USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > Annapolis > The history of Annapolis, the capital of Maryland: the state house, its various public buildings together with a full history and description of the United States Naval Academy from its origin to the present time > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
H
Gc 975.202 An7t 1753442
M
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
V
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02167 245 3
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofannapol00tayl_0
THE
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS,
The Capital of Maryland:
THE STATE HOUSE, ITS VARIOUS PUBLIC BUILDINGS, INCLUDING THE SENATE CHAMBER, WHERE GENERAL WASHINGTON RESIGNED HIS COMMISSION, PORTRAITS, RELICS, &c. OF THE STATE, GOVERNMENT MANSION, ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH AND COLLEGE, ST. ANNE'S CHURCH, PRESBYTERIAN AND METHODIST CHURCHES, CITY AND NATIONAL CEMETERIES, FARMERS' AND FIRST NATIONAL BANKS, CITY AND MARYLAND HOTELS, ASSEMBLY ROOMS, COURT HOUSE, &C., &C.
Together with a full History and Description
OF THE
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY, FROM ITS ORIGIN TO THE PRESENT TIXE.
ITS BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, FOUNTAINS, CEMETERY AND PARK, CHAPEL, MONUMENTS, LIBRARY, NEW MIDSHIPMEN'S QUARTERS,
WITH AN APPENDIX,
Containing a variety of Historical and Interesting Reminiscences, &c.
COMPILED AND EDITED BY
OWEN M. TAYLOR,
ANNAPOLIS, MD.
₾
BALTIMORE: TURNBULL BROTHERS. 1872.
130263
----
------ -
F85Ji. 80 1
1
1753442
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, BY TURNBULL BROTHERS,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
21-38 35 XC
1
INTRODUCTION.
THE Author of the following pages entertaining the belief that their publication might be acceptable to his fellow-citizens, and a generous public, has committed them to the press, in the hope that his readers may derive something of interest from their perusal. In taking this step he has had many misgivings. Diffident of his ability to invest his subject with the interest that belongs to it, he would have been loath indeed to give it publicity had it not been for the absence of any such publication.
He has gathered his material from the records within his reach. He 1 is indebted for much of it to the'"Annals of Annapolis," (which unfor- tunately has become obsolete,) and to the valuable assistance afforded him by Commodore Worden, Superintendent at the Naval Academy, Henry Lee Snyder, Chief Engineer at the Academy, and to Rev. William S. Southgate, of St. Anne's Church.
The undersigned bespeaks for this publication the clemency of all.
OWEN M. TAYLOR.
-----
.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ANCIENT
CITY OF ANNAPOLIS,
AND IT8
MOST PROMINENT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS, &c.
CHAPTER I.
-
ITS EARLY HISTORY.
Townof St. Mary's - The Capital of the Province - An Assembly called - Act of Virginia against dissenting Ministers -The Puritans leave Virginia - Take refuge in Maryland - And settle at Providence, now Annapolis -Oath of Fidelity - Mr. Thomas Greene appointed Gov- ernor in the absence of Governor William Stone - He proclaims the Prince of Wales - The inhabitants of Providence prefer the dominion of the Commonwealth -- Governor Stone returns - Calls an As- sembly - The Puritans refuse to attend - Governor Stone visits Providence - Returns Burgesses to the Assembly - They attend - Providence organised into a county called Anne Arundel - Murders committed by the Indians - Susquehanock Indians - Preparations against the Indians.
The town of Saint Mary's became the capital of the Prov- ince, and the first Legislative .Assembly of the Province.was called and held there, about the commencement of the year 1635.
Having stated this preliminary fact, and not intending to connect the history of the Province with these "annals " further than what may appear to be necessary, we will now turn to some of the causes which eventuated in the settlement of the present capital of Maryland.
