USA > 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 9
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 9
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Ah ever dear and much loved Samuel, how few, how very few has heaven made like thee.
Sacred to the memory of Sarah, wife of Samuel Jay, who departed this life in the 36th year of her age, on the 8th day of Dec. in the year of our Lord 1810.
In memory of Dr. Samuel Griffith, who died Jan. 14th, 1803, aged 36 years and 58 days.
In memory of Garrett V. Nelson, who departed this life Dec. 24, 1850, in the 55th year of his age.
In memory of Acquilla Nelson, who departed this life 10th of Oct. 1826, aged 60 years.
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In memory of Frances Nelson, wife of Acquilla Nelson, who departed this life the 17th of Sept. 1847, in her 73rd. year.
In memory of Mr. Henry Van Sickkle, who died the 13th of Sept. 1801, aged 59 years.
In memory of Elizabeth Van Sickle, wife of Henry Van Sickle, who de- parted this life May 29, 1821, aged 77 years.
In memory of Jane Roberts, consort of Owen Roberts, departed this life 5th day of April, 1824, aged 44 years.
In memory of Elizabeth Allen, wife of Eben N. Allen, who departed this life June 14, 1816, in the 24th year of her age.
In memory of Martha Sutton, consort of Samuel Sutton, who departed this life June 10, 1824, in the 30th year of her age.
In memory of Elecia M. Allen, wife of Eben N. Allen, who departed this life Jan. 13, 1823, in the 28th year of her age.
Martha, Relict of Alexander L. Smith and of Samuel Jay, died Aug. 4, 1847, aged 76 years.
Jesus thy heavenly radiance shed To cheer and bless her silent bed
And from Death's gloom her spirit raise To see thy face and sing thy praise.
Samuel Griffith Smith died Apr. 18, 1845, aged 30 years.
When by a good man's grave I muse alone
Me thinks an angel sits upon the stone.
And with a voice inspiring joy, not fear, Says pointing upward that he is not here. That he is risen.
Rev. John Allen, who departed this life Mar. 16, 1830, aged 69 years, for 20 years the faithful and untiring minister of this church, a profound scholar, and able divine, a sincere and humble Christian. Also his wife Brasseya Allen who departed this life Dec. 29, 1831, in the 69th year of her age.
In memory of Rebecca Godsgrace, wife of William Godsgrace, who de- parted this life on the 6th day of Sept., 1778, in the 26th year of her age. Also William, the son of William and Rebecca Godsgrace, who departed this life on the 21st day of July 1777, in the 22nd month of his age.
D. Allen died Dec. 24, 1801.
Col. Thos. White who died Sept. 29, 1779, aged 74 years. His relict Esther, daughter Mary and son William, the latter the first bishop of the diocese of Pennsylvania, are interred in the yard of Christ Church, Phila- delphia. This stone is erected by Thos. H. White, son of the bishop, in 1847.
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Baltimore County
William Hall born at the "Dairy" on the 31st of July, 1756, and died at Constant Friendship on the 9th of Nov. 1818.
I am the resurrection and the life.
Sophia Hall relict of William Hall, departed this life at Constant Friend- ship on the 18th day of April 1853, aged 86 years.
In memory of Catherine, daughter of William and Mary Fulford, who departed this life 24th of February 1815.
In memory of John Patterson, who departed this life on the 7th day of Jan. 1787, in the 42nd year of his age.
In memory of Avarilla Patterson, relict of John Patterson, who departed this life the 16th day of Jan. 1819, in the 63rd year of her age.
Sacred to the memory of Dr. William Beatty, who departed this life on the 14th of April 1801, aged 29 years and 2 months.
In memory of Patrick McLaughlin, died July 23rd. 1829, aged 53 years.
In memory of Anne McLaughlin, consort of Patrick McLaughlin, who departed this life Nov. 2, 1813, in the 42nd year of her age.
In memory of Mary, wife of Benjamin Chandlee, died Jan. 6, 1827, aged 73 years.
