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 7
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 7
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In memory of General William Smallwood, a hero of the American Revolution, and a native of Maryland. Commissioned Colonel in 1776, Brigadier General in 1777; Major General in 1780. Elected Governor of Maryland in 1785. Died February 14, 1792. Erected by the Maryland Society Sons of American Revolution, July 4, 1898.
The Durham church was built of brick about the year 1732. It was repaired in 1792, and a list has been preserved of those who contributed money or tobacco towards the furtherance of the work. William Smallwood's pledge was for three thousand pounds of crop tobacco, or three times as much
GENERAL WILLIAM SMALLWOOD
From the original in the picture gallery of the Maryland Historical Society
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Charles County
as any of the subscribers gave in legal tender, and exceeding the most liberal donations in money. This list is interesting, in as much as it furnishes family names, many of which had descended from the early settlers. It acts also as a substitute for those that ought to appear in the churchyard on monu- ments or slabs of quaint design. The records are full of interest as showing customs that no longer prevail. They extend from 1772 to 1824, all those before 1772 being lost. A history of the parish has been written by the Rev. Wil- liam P. Painter, and to him we will refer all those who care to pursue the subject further.
In the churchyard is one monument which must not be passed by, modern though it be. It stands on the left side of the walk leading from the gate to the front door of the church, and marks the grave of the Rev. Robert Prout. He died in 1880, but his ministrations began here in 1826, and continued with an intermission of seven years, until within a short time before his death.
The Charles county names, alluded to above, are as follows : Adams, Addison, Allen, Anderson, Armstrong, Baillie, Barker, Barnes, Bastin, Beale, Bell, Benson, Bloxton, Bowie, Brawner, Brooke, Bullman, Burchell, Burris, Bush, Brad- shaw, Channing, Chilton, Clarke, Clinkscales, Cobey, Coffer, Craik, Crawford, Davis, Dent, Doyal, Dunnington, Evans, Franklin, Flowry, Fairfax, Ferguson, Fowke, Fowler, Filbert, Flanagan, Ferril, Fleming, Gardner, Garner, Gaskin, Gil- bert, Golden, Gray, Green, Griffin, Groves, Haislip, Hall, Hamilton, Hanson, Hatcher, Harrison, Hayward, Hudson, Jackson, Jenifer, Jenkins, Jones, Keibeard, Kennedy, Lana- kin, Leftwitch, Lomax, Luckett, Maddox, Martin, Mason, May, McConkie, Meek, Milstead, Middleton, Mitchell, Muncaster, Murdock, Muschett, McBayne, McLemon, Nally, Nelson, Perry, Picken, Posey, Poston, Price, Ratliff, Retler, Rice, Risen, Rye, Robertson, Russell, Scott, Sennet,
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Historic Graves of Maryland
Simmons, Shepherd, Shields, Skinner, Smith, Smoot, Speake, Smallwood, Stoddart, Stone, Stormatt, Stewart, Southerland, Strange, Tallmarsh, Taylor, Thomas, Thompson, Vein, Williams, Waple, Ward, Woodward, Worden, Wright, Young.
At Old Christ Church in the Piccawaxen district, we find no such list of names to bridge over the gap between the old days and the new. The nearest post office is "Wayside," and by the wayside, in a sparsely settled part of the county, stands one of the oldest of our brick churches, amidst its weather stained graves. The locust trees and young cedars overshadowing them, form a belated but voluntary guard of honor.
The writer visited this spot some years ago, when an aged incumbent was in charge. This was before our patriotic societies had begun to arouse a general interest in the an- tiquities of the state, and before the division of the Diocese of Maryland infused new life into out of the way localities. It is a matter of regret that the inscriptions in the old church- yard did not then appear to her sufficiently venerable to be copied; for there were very few, if any, before the thirties of the last century. She could not foresee, at that time, how important even these more recent names might be to the old mortality of future generations, nor the difficulties in the way of obtaining information afterwards.
