicholson, Jefferson D.
History of Kent County, Maryland 127
Bacchus, Harry C. Price, James T. Brown, Fred G. Usilton.
The Kent County Land Company was organized in 1911 and has a capital stock of |22,500, and has about 180,000 invested in land. The Directors are J. Waters Kussell, president; William S. Collins, Fred. G. Usilton, Alwyn M. Culp.
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History of Kent County, ^Iaryland 129
CHAPTER XV.
The First Military Organization — Music — Rendition of the Beautiful Cantata^ ''Queen Esther''' and "Rutn:'
In 1793-4 the first military company in Chester- town was organized, the ""Chester Hundred Light Infantry," Capt. William B. Rasin. He when seven- teen years old enlisted, and after the battle of Cam- den was made lieutenant. He was near Baron deKalb when he fell and fought in the Revolutionary War, dying at the age of 45 or 50.
In 1825 the ''Chester Republican Blues," "Chester Independent Company," and "LaFayette Artillery,-' celebrated the Fourth of July in Chestertown. The speakers were Col. Fred Wilson, Major Simon Wickes, Adjutant James Harris, Capt. Joseph Wickes, Capt. A. B. Hanson, Capt. Wm. S. Las- sell, Lieut. William Harris, Jr., Ensigns Benj. Greenwood, Jr., and George Vickers.
Next came the "Reed Rifles," with fifty members, organized in 1858, Capt. Eben F. Perkins; First Lieutenant, Robert Stam; Second Lieutenant, John N. McDaniel. In the News Ofiice there mav be found the silk flag carried by Philip Reed at Caulk's Field and presented to the Reed Rifles in 1857 by George Handy. It was the property of Milton Baker for some years. In August, 1858, Lieut. Robert Stam died very suddeuh^ while the company were on the way home from an excursion to Port Deposit. This company was called out several times to quell
130 History of Kent County, Maryland
disorder on the occasion of excursions from Balti- more, but was never ordered to battle. They dis- banded at the breaking out of the Civil War and many enlisted in the "Home Guards," which were encamped at Camp Vickers, near the mill. Colonel Massey, Capt. C. H. Wickes and Capt. William D. Burchinal each had companies. The "Chester Blues" were the rivals of the "Keed Kitles," Jesse K. Hines, captain ; William H. Hamiilton, first lieutenant.
In May, 1861, a company was formed with Hon. E. H. Chambers, captain; Jos. A. Wickes, first lieu- tenant; James A. Pearce, Jr., second lieutenant. A volunteer company was also formed with James A. Shaw, captain ; William B. Usilton and Thos. S. Dodd, lieutenants.
Capt. William I. Basin, who died Sunday, June 18, 191G, was born July 1, 1811, near Still Pond. He was the son of Macall Medford Basin, who served during three sessions of the legislature. In the spring of 1861, Captain Basin entered the southern army and though not then twentj^-one, he organized a cavalry company of which he was chosen captain. He was constantly engaged in the arduous duties of that branch of the service, and participated in many severe engagements. In one of these near Win- chester, Va., his horse was shot under him and he received a dangerous sabre wound in the head, but soon returned to his command. Bev. Dr. Bandolph H. McKim, of Gen. Jos. E. Johnston's staff, in his ^'Soldiers' Becollections," states that Captain Basin at the head of his company led the first charge at Appomattox. He says, "This was handsomely made by the First Maryland Cavalry under the following
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132 History of Kent County, Maryland
circumstances as related to me by Col. Cary Breck- enbridge, of the Second Virginia Cavalry. When the enemy in full charge was seen coming at them not one hundred yards distant, Capt. William I. Basin, commanding the first squadron and riding with Colonel Dorsey at the head of his regiment, said, 'Colonel, we must charge them, it is the only chance,' and as the words left his lips, Dorsey, who had perceived the necessity, gave the command, 'Draw sabre — gallop — charge!' And this little band of Marylanders hurled themselves against the heavy columjn and drove them back. This was the last blow struck by the army of Northern Virginia." And in this charge William C. Price, of Captain Rasin's Company, a native of Kent County, and a son of Ferdinand Price, was killed. Two other members of Company E from Kjent County were also killed in battle. Thos. H. Gemmill, near Win- chester, and John C. Spencer, at Greenland Gap, Virginia.