In the year 1642 the Assembly of the Province of Virginia passed an Act to prevent dissenting ministers from preaching and propagating their doctrines in that colony. Under this Act the Governor and Council of Virginia issued an order
6
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
- that all such persons as would not conform to the discipline of the Church of England should depart the country by a certain day. Notwithstanding the laws against the Puritans in Vir- ginia, they continued to keep up a conventicle of their members for some years, which had in the year 1648 increased to one hundred and eighteen members. . At this period the gov- ernment of that colony caused a more vigorous execution of the laws to be enforced against them. Their conventicle in Virginia was therefore broken up, and the members of it being driven out of that colony, were dispersed in different direc- tions. The pastor (a Mr. Harrison) went from thence to Boston, in New England, in the latter end of this year, and the elder (a Mr. Durand) took refuge in Maryland. It is stated by one of their own members to have taken place in the year 1649, but at what time of the year we are nowhere informed. Most probably they did not leave Virginia in a body, but gradually, in small numbers, in the course of the spring and summer of this year. It is stated by Mr. Leonard Strong, in his Babylon's Fall, &c., that they were not invited into Mary- land by Governor Stone, but by-a friend of the Governor's ; that they were only " received and protected." These people seated themselves at a place by them called " Providence," but afterwards "Proctors," or "The Town Land at Severn ;" later still, " The Town at Proctors ; " then "The Town Land at Severn where the town was formerly ; " after that, "Anne Arundel Town," which was subsequently changed into "The Port of Annapolis," and finally, under its charter in 1708, was established as the "City of Annapolis."
It is alleged by the advocate of the Puritans who thus set- tled at Providence (Leonard Strong, before cited) that "an oath to the Lord Baltimore was urged upon this people soon after their arrival, which if they did not take they must have no land nor abiding in the Province." The oath here alluded to was the oath of fidelity, as prescribed by his lordship, and annexed to his " condition of Plantations," of 1648. They were made acquainted by Captain Stone before they came here with that oath of fidelity, which was to be taken by those
7
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
who would hold any land here from his Jordship ; " nor had they any objection to the oath, till they were as much refreshed with their entertainment there as the snake in the fable was with the countryman's breast ; for which some of them were equally thankful. But it was deemed by some of these people too much below them to take an oath to the Lord Pro- prietary of that Province, though many Protestants of much better quality had taken it." Although these people had thus with the permission of the Lord Proprietary's government, seated themselves within the Province of Maryland, yet it does not appear that they had immediately thereon subjected themselves to the Proprietary government of St. Mary's.
The peninsula or neck of land whereon Annapolis stands was probably uninhabited by any Europeans before their arrival; and thus secluded from the rest of the inhabitants of the Province, it is probable that, according to the usage of the Con- gregational Church of New England, a branch of which Church they were, a sort of hierarchical government was established by them, similar to that which had been practised by the first colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Neither does it appear that any grants of land or territory were made to these people, either collectively or individually, either prior to or subsequent to their arrival in Maryland, until the latter end of July 1650, when their settlement was organised as a county, under a commander and commissioners of the peace, as the Isle of Kent had been before.
In this year (1649), when Charles I. was beheaded, Mr. Thomas Greene, who was now Governor of Maryland, in the absence of Governor Stone, caused the Prince of Wales to be proclaimed in the Province, as "the undoubted rightful heir to all his father's dominions," on the fifteenth day of November. Another proclamation was also issued, of the same date, "to further the common rejoicing of the inhabitants upon that occasion," declaring a general pardon to all the inhabitants of the Province for every offence before committed.
It appears, however, that the Puritans who had just settled on the Severn did not join in the "common rejoicing;" but
8
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
preferring the rule and dominion of the Commonwealth of England, just established in the mother country, to that of the declared succession of their late sovereign, Charles I., desired to be exempt from the common privilege of causing the shores of their beautiful Severn to re-echo with their "rejoicings " on this occasion.
In January 1650, Governor Stone having returned to the Province and resumed the functions of his office, convened the Legislature by proclamation, to meet at St. Mary's on the second day of April ensuing. On the day appointed the As- sembly accordingly convened; but as no returns were made, nor any appearance of the freemen or burgesses from Prov- idence, "the Governor adjourned the House till Friday next, the fifth day of the same present month."
In the meantime it appears that Governor Stone visited the new colony at Providence, probably with a view of reconciling in an amicable way the refractory Puritans to the Proprietary government; for it seems that they consented to send two bur- gesses to the Assembly, and the Governor himself made the return thereof as follows :
" By the Lieutenant, &c., of Maryland: The freemen of that part of Maryland now called Providence, being by my appointment duly summoned to this present Assembly, did unanimously make choice of Mr. Puddington and Mr. James Cox for their burgesses, I being there in person at that time."
