USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Historic graves of Maryland and the District of Columbia : with the inscriptions appearing on the tombstones in most of the counties of the state and in Washington and Georgetown > Part 5
USA > Maryland > Historic graves of Maryland and the District of Columbia : with the inscriptions appearing on the tombstones in most of the counties of the state and in Washington and Georgetown > Part 5
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In memory of Joseph Bennett who departed this life Aug 19th 1815, Aged 62 years.
In memory of Susanna Bennett, who departed this life Feb 28 1806 aged 49 years.
To the memory of William Bennett, died May 10th 1816 aged 38 years.
To the memory of Ann Smith, who departed this life Jan 22nd 1814 in the 36 year of her age.
In memory of Susanna Crane, wife of George Crane, who died Jan 18th 1839 aged 30 years.
In memory of Susan J. Crane, wife of George Crane, who departed this life Aug 22nd 1811, aged 36 years.
In memory of Jane R. Artis, who died February 9th 1856 aged 19 years. In memory of Samuel Bean, who departed this life Jan 24th 1831 aged 42 years.
In memory of Mary Bean, born November 25 1788, died Nov 19th 1855. In memory of William Greenwell died Octo 30th 1801.
" William's Fortune," or "Long Neck," is near Scotland P. O., St. Inigoes district, about five miles from Miller's wharf on the left hand side of the "Three Notched Road," leading from the Pine to Point Lookout. The inscriptions are:
In memory of Thomas Biscoe Died Apr 29th 1816, Aged 60 years, 11 month and 21 days.
In memory of Margaret Biscoe Born Apr. 14th 1764 Died July 20th 1833. Mary Biscoe Died Aug 15th 1800, Aged 31 years.
In memory of Bennett Biscoe, who departed this life Dec 22nd 1822, aged 54 years 6 months and 23 days.
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Historic Graves of Maryland
In memory of Bennett Biscoe Died Aug 28th 1821, Aged 15 years, 6 month and 23 days.
In memory of Elizabeth Biscoe, Died March 9th 1804, Aged 71 years.
Thomas Biscoe, her husband, is buried near her, his grave not marked. These are the parents of Gen. George Biscoe, the father of Mrs. Henry Edward Calvert of Mount Airy, Prince George's county, Md.
In memory of Richard W. Bennett died May 4th 1821 aged 50 years and 6 months.
In memory of Ann Bennett, Died Jan 14th 1824 in the 37th year of her age.
Thomas Bennett, who was born March 8th 1785, Died Aug 27th 1828.
Mary Artis, Died Aug 10th 1826 Aged 32 years 8 months and 19 days. Jeremiah Artis, Died Feb 13th 1838 aged 55 years, 10 months and 16 days. Elizabeth Artis, Died July 10th 1824 Aged 40 years 6 months & 15 days. Joseph Artis, Died May 3d 1829 in the 32 year of his age.
Margaret Smith Died Dec. 30th 1816, Aged 31 years.
Thomas Smith, the husband, is buried by her side, but his grave is not marked. Five children have their graves marked with headstones and there are seven mounds unmarked.
We can show no monument to indicate the spot where our first settlers were buried, but we have our traditions about the Indian building converted by them into a Christian chapel; and Mr. James W. Thomas, an antiquarian who has given much time to the subject, has drawn a map of St. Mary's City showing where its successor stood. Around this chapel was "Ye ordinary burying place in St. Maries Chapell Yard," alluded to in John Lloyd's will, dated 1658. This was the earliest of which we have any record. As late as 1683, about fifty years after the landing of the Maryland Pil- grims, we find the following provisions, made apparently for a new graveyard:
Ordered and granted by his lordship in council that what quantity of land shall be thought necessary to be laid out for the Chapell, Statehouse and Burying place at the City of St. Maries shall (to save any man's particu-
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Saint Mary's County
lar Right and Property there whole and entire) be supplied by some other of his lordship's land thereunto contiguous, least prejudicial to his Lordship.