Six men from Kent County, but in other com- mands, were killed in battle. James Alfred Ken- nard and Samuel L. Kelley, at First Manassas; Henry C. Blackiston, at Bunker Hill, Va. ; Levi Perkins, near Winchester; Benjamin C. Vickers, at Shiloh, and James S. Price, son of Lewis Price, at Franklin, Tenn. Soon after the close of the war, Captain Rasin, with Col. Harry McCoy, formed a partnership as commission merchants in Baltimore under the firm name of McCoy & Rasin, in which they established a successful business which was continued a number of years, after which Captain Rasin purchased from the estate of Judge Cham-
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C. N. SATTERFIELD'S RESIDENCE— J. D. BACCHUS' OLD HOME ON CHESTER RIVER— THE ODD FELLOWS' HALL, CHESTER- TOWN— SNOW SCENE, HIGH STREET, CHESTERTOWN, 1899.
134 History of Kent County, Maryland
bers the bajside farm near Tol Chester, where he lived for some time. Later he became Deputy Col- lector of Internal Revenue, in Baltimore.
Chestertown out of a voting population of less than 200 furnished the first year of the Civil War G2 soldiers in the Union Army.
Many exciting incidents are told of that patriotic organization of soldiers, the ^'Eeed Rifles,'' for home protection. In the exciting scenes before the actual breaking out of the Civil War, and when our noble commonwealth Avas in the throes of uncertaintv as to whether her fortunes would be cast with the South or with the Union — when railroads were torn up and all travel between the nation's capital and the North interrupted and Chestertown saw the singular spectacle of strangers going through our streets or stopping over night on the wa^' from Bal- timore to northern cities — the State Legislature was in flight to Frederick — our chief city appalled by riot and blood-shed, and every flag of the Union hauled down throughout the State — one flag only remained flying and that was on the Reed Rifles' armory in Chestertown ! Every member of the com- pany rallied to its protection and though they loved the South tliiey would not allow the old flag to be lowered.
The old Town Hall, which stood in the center of the now beautiful town park, and was for so long the only hall and market house of the town, was built by the Reed Rifles and owned by them until the company disbanded.
Another great and memorable occasion was the presentation of a magnificent banner by the ladies
History op Kent County, Maryland 135
of Chestertowu. The presentation was made by Miss Wickes, daughter of Joseph Wickes, Esq., from the porch of the family residence on Main street — the same dwelling now owned and occupied by Mrs. Joseph Wickes. This old banner is now in the custody of Thos. S. Bordley, but it is greatly marred by the ravages of time.
There were ten of these soldiers surviving in 1916, among them being James W. Chapman, Mil- ton Baker, James W. Lambert, Alfred I. Benjamin, Freeman Fiddis, William W. Copper. There were sixty members in the original enrollment.
The "Kent Guards" was an offspring of the "Reed Rifles," and was organized in the fall of 1878, with H. W. Vickers as captain, succeeded afterwards by Thos. S. Bordley. This company had a number of target contests, parades and wonderful experiences. In 1880 J. S. Vandergrift won the cup for the best shot.
The first musical organization of which we have any record is the Chester Band, formed in 1850, and was led by Mr. John ReDue. Mr. C. T. Westcott was leader of the Kent Cornet Band for years, and was succeeded by Mr. John N. Orem. Two boy bands were in existence in 1884 and 1890, one led by Carle Westcott and the other by William F. Rus- sell. The "Worton Band" of four pieces is said to have been the most comical organization ever in town, having paraded here on Emancipation Day. The instruments were bass drum, trombone, cornet and bass horn.
In 1896 two orchestras were formed in the Methodist Sunday Schools, and they were a credit
136 History of Kent County, Maryland
to the schools and town. The M. E. Orchestra con- sisted of J. F. Thompson, L. B. Russell, Edw. Ring- gold, D. P. Jones, Miss Anna G. Lambert. M. P. Orchestra : A. M. Gulp, J. N. Dodd, W. H. McFeely, Robert Garey, Warren Hurlock, John Gannan ; Misses May Hurlock, organist, and Glare Vannort, pianist.