In memory of Barthia Patterson, wife of George Patterson, who de- parted this life Aug. 25, 1806, in the 36 year of her age.
In memory of George Patterson, who departed this life Mar. 11, 1808, in the 60th year of his age.
Sacred to the memory of John Kirk, who departed this life Jan. 5, 1851, in the 50th year of his age.
In memory of Jane, wife of Archibald Beatty, who departed this life the 16th of Dec. 1782.
In memory of William T. Herbert, M. D., who departed this life on the 16th day of Aug. A. D. 1821, aged 24 years 5 months and 18 days.
"Like leaves on the trees the race of men are found
Now green in growth now withering on the ground."
In memory of Capt. John Herbert, who departed this life the 12th of Mar. 1825, aged 52 years 8 months 12 days.
In memory of James B. Herbert, who departed this life on the 16th day of July A. D. 1830, aged 36 years 9 months and one day.
In memory of my husband Edward Giles of New York, who died Jan. 10, 1813 aged 29 years 3 months 12 days.
In memory of Mary Ann, wife of Burt Whitson, who died Aug. 19, 1843, aged 37 years 8 months 9 days.
George Henderson, who died Oct. 3, 1847, in the 74th year of his age.
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Col. William W. Ramsey born Nov. 29th, 1792 died Dec. 26, 1831. He survives in the memory of those who best knew him.
Here lies the body of William Moylan Lansdale, who died Feb. 16, in the year of our Lord 1831, in the 47th year of his age.
In memory of our mother Mary, consort of J. Nicholas Sutor a native of Pennsylvania, died at Havre de Grace, Md. June 17, 1832, in the 71st year of her age.
In memory of our father J. Nicholas Sutor a native of Germany, born Dec. 4, 1756, died at Havre de Grace, Md. Mar. 23, 1831, in the 75 year of his age.
In memory of Phillip Moore Hall, who departed this life Oct. 13, 1843, in the 23rd. year of his age.
In memory of Anna Mary, daughter of John and Ann E. Martin, died June 22, 1839, in the 22nd year of her age.
Sacred to the memory of John Martin, departed this life Sept. 26, 1841, in the 66th year of his age.
Sacred to the memory of Ann Elizabeth, wife of John Martin, departed this life Sept. 28, 1828, in the 50th year of her age.
In memory of John Clarke Monk a native of Bristol, Gloscestershire, England, who departed this life Dec. 9, A. D. 1827, aged 67 years., 9 months 14 days.
"Heaven raise its everlasting portals high And bid the pure in heart behold his God."
Sacred to the memory of George H. Perryman, who died 19th Aug. 1843, aged 35 years.
Sacred to the memory of Isaac Perryman, who died June 30, 1831, in the 72nd year of his age.
Sacred to the memory of Ann Perryman, who died Oct. 7, 1837, in the 75 year of her age.
In memory of Hannah, consort of John Kirk, who departed this life on the 30th day of October, A. D. 1820, aged 32 years, 4 months and 19 days.
Sacred to the memory of Archibald Beatty, who departed this life on the 18th day of February 1813, aged 78 years.
Jonathan Sutton, died Jan. 19, 1825, aged 65 years, 2 months and 2 days.
Semelia A. Murphy, wife of Thomas J. Murphy, daughter of Col. Jacob J. Michael. Born Oct. 12, 1809, died Nov. 1, 1847.
In memory of Miranda Chauncey, who departed this life Oct. 17th, 1834, in the 30th year of her age.
In memory of Ann Eliza Chauncey, who departed this life July 1st, 1837, in the 36th year of her age.
In memory of Margaret, wife of Capt. John Herbert and mother of
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Baltimore County
James B. and William P. Herbert, who departed this life June 19th A. D. 1849, aged 98 years.
Mary Sophia Thomas Higbee, wife of Rev. Edward Young Higbee and daughter of Abraham Jarrett Thomas and Mary S. Thomas, was born Aug. 25th A. D. 1815, and died July 1, A. D. 1836.