This land at least has been identified, for the State House was converted into an Episcopal church at the time of its establishment in the province, and was standing till the year 1829. Near its site, which within recent years has been marked by low granite pillars, a subterranean vault was dis- covered where tradition says a Colonial Governor is buried. The question has been settled beyond a doubt, that this was Sir Lionel Copley, the first Royal Governor. He was sent over in 1691, and died in less than two years after his arrival, and it is a matter of record that he and his wife were buried in a vault at St. Mary's.
On the left hand side of the road leading from Trinity church to St. Inigoes, is what is known as the "Graveyard Lot." Here lie in unmarked graves inclosed by a brick wall the ashes of Margaret Mackall Brome, wife of James M. Brome, who died April 13, 1814; John Mackall, who died August 18, 1813, aged 75 years, and Margaret Gough Mack- all, the wife of John Mackall.
The marked graves in the " Graveyard Lot" are as follows:
In memory of James M. Brome who departed this life Feb. 9th 1823, aged 31 years 9 months and 11 days.
Sacred to the memory of John Ashcom, who departed this life in the full hope of a happy immortality, on the 3rd. day of April 1839, aged 44 years 10 months and 20 days.
Sacred to the memory of George Ashcom. Born Aug. 8th 1792. Died April 24th 1846. aged 53 years 8 months and 16 days.
Porto Bello was the Hebb homestead. It is on the St. Mary's river, nearly opposite St. Mary's City, and the terminus of the road known as the road leading from Leon- ardtown to Porto Bello. The property is now owned by the Hyatts. Three inscriptions are noted here.
In memory of Mr. William Hebb who dyd May 25th 1758 in the 46th year of his Age.
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Historic Graves of Maryland
Vernon Hebb, Son of William and Ann Hebb, Departed this Life Oct. 26 in the sixth year of his age.
Elizabeth Thompson who departed this life July 18th 1802, Aged 49 years ten months & 21 Days.
"Ellenborough," now owned by William D. Henry, is about a mile distant from Leonardtown, and on the left- hand side of the road leading south. P. O. address and steamboat landing "Leonardtown." Formerly it was the Reeder home and for more than a century the Harris home, Col. Joseph Harris marrying Susanna Reeder, the latter part of the eighteenth century. In the graveyard may be found the following:
In memory of Judith Townley Reeder and her three little children, Jane, Thomas and Susannah, by her Affectionate Husband & their tender Father, Henry Reeder, to whom she was married ye 7th of July 1767, from whom he departed this Life the 24th of October 1771, Aged 27 years, being born the 26th of January 1744.
How loved, how honored once availes thee not
To whom related or by whom begot
A heap of dust alone remains of thee
Tis all thou art and all the proud shall be.
The verse to the children begins:
Happy the babe who privileged by fate-
The rest of the inscription is illegible.
Henry Reeder, the husband of Judith Townley Reeder, is buried near, but grave unmarked. There were Reeders also at "Westfield," St. Mary's county; Dr. Gustavus Brown is buried there.
Susannah Harris, wife of Joseph Harris, born June 20th 1782 died April 17th 1827. She loved and was beloved by her family, was benevolent to all and charitable to the poor, devoutly hoping for the mercy of God, through the merits of the Redeemer.
Joseph Harris, born August 7th, 1773. Died March 27 1855. He enjoyed the respect and esteem due to an intelligent, upright and benevolent gentleman.
Jane Harris daughter of Joseph & Susanna Harris. Born Jany 21 1813. Died Oct 22 1831. Our loss is her eternal gain.
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Saint Mary's County
Martha M. Harris, daughter of Joseph and Susanna Harris, born Oct 4th 1811. Died May 30th 1837. All who knew her loved her.
In memory of Elizabeth Sanders, wife of John Sanders, who departed this Life December 13th 1802, Aged 23 years 8 months and 3 Days.
Weep not for me my Husband dear,
I am not dead but sleepeth here.
Remember well as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I
As I am now so must you be, Prepare for death and follow me.
There are three other gravestones and several unmarked graves, those of Col. Benjamin Gwynn Harris and his wife being among the number.