Ghestertown has some of the finest singers in the State and pianists that equal any other town on the Shore. Operas, cantatas and plays have been pre- sented by home talent that are hard to excel. Among the fine productions was the rendition of the oratorio of ''Queen Esther." The cast of characters of its rendition, in January, 1888, was as follows :
Queen Miss Hallie Beck
Queen's Attendants Misses Belle Aldridge, Lillie
Hynson Queen's Maids Misses Emma Gilpin, Edith
Hines Queen's Pages Misses Lucie Hines, Carrie
Reiche
Zeresh Miss Mollie Parks
Zeresh's Attendants Misses Clare Vannort, Allie
Shuster
Zeresh's Child "Ida" Miss Amye Russell
Prophetess Miss Anna Lambert
Mordecai's Sister Miss Mary R. Aldridge
Maid of Honor Miss Emma Lambert
Angel Miss Grace Turner
King W. Walter Chapman
King's Pages Harry Rickey, Lenox CatliD
Haman Prof. Edw. J. Clark
Mordecai M. Wilbur Thomas
High Priest William A. Biscoe
Hegai Thomas S. Dodd
Scribe Fred. G. Usilton
Herald and Harbonah Horace W. Beck
Charles S. Smith R. S. Thomas
Guards Harry Brice
Ellwood Baker
History of Kent County, Maryland 137
Pianist Mrs. Lulie Bacchus
Organist Miss Belle Pippin
Violinist L. B. Russell
DoJble Bass Viol Charles P. Hodgkin
Clarionet Edgar Ford
Cornetist I. L. Twilley
Director W. Harper McFeely
Since then the Chestertown Musical and Dra matic Association under the direction of William Walter Chapman has given ''Esther" in 1915 and "The Coming of Ruth" in 1916, with great success. Mr. Chapman was succeeded by Prof. Ten Hoor as leader and Miss Mabel Toulson as president.
138 History of Kent County, Maryland
CHAPTER XVI.
Kent in the War of 1812-14.
The weekly Register printed in Baltimore City in its issue of April 24, 1814, states that the Eng- lish had landed on Pool's Island, where they ei'sected a small battery to cut off trade in the upper bay. Under date of April 28, six hundred of the enemy landed in barges on Spesutia Island, nearly opposite the mouth of the Susquehanna River. At the time of the landing about one hundred persons (fishermen) on the island escaped to Hartford County. News was received from Kent that two persons suspected of having supplied the British with provisions, were arrested and sent to General Chambers, at ''Charles- town" (evidently Chestertown). On April 26th "The enemy's force, consisting of one 74, three fri- gates, two brigs, two schooners, and a number of tenders, are nowly off from Werton Point. They are on shore on Pool's Island every day, having got possession of it. On Saturday they made an at- tempt to land at the mouth of Still Pond, but were repulsed by the force collected on shore. ''On the morning of the 3rd of May, Havre de Grace was destroyed, but one house remiained uninjured. Stage coaches, together with the baggage of their passen- gers, were destroyed."
The following interesting extracts from a "letter from Kent" and "Georgetown X Roads" are given. The first extract says : "A ship of war passing down the bay last Tuesday, commenced a bombardment on
History of Kent County, Maryland 139
S. Wilmer's house (of j^oiir city), and after firing 15 shots at the house, 6 of which lodged in the wall, and two passed through the house; they also landed at a Mr. Medford's with extreme rudeness, robbed him of all his sheep, cattle, hogs, bacon and even setting poultry and escaped with their booty thus honorably obtained." The editor adds : ''We learn by another channel that after killing Mr. M.'s cattle, the militia came upon the British before they could carry them off." The letter from Georgetown said: ''The enemy landed at Mr. George Medford's, at Plum! Point, in Werton, and robbed his meat house, hen house and sheepfold; they even went into the kitchen, stole the kitchen furniture and took the negroes' weekly allowance of meat. The Maid- stone frigate lies so near Howell's Point that she has thrown some of her shot a mile into the country."
It is also stated that while trying to effect a land- ing in Fairlee Creek the British were attacked, and it is believed, lost several of their number.
These old papers give some interesting quota- tions of prices in 1813: Flour, |6 barrel; wheat, .fl.25 bushel; corn, .fO.GS bushel; molasses, |1.15 gal- lon ; pork, |21 barrel ; French brandy, |2.20 gallon ; rye whiskey, |1 gallon ; brown sugar, |26.50 cwt., salt, 11.25 bushel; shot, |19.50 cwt.; teas (Hyson), $1.95 lb. ; tobacco, |8 cwt.
The "free persons" given for Kent County in 1810 were given at 7,201 ; "white population," 11,450 ; quota of direct tax, |4,213.95.