Accordingly, on the sixth of April the Assembly met, and after choosing James Cox Speaker, and Mr. William Britton their Clerk, proceeded to business. We may remark here that this choice of the Speaker seems to indicate the growing strength and influence of the infant colony that had settled at Providence.
The Puritans who had founded Providence formed at this early period of their settlement a considerable population, and having sent and been represented by their burgesses or dele- gates at this last Assembly, and so far submitting to the Pro- prietary government, an Act was passed at this session, entitled " An Act for the creating of Providence into a county, by the
9
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
name of Anne Arundel County." The tenor of this Act was, "that part of the Province of Maryland, on the west side of the Chesapeake Bay, over against the Isle of Kent, formerly called by the name of Providence, by the inhabitants there residing, &c., shall from henceforth be erected into a shire or county, by' the name of Anne Arundel County, and by that name be ever hereafter called." It was probably so called from the maiden name of Lady Baltimore, then lately deceased - Lady Anne Arundel, the daughter of Lord Arundel of Wardour, whom Cecilius Lord Baltimore had married.
No boundaries were assigned by this Act to the county. As the population of that part of the Province was detached from the other inhabited parts, and like Kent Island, was insulated from the rest of the Province, such population constituted its limits in fact, until in process of time other counties being erected adjacent thereto, defined its boundaries.
This detached colony had its inconveniences and difficulties to contend with, incident to all newly-settled places. It became thereby not only more obnoxious to the Indians, but more liable to alarm, and more easily assailed by these aborigines. Some Acts of Assembly, made at the last session of Assembly, indicated considerable uneasiness existing at this period among the colonists on account of some recent murders and captures committed among them by the natives. It appears that two of the inhabitants of Kent and Anne Arundel Counties had been lately murdered in a most cruel and barbarous manner by certain Indians. It is most probable that the Indians who committed the above-mentioned murders were the Susque- hanocks, a powerful and warlike tribe who inhabited all that part of Maryland which lies between the Patuxent and Sus- quehanough rivers, on the western shore, and all that portion of country from the Choptank to the Susquehanough, on the eastern shore. This Assembly, in addition to this cautionary measure of preventing a repetition of such murders by the Indians, thought it necessary that some more effectual remedy to check such conduet of the natives should be applied, and accordingly enacted " An order providing for a march upon 2
---------
10
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
-
the Indians," as follows: " Whereas, certain Indians, this last year, have most wickedly and barbarously murdered an English inhabitant of the County of Kent, and another inhabitant like- wise since, in Anne Arundel County, Be it therefore ordered, That the Governor, with the advice of the Council, or the major part of them, shall have power, in case such Indians who have committed such barbarous and wicked murders shall not be sent in after demand made of them to the Government here, to receive such punishment as is due for such offence, to press men and to appoint such allowance for their pay, and to make war upon these nations of Indians refusing to deliver up those offenders as aforesaid, as in his and their best discretion shall be thought fit; the charge of which war to be laid by an equal assessment on the persons and estates of all the inhab- itants of this Province."
It would appear, however, notwithstanding all this prep- aration for an Indian war, that a considerable trade was still carried on, either with these hostile Indians, or more probably with some other tribe or tribes, who remained in a state of peace with our colonists.
فكي ويسر
CHAPTER II.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
CITY OF ANNAPOLIS - Its Population - Shipping - It: Site - Its Advan- tages - NAVAL ACADEMY - Its Proximity to the Seat of the National Government - The State House, in which General George Washing- ton resigned his Commission - The Treasury Department - The Government House - Portraits and Relics of the State - St. John's College - St. Mary's Catholic College and Church - St. Anne's Church - Presbyterian and Methodist Churches - City and National Cemeteries - Farmers' and First National Banks - City and Mary- land Hotels-Assembly Rooms - Court House, etc., etc.