"Rosecroft," as it is now spelled, is reached by a road running through "St. Mary's Manor," formerly known as Mattapony street. It is about two miles from Brome's wharf and St. Mary's City P. O., is owned by the Kennedys, having been formerly the home of the collector of the Potomac dis- trict, Daniel Wolstenholme. In the old graveyard we find the following:
In memory of George Campbell who departed this life May 11th 1806 aged 32 years.
In memory of Ann Campbell consort of George Campbell who departed this life March 21st. 1807 aged 30 years.
There are two gravestones of children of George and Ann Campbell-two unmarked graves, and evidences of two.
In the " Deep Falls " graveyard are buried the following: Major William Thomas Sr. died March 25th. 1795. A soldier of the Revolution.
James Thomas, son of Major William Thomas Sr, wounded at "Long Island" and died at home April 21st., 1781.
Elizabeth, wife of Major William Thomas Sr. died Aug 15th, 1808 aged 94 years.
Major William Thomas Jr, died Aug 1st, 1813.
A tablet, marking the resting place of Maj-Gen. James Thomas, reads :
In memory of Major Gen James Thomas, Ex-Governor of Maryland
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Historic Graves of Maryland
born March 11th, 1785, died Dec 25th, 1845, aged 60 years, 9 months and 14 days. This Monument is erected as a tribute of affection by his children. Green be the turf above thee Friend of my better days, None knew thee but to love thee None named thee, but to praise.
Jane Armstrong, his wife, is buried near, but her grave is unmarked.
These tablets also are found :
In memory of Geo. Thomas born Feb 23 1794, died November 22nd 1857 This monument is erected by a bereaved and sorrowing wife.
Mary Tubman, wife of Geo Thomas, died Aug 8th 1870, aged 80 years. Grave unmarked.
Eliza Courtes, wife of Gov, James Thomas, born Aug 16th 1789 died Nov, 3rd. 1851. This monument is erected to her memory as a tribute of affection by her children.
Richard Thomas, born June 20, 1797, died Octo. 30th. 1849. He was long a member of the Legislature of Maryland, and for many years Presi- dent of the Senate with unanimous applause. Standing always honorably high in public confidence and private affection.
There are twelve other graves marked, and fifteen un- marked.
A unique memorial was exhumed in 1886 by the sexton of Old Poplar Hill, or St. George's church, while digging a grave. The Rector, Rev. Maurice Vaughan, reported the discovery to the Maryland Historical Society shortly after- ward, but nothing was done until about the year 1896, when, through the instrumentality of the late Mr. Buck, Rector of Rock Creek parish, Washington, D. C., it was removed to the east wall of the vestry room. It is in a fairly good state of preservation, but the meaning of the heraldic devices that adorn its lower half has so far defied the skill of those sup- posed to be proficient in the ancient art of heraldry. The inscription, which is entirely in Latin, records the name of Francis Sourton, who died in 1679, and a portion of it forms a border around the edge of the stone. It reads:
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Saint Mary's County
Francis Sourton, Anglo-Devon Francisi Filius Veritas Evangelical Atque Ecclesiastes, Heic Sedulus Vita Rrevi & Saepius Aflicta Functus est Sep. 1679.
The legend following the above is much defaced by time. A version of it, translated, reads as follows:
And thou reader, living in the Lord Jesus Christ, keep the faith, and thou also though dead shalt live.
CHAPTER III
C ALVERT county lies between the Chesapeake bay and the Patuxent river, consequently its shores are indented by innumerable coves and creeks, that, through their names, challenge investigation and bridge over the distances of time and space. Battle Creek is one of these names, and, linked with that of Brooke, it carries us far into the field of con- jecture.
Robert Brooke, who with his second wife, ten children, and a retinue of servants, came from England in 1650, to take command of a newly projected county, had first married Mary, daughter of "Thomas Baker of Battle, Esq." in England.
At Battle Creek farm, owned by Thomas Watt Williams, we find traditions of Brooke occupancy and of an old family burying ground, where there was once quite a number of tombs. Now one alone remains, bearing this inscription:
Elizabeth Dare, Born 31st. Dec. 1780 [1782 ?], Died 6th Oct. 1805. She was the wife of Doctor John Dare and the daughter of Basil and Anne Brooke.