140 History op Kent County, Maryland
CHAPTER XVII.
Four United States Senators Furnished Ity Kent Coimty — Tlieir Life History — Other Notaries.
It is seldom that a town the size of Chestertown is so ably represented in the legislation of our country as is the case with this towTi in Kent. It has had the honor of furnishing four United States Senators, all of whom were men of extraordinary ability.
Senator Philip Reed was born in Kent County about 1760, and died in 1829. He received an aca- demical education, and served as captain in the Revolutionary Armlf. Afterwards he was elected to the United States Senate in place of Robert Wright, resigned, and held the seat from 1806 to 1813. On his return home he commanded, as colonel of militia, the regiment of home guards that met and defeated at Caulk's Field, Md., August 30, 1814, a superior British force under Sir Peter Parker, who was killed in the engagement. Col. Reed was elected to the Fifteenth Congress, serving until the year 1823.
James Barroll Ricaud, jurist, born in Baltimore, Md., February 11, 1808; died in Chestertown, Janu- ary 26, 1866. He was educated at St. Mary's Col- lege, Baltimore, studied law, and on admission to the bar, entered into practice at Chestertown. He was a memSber of the House of Delegates in 1843 and succeeding sessions, and a presidental elector on the Harrison ticket in 1836, and on the Clay ticket in 1844. Hie was elected a member of Congress
History of Kent County, Maryland 141
by the American party for two successive terms;, serving until 1859. He subsequently sat in the State Senate, but resigned on being appointed a Judge of the Circuit Court, 1864.
Ezekiel Freeman Chambers was born in Klent County February 28, 1788, and died in Chestertown on January 30, 1867. He was graduated at Wash- ington College in 1805, studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1808. He performed military service in the war of 1812, and subsequently ob- tained the rank of Brigadier-General of Militia. Though elected in 1822 to the State Senate against his will, he took an active part in the legislation of that body, and in 1825 arranged a system for the more effectual recovery of slaves. In 1826 he was elected United States Senator from Maryland, and in 1832 re-elected. He distinguished himself as one of the ablest debaters and antagonists in that body. In 1834 he was appointed Chief Judge of the Second Judicial District and a Judge of the Court of Ap- peals, which places he held till 1857, when the Mary- land judiciary became elective. In 1850 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of the State. In 1852 President Fillmore offered him the post of Secretary of the Navy, on the resignation of Secretary Graham, but the condition of his health compelled him to decline. Yale conferred on him the degree of LL. D. in 1833, and Delaware in 1852.
James Alfred Pearce, born in Alexandria, Va., December 14, 1805; died in Chestertown, December 20, 1862. He was graduated at Princeton in 1822, studied law in Baltimore, and was admitted to the bar in 1824, after whicli he began to practice at Cambridge, Md. At the end of a year he went to Lou-
142 History of Kent County, Maryland
isiana ^yitll his father and engaged in sugar plant- in"' for three years. He then returned to Maryland and settled in Kent Count y, where he resumed the practice of his profession. He was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1831; in 1835 to Congress as a Democrat, and he seryed, except dur- ing one term in 183941, until 1843, when he was chosen to the United States Senate, where he re- mained until his death. During his long seryice i:i
HON. JAMES ALFRED PEARCE.
the Senate he was especially interested in the library of Congress, the Smiths cnian Institute and the Coast Suryey. President Fillmore offered him a seat on the bench of the United States District Court of Maryland, which he declined. During the same administration he was nominated and confirmed Secretary of the Interior, but this honor was also declined, on the ground that he could be of more use to his country in the Senate. He took a deep in- terest in educational matters, and in 1833 was elected one of the Visitors and Goyernors of Wash- ington College, in Ayhich institution he afterwards
History of Kent County, Maryland 143
lectured on law. Mr. Pearce was regarded as one of the wisest and safest members of the United States Senate. His son, Judge James A. Pearce, holds an enviable position among all our people.
Hon. George Vickers was born in Chestertown November 19, 1801, and died October 8, 1879. He
HON. GEORGE VICKERS.
acquired a classical education, was employed in the county clerk's office for several yeai^, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1832, and practiced in Chestertown. He was a delegate to the Whig Na- tional Convention of 1852. When the Civil War began he was appointed Major-General of the State militia. He was a presidental elector on the McClel Ian ticket in 1864, and one of the vice-presidents of the Union Convention of 1866. In 1866-7 he was a member of the State Senate. In 1868 he was elected United States Senator for the term that ended on March 3, 1873, in the place of Philip F. Thomas, who had been denied the seat.