Beneath the same stone lies Edward Higbee, infant son of Rev. Edward Young Higbee and Mary Sophia Thomas Higbee.
"A cherished hope just born, baptised and gone."
Mary S., wife of A. J. Thomas, died Sept. 20th, aged 29 years.
In memory of Abraham Jarrett, son of Abraham J. Thomas, who de- parted this life July 4, 1841, in the 20th year of his age.
Abraham J. Thomas, who departed this life Aug. 31, 1841, in the 64th year of his age.
Herman S. son of A. J. and Mary S. Thomas, died at Monteray, Mexico, Sept. 23, 1846. . A soldier of the Mexican War, conspicuous for gallantry in the front ranks, among his heroic comrades in the memorable charge of the height commanding Monteray, he fell mortally wounded.
William T., son of A. J. and Mary S. Thomas, died 1850.
Mary Michael, wife of D. Michael, died June 26th, 1842, in the 51st year of her age.
Sacred to the memory of Martha, consort of Ethan Michael, who died Feb. 1st, 1846, in the 34th year of her age.
In memory of Elizabeth, wife of Nathaniel Tuchton, who departed this life July 13, 1840.
Sarah Sutton, died Dec. 3, 1824, aged 56 years 8 months and 17 days.
Sacred to the memory of Martha Giles, who departed this life Mar. 24, 1815, in her 33rd year. Resurgiam.
Here sleep the mortal remains of Jacob W. Giles, born the 26th of June, 1776, died the 7th of Nov. 1851.
From Perryman going northward, we must look for the oldest churchyards of the different religious sects. Though in many cases obliterated, their sites are held in memory by members of the Harford County Historical Society, who have given the subject close attention in the past. A letter to the writer some years ago from the late George W. Archer, an enthusiastic follower after historic research, gives a good picture of these sacred spots viewed under the processes of time, neglect and so-called "progress." The letter referred to is dated February 3, 1898.
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"About two miles northeasterly from Churchville, some twenty years since, there was a graveyard of about 100 feet square, enclosed by an old fence and over-grown with bushes and briars, where interments were made one hundred and sixty years ago, and for many years thereafter. It was the burial ground of the first Presbyterian congregation in what is now Harford county. I visited it a little more than twenty years since, for a few moments, while passing along the pub- lic road very near its site, and finding many rude gravestones with legible inscriptions, I resolved to copy them at some future time. But when I visited it for this purpose, I found that the owner of the surrounding land had torn down the fence, cleared up the thicket, grubbed out the roots, dug up the gravestones, plowed the ground and sowed a crop of grain which was then growing over the ashes of the dead. It is some comfort to know that this man left the earth soon afterwards for unknown abodes. I think I could say where he went, but refrain for obvious reasons. I found a great pile of these gravestones dumped in the adjoining woods and from them I selected one and presented it to our local Historial Society.
"The church was a log structure directly on the roadside where a depression and some remains are still visible. About 1750 its successor was built at the present Churchville, then called the Lower Cross Roads. From about that date inter- ments took place at the more recently built church.
"My grandfather, one of our most active local patriots, was buried there; also his wife, a daughter of Capt. Thos. Harris, a member of the family who founded Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania. Also Mary McKinney, the wife of Capt. Harris, to whose memory a fine monument was erected a few years ago by her descendants now residents of various states. Capt. Harris, who lived at Churchville, returned, after his wife's death, to Pennsylvania, and died about the
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year 1802, in Tuscarora Valley, aged over one hundred years, having lived in three centuries."
The beginnings of the Presbyterian church in Baltimore and Harford counties are enveloped in obscurity, although 1683 has been given as the date of its organization on the eastern shore. The Deer Creek congregation is the first of which there is any record in Harford county, and may be said to date from the preaching of Whitefield in this country, taking the year 1738 as its starting point. The old Bethel church dates from 1745. It stands in the north- western part of the county between Jarrettsville and the Baltimore county line, and in its churchyard are many graves with inscriptions.