Fond affection weep no more I am not lost but gone before Prepare to follow.
Not far from Battle Creek is a farm known variously as "Duke's Adventure," "Old Orchard," and "Old Place." This is owned by Col. Thomas Brooke.
At "Brooke Place," a knowledge of the exact spot, where the unfortunate progenitor of the Brookes was buried, has been transmitted as a sacred heritage from father to son up to the present day. Robert Brooke died here at the age of
Đến Wyear this place lieth the body WAT ALEXANDER FARRAN, fon, &n Heir af JOHN PARRAN, of Boynton in the County of Oxon in England Clu" who departed this life y so" day of Ma 1720, aged 52 years Mib near thereto heth the body of FARRAN daughter of YOUNG BAN HLiz: his Wife who De parted this life the 1st of Auguft year Derneath lyeth the bodyof Passar fon of the Aboves XANDER. ob; the 28. Decem
syeine & 3 months
A TABLET IN MIDDLEHAM CHAPEL Calvert County
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Calvert County
fifty-three, on July 30, 1655, not surviving long the loss of the Lord Proprietary's favor. A spring near by serves to keep his memory green, but there is no monument. To Old England, we must look for "storied urn or animated bust" to ascertain the prominence of the family there.
At Whitechurch, Hants, we find as the "pietatis opus" of another Robert Brooke the following epitaph:
This grave (oh griefe) hath swallowed up with wide and open mouth The body of good Richard Brooke of Whitechurch, Hampton South, And Elizabeth his wedded wife, twise Twentie years and one. Sweet Jesus hath their souls in heaven, ye ground flesh, skin and bone. In Januarie, worne with age, daie sixteneth died hee. From Christ full fifteene hundred years and more by ninety-three; But death her twist of life in Maie, daie twentieth did untwine, From Christ full fifteen hundred years and more by ninety-nine. They left behind them, well to live and grown to good degree, First Richard, Thomas, Robert Brooke the youngest of the three; Elizabeth and Barbara and Dorothee the last
All six the knot of nature, love and kindness, keeping Fast. This toomstone with the plate thereon, thus graven fair and large Did Robert Brooke, the youngest sonne, make of his proper charge. A citizen of London State by faithful service Free, Of Marchant greate Adventurers a brother sworne was hee; And of the Indian Companie, come gain or loss or lim And of the Goldsmith liverie, All these God gifte to him This monument of memorie in love performed hee
December thirtie-one from Christ, Sixteen hundred and Three. Anno Domini, 1603- Laus Deo.
The parish register of Whitechurch tells us that Thomas Brooke, Esq., was buried September 17, 1612, and that Susan, his wife, was buried the following day. There is a tradi- tion that their monument once stood in the church near the altar. They are the parents of Robert Brooke of Brooke Place, and among their numerous descendants in Maryland are many who have added credit and distinction to the name.
A full account of the Brooke family is given in the Mary-
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Historic Graves of Maryland
land Historical Magazine, beginning with March, 1906, but an unusual incident connected with one of the names may be of interest here. Thomas Brooke, a relative of Charles Carroll's wife, and a "Popish Priest" was tried after death for having during life exercised the functions of his mission. This trial took place somewhere between the years 1702 and 1714, the period covered by the reign of "Good Queen Anne." The provincial government had become absorbed by the crown upon the accession of William and Mary and the laws in force against "Jesuits and trafficking Papists," in Eng- land, were attempted here. In fact the celebrated "Act of Toleration," passed by the General Assembly of Mary- land in 1649, became for a time more honored in the breach than in the observance.
Another name, well known in the annals of our state, is recorded on gravestones in Calvert county. On a farm, owned by Mr. John B. Mackall, St. Leonard's Creek, are to be found three massive brown stones, two of which are to the memory of the parents of Thomas Johnson, our first governor. The graves are on a knoll, a few hundred yards from the residence of Mr. Mackall, and the inscriptions are:
In memory of Thomas Johnson Born February 19th 1702. Died April 12th 1777.
In memory of Dorcas Johnson Born November 2nd 1705. Died No- vember 11th 1770.