144 History of Kent County, Maryland
It being imfjortant that the new Senator should reach Washington at the earliest period practicable, the ice-boat Chesapeake was dispatched from Bal- timbre on Friday evening, March 6, 1867, having on board the committee of the Legislature to bring Mr. Vickers to that city. The steamer reached here at 3 o'clock Saturday morning. Mr. Vickers was noti- fied of his election and he left at once, the boat breaking ice all the way to Baltimore, where a spe- cial car was in waiting to convey the party to Wash- ington. General Vickers was sworn in Monday and took an important part in the acquittal of President Andrew Johnson in the efforts of his enemies to impeach him. He took a conspicuous part in the debate on the Fifteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution also. His grandson, H. W. Vickers, Esq., is one of the most prominent members of the bar here.
Probably the first commander of the United States Navy was Ale^xander Murray, who was bora in the old Spencer house, Chestertown, in 1755, and died in Philadelphia in 1821. He was a relative of Mrs. Lottie Roberts, who has a well-preserved por- trait of him. In 1776 he was appointed a lieu- tenant in the Continental Navy, but there being no employment for him afloat, he served through the campaigns of 1776-7 as lieutenant and captain in the First Maryland Eegiment, participating in the bat- tles of Flatbush and White Plains. At the close of the campaign of 1777 he was given the command of a ship with a letter of marque, in which he was captured by the British squadron and carried into New York. After his exchange he served as lieu- tenant on the Trumbull, in the action with the Iris
T. W. ELIASOl^'S HISTORIC HOUSE— THE J. K. ALDRIDGE HOME— QUEEN STREET HOMES— FOUNDRY OR WILSON PEALE HOUSE,
146 History of Kent County, Maryland
and Gen. Monk, off the moutli of the Delaware. In 1798 he was made captain, and served in the West Indies in command of the Constellation. In 1802 he commanded the Constellation in the Mediterranean, and an attack which he made upon a flotilla of seven- teen gunboats was the first affair of the war with Tripoli. At his death he was in command of the Navy Yard at Philadelphia, and was senior officer of the navy.
Chestertown was the birth-place of Charles Wilson Peale, one of the greatest artists of his day, so says E. H. Butler's history. He was born in April, 1741. He was bv trade a saddler and received instruction in the art of painting from Hesselius, a German, to whom he gave a saddle for the privilege of seeing him paint. He was the first dentist in America who prepared sets of enamel teeth. He was a universal genius, making for himself a violin and a guitar. He went to London in 1770 and became a pupil of Ben- jamin West. Eeturning to America, he was the chief portrait painter in this country. He was a patriot and commanded a company in the battles of Trenton and Germantown. In 1785 he com- menced in Philadelphia the celebrated Peale's Museum, which for many years was the largest and most valuable collection of natural curiosities in the United States. Its principal attraction was an entire skeleton of a mammoth. He also established a museum in Baltimore. Mr. Peale died, after a a life of extraordinary exertion and temperance, in 1827, aged 85 years. His son Kenibrandt was an artist of great merit. Mr. Peale's father was a teacher in the old Free School at Chestertown.
History of Kent County, Maryland 147
CHAPTER XVIII.
Old Records Shoimug Transfers of Land in Kent.
Mr. Percy G. Skirven in his search, of historic iuformation among the records in the Court House in Baltimore City, contributes interesting facts. Among the transfers of land may be found : Col. Edward Carter, of upper Norfolk County, Virginia, released a "bill of sale'' he held on land belonging to his brother-in-law, Joseph Hopkins, February 28, 1667. This tract of land was known as "Buck Neck" and described as "lying in the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay and at the head of a creek in the bar called Worton Creek."
Four years afterwards, September 5, 1671, Daniel Silvane, of Baltimore County, gave a quit-claim deed to William Pearce, of the same county, for 150 acres of this tract. The record states the land "is lying and being in Chesapeake Bay, in Baltimore County, and on the eastern side of the bay in a creek called Worton Creek, being a part of a tract of land called 'Buck Neck,' formerly taken up by Joseph Hop- kins, which said 150 acres were purchased by me of William Pearce."