William and Mary parish, to which Christ Church belongs, was one of those originally laid out in St. Mary's county. By the change of boundaries and the creation of new parishes, the Charles county section now occupies a solitary position on its peninsula. Here, indeed, have we met the silence of the grave.
The church of St. Ignatius, attended by the Jesuits, stood at Waldorf. The oldest tombstone in the cemetery of St. Peter's is that of Thomas C. Reeves, died 1825, aged 70.
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He or his heirs donated his old house to the priests. It still exists, but is no longer the priest's house. Other tombs are:
His wife Elizabeth, died 1840, aged 85. Geo. Dyer, 1822; Dorothy Dyer, 1843. John H. Gibbons, 1843. Robert Merrick, 1834. Thos. M. Dyer, 1835. Eliza: Ellen Wildman, 1854.
She had an aunt in the Carmelite order.
At Marshall Hall, is a stone with this inscription :
Here lyes the body of Sabrina Truman Greenfield Wife of Thomas Marshall deceased and daughter of Thomas Truman Greenfield and Su- sanna his wife, who departed this life in the 53 year of her age, 1 March, 1768.
From the family burying ground at "Pamonky," on the Potomac, we have the following inscriptions:
In Memory of Henrietta Maria, wife of James Fenwick and daughter of John Lancaster, Who died Feb. 14th 1792.
Sacred to the memory of James Fenwick, who departed this life Septem- ber the 3rd 1823, in the 60th year of his age. He was the eldest son of Igna- tius Fenwick and Sarah Taney his wife.
May he rest in peace.
CHAPTER IV
TO vary the monotony that must inevitably ensue from following names and dates too closely, and from con- templating the skull and cross bones at every turn, it is pro- posed in this chapter to make a slight digression. As a means to this end the notebook of one of the members of the Colonial Dames, who accompanied the writer on a trip through Lower Maryland, will be largely drawn upon.
The season chosen was the month of June, but the day opened with clouds in the sky. Our first objective point was Old St. Barnabas church, Queen Anne parish, Prince George's county, standing about a mile distant from Leeland, on the Southern Maryland Railroad. Arrangements had been made with a liveryman of Upper Marlborough, the county seat, to have a team awaiting the party at the station, but it failed to materialize. Nothing daunted by this hitch in our plans, we climbed into a lumber wagon, the only thing available going in our direction. Our sable driver proved to be an encyclopedic compilation of facts as to the surrounding neighborhood, and promised valuable assistance in the shape of a conveyance to Upper Marlborough, our next stopping point, if nothing better could be found.
St. Barnabas church stands in a beautiful old grove. It is one of those barn-like brick structures remaining from the past, that derive much of their picturesqueness from the shape of their roofs. This happens to be something between a gambrel and a mansard without windows, dominated by a ridged peak. According to the vestry books, St. Barnabas was erected between the years 1772 and 1773. Cut on a
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Prince George's County
brick near one of the windows at the chancel end, is the date July 3, 1774, the meaning of which is left to conjecture.
In the churchyard no ancient tombs are visible, but it was ascertained from Mrs. Turner, the rector's wife, that the earliest graves lay in front of the church and on the side nearest the public road; also that the dead were so thickly buried there, that no other interments could be made. A lych gate, built in recent years, marks the front boundary of this ancient God's acre, and the land back of the church, where an earlier parsonage stood, has been turned into a graveyard to answer the needs of modern times. The stones here are of comparatively recent date, and among them we find one to the memory of the Rev. Thomas F. Billop, a former rector. He is also honored by a memorial window, one of twelve in the church.
Perhaps the ecclesiastic worthy of the most importance, whose memory is thus perpetuated, is the Rev. Jacob Hender- son, commissary of the churches in the Province, sent here by the Bishop of London in 1717, and appointed to the rector- ship of Queen Anne parish. His ministrations covered a long period of thirty-four years, and only ended with his death. The marble font, that stands in a recess between the two front doors, and also the communion service, which is still in use, date from the second year of his incumbency.
Our investigations around St. Barnabas church were about over when the Reverend Mr. Turner arrived on the scene. He very kindly put himself and his buggy at our disposal, and, by obtaining the escort of a lady parishioner, we were able to reach Upper Marlborough, five miles away, in time for dinner at the Marlboro' House.
Here our surroundings were nothing, if not historic. The house itself, tradition saith, was built for a bank, and is quaint and rambling; while our landlady-to preserve the historic harmony-was the descendant of Governor Ogle.
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The grave of Doctor Beanes is in sight from the porch, sur- rounded by a brick wall. This inscription is:
William Beanes son of William and Mary Beanes was born January 24 1749 and was married to Sarah Hawkins Hanson November 25, 1773 Died 12th October 1828 in the 80 year of his Age.
Here lies the Body of Sarah Hawkins Beanes Daughter of Samuel and Ann Hanson Born August 12, 1750 Married to William Beanes November 25th 1773 And died 15th July 1822 In the 72nd year of her Age.
The remains of Gov. Thos. Sim Lee (1792-94), buried originally in the Catholic burying ground, now lie in the new churchyard at Upper Marlborough.
An old Clagett place is to be found a little off from the road going from Marlborough towards Rosaryville. The grave- yard is indicated by a wooded knoll surrounded by a post and rail fence. Besides some children's graves, of recent date, there are only two stones of any prominence. A pros- trate obelisk, inclosed by an iron railing, marks the burial place of its late owner:
Thos. Clagett born Jan. 10, 1791 died Aug. 27th 1873 In the 83rd year of his age. An upright man that feareth God.
On the other monument is inscribed:
Sacred to the Memory of Susan Clagett wife of Thos. W. Clagett born the 25th of October 1814 died the 18th of Nov. 1843. She lived the life of the Righteous and died with Confidence in Jesus.
On a farm between Leeland and Upper Marlborough are some Hillary and Belt graves. The widow Hillary married Benjamin Bowie.
At "Acquasco," formerly "Covington's Fields," now owned by Mr. Watson, and not far from Patuxent, is a stone to the memory of
Mr. Leonard Covington who departed this life the 19th of March 1742 in the 30th year of his age.
" Ranelagh," about six miles from Upper Marlborough and twelve from Washington, is the original home of the Contee family. Amidst the cypress trees in the graveyard is a
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Prince George's County
large flat tombstone supported by four columns which bears the following inscription :
Underneath is interred the remains of Margaret Contee, wife of John Contee who died December 30th 1793 in the 68th year of her age.
A little farther off is buried Mrs. Mary Contee, consort of Richard Alex. Contee and daughter of David and Sarah Craufurd, who died in Upper Marlborough on March 11, in the year of our Lord 1787 in the nineteenth year of her age.
In the graveyard at "Belair," near Collington, once the residence of Governor Ogle, are the graves of Benjamin Ogle, who died April 4, 1845, aged 57, and Anna Maria Ogle, his wife, who died December 28, 1856, in the 80th year of her age.
In a graveyard on the road leading from Berwin to Spring- field are buried the following:
W. W. Duvall, died July 27, 1827; Rebecca Duvall born July 28, 1787, died May 8, 1858; Rachel E. daughter of R. Bond & Mary D. Walker, born July 29, 1824, died Nov. 14, 1826.
After a brief refreshment, we renewed our journey, this time for Croome, where the rector, Rev. Frank Willes, was waiting for us. We examined the parish church, St. Thomas', and the churchyard, but found again not much to reward our labor. Bishop Claggett's home place lies between St. Thomas' Croom and Croom station. An effort was made some years ago to endow the church as a memorial to him, but so far it has not been accomplished. Since our visit his body has been removed from the family burial ground to the National Capital, and re-interred in the Cathedral Close.