The City of Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, received its name on the 16th day of August 1708, in honor of Queen Anne, the then reigning monarch of England. The charter was granted by the Hon. John Seymour, then the Royal Governor of the Province. It is situated on the south branch of the Severn river, thirty miles south from Baltimore, and forty miles east-northeast from Washington, in latitude 38º 58' north ; longitude, Washington city, 0° 31' east. Its popu- lation is about seven thousand ; shipping some 8000 tons. It stands on a peninsula formed by Aeton's Creek on the south, and Covey's Creek on the north; the heads of these two creeks being within a half-mile of each other. Its greatest length is little more than a mile, and in breadth something more than half a mile. It covers an area of about a hundred and sixty-three acres.
The site of the city is one of great beauty, commanding an extensive view of the Chesapeake Bay and the surrounding country, which exhibits a great diversity of landscape and pic- turesque scenery. The appellation of the " Beautiful City " has often been applied to her, especially when clothed in Nature's brightest livery.
Annapolis is the natal place of some of the most distin- guished men America can boast of; and has the honor of being the native place of five of the most beautiful and accom-
12
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
plished peeresses of our mother country - the Misses Caton, grand-daughters of Charles Carroll of Carrollton.
This city is admirably adapted as a location for both com- mercial and manufacturing enterprises, to a greater extent than it has been favored with. Her central position between the North and the South; her proximity to the seat of our National Government; her fine and commodious harbor, which gives her great commercial advantages - all combine to recom- mend her to the General and State Governments for consid- eration. There is water bold and extensive enough for all de- sirable purposes ; and also seven miles from the mouth of the Severn is the Round Bay, a beautiful sheet of water, which of itself presents a commodious and secure harbor for ships of war.
The public buildings are the State House, the Treasury, the Government House, St. John's College, Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church, Catholic College and Church, two Methodist Episcopal Churches, the Farmers' National Bank, and the First National Bank, Court House, the Maryland and City Hotels, Assembly Rooms, &c., &c.
THE STATE HOUSE.
The State House is situated on a beautiful elevation in the centre of the city. It has elicited alike the admiration of the citizen, the sojourner, and the stranger, for the beauty of its structure. The main building is of brick, and the super- structure which surmounts it is of wood. The height from the base to the top of the spire is two hundred feet. From the platform of the dome, which is one hundred and thirty feet high, the spectator has one of the most delightful panor- amic views to be found within the United States. It com- mands a view of Nature in all the beauty of poetic scenery ; the ancient city, the adjacent country, the noble Chesapeake, and the Eastern Shore beyond it, for an extent of thirty miles around, break upon the view of the delighted eve.
The hill on which stands this noble edifice is enclosed by a neat and substantial granite wall, surmounted by a handsome
13
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
iron railing, which is entered by three gates, one situated at the head of Frances street and in front of the building, the second to the southwest, and the third to the northeast of the circle. The main entrance to the building is through a portico of but modest pretensions, and opens into a spacious and beau- tiful hall, in which is had a view of the interior of the dome, the stucco-work of which was made from plaster brought from St. Mary's County.
On the right hand of the hall is the Senate Chamber. This room is judiciously and tastefully fitted up for the use of the Senators of our State. It is thirty-four feet by forty ; it has a lobby and gallery for the accommodation of visitors. Per- sons of distinction are often invited within the bar of the Senate, where seats are provided for them. Portraits at full length of the distinguished Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Samuel Chase, William Paca, and Thomas Stone, ornament the walls. These gentlemen were the four signers of the Declaration of Independence on the part of Maryland, and were at that period all citizens of Annapolis; each of them in his day filled various posts of honor and responsibility, and shared largely the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. The first-named gentleman was the last survivor of that illus- trions band of patriots who signed the Declaration of Ameri- can Independence. There is also in this room a portrait of the " Hero of the Cowpens," the virtuous and excellent John Eager Howard, who has with the rest of his compatriots gone to the land of his fathers, there to reap the rewards of an honorable and well-spent life. In 1788, '89 and '90, Mr. Howard was Governor of Maryland. The first and last named portraits were painted by Mr. Sully, the others by Mr. Bordley, both native artists.
There is likewise in the Committee Room adjoining the Senate Chamber a portrait of the elder Pitt, the friend of America. In this picture Lord Chatham is represented at full length, in the attitude and costume of a Roman orator, with decorations of emblematical figures expressive of his noble principles. It was painted by Charles Wilson Peale (who was
----
1
14
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
a native of Annapolis) while in England, and presented by him in the year 1794 to his native State.
This room is still more memorable as being the spot upon which was consummated the greatest act in the life of the greatest man of any age. It was here that Washington, after having rescued his country from foreign dominion and usurpa- tion, nobly laid down his authority on the altar of liberty - resigning his commission into the hands of Congress - (in this connection the author will state that over the door from the Senate Chamber to the Committee Room will be seen a scene most instructive and interesting, that is to say, Washing- ton's resignation of his military commission) -and in this room, too, was ratified by the same Congress, the treaty of peace with Great Britain, of 1783, recognising our inde- pendence.
On the left of the hall, immediately opposite to the Senate Chamber, is the Chamber of the House of Delegates. This apartment originally was of the same dimensions as the former, and had also a gallery for the accommodation of spectators ; and at that period was suspended from the walls a large picture, presenting a full length likeness of General Washing- ton, attended by General La Fayette and Colonel Tilghman, his aides-de-camp, the Continental army passing in review. In his hand he holds the articles of capitulation at Yorktown. This picture was painted by Charles Wilson Peale, in pur- suance of a resolution of the General Assembly of Maryland.
The Chamber of the House of Delegates has within several years past been much enlarged and handsomely refitted, and is capable of accommodating all its members, who sit at desks conveniently arranged, together with the numerous spectators who from day to day visit that body. The last three Conven- tions to reform the organic law of Maryland assembled and held their deliberations in this hall.
At the termination of the hall of entrance to the State House the State Library is situated, which is appropriately fitted up, and contains at present some twenty thousand volumes of standard legal and miscellaneous works.
15
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
In the public hall are two stairways; the one on the right leads to a flight of stairs to the Executive Department, directly over the Senate Chamber. This room was occupied under a former Constitution of the State, and previous to the year 1838, by the Governor and Council. It has often since that period undergone repairs, and is neatly and appropriately furnished. The Executive business is now transacted by the Governor and the Secretary of State. Opposite to the door of the State Department, a stairway leads to the dome of the building.
The stairway on the left of the public hall leads to. the Court-room of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, and ad- joining thereto is the Clerk's office and consultation chamber of the Judges. They are over the hall of the House of Dele- gates. The large picture of General Washington, attended by General La Fayette and Col. Tilghman, &c., and removed from the hall of the House of Delegates, has been assigned a place in the Court-room, and is hung immediately in front of the Justices.
THE TREASURY.
Within the circle enclosing the State House on the eastern margin of the hill, stands the Treasury Department. This building is venerable as well as memorable for having been the legislative hall of the Provincial government. In the larger room, the Lower House, and in the smaller one, the Upper House of Assembly, sat for many years ; such accommo- dations contrast strikingly with those of the present day.
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
A short distance to the northeast from the Treasury Depart- ment stands the Comptroller's and Record Office. In the latter are deposited the archives of the State, together with the old records formerly in the Chancery Office, long since abolished. There is also in this building the Land Office. This, as likewise the State House, is heated by steam and
16
HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
lighted by gas. On the northwest of the circle is the steam apparatus. The grounds surrounding the State House are handsomely laid out and decorated with the most choice trees, shrubbery and flowers, and present an appearance in summer rarely to be seen. On the southwest of the Capitol is an ever- gushing jet-fountain of modern style, and a fish-pool of unsur- passed quality and beauty. These grounds are visited during the spring, summer, and autumn months by large numbers of excursionists from all parts of the State, who invariably leave well pleased with their visit to the ancient city.
From the State House, and Episcopal Church circles, respec- tively, many of the streets radiate, and intersect each other at convenient points. The plan is a peculiar and an agreeable one, when viewed from some prominent point.
THE OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
The original Government House, at least the main building thereof, was erected by Edmund Jennings, Esq., and was pur- chased from him by Governor Eden, when he presided over the Province of Maryland ; and by whom were built the wings and long room. That edifice had a handsome court and garden, extending, with the exception of an intervening lot, to the water's edge. From the portico looking to the garden, a fine prospect regales the vision. The building consisted of two stories, and presented an extensive front; there were on the lower floor a large room on each side of the hall as you enter, and several smaller ones; the saloon on the same floor was nearly the length of the house.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.