In March of the same year we find this one: ''To all Christian people : Know ye, that I, Charles Nicho- lett, minister of God's Word in the county of BaJ- timore, within the Proyince of Maryland, and Jus- tine, my wife, do, etc., sell to John James the tract of land known as 'Lynn,' lying and being in Chesapeake Bay and on the eastern side of said bay and in a
148 History of Kent County, Maryland
creek called Steelpone Creek, and on the north side of the said creek, containing 150 acres." This deed Avas dated March 5, 1671.
The following record is dated 1672 : Charles James to Thomas Middlefield, carpenter. 200 acres known
» 4.
5
THE OLD MARKET HOUSE. CHESTERTOWN, MD.
as ^'Little Drayton," described as "being in Balti- more County, in the eastern side of the Chesapeake Ba}^, and in a bay called Steelpone Bay, and in a creek in the said bay called Churne Creeke, and on the west side of the said creeke."
On March 1, 1672, a deed was recorded showing that Thomas How^ell sold to James Hepbourne 200
History of Kent County, Maryland 149
acres of land "lying in Chesapeake Bay on the eastern side of the said bay in the county afoi'esaid (Baltimore) and in a river, called Sassafras Elver and in a creek in the said river called Fishing (now Lloyd's) Creek and at the head of the said creek."
A little more than a year afterwards, August 2, 1673, William Salsbury, planter, and his wife Sarah, sold 200 acres of land called ''Tamworth" to William Morgan and William Welch, planters. This prop- erty, too, was ''in Chesapeake Bay on the eastern side of the said bay in the county of Baltimore in a creek within the said bay called Worton Creek." It adjoined the lands of Captain Cornwallis.
As late as June 3, 1674, just three days before Lord Baltimore sent to Nathaniel Stiles, the ''high Sheriff of Cecil County," his proclamation erecting the county of ''Cecil," a deed was recorded in the land records of Baltimore County showing that Thomas Ramsav sold 200 acres of land called ''Fare- all" to John West. This land is described as being in the Sassafras River in a creek called "Toulson's Creeke" and adjoining the lands of Andrew Toulson.
How Lord Baltimore Intended It.
These records do not prove conclusively that Bal- timore County's southern boundary on the Eastern Shore was as stated above, but from data bearing on the erection of the counties of Cecil, Talbot and Kent it is reasonably safe to say that a line drawn from Worton Creek to the Chester River in the vicinity of Chestertown and from thence with the Chester River to the eastern boundary of the province was
150 History of Kent County, Maryland
what Lord Baltimiore, with what limited knowl- edge he had of the geography of the country, in- tended should be the southern boundary. Baltimore County was probably erected in 1659, but the first record of any court held in that county shows that in 1661 court was held at the house of Capt. Thomas Howell, very probably on HowelPs Point.
Previous to the building of a courthouse on the Elk River an old building stood on the shore of what is now known as "Ordinary Point," a long narrow sand bar extending out into the Sassafras River from the north shore, just opposite to the mouth of Tur- ner's Creek. A well-authenticated description under date of 1679 of this old building, which, according to the story, was an ordinary house or inn and w^hich was also used as a courthouse, is to be found in the early historical records of the province. There are many facts to lead us to 1 elieve that this was one of the old courthouses of Baltimore Countv at least for part of the time that this county extended its borders across the Chesapeake.
Shrewsbury parish received its name from a town "laid out" on the south side of the Sassafras River, a little distance east of Turner's Creek. In Vol. 13, Page 26, of the Archives of Maryland, we find that on April 18, 1684, "upon motion of the delegates of Cecil County, a towne is ordered to be laid out at Meeting House Point, in Sassafras River, in the said county." About this time the Rt. Hon. Charles Tal- bot, Earl of Shrewsbury, was Principal Secretary of State in England and the newly "laid-out" town may have been so named in his honor. In the event that this was not the case, however, it may have taken its
History of Kent County, ^Farylaxd 151
name from a shire town, Slirewsbui-y, in England.
^'Meeting House Point," so called lor the first church or "meeting house," was an exceedingly ad- vantageous location considered from the point of
BEFO' DE WAR.
accessibility by water transportation. At this time — 1684 — there were few roads and almost all of the visiting and churchgoing, as well as the commercial traffic, was done by boats. Then, too, the ships trading between England and the Province had bold water at this point in the Sassafras and could anchor close to shore for loading and unloading their freight.