In memory of Rebecca Mckenzie Born November 8th 1730 Died March 11th 1767.
The first Thomas Johnson arrived in Maryland in 1690. He married Mary, daughter of Roger Baker of Liverpool, and died in 1716. His wife died also, leaving an only son, born February 19, 1702. The latter, also named Thomas, married Dorcas Sedgwick of Connecticut. They had five children, of whom Thomas, the youngest, became Governor of Maryland at the outbreak of the Revolution. He was
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Calvert County
born in 1732, married, in 1776, Ann, daughter of Thomas Jennings of Annapolis, and died in 1809. He is buried in All Saints cemetery at Frederick.
The Mackalls of Calvert county have a distinguished record also. Benjamin Mackall, Judge of the Court of Ap- peals and member of the Maryland Convention in 1776, is buried at "God's Graces," his father's place on the Patuxent. At "Hallowing Point," opposite "God's Graces," another Benjamin Mackall is buried, besides members of the Cov- ington family. His wife's mother was a Miss Hollyday.
The name of the Point may have been originally "Hal- looing Point," or the spot whence a shout for the ferryman could be heard across the water. There are places in Mary- land to this day where the same custom prevails. During a three days' driving trip taken a few years ago by the writer with a friend, the ferry near Bennett's Point was reached. We wanted to cross to Wye Island, but there was no visible means of doing so. Had it not been for the services of an obliging countryman, whose vocal chords had evidently been trained by long practice, a very interesting trip might have been cut short. Ferries were of so much importance to the settlers in early times, that they were provided for by Acts of Assembly.
Christ Church in the lower end of the county, and still the parish church of that section, stands for much in its re- ligious life. On the south wall of the present edifice, erected about the year 1772, is a tablet to the memory of Col. Alex- ander Somervell, the builder of the church. The name of Somervell, spelled in different ways, is found in many of the private burial grounds of the county, and it represents a family known for its attachment to the traditions of the Episcopal Church. The inscription is:
In memory of Col. Alexander Somerville and Rebecca his wife Decessus 1783 Ætatis 49 Decessa 1812 Ætatis 72.
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Historic Graves of Maryland
In this church which he built and of which she was the ornament this taken of affection is reared by their grand-daughter Mrs. Sarah H. Bond. May we always remember them and asPire to imitate their virtues.
An inscription commemorating a former rector is:
Here lieth Interred the Body of ye Reverend Mr. Jonathan Cay, son of Mr Robrt Cay of New Castle uPon Tine, Rector of this Church 22 years. He died the 9th of May 1737, Aged 57 years.
The active religious life of the community dates from the preaching of George Fox, the Quaker, who was in Mary- land in 1672. The first known church register of births, deaths and marriages, alluded to on the records, was begun at this time. Very possibly the Rev. Ambrose Sanderson, who by a chain of circumstances has been indicated as the minister of the earlier church, reaped the harvest of another's seeding. It is thought that his ashes repose beneath Christ Church. After his death, in 1682, his daughter Mary, wife of Michael Taney, the County Sheriff, a post of honor in those primitive times, made an appeal for aid to the Arch- bishop of Canterbury, which led to a serious consideration of the colonist's religious needs among those in high circles. The Rev. Paul Bertram was sent over to take charge of the church, in answer to this demand. Thus we find the name of Taney, so well known at a later period in the person of our distinguished chief justice, one of significance in the early history of the province.
Many of the descendants of Richard Smith, who arrived in the Province with his wife, Eleanor, in 1651, are buried in Calvert county, and having intermarried with the Brookes, the Mackalls, the Holdsworths, the Parrans, the Somervells and other prominent families, the blood of the attorney- general is pretty well distributed in every part of the state. One son, Capt. Richard Smith, was vestryman and warden of Christ Church. He was also surveyor-general of the Province. Born in England, before 1651, he died in Mary-
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Calvert County
land in 1714. Another son, Col. Walter Smith, was among the vestrymen of All Saints parish church in the northern part of the county. He was also born in England and died in 1710.