On the old Claggett place, are the following graves and inscriptions :
Samuel Claggett Esq. Eldest son of Right Rev. J. T. C. Claggett born November 29th 1783 died November 5th, 1824.
Mrs. Mary Ann Eversfield Eldest daughter of Rev. Thomas John Claggett born September 8th, 1776 died August 28th, 1810.
Mrs. Elizabeth Laura Young daughter of Rt. Rev. Thomas John Claggett born March 3rd., 1787 died November 1864.
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On a farm owned by Mrs. Fendall Marbury near Croom; Robert William Bowie born March 3, 1787 died Jan. 3, 1848. Catherine Lansdale Born Jan. 13th, 1800 Died Oct. 22nd. 1867. Mary E. L. Bowie Born Sept. 10th, 1823 Died . . . 1838.
Robert Bowie Born Oct. 6th 1821 Died Jan 17th 1860.
From Croom, we pressed on to Nottingham, where we found only desolation. The port of entry once so famous, like its neighbor Benedict, now lies silent and forlorn, with only memories to keep it company. We found here that our cherished plan of an extension into Calvert could not be fulfilled at this time, the boat schedule preventing, so we retraced our road to the rectory, where under the old trees we had a restful little supper, and later drove home through the woody roads, the evening birds singing their sweetest in the cool shades.
Not far from Nottingham, on the old Waring farm, now belonging to Mrs. Wilkinson, daughter of the late E. S. Holly- day, is a genealogical table all on one stone:
Here lies the body of Leonard Waring, who departed this life in the year 1806, in the 60th year of his age; he was the son of Major Frank Waring, who was the son of Basil Waring, Gent; commissioned Capt. of Dragoons by His Majesty George the 3rd on 14th of July 1715, he was the son of Basil Waring the 1st, who was son of Capt. Sampson Waring of His Ma- jesties Provincial Commissioners of Md. who died in the year 1663.
In the same district at Brookefield, the old Hollyday home, is a tombstone with a fine coat of arms and the motto:
Nulle virtute secundus. Here lyeth interred the Body of Coll. Leonard Hollyday who departed this life May 6th 1747 Aged 49 years and 2 days.
The graveyard at Brookefield Manor lies in the part of the estate owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Worthington Bowie, now living in Washington. Among those said to be buried there are Alexander Contee who died in 1741, and his son, Col. Thomas Contee, in 1811, whose stones have been covered by the sod; also Maj. Thos. Brooke, who died in 1676, and
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Prince George's County
his son, Col. Thos. Brooke, in 1744, neither of whom is honored with a stone.
The next day we drove to the old Tyler place, now owned by Mr. Wilson of Calvert county, where there were grave- stones in a private burial ground reached through plowed ground. Many of the stones have fallen, but the inscriptions can still be read, among which are:
In Memory of Truman Tyler Died Augt 13, 1849 Aged 53 years.
In Memory of Grace wife of Truman Tyler died Dec. 22-1851 Aged 74 years.
In Memory of Jane H. daughter of Truman and Grace C. Tyler Died July 10th 1844 Aged 34 years.
In Memory of Edwin M. Dorsey Died Oct. 16th 1833 Aged 30 years.
The Tylers were prominent people, and a part of the family, who moved further north, into what was formerly Prince George's county, composed that branch of the family to which Dr. Grafton Tyler and Dr. Samuel Tyler of George- town, D. C., and Frederick, Md., belonged. Some thirty years ago, a funeral took place from Dr. Grafton Tyler's home in Georgetown, leaving very early in the morning in order to reach the old graveyard in good season.
Our next quest was for the Craufurd place. To reach this we had to pass through the stable yard as the shortest way across a cornfield to a plateau, where in a clump of woods, now a perfect wilderness, lie the dead. Although the planta- tion, and indeed great possessions in land, belonged to David Craufurd, no trace could be found of his grave, but after we had cut away the vines and brambles, and cleared away the undergrowth, we found a tomb, much broken as to support, but a fair specimen of columnar slab. We were at first un- able to decipher more than the name, but after vigorously scrubbing off the top of the tomb, a Latin inscription became visible, and was deciphered with much difficulty. Translated by Rev. G. A. Leakin, it reads as follows:
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Historic Graves of Maryland
In this foundation is laid and ascends through travail into welcome regions, as much virtue as could permanently exist.
This was followed by the obituary and epitaph of Mrs. Martha Walker, daughter of David Craufurd, Esq .:
In Memory of Mrs. Martha Walker 3rd Daughter of David Craufurd Esquire who was born on the 11th day of February 1777, was married to George Walker of the city of Washington on the 16th day of December 1794, and died in childbirth on the 31st day of January 1796. This monu- ment is erected by her affectionate Husband.
Condemned to lose the partner of my breast Whose beauty charmed me and whose virtues blest, Formed every tie that binds the soul to prove Her duty, friendship, and that friendship love, Gone to our lovely offspring just before; Not parted long but now to part no more. Closed are those eyes that felt another's woe And cold those hands so ready to bestow. Unpitying Death has summoned her away And closed at morn our bright unclouded Day. Sed Mors Janua Vitae.
On the same hillock, and apparently the only other stone, . was one to the memory of Sarah Forrest who died Janu- ary 8, 1864, aged 70. She was the daughter of Sarah, sec- ond daughter of David and Sarah Craufurd, who was born in 1777, and died in 1832, and was the wife of Richard For- rest.
There may be other graves, but as has happened so often in our experience, there was absolutely no trace of them- and we left no bit of stone unturned or rather no thicket unexplored, to find one.
We sent our acknowledgments to Mrs. Sasscer, the present . owner of the property, and drove along. Before we leave this Walker tomb we must record the fact that George Walker's signature is among those who disposed of their property to the Federal government for the site of the city of Washington, and that he was the original owner of that portion now known as Lafayette Square.
Our next drive was a long one, to the settlement of Baden.
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Prince George's County
We learned, all too late, that the old estates of Woodyard and Poplar Hill, were close at hand. We drove past the Brick Church, for so the parish church of St. Paul has been called for generations, and halted at the store of Mr. Baden, where we fed our horses and enjoyed the luncheon put up by our wholesome hostess of the night before.
We found the key of the church at Mrs. Hyde's, for which family this seems a rallying point, three of the name being within half a mile.
St. Paul's church is in very good repair, not half so ancient looking as its daughter, St. Barnabas, and evidently restored not so long ago. As there were no very distinctive features, and absolutely no very old tombs, we adjourned to the grate- ful shades outside, where we found re-enforcements in a party who had been engaged in the preparation of a site for a grave stone. We discerned our opportunity, and seized it, for a man who serves as a burial director for three counties, cheery by nature, Joy by name, is not to be met with on every ex- pedition. So we held a session, seated on the spreading roots of a superb old oak tree, while Joy imparted great store of knowledge, topographical, genealogical, biographical and monumental. Among other points we asked for centers whence teams could be procured, and board arranged for. Here Joy was in his element and furnished us with several addresses, where we might get teams for a week if necessary, and where we could be accommodated with lodgings. He lamented the fact, that while he would be happy to have us stop over at Hughesville, he could not provide a team for more than a day at a time, as he never knew just when his horses " Brightly " and "Sprightly " might be needed for a funeral. Although we represented a memorial committee, this did not appeal to us as a safe or desirable alternative, and so we crossed out Hughesville for a sojourn, although in so doing we left Joy behind us.
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Historic Graves of Maryland
Mr. Joy having given us most specific directions for our visit to Mrs. Skinner, to whom we had letters from Reverend Mr. Willes, we pursued our way along the old plantation road, lined with cedars, a mile and a half from Baden, to the old Key place where the Greenfield tombs were.
A short ride brought us into the plantation of Magounskin, delightful survival of Indian possession. This portion of the farm belongs to Mr. Edmund Key who now lives in Texas, Mrs. Wilkinson owning the other tract. The tenant, Mrs. Goddard, was a protégée of Miss Margaretta Key, a sister of Edmund. Mrs. Goddard was indisposed, but the children conducted us to the spot, where, under a little group of wal- nut trees, lay the graves of four of the Greenfields, very well preserved, with one exception, and in this case we had to avail ourselves of our driver's skill with broom and hoe. The slabs were of brown stone, clearly lettered save where the moisture from the overhanging trees has worn the stone away, and bear the following inscriptions :
To the memory of James Truman Greenfield who died 6th April 1760 Aged 32 years.
Here lies the body of Col. Thomas Greenfield late one of his Majesties Honorourable Councell of Maryland, who died the 8th of September anno 1715 in the 67th year of his Age.
Here Lyeth Interred the Body of Elizabeth Parker the Daughter of Coln. Thomas Greenfield and Martha his wife. She departed this life the 2 Day of August 1715 Aged 19 years. A Dutiful child is the Glory of the Mother.
Here lyeth interred the Body of Martha wife of as Green- field . . This L . . ber 171 -.
Martha, wife of Col. Thos. Greenfield, was the daughter of James Truman, testator of 1672.
We were assured that in the adjoining field, we should find the grave of a colonial governor. When, however, we heard that his name was Swann, we had misgivings, and as no traces of the usual grove or indeed of even a stump ap-
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Prince George's County
peared, we made note of the only person who could help us to explain the tradition, and, after getting our inscriptions down, we turned back to the main road.
From the many interesting bits of neighborhood history, given us by Mrs. Skinner, it seemed quite time for the chron- icler to pass that way. At White's Landing, where Bishop Claggett was born, the gravestones had been taken up, hewn with a broad axe and thrown into the river, the perpetrators of this outrage averring that when they plowed the ground the crop of tobacco had grown seven feet high over the graves! We mentioned that a law existed which would punish such vandalism if reported, which greatly cheered and comforted Mrs. Skinner, who promised herself the pleasure of imparting it to the iconoclasts.
Another instance of wanton destruction occurred at "Bald Eagles," one of the Waring places, and which has its name from the eagles' nests built for generations in the old trees on the plantation. The owner had never allowed them to be disturbed, but when the last proprietor died, some of the more turbulent sort essayed to break the injunction. One of them, in coming down from the tree, after the total destruc- tion of the nest, fell and broke his enterprising neck. Another of the band was murdered by one of his boon companions not long afterward.
We left Mrs. Skinner at her home, then turned back to the Three Notch road, waving our appreciation and adieux to Mr. Baden. We drove into Woodville, and found our way to Mr. Macpherson's, where we passed by far the most com- fortable night of our pilgrimage. There were, at one time, two burial grounds on this plantation, which embraces parts of the old colonial grants of Brooke Court Manor and Joseph and Mary. All traces of these graves have passed away, and the impression on the minds of the present owners was that the bodies of the early proprietors were removed to
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Historic Graves of Maryland
Bryantown. On the bluff, overlooking the Patuxent, they find even at this late day, traces of the aboriginal lords of the soil in flint arrow heads and sharks' teeth. There are many interesting traditions connected with the old manor house now torn down, dating back to the Digges, the Cray- crofts and the Hoxtons.
Our next search was for reference and credentials as to our "Colonial" governor, and Mrs. John Compton, a daugh- ter of the late Judge Key, had been named to us as having all the information we needed on this point. We found Mrs. Compton and her sister-in-law, Miss Compton, most hospitable and kind, but alas! no tiding of our official. We consoled ourselves, through the opportunity afforded by Miss Compton, of examining a very full and complete family record, contained in a quaint old Bible.
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