152 History of Kent County, Maryland
No records have been found as to how long Shrewsbury Town was used as a port of entry or Avhat the names of the streets were or who lived tliere. That Shrewsbury Town had been abandoned as a place ''where all ships and vessels trading into the province shall unload and put on shore all negroes, wares, goods, merchandise, and commodi- ties whatsoever" is borne out by the following sec- tion in the act of the Assembly of April 19, 1706, establishing such towns or ports.
''The towns, ports and places hereinafter men- tioned shall be ports, etc. : In Kent County ; in Chester River, on a plantation of Mr. Wilmore's and Edward Walvin's plantation (the present site of Chestertown) ; in Worton Creek, on a tract of land where Francis Barnes lives, formerly laid out for a towne, and in Sassafras River, where Shrewsbury Towne was." In a supplementary act to the one above passed by the Assembly on April 15, 1707, the following appears: "And that the place ap- pointed be also deserted and laid out where the com- missioners for towns in Kent County aforesaid have purchased land for the same."
There is no doubt the place that the above act has reference to is the present site of the pretty village of Georgetown, which lies on the south bank of the Sassafras River, some six miles to the east of where the old town of Shrewsbury was ''laid out." The act of assembly for laying out Georgetow^n was not passed until 1736, but there are many reasons to believe that it was "laid out" many years previous to that date.
History of Kent County, Maryland 153
The following partial extract of a record found among the land records of Kent County^ shows that this y^^as so at least three years prior to the act of assembly just mentioned : ''This indenture, made this nineteenth day of March, Anno Dom, One Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty and three, between Gideon Pearce, of Kent County, Mar} land, gentleman of the one part, and George Skirven, of the same place, gen- tleman of the other part, withnesseth, etc., all that parcel of land being two of the lotts of land in a designed towne as now laid out and called George Towne (lying now in Kent County, in Maryland, upon the Sassafras Riyer), w^hich two lotts are known and designed as No. 14 and No. 15 as by platt and certificate of the designed Towne lodged with the Surveyor of the said county. Also the use of Lott No. 10 belonging to his daughter, Rachel Pearce, for the benefit and advantages of Importa- tion and Exportation of anything Whatsoever." Lot No. 10 was at the foot of Front street directly on the river shore.
The names of the principal streets in this old town were King, Queen, Princess, Stop, Cannon, Kent, Cross, Chestnut, Front and Calvert. George's lane and Fish alley were names of smaller streets near the water's edge. This beautiful old town with its neighbor, Fredericktown, across the Sassafras River in Cecil County, is mentioned in a ''Journal" pub- lished by a clergyman in 1759. In traveling from Annapolis to Philadelphia he stopped for the night in Fredericktown and he writes: "Fredericktown is a small village on the western side of the Sassafras River built for the accomlmodation of strangers and
154 History of Kent County, Maryland
travelers ; on the eastern side, exactly opposite to it, is another small village (Georgetown) erected for the same purpose."
For nearlv five vears after the erection of Shrews- bury parish there was no regular minister in charge. In 1097 the Rev. Richard Sewell was sent by Gov. Francis Nicholson.
While the Rev. Mr. Sewell was the first rector sent by the Governor to these parishes, there had been services held in Shrewsbury parish by the Rev. Mr. Lawrence Vanderbush, then rector of St. Paul's parish in Kent. Mr. Vanderbrush went to St. Paul's in September, 16934, and he had held services at least once a month in Shrewsbury parish during the last year of his life, 1096, and very probably from the first year that he went to St. Paul's.
Too Much Work For One Man.
It was shortly after the death of Mr. Vanderbush that Mr. Sewell went to Shrewsbury, and, as the work was hard and the two parishes so large, he found it more than he could do alone. In the church records of St. Paul's parish there appear items show- ing that the Rev. Mr. Stephen Bordley, who was sent as rector of that (St. Paul's) parish in 1697, as- sisted the Rev. Mr. Sewell in the work by holding services at Shrewsbury church on the first Sunday in each month during the years of 1699 and 1706. It is very probable that this arrangement lasted from the time of Mr. Bordley going to St. Paul's.
From the two mother parishes of St. Paul's and Shrewsbury in the year 1765 Chester parish was
History of Kent County, Maryland 155
erected and a church built for that parish at the present site of Christ Church "I. U." Its "Chapel of Ease" was built at Chestertown where the present Emmanuel Church now stands. It is authorita- tively stated that the chapel at Chestertown