USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > Annapolis > Annals of Annapolis : comprising sundry notices of that old city from the period of the first settlements in its vicinity in the year 1649, until the war of 1812 ; together with various incidents in the history of Maryland, derived from early records, public documents, and other sources ; with an appendix, containing a number of letters from General Washington, and other distinguished persons, which letters have never been published before > Part 8
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On the south side of the court-house, stood the memorable academy of 'King William,' which is said to have been a plain building, containing school-rooms and apartments for the teacher and his family.
1706. In this year the lower house of assembly di- rected that three lots be laid out within the city-one for the benefit and advantage of the rector of the parish-one for the sexton, and the third for the clerk of the vestry and commissary's clerk-a house was shortly after built upon one of them for the accom-
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modation of the vestry, which house and lot were annexed to the parson's lot, for the reception and ac- commodation of a minister forever.
1707. In the proceedings of the house of delegates for this year, a certain Richard Clarke is charged with the design of burning the port of Annapolis-de- stroying the public records-sacking, and then blow- ing up the public magazine within the limits of the town-with making and passing base coin, of dol- lars and pieces of eight-and with the intention of pirating, after he had succeeded in carrying into exe- cution his diabolical and villainous designs. And from the testimony taken before the committee ap- pointed to investigate the truth of these charges, (which testimony is set forth at large in the manuscript journal of this year,) no doubt can remain that such were his intentions. This testimony is highly curious and interesting, but too long to be given here.
In 1705, this same man (Clarke) was outlawed for treasonable designs, and after the above investigation had been finished, an act for his attainder was passed, setting forth that the said Clarke had obstinately re- fused to surrender himself to justice, and charges him with various treasonable intentions. He was convicted and attainted of high treason, and doomed to suffer death. But whether this worthy was ever promoted or suspended, our records do not furnish us with any evidence.
In 1707, all the towns in Baltimore and Anne Arun- del counties, together with the rivers and creeks, ex- cept such as were situated on the Patuxent, were appended to Annapolis.
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1708. In the year 1708 Annapolis was erected into a city. From the time of its establishment, the new government spared no efforts to increase its popu- lation, and improve its accommodations, so as to give it a permanent hold upon the province; yet, with all these aids, it at first increased but slowly.
A person writing from Maryland, within four or five years after the removal of the legislature to this place, remarks-'there are indeed several places for towns, but hitherto they are only titular ones, except Annapo- lis, where the governor resides. Colonel Nicholson has done his endeavours to make a town of that place. There are about forty dwelling-houses in it, seven or eight of which can afford a good lodging and accom- modations for strangers. There are also a state-house and a free-school, built of brick, which make a great show among a parcel of wooden houses ; and the foundation of a church is laid, the only brick church in Maryland. They have two market-days in a week, and had governor Nicholson continued there a few months longer, he had brought it to perfection.'
A later account of it, represents it as in nearly the same condition during governor Seymour's administra- tion in 1708. It yet wanted the rank and privileges of a city until this year ; and it received these just as they were departing from the ancient city of St. Mary's. That place, once so venerable in the eyes of the colo - nists, and yet memorable in its connexion, 'with the foundation of a free and happy State, after ceasing to be the capital, did not long retain its rank. It lost its privilege of sending delegates in 1708. One by one, all its relics have disappeared, and in the very State to which it gave birth, and the land it redeemed from
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the wilderness, it now stands a solitary spot,' dedicated to heaven, and a fit memento of all perishable things.
Annapolis, its successor, received its charter on the 16th day of August, 1708, which was granted by the honourable John Seymour, then the royal governor of the province. 'It appears to have been one of his favourite designs, and was proposed by him to the as- sembly, as early as 1704. No measures being adopted by the latter to carry his wishes into effect, he at length conferred the charter by virtue of the prerogative of his office. Under this charter, besides the powers and privileges relative to the organization and exercise of its municipal government, the city of Annapolis ob- tained the privilege of electing two delegates to the general assembly,' and which she has ever since en- joyed-until the adoption of the new constitution of the State, by the general assembly at its December session in 1836. Under it, she is entitled to but one representative, and that privilege will cease after the promulgation of the census of the year 1840, when she will be deemed and taken as a part of Anne Arun- del county, in all future elections for the delegates to the general assembly.
The same act declares that the city of Annapolis shall continue to be the seat of government, and the place of holding the sessions of the court of appeals for the western shore, and the high court of chancery. It is also made the residence of the governor by an act of the legislature in 1837.
From the period of the grant of its charter by go- vernor Seymour, Annapolis was continually on the ad- vance. 'It never acquired a large population, nor any great degree of commercial consequence ; but long be-
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fore the American revolution, it was conspicuous as the seat of wealth and fashion; the luxurious habits, ele- gant accomplishments and profuse hospitality of its inhabitants, were proverbially known throughout the colonies. It was the seat of a wealthy government, and of its principal institutions ; and as such, congre- gated around it many, whose liberal attainments emi- nently qualified them for society.'
A French writer in speaking of this city as he found it during the American revolution, thus describes it: 'in that very inconsiderable town, standing at the mouth of the Severn, where it falls into the bay, of the few buildings it contains, at least three-fourths may be styled elegant and grand. Female luxury here ex- ceeds what is known in the provinces of France. A French hair dresser is a man of importance amongst them ; and it is said, a certain dame here hires one of that craft at one thousand crowns a year. The state- house is a very beautiful building, I think the most so of any I have seen in America.'
This forms a striking contrast to the account given of it at a much earlier date, and which is to be found in a satire, called 'the Sot-weed Factor, or a Voyage to Maryland; in which is described the laws, govern- ment, courts, and constitutions of the country ; and also the buildings, feasts, frolics, entertainments, and drunken humours of the inhabitants of that part of America.' In burlesque verse, by Eden Cook, gent., published at London in 1708.
Annapolis is thus mentioned in one part of this curious work :
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"To try the cause, then fully bent, Up to Annapolis I went ; A city situate on a plain, Where scarce a house will keep out rain ; The buildings framed with cypress rare, Resemble much our Southwick fair; But strangers there will scarcely meet With market place, exchange or street ; And, if the truth I may report, It's not so large as Tottenham court, -- St. Mary's once was in repute, Now here the judges try the suit; And lawyers twice a year dispute- As oft the bench most gravely meet, Some to get drunk, and some to eat A swinging share of country treat ; But as for justice, right or wrong, Not one amongst the numerous throng, Knows what it means, or has the heart To vindicate a stranger's part.'
This poem, with another upon Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia, were re-printed at Annapolis, in 1731; but Mr. Green, by whom it was printed, reminds the rea- der that it was a description written twenty years be- fore, which did not agree with the condition of Anna- polis at the time of its publication. Both of these poems are still in the possession of Mr. Jonas Green, of this city.
By the act granting delegates to Annapolis, it is provided that they be allowed and receive only 'half wages,' as was allowed to the delegates from the seve- ral counties. The reason alleged is-that the bur- gesses of the several boroughs in England were only allowed half wages, in respect to the salary of the knights of the shires.
Wornell Hunt, Esquire, was appointed and conti- nued the recorder of the city, under the new charter- he having acted as such under the old city regime.
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1718. In 1718, commissioners were appointed to survey and lay out ten acres of the public pas- ture, lying on the north side of the city, and to the 'eastward of the hill, known as the powder-house hill'- into twenty half acre lots, for the enlargement and im- provement of the town, and for the 'better encourage- ment of the poor tradesmen to dwell in the town, and carry on their respective trades.'
These lots were to be taken up by any person who would build a dwelling-house on the same-except persons owning lots within the city-who were pro- hibited from taking any of them up, until two years had expired.
This addition to the town, was called 'New Town.' The hill mentioned above, still retains the name of 'Powder-house hill,' although no vestage of the house remains.
The ferry-landing then, was within the mouth of the creek, and laid to the west of the pond, known as the Swimming pond.
The general assembly in this year, appointed James Stoddart, Esquire, to survey and lay off anew the city of Annapolis ;* the original plat of the town which had been made by Mr. Richard Beard, having
* Mr. Stoddart in his survey, lays out the town as containing 'six million two hundred and twenty-seven thousand three hundred and . eighty-four square feet more or less, which makes one hundred and forty-two acres, and one hundred and fifty-three square perches, and two hundred nine and three quarter square feet.' And the publie circle about the state-house to be in 'diameter, 528 feet-and the cir- cumference 1159 feet; and contains within it two hundred and eigh- teen thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight square feet more or less.' And the church circle, in 'diameter to be 346 feet, and the circum- ference 1087 feet-containing ninety-four thousand twenty-five and a half square feet more or less,'
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been destroyed at the burning of the state-house in 1704.
1720. In 1720 a grant of one hundred and twenty feet of ground for a 'sawyer's yard,' was made to a Mr. Edward Smith.
1727. In this year (1727) Mr. William Parks of this city, was appointed to print a compilation of the laws of the province; there had been no prin- ter it seems until the assembly passed an act this year for his encouragement. This collection of the laws of Maryland is now nearly out of print-but few copies remaining-and is held by the few that own a copy of it, as a rare and curious body of laws as passed by our early legislators,
1728. In 1728, Henry Ridgely, Mordecai Ham- mond, and John Welsch, or any two of them, were appointed by an act of assembly, and empowered to survey, lay out and mark, 'sixty feet in breadth on the water, three hundred and sixty feet in length, and twenty-five feet at the head of the land formerly. allotted to build a custom-house on, and which was to be vested in fee simple in the corporation of An- napolis-provided a market-house was built thereon, within two years after such survey.'
This land thus ordered to be laid off, is the pub- lic square at the head of the dock, and is still held by the corporate authorities of our city.
1733. In this year (1733) the sum of £3000 was appropriated for purchasing convenient ground in the city, for the use of the public, and for build- ing a government-house, designed for the governor's residence.
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1736. In 1736, 'Charles Hammond, Philip Ham- mond, Vachel Denton, Daniel Dulany, Esquires, and Richard Warfield,' were empowered to purchase a piece of ground within the town, for a new public jail, to contract for the material, and employ work- men to complete it.
1740. In this year (1740) Mr. Jonas Green was appointed printer to the province, a situation he held to the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1768, being a period of twenty-eight years, that he enjoyed the patronage and confidence of the province; he was a man of ready wit, and great benevolence.
1745. On the 27th of January, 1745, he issued the first number of the 'Maryland Gazette,' and which he edited for twenty-one years. After his death, it was conducted by his widow, Mrs. Anne Catha- rine Green, aided by her son William; and has ever since been published, down to the present time, by some one of his descendants. Its late editor, Mr. Jonas Green,* is the grand-son of the first editor. The Gazette was the oldest newspapert published in the United States, and is invaluable as a chronicle of the olden times, for the great amount of interest- ing matter contained in its files, The passing events of importance, civil, political, religious, in Europe and America, appear to have been faithfully record- ed in it.
The first public horse-racing at or near Annapolis,
* It is a fact worthy of notice, that the late editor has an unbro- ken series of this valuable paper, from its first issue, down to the present period, (1839.)
t The Gazette ceased to be published in the latter part of 1839.
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is advertised in the Maryland Gazette, 'to take place on the 30th and 31st days of May, 1745-to be run åt John Conners,* in Anne Arundel county. The first day's purse £10-the second £5-to be run for by any horse, mare or gelding, ('Old Ranter' and 'Lim- ber-Sides' excepted,) to carry 115 pounds, three heats, the course two miles, entrance money fifteen shillings the first day, and ten shillings the second day.'
How this race came off, we are not informed. From the exclusion of 'Old Ranter' and 'Limber-Sides,' we may infer that they were somewhat celebrated in their day. Can any of our racers trace the pedigree of their horses to those old sires of the Maryland turf? 1746. The same paper states, that on the first of March, of this year-'from 10 'till near 12 o'clock, P. M., we had a remarkable appearance of the aurora borealis, or northern twilight. It extend- ed a full quarter of the compass, and in some places resembled a red hot oven. The coruscations or streams of light, which were numerous, and continually chang- ing shape and situation, reached near fifty degrees towards the zenith.'
The two following extracts are taken from the Gazette :
'March 24th, 1746. The exit of the rebellion was celebrated here by firing off guns, drinking loyal healths, and other demonstrations of joy. There was a ball in the evening-the whole city was illuminated, and a great quantity of punch given amongst the populace at the bond-fire.'
* He kept a public house about seven miles from London Town, towards West river-most probably at the place so well known as "Redmiles's Tavern.'
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'July 15. The gentlemen belonging to the 'Ancient South River Club,' to express their loyalty to his ma- jesty, on the success of the inimitable Duke of Cum- berland's obtaining a complete victory over the preten- der, and delivering us from persecution at home, and popery and invasion from abroad, have appointed a grand entertainment to be given at their club-house, on Thursday next,'
This extract is made out of respect to that very respectable and ancient club, which is still in ex- istence, and is in all probability the oldest club in the United States of America. The worthy descendants of the old clubbers, still meet on their appointed day, ( Thursday) around the festive board, and drink to the memory of by-gone days.
Three companies raised in this province by cap- tains Campbell, Crofts, and Jordan, sailed from An- napolis, to join other forces destined for the reduc- tion of Canada. It is said, the men 'embarked with cheerful hearts and in high spirits, all well clothed and accoutred.'
The editor, (Mr. Green,) from whose paper many extracts have been and will be made-says, 'October 29th, (Thursday) being the anniversary of the birth of his most sacred majesty, our only rightful sove- reign king, George the Second, (whom God long pre- serve) when his majesty completed his 63rd (a grand climacterical) year, the same was observed here with firing of cannon, drinking loyal healths,' &c., and in his paper of the 11th of November-says, 'Wednes- day last, being the fifth of November, that never to be forgotten day of thanksgiving-the reverend Mr. Whitefield preached here a very good sermon suitable
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to the occasion, from these words in Prov. xiv. 28: 'Righteousness exalteth a nation.' Just as divine ser- vice ended, and the congregation were coming out of the church, the ornament on the back of the speaker's pew, gave way, and fell forward on several of the gen- tlemen of the assembly, which hurt two of them very much, but they are happily now recovered.'
At this period and for many years later, Annapolis had considerable trade and commerce, the arrival and clearances of ships and other sea vessels were frequent and numerous ; there were all kinds of mechanics and artificers residing in the place ; and from the number and character of the advertisements-many merchants of capital and enterprize abode here.
It was no unusual thing to see from ten to twenty ships and other vessels leaving the harbour, bound for Europe and coastwise ; and the port was frequently visited by the king's ships of war.
1747. In 1747, a ship arrived here with rebels, who were termed the 'king's passengers'-and who were said to have been 'favoured with transportation.'
During this year a large ship belonging to Mr. Wil- liams Roberts, of this place, was launched here, called the 'Rumney and Long,' after the names of the builders. The first ship-yard in Annapolis, that we learn of, was established about this period, and located a few feet below the stone bridge, leading to the grave-yard, the creek then, made up beyond the present jail. The name of this creek is now lost; the water has receded since that time, nearly a quarter of a mile below where the ship-yard was then situated.
This Mr. Roberts built and occupied the house in which colonel Henry Maynadier now resides. He had
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a blacksmiths shop to the north of his dwelling, on which was a steeple, and in which hung the only bell then in the city, and by which the time of the in- habitants was regulated, until the large bell-now in St. Anne's church-was received. Below this shop his sailmakers and other shops necessary for carrying on ship building were erected. A Mr. Kirkwell and Blackwell, ship builders, were also in his employment.
Tradition tells us, that they built the 'brig Lovely Nancy'-at the launch of which the following incident occurred. She was on the stocks, and the day ap- pointed to place her on her destined element, a large concourse of persons assembled to witness the launch, among whom was an old white woman named Sarah McDaniel, who professed fortune-telling, and was call- ed 'a witch.' She was heard to remark-'the Lovely Nancy will not see water to-day.' The brig moved finely at first, and when expectation was at its height to see her glide into the water, she suddenly stopped, and could not be again moved on that day. This oc- currence created much excitement amongst the specta- tors ; and captain Slade and the sailors were so fully persuaded that she had been 'bewitched,' that they re- solved to duck the old woman. In the meantime she had disappeared from the crowd; they kept up the search for two or three days, during which time she lay concealed in a house that stood on the lot opposite to the present dwelling of Robert Welch, of Ben. Esquire.
The 'Lovely Nancy,' did afterwards leave the stocks, and is said to have made several prosperous voyages.
There was at a later period, another ship-yard on the south-west side of the city, at the termination of Charles street, where the 'Matilda,' and the 'Lady
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Lee' were launched-the first was owned by Samuel Chase, Esquire, and the latter by governor Lee.
There was a merchant at this period residing on the banks of the Severn, below Mr. Selby's present dwelling-named Woolstenholm, he had a long range of warehouses, no vestige of which now remains. A wooden platform supported by posts constituted his wharf.
A large blockmaker's establishment stood where Mr. Goodman's store and dwelling now is. There were several large frame buildings on each side of Hanover street, as also opposite to the present ball-room. These were said to have belonged to the neutral French, and was occupied by them during the war between the French and English colonies ; they were also used as hospitals during our revolution-soon after that period they were pulled down in consequence of their dilapi- dated condition.
On the site of Mrs. Bowie's residence, in Church street, formerly stood the 'Three Blue Ball' tavern, which was kept by a Mr. John Ball. This was then the property of Mr. Stephen West, who remitted bills in his own name, called 'Stephen West's money.' Mr. West resided at the wood-yard in Prince George's county, and owned considerable property in this city. This property was purchased by colonel Thomas Hyde, who added the present corner building, and also built the houses in which Doctor Dennis Claude and Mr. George Mackubins now reside. The house of Doctor Claude was formerly the 'Annapolis coffee- house.'
The building occupied by Mrs. Anne Harwood, in Charles street, is said to be the most ancient house now
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standing in the city. It was used as the printing office of the 'Maryland Gazette,' at its establishment. The house in which the cashier of the Farmers' Bank of Maryland resides, was formerly a tavern, and kept by a Mr. William Reynolds. The small brick house on Doctor's street, now used as the office of the Annapo- lis and Elkrige Railroad Company, was a stocking manufactory, and conducted by John Bail and Benja- min Beall ; it was regarded as a great curiosity, but did not succeed.
West street, then called Cowpen lane, had at this pe- riod but three houses built on it. The most considerable one was a tavern kept by a Mrs. McCloud; it was afterwards used for a circulating library-the projector and proprietor of which was a Mr. William Rind. It subsequently came into the possession of Mr. Allen Quynn. Not many years since it was purchased by the late Mr. Thomas Harris, and by him modified and improved, and is now an elegant residence, and owned and occupied by John Johnson, Esquire. The house in which Mr. McParlin lives, and that known as 'Hun- ter's Tavern,' were both erected about this time. The next house built on that street was the Hallam Theatre.
The old market-house stood just below the present gun-house, and was about half the size of the present one. This was the first regular market-house built in Annapolis, and was erected after the year 1717, as will appear by the following extracts from the MS. pro- ceedings of the corporation.
In 1716, the corporation took into consideration 'whether a market-house was requisite or not, and resolved, nemine contradicