USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > A history of Anne Arundel County in Maryland : adapted for use in the schools of the county > Part 19
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WINFIELD SCOTT SCHLEY.
10. Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, U. S. N., who commanded the American fleet at the naval battle off Santiago, is a citizen of Anne Arundel county. He holds his citizenship in the city of Annapolis, and, when he exercises the right of the elective franchise, Admiral Schley casts his ballot in Annapolis.
SAMUEL CHASE,
11. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, became a resident of Annapolis when he was in his eighteenth year. He often represented the city of Annapolis in the Legislature, and was sent to Congress in 1774. He anticipated the Declaration of Independence, by declaring before its adoption, that " by the God of Heaven, he owed no allegiance to the King of Great Britain." He was the most ardent of patriots, and was called the "torch of the Revolution." His national fame was begun at Annapolis, while he was a citizen of that place.
THOMAS BLADEN,
12. Proprietary Governor of Maryland, 1742-7, was the only colonial Governor of Maryland born in America. He was born at Annapolis, in 1698, and was the son of William Bladen, who came to Maryland in 1690. He coneluded a peace
PARAGRAPH 9. (a) Give an account of Thomas Johnson?
PARAGRAPH 10. (a) Where is the legal residence of Admiral Winfield Scott Schley? (b) At what important naval action was he in command?
PARAGRAPH 11. («) Of What place was Samuel Chase a resident? (b) Of what was he a signer?
PARAGRAPH 12. (a) Who was Thomas Bladen? (b) Where was he born?
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with Six Nations while he was Governor, and began the building of McDowell Hall, St. John's College, in 1744, as a Governor's residence. He left Annapolis for England in 1747, and was the executor of Lord Baltimore's will. He repre- sented several constituencies in the English Parliament, and attained considerable reputation for his learning and polished manners. In 1731, he married Barbara, daughter of Sir Thomas JJannses, Baronet of Wimbledon, Surrey, and sister-in-law of Charles Calvert, fifth Lord Baltimore. Gov. Bladen died in England in 1780.
HENRY WINTER DAVIS,
13. One of the most brilliant of the many brilliant and accomplished orators of Maryland, was born at Annapolis, on August 16, 1817. His father was the Rev. Henry Lyon Davis, an Episcopal Clergyman, then Principal or President, as it is now called, of St. John's College, and rector of St. Anne's Parish. On account of his Federal politics, the father lost both of his offices, and the family left Annapolis to return to Anne Arundel in 1827. It was in this historic county, with his fowling piece on his shoulder, tramping through field and wood, burning much powder and securing little game, that Henry Winter Davis learned those lessons that set his heart against slavery. He declined to let his slaves be sold when they became his at his father's death, and pursned, in consequence, a life of labor to support him- self. He sold land, studied the law with its proceeds, and was admitted to the bar in Alexandria, Va. He removed to Baltimore in 1850, and was elected a member of Congress in 1854. He was re-elected to Congress in 1863. He died December 30, 1864. Although a strong Union man, in Congress he took the ground that there should be no trial of citizens by courts-martial. It was a great battle, when he and the great commoner and advocate of ruthless force, regardless of constitu- tional law, Thaddeus Stevens, met in battle array on the floor of Congress ou this question in an amendment to the military bill that no part of the funds, voted the Army, should be used to pay for courts-martial engaged in trying civilians. Henry Winter Davis won by the close vote of 72 to 71.
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He was the author of this splendid sentiment that " he who would compromise a moral principle was a scoundrel, but that he who would not compromise a measure of policy was a fool."
It was said of this splendid orator and accomplished lawyer that "with a thorough mastery of the subject under discussion, he always commanded the atten- tion of the House, by his strictly logical reasoning, his array of facts, his knowledge of constitutional law, the chaste but fervid eloquence of his diction, the strength and melody of his voice, and his commanding presence."
The author saw Henry Winter Davis once. It was when he was making his fierce fight for the prevention of the trial of civilians by courts-martial. That one opportunity to hear the voice and to see the handsome face and figure of Henry Winter Davis is a gratification that will continue as long as memory lasts.
PARAGRAPH 13. (a) Who was Henry Winter Davis?
(b) Where was he born?
11
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CHAPTER FORTY-FIFTH.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, CHURCHES, AND ANCIENT LANDMARKS.
THREE GUBERNATORIAL RESIDENCES.
1. Annapolis contains three houses that have served, or were intended to serve, as the residences of the Governors of Maryland. The earliest built is that now owned by Mrs. Francis T. Marchand, formerly the residence of Judge A. B. Hagner, No. 83 Prince George street. The house is a well preserved evidence of the taste and solidity of the architecture of that interesting period. To this house a few years since, an addition was made on the right wing. The ontlines and proportions of the ancient building are easily discerned. This building belonged to Major Edward Dorsey, and was occupied by Governor Francis Nicholson, who was the Execu- tive of the province from 1694 to 1709. The exact date of the erection of the building is not known. This honse is most probably the one that was occupied for the sitting of the Legislature after the burning of the State Honse in 1704.
The next in age is McDowell Hall, St. John's College. In 1744, the College Green, containing four acres of land, was conveyed by Stephen Boardley to Thomas Bladen, Governor of Maryland, who projected the main and central building, as a palatial residence for the Governors of Maryland. Its site, the commodions grounds and the spacious building conspired to make the mansion a desirable and a- princely public residence. Mr. Duff, the architect, came from Scotland to superintend the construction of the building ; materials of every kind were provided in a most liberal spirit, and the edifice was nearly finished in a style of magnificence, suitable to the prosperity and enterprise of the province, when a disagreement took place between the Governor and the Legislature, that reached such a fervor, that, at a period, when a nominal sum would have made it a fitting mansion for the executives of Maryland, all work was stopped, and it remained until 1784, " a melancholy and monldering monument " of the result of political dissensions. It appropriately received the cognomen of " Bladen's Folly."
By chapter 37, 1784, this property was voted by the State to St. John's Col- lege, provided the College was established at Annapolis.
The third gubernatorial mansion is the one now ocenpied by the Governor as his residence.
The Act of 1866, chapter 46, provided for the purchase of a site for, and the erection of, a Gubernatorial Mansion. The Governor, Comptroller, and Treasurer, Thomas Swann being Governor, were anthorized to have this work executed. One hundred thousand dollars were appropriated. The site selected was a quintangular
PARAGRAPH I. (@) Can you name the three houses that still stand that have been used, or projected for the residences of the Governors of Maryland?
.
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lot, fronting on State House Circle, College Avenue, (Tabernacle street), Church Circle, Lawyer and North streets.
. To make room for the present Governor's mansion, two fine old colonial resi- dences had to be torn down. One was the house of the late George E. Franklin, and the other of Mrs. Green. The last house was formerly the residence of Absalom Ridgely, and of his son Dr. John Ridgely, who was surgeon on the United States Ship Phildelphia when it was captured in the harbor of Tripoli in 1804. This house was built by Gen. Geo. H. Stewart's grandfather.
The lot and building of the new executive mansion cost $69,296.28, over the appropriation which the Legislature was called upon to meet. The Legislature investigated the matter and made a detailed report of the expense, but a wise and friendly state printer neglected to bind the report among public doenments of the session, and this interesting statement is therefore lost to history and posterity.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
2. The first trustees of the Methodist Congregation of Annapolis, of whom there is any record, were Absalom Ridgely, Joseph Evans, George Wells and John Miller. When the church was incorporated in 1833, all of the original trustees were dead, save Joseph Evans, who then was no longer a member of the church.
The first church of Methodism stood near the site of the present Record office, on the State House Hill. The circle did not extend as far then as it does now. The church was a frame building, and was known as " the old Blue Church," so designated from its color. It had a stairway on the outside, up which the colored part of the congregation went to the gallery set apart for them. After it ceased to be used as a church, it became a school-house.
When the Methodists became a corporate body in 1833, the following were the trustees : Nicholas J. Watkins, Basil Shephard, Lonis Gassaway, George McNeir, Thomas G. Waters, Grafton Munroe, Andrew Slicer and Philip Clayton.
The second church in which the Methodists worshipped was built about 1820. It was a neat brick building, with pressed brick front, and remained until 1859, when the present church was built on the same site. It was in this second church that Gen. LaFayette attended divine service in Annapolis, 1824.
The building committee of the present church were J. Wesley White, James Andrews and James Munroe. The committee on funds : J. Wesley White, Joshua Brown, Philip Clayton, Edward Hopkins, Soloman Philips, Isaac Brewer, James Andrews, R. R. Goodman and James Munroe.
The congregation as early as 1834 bought a parsonage on Cornhill street, on the north side near the corner. It was burnt down about 1851. The present parsonage was built in 1852.
PARAGRAPH 2.
(a) What is the date of the first articles of incorporation of the First Methodist Church?
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A HISTORY OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3. The first Presbyterian church of Annapolis was organized May 2, 1846, by Rev. Dr. Laurie and the Rev. Mr. Dunlop, members of the congregation appointed by the Presbytery of Baltimore for that duty. The elders elected at that time were Prof. A. N. Girault and Dr. John Ridont.
On the 25th of July, 1846, the corner-stone of the church edifice was laid by Rev. Thomas Peck, D. D., at the same time an address was delivered by him at the Assembly Rooms.
On the 11th of July, 1847, the church was dedicated, George W. Musgrave, D. D., preaching the sermon. On the same day, the first pastor, Rev. Charles H. Ewing, was installed.
The following succeeded Mr. Ewing as pastors: Rev. J. J. Graff, 1849 to 1861 : Rev. J. M. Patterson, from 1861 to 1866 ; Rev. J. J. Henderson, from 1867 to 1875; Rev. H. O. Gibbons, from 1876 to 1881. Rev. Robt. H. Williams was installed pastor in October, 1882. Rev. Geo. S. Bell is now the pastor.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
4. The present Catholic church was erected in 1858, when the Rev. Father Michael Miller was pastor.
The first Catholic Church was erected on the site of St. Mary's Parochial School. It was built mainly through the instrumentality of the venerable Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, during the later period of his life, probably somewhere about 1830. It was torn down a few years since on account of its unsafe condition. Near the parochial school is a house that was formerly used as the residence of the Catholic clergymen. It is one of a row of buildings that previously stood there, then known as "MacNamara's row," and this house is said to be one of the oldest in the city. MacNamara was one of the earliest to have his lot surveyed when the town was re-surveyed in 1718.
The property, now owned by the Redemptorist Order, formerly belonged to Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, and was donated to this religions body by the descend- ants of this illustrious patriot.
WESLEY CHAPEL
5. Was erected in 1870. It was the first church built by its congregation. The building committee were Joseph S. M. Basil, J. Wesley Robinson and Josiah Russell. The pastor in charge was J. H. Swope. This congregation is now known as the Maryland Avenue Church, and owns a fine brick edifice.
PARAGRAPH 3. (a) When was the first Presbyterian Church organized in Annapolis?
PARAGRAPH 4. (a) When was the present Catholic Church erected?
PARAGRAPH 5. (a) When was the first church built by the present congregation of the Mary- land Avenue Methodist Church?
Bancroft Hall, Quarters of the Midshipmen, U. S. Naval Academy.
Northwest View of Naval Academy and St. John's College.
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USAUMA TARY
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A HISTORY OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.
ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH.
6. St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded April 6, 1874. On June 7, 1875, the corner-stone of the church was laid. The building committee of the church was: M. R. Casler, Henry Kaiser, John Dressel, Jerry W. Kalmey, and John Steip. The trustees of 1886 were: Christian Boessell, Martin M. Smith, William Haller, Henry Matzen, Frederick Vollmer, and Charles Ziehlke.
ASBURY M. E. CHURCH, (Colored Congregation.)
7. This church was built in 1803. The trustees were John Wheeler, George Martin, Saml. Hackney, Matthias Robertson, Francis Tray, John Forty. The church was rebuilt in 1838, and at that time was connected with the Baltimore Conference. The trustees in 1886 were Thomas Jones, Louis Lomack, David Johnson, Benj. Little, Wiley Bates, Joseph Pinkney, Arson Tyler, and Henry Hebron. The pastor was Rev. Alexander Dennis.
MOUNT MORIAH CHURCH, (Colored Congregation), Was built in 1874 under the pastorage of Rev. Jonathan Hamilton.
THE BALL ROOM
8. Is the same building that Eddis described in 1770. It was erected about 1765. One room is now used for the meeting of the City Council, other apartments for balls and social gatherings, and one portion as the department headquarters. The supper room was formerly the revenue office of the province. During the erection of the present State House, the Legislature met in the Ball Room. Wash- ington has danced in the room.
THE OLD CITY HALL
9. Is the house now occupied by Ridout & Bro. It was used formerly as a place of meeting of the corporation, and as a fire engine house.
THE CITY HOTEL
10. Was originally the residence of Mr. Lloyd Dulany. That part was two stories high and in it is the room occupied by Gen. Washington, the night before he resigned his military commission. A new building of three stories was added afterward, and, about 1830, the buildings, from the large one on Conduit street to the corner of Conduit street and Duke of Gloucester, were erected. The first proprietor of it as a hotel was Col. Mann. This was during the Revolutionary
PARAGRAPH 6. (a) When was St. Martin's Church founded?
PARAGRAPH 7. (a) When did the colored Methodist congregations of Annapolis build their churches?
PARAGRAPH 8. (a) Describe the Ball Room?
PARAGRAPH 9. (a) What building was the Old City Hall?
PARAGRAPH IO. (a) Give a description of the Old City Hotel?
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period, and it was known as Mann's Hotel. Then William Caton became proprie- tor, and it was Caton's Hotel and City Tavern. Messrs. Iglehart and Swann were afterward proprietors. Then Col. John Walton. Next Col. Morse. The property afterward passed into the hands of William H. Gorman and Luther F. Colton.
THE CHASE MANSION.
11. The house on the north side of Maryland Avenne, corner of King George, built in 1770, by Judge Samnel Chase, (known in the family as Judge Samuel Chase, the Signer,) has been described as " probably the most stately house in Annapolis, being the only colonial residence which is three stories high. The main feature of the house is its hall of entrance opening on a lofty porch and extending through the house from front to back, a distance of over forty-five feet, and being over fourteen feet wide, the large double front door being arched with glass transom and a window on each side. The stairway, opposite the front door, begins with a single flight of steps, and, rising to nearly half the height of the stairway, ends with a platform from which a flight of steps on each side diverges, ascending to a gallery which is supported by Ionic pillars. Above the first platform of the staircase rises a triple window, the central of which is arched and the whole is of magnificent proportions, reminding one of some ancient church. At each end of the gallery above is an arched door with glass transome. Opening on this gallery from the front, is the door of an apartment, and on each side of the door a niche intended for statuary. The dining room is handsomely ornamented in carved wood, and the marble mantlepiece of this room represents a scene from Shakespeare in sculpture." It was intended to have had wings upon this house, but it was sold before being finished, to Governor Lloyd, who was the executive of the State from 1809 to ISI1. Mr. Henry Harwood, his son-in-law, bought the house from Gov. Lloyd. It was afterwards purchased by Captain Edward Gibson, U. S. N. The next purchaser was Miss Hester Ann Chase, who bought it in 1847. She was the danghter of Jeremiah T. Chase. It then became in the possession of Mrs. Hester Ann Chase Ridont, grand-daugher of Samuel Chase and Jeremiah T. Chase. It is now the " Chase Home."
THE HARWOOD RESIDENCE.
12. The house with wings, on the south side of Maryland avenue, at the inter- section of King George, was designed by Mr. Buckland, architect, for Mr. William Hammond, a famous Annapolis lawyer, of ye olden times. It was built between the years 1770 and 1780. It was first occupied by Jeremiah Townley Chase, Chief Justice of Maryland in 1781, and was unfinished when he went into it. The house is of brick, with stone foundation, some of the foundation walls being five feet thick. The house is handsomely decorated with carved wood. The parlor, a room nineteen by twenty-seven, has a carved wainseoat surrounding the room, and
PARAGRAPH 11. (a) What is known as the Chase Mansion?
PARAGRAPH 12. (a) Where is the Harwood residence?
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A HISTORY OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.
the mantel piece, window and door frames, shutters, and doors are carved in arabesque, and it is said to be the handsomest specimen of its kind in Maryland. In 1811, the house was purchased, together with the ground extending from King George street to Prince George street, by Chief Justice Chase for his oldest daughter, Frances Townley, wife of Richard Lockerman. The garden was designed by Mrs. F. T. Lockerman, and was laid off under her direction, and the box walk was planted by herself. The outside corridor of the south wing was added by the family, and many interior improvements have been made. The house was then occupied by William Harwood and family, Mrs. Harwood being a grand-daughter of Judge Jeremiah T. Chase. Mr. Hammond, for whom the house was built, it is said, was engaged to be married to a lady, and he went to Philadelphia to get his furniture, but the engagement was broken off and he lived a bachelor. It is now the property of Miss Lucy Harwood.
THE OGLE HOUSE.
13. The house, on the corner of King George street and College avenue, now owned by Mrs. Theodoric Porter, formerly the residence of Gov. Thos. G. Pratt, was built by Gov. Samuel Ogle, who was Governor at three different periods-first in 1732, and the third time in 1746 and '47.
THE PACA DWELLING.
14. The house on the northeast side of Prince George street, near East street, once owned by Mrs. Richard Stone, was built by Governor Paca, who was Governor in 1782. Arthur Schaff purchased the house from the Governor. Louis Neth became owner after Mr. Schaff. About 1847, Chancellor Theodorie Bland lived there, but was not the owner of it.
The garden of the mansion perhaps, more than any other spot, indicated the delightful life of Annapolis a century ago. The spring house, the expanse of trees and shrubbery, the octagonal two-story summer house, that represented " My lady's bower," the artificial brook, fed by two springs of water, that went rippling along to the bath house that refreshed in the sultry days, and gave delight to the occu- pants, form a picture tradition loves to dwell upon to this day. The Paca dwelling is now part of the Carvel House.
THE IGLEHART HOUSE.
15. The dwelling, now occupied by Mrs. William T. Iglehart, was owned by Thomas Jennings, barrister, who also lived there. He it was who built the house on East street, now owned by ex-Mayor Thomas E. Martin, for his daughter, Mrs. James Brice. Apropos of this daughter, she was noted for entertaining her guests with a famous kind of cake, called Naples biscnit, the recipe for which has come
PARAGRAPH 13. (a) Where is the Ogle House?
PARAGRAPH 14. (a) Describe the Paca Dwelling?
PARAGRAPH 15. (a) Which is the Iglehart Mansion?
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down to this generation. Mr. William T. Iglehart purchased the Jennings' house from John T. Barber's estate about 1870, removed a wing of the house, and improved its appearance, but did not alter the architecture of the main building.
AUNT LUCY SMITH'S HOUSE.
16. The old house, on the northeast side of Prince George street, adjoining the Protestant Episcopal Chapel, is an interrogation to every passer by. Its exact date is lost in the misty clouds of age, but its appearance and ancient architecture mark it as one of the oldest houses in venerable Annapolis. Part of its history has been preserved. Many years ago there lived in it an ancient colored dame, known as Aunt Lucy Smith. She was a famous cook who served to good account on State occasions the grand dames of the former regime. At other times she supplied from her house or from her on the street, the choice morsels that her art divined in the kitchen. John Smith, her husband, kept a livery stable in the rear of the house, a business John's lineal descendants continue to a late date in Baltimore.
THE PINKNEY HOUSE.
17. The Pinkney House, formerly on College avenue and Bladen street, was built by John Callahan. register of the Land Office. It is one of the oldest houses of our city. It is now owned by Miss Pinkney, a relative of the celebrated William Pinkney. It was removed when the present Court of Appeals was built in 1901, bodily from its former to its present site, on St. John's street.
OTHER ANCIENT HOUSES.
18. The property now owned by Charles S. Welch, Esq., on Hanover street, was built in 1763, and was at one time the residence of Anthony Stewart, the owner of the famous brig Peggy Stewart.
The main residence of Mrs. Alex. Randall, situated in the five-sided lot, oppo- site the State House, is one of the most ancient buildings of the city. It is known positively to have been in existence in 1752, and very probably in 1737. In this house Reverdy Johnson was born.
The house on the northwest of Market Space and Randall street, is an ancient building erected by John Randall, grandfather of JJ. Wirt Randall.
The house occupied by Ex-Mayor Thomas E. Martin, on East street, near Prince George's, is also one of the landmarks of our early history. It was erected by Mr. Edmund Jennings for his son-in-law, one of the Brices.
The three houses at the lower end of Duke of Gloucester street, now occupied by John R. Magruder, Lient. Albert Ross and Engene Worthington and sister were built by John Ridout, great grandfather of Dr. Wm. G. Ridout. He also
PARAGRAPH 16. (a) Where is Aunt Lucy Smith's House? (b) What is its history?
PARAGRAPH 17. (a) Where is the Pinkney House?
PARAGRAPH IS. (a) Name some of the other ancient houses In Annapolis?
An Officer of the U. S. Marine Corps.
A Midshipman of the U. S. Naval Academy.
White Hall, built by Gov. Horatio Sharpe, during his administration, who was Governor of Maryland, from 1753 to 1769.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AUTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOCADAFIONS
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built the residence of Dr. Wm. G. Ridout. The first three were built respectively for Mr. Ridout's children : Horace and Samuel Ridout and Mrs. Gibson. This John Ridont was the first of the Ridouts in this country.
Mrs. Nicholas Carroll was Miss Ann Jennings, daughter of Mr. Thomas Jennings, the great lawyer. They lived in the house now used as the Annapolis High School Building. This house was altered during the ownership of Frank H. Stockett, and also since it has been a public school building.
"THE LIBERTY TREE."
19. The earliest tradition, handed down to us of the imperial poplar that adorns the College Campus, is that it served as the canopy under which the colonists and Indians made a treaty of peace. As history records only one document of this kind signed here, this treaty must have been the one agreed between the colonists and the sturdy Susquehannoeks in 1652.
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