At Middleham Chapel, Christ Church parish, built in 1748 on the site of an earlier church, are two marble slabs of quaint design. The inscriptions on these suggest the tombstone lore of Old England, and well they may, for one is from the pen of Pope and the other from that of Joseph Addison. The first is copied from a mural tablet in a church at Northampton, England, where a certain Anne Shorthouse reposes; the second, in Old-English lettering, indicates the place of burial of John, the young son of Dr. George Cook, a former rector. The old bell, given in 1699, by John Holds- worth, is still used to call the congregation to worship. These interesting slabs are inscribed:
Here lies the Body of John Cook son of the Rev'd Dr George Cook, Rector of this Parish. He dyed 5th Jan'y 1759 Aged 15 years 6 months. "The Soul Secur'd in her Existence smiles at the drawn dagger and defies the point. The stars shall fade away the sun himself grow dim with age, and nature sink in years. But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth, unhurt amidst the Wars of Elements and the wrecks of Matter and the Crush of Worlds." (ADDISON)
In memory of Robert Addison who died suddenly Dec 30 1785 Aged 59 years and 8 mos.
" How lov'd how valu'd once avails thee not To whom related or by whom begot A heaP of dust alone remains of thee Tis all thou art and all ye Proud shall be." (POPE) LIFE HOW SHORT, ETERNITY HOW LONG.
In the south wall is a tablet, with this inscription:
Near this place lieth the body of Mr. Alexander Parran, Son and Heir of John Parran of Baynton, in the County of Oxon, in England who departed this life ye 30th day of May 1729, aged 52 years.
Also near thereto lieth the body of Mary Parran daughter of Young Parran and Eliz: his wife who DeParted this life the 15th of Aug. 1744 aged 1} years.
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Historic Graves of Maryland
Also underneath lyeth the body of Moses Parran son of the above Alexan- der, ob; the 28th Decem 1740 Atas-33 years and 3 mos.
An old tomb, near the north wall, bears two inscriptions:
Here lies the Body of Ann Parran who DeParted this Life August 3rd 1775 Aged 31 years.
Near this Place lies the Body of Moses Parran who DeParted this Life September the 5th 1773 Aged 22 years.
Inscriptions of a later date are to the memory of:
Thomas Hart Benton Bourne Son of Sarah J. and James J. Bourne died 1860 aged 26.
Sarah J. Bourne died 1884 aged 71.
William Coster died 1870 aged 72.
James Bourne son of James J. and Sarah Bourne born 1825 died 1868. Walter Hellen born 1833 died 1887.
Soloman's Island was once Bourne's, and the oldest house on it, now occupied by the Obertons, was the home of Dr. Bourne.
The graves in this burial ground are mostly of a late date, as above, but they transmit the following names: Somers- ville, Sedwick, Wilson, McDaniel, Darel Parran and Coster. Those earlier than 1850 are as follows:
Ellen D. Tongue died 1805 aged 41.
James Tongue died 1843 aged 64.
Anna Tongue wife of Dr James Tongue died 1843 aged 61.
Jonathan Needham died 1811 aged 47.
Elizabeth Dare died 1815 aged 69.
Alexander Dawkins died 1845, aged 27.
Francis Parran died 1842 aged 49.
Ann B. Parran wife of Francis K. Parran died 1857 aged 60.
Marietta Hodgkin Dare wife of Nathaniel Dare died 1852 aged 41.
James M. Sollers died 1842 aged 26.
Sarah Sollers.
Jane Sollers died 1849 aged 59 [39 ?].
Mary Parran died 1818 aged 57.
Alex. Parran died 1805 aged 45.
Charles S. Parran died 1785 aged 26.
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Calvert County
On the McDaniel, or Parran, place, the following were found :
Sacred to the Memory of John Ireland who departed this life March the 24th In the year of our Lord 18- aged 66 years and 3 weeks.
In memory of Dr Joseph Ireland who departed this life in the City of Baltimore on the 2 December 1823 Aged 57 years.
Mary J. Peyton born Nov. 24th 1843 died January 30th 1844.
James John son of Dr Joseph and Mary Ireland Born Sept 12th 1821 Died April 15th 1828.
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