Near Priest's Ford, where the road from Churchville to Darlington crosses Deer creek, is the old Catholic graveyard. Interments were made here as early as 1750 and many graves remain marked by rude stones without inscriptions, or by wooden crosses. All the bodies that could be identified were removed some time ago to the more recent cemetery of St. Ignatius at Hickory. Priest's Ford got its name from the chapel established there by the Jesuits about the year 1747. The latter is alluded to in a public document of the year 1756, as "Priest Neale's Mass House."
This singular structure is still standing on a high hill on the borders of Deer creek. It is one story high, with thick stone walls, having almost the appearance of an old block- house used for defense against the Indians. An ancient document, quite respectable for its authority, mentions the Rev. Bennett Neale as its builder. "The central part of the building, running like a long and wide hallway through the house, was alone used for church purposes. The other rooms were the private apartments of the priests. This was conformable to the laws of the Province, which prohibited Catholics from having public places of worship, but tolerated
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these domiciliary oratories or chapels." We are indebted for this description to Mr. Walter W. Preston, in his history of Harford county. As these domiciliary chapels are fast disappearing, the manner of their arrangement is worth mentioning here. This house was sold in 1814, and has since been used as a dwelling.
The graveyard is near the foot of the hill and for more than half a century received the Catholic dead for many miles around. The land for St. Ignatius was purchased for a nomi- nal sum in 1779, and so this spot, also, is of venerable age.
About a mile further on the road from Churchville to Darlington is Trappe church, successor to a chapel-of-ease of Spesutia parish, built in 1755. In the churchyard are some ancient stones with inscriptions. One of these is to the memory of William Smithson, possibly the nephew of William Smithson, Sr. The latter, a venerable judge and citizen, who took a prominent part in local affairs at the time of the Revolution, built a home for himself in 1774, later known as the Farnandis Homestead, but recently destroyed by fire. On a part of this place, adjoining the Fulford farm, is the old Smithson and Farnandis graveyard. William Smithson Senior's grave is marked by a stone bearing his name and the fact of his having
Departed this life January 17, 1809, Aged 64 years.
One of the few detached graves of which there is any re- port is that of Parson Coleman, as he was familiarly known in his day and generation. He at one time officiated at the Garrison Forest church, but in his latter years removed to Harford county. Near the ancient and primitive stone house where he lived, three miles from Belair and an equal dis- tance from Fallston, is his grave:
Respectfully dedicated to the memory of John Coleman, Minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, who departed this life in the full assurance of a blissful immortality.
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Baltimore County
Though his earthly tabernacle were dissolved, he had a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 20th January 1816, aged 58 years.
At "Street," we find the following inscriptions:
Here lieth Hannah Stokes, Aged 79 years, 10 ms. 26 days. Departed this life the 26th of Feb 1826. The wife of Joseph Stokes.
Here lieth the body of Dan Scarbrouch, who Departed this life the 23rd of January 1834, aged 13 years.
"Remember youth as you pass by, Suple as you, so once was I: As I am now, so you must be, Prepare for death and follow me."
Here lieth the body of Hannah Hall, aged 59 years, 2 mo and 26 days, the wife of Rice J. Hall. Departed this life the 11 of Oct, 1832.
Among the detached graves of interest in the Trappe churchyard, is that of Capt. Parker Hill Lee, a gallant officer of the old Maryland line. It is to be found in a small enclosure with two or three others belonging to members of his family. The lot is on the left of the main road leading from Church- ville to Priest's Ford.
On the farm of the late Jeremiah Silver, about a mile east of Harmony Presbyterian church, is the unmarked grave of Aquila Deaver. According to a well-founded tradition, he bore the illustrious Lafayette on his back from the boat to the Harford shore at the Bald Friar ferry. This occurred in 1781, when the French officer, at the head of the army on his way to Virginia, came to a stand-still owing to the ground- ing of his boat. He was about to wade ashore, when Deaver presented his brawny shoulders and saved him a wetting.
There are many old graves in the Methodist cemetery at Abingdon, which encloses the site of the first Methodist college in the world, for higher education. The latter was destroyed by fire in 1795 and was never rebuilt. Abingdon was started by the Pacas. Richard Dallam, one of the lead- ing men of the county and quartermaster of the American army, lived there and it was from him the property for the
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Historic Graves of Maryland
Methodist college was bought. The bell from the latter was saved and now hangs over Goucher Hall, at the Woman's college, Baltimore.
The Quakers had their religious organizations in Mary- land at an early period, the two great meetings being the one at Tred Avon on the Eastern Shore, the other at West river. When they first came to Harford county is not known, for the book that might have thrown light upon their Bush River meeting is lost. With the Deer Creek meeting of 1736, their actual history begins. This was transferred later to Darling- ton. The Little Falls meeting near Fallston dates from 1738, and there were many Friends in the northern part of the county who, in 1780, attended the meeting at Fawn Grove over the Pennsylvania border.
The early burial customs of the Quakers were of the greatest simplicity. Sometimes neat little stones not much taller than footstones are found in their cemeteries, but in- scriptions very seldom. They were advocates of a broad and liberal education and the institutions they have founded, whether in the cause of education or in that of benevolence, are their best monuments. The name of Moses Sheppard, who was born in Harford county, is of more than local sig- nificance, also that of David C. McCoy; whereas Amos, Tyson, Jewett, More, Hull, and many others, are well known in both counties.
The Harford Baptist church, though not established as early as Sater's Meetinghouse, over the Baltimore county line, has enjoyed an uninterrupted existence since 1754. A copy of its first records has preserved a list of early members and among them are several names to be found at Chestnut Ridge in the Saters graveyard. For instance, there are Burnhams, Walkers, Towsons, Cockeys, Boswells and Jones. Then also we find Slade, Hitchcock, Parks, Stansbury and others-names appearing quite frequently on the tomb-
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Baltimore County
stones in St. James or the Manor churchyard. This is easy to account for. "My Lady's Manor," a term still used by the farmers of the locality, was a tract of 10,000 acres given by Charles, Lord Baltimore, in the year 1713 to his wife Margaret .ยท At her death in 1731, it passed under her will to a granddaughter, whose husband's debts were the ultimate cause of its disintegration. This was before the division of Baltimore county. The settlers of kindred blood came pouring in and when the separation occurred, a part of "My Lady's Manor" lay on one side of the border and the rest on the other.
Near "My Lady's Manor," was a tract owned in 1705 by Wm. Bladen, Esq. In 1737 a portion of it was laid off under the name of "Blenheim," by Col. Thos. Franklin, and here we find the graves of his daughter Elizabeth Paca and others, with these inscriptions:
Elizabeth Paca, wife of Aquila Paca, and daughter of Thomas & Ruth Franklin, departed this life April 23d, 1771, aged 26 years.
Eleanor L. Owens, daughter of Larkin H. and Rachel Smith, died Jan. 4th, 1840, aged 39 years.
Larkin H. Smith, departed this life July 11th, 1844, in the 71st. year of his age.
Rachel, wife of Larkin H. Smith, who departed this life July 21st 1849, in the 72d year of her age.
Edward Price, born Jan'y 2d. 1799, departed this life June 6th, 1829.
It is a noteworthy fact that St. James' Episcopal church, or the Manor church, was built in 1753, just one year before the Harford Baptist congregation over the border was or- ganized, and many of the settlers who attended the latter, turned to the established church for its ceremonials of marriage and burial. The Manor church was built as a chapel-of-ease to St. John's or Gunpowder parish, entering upon its existence as a separate parish in 1777. In the church- yard, there are but few graves dating from the eighteenth century, the disorganization that followed the Revolution,
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Historic Graves of Maryland
having borne fruit here as elsewhere. The most interesting of these inscriptions are given:
In Memory of John Mather, Who departed this life October ye 2d 1775, Aged 38 years.
My Pilgrimage I run apace, My resting place is here. This stone is got to keep the Spot, Lest man should dig too near.
Elizabeth Mather, June ye 3d 1776, Aged 33 years. A Resurrection with the Just .
I hope for, though I sleep in Dust.
Elizabeth Bosley 1784.
John McClurg, August 17th 1777.
Affliction sore long time I bore; All human help was vain; Till God did please to give me Ease, And fre'd me from my pain.
A variation of the above verse is found on the tombstone of Lydia Brookheart, "Consort" of Peter Brookheart, date 1833:
Sickness sore long time she bore, Physicians' skill it was in vain,
Till God revealed his tender love & took her away from pain.
Among the first to be buried in the nineteenth century was Elizabeth Talbott, wife of Thos. Talbott, who died Decem- ber 8, 1801, aged 31 years. The largest family group is that of the Gwynns:
Samuel Gwynn, 27th day of August 1810.
William Gwynn, October 1st 1819, In the 70th year of his age.
Eleanor Gwynn, 30th day of July 1829, In the 77th year of her age. John Gwynn, March 25th 1823, Aged 75 years.
John Gwynn Jr., March 16th 1822, Aged 44 years.
Our beloved Father, William Gwynn of R. Born 4th Dec. 1797; died 4th Dec. 1846.
Our beloved Mother Mary, Wife of William Gwynn, Born 11th May 1793; died 2d August 1849. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Among those who reached the good old age of three-score- years-and-ten are: Col. Wm. Hitchcock, who died June 8,
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Baltimore County
1835, in the 71st year of his age, and Jemima his wife, on February 16, 1824. Some of those whose lives were cut short were:
Capt. Aquilla Miles Feb. 18th 1808, In the 32nd year of his age. A tender Husband and an indulgent parent. and Elizabeth, his wife, who died January 9th 1805, aged 22 years.
Between Maj. Dixon Stansbury, who died June 5, 1841, in his 58th year, and Sophia, his wife, October 12, 1831, aged 40 years, lies John Stewart Calhoun, infant son of Capt. D. D. Miles, U. S. N., date, December 27, 1840.
The oldest graves of the Hutchins family, who were seated within the bounds of St. James parish before the church was built, are Zarey Hutchins, wife of Richard, who departed this life December 23, 1819, aged 78 years; Col. William Hutchins, in the year 1824, aged 70, and Nicholas Hutchins, who died May 24, 1845. The latter was doubtless a de- scendant of the Nicholas Hutchins at whose house the ser- vices were held, while the church was being built.
The name of Pearce is also well represented in the church- yard. Seven brothers of this name settled in Baltimore county, five of whom took part in the Revolutionary war.
The ancient parish of St. John's Protestant Episcopal church overlooks the border of the two counties, but the church itself stands at Kingsville on the Baltimore county side. In fact, there are at present two churches with the old graves about them, the one to suit the requirements of a congregation "up to date," the other to be reserved as a venerable connecting link in the romantic history of a church, subject to the migratory habit in the past. More than one hundred and seventy years ago, St. John's parish church stood at Joppa, a flourishing town and port-of-entry and a rival of Baltimore in its early days. When St. Paul's church was about to be erected at the latter place in 1730, St. John's
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was recommended as the model worthy to be copied. Of Joppa, alas! nothing now remains but the Rumsey mansion, built in 1760, traditions of a family graveyard and a stone,
To the memory of David McCullogh, Merchant of Joppa, who died the 17th day of September 1766, aged forty-eight years.
In the churchyard of St. John's we find the following in- scriptions :
In memory of Dr. John C. Howard, Died December 1844. Also Ellen, Daughter of Dr. John C. and Marian Howard, Aged 7 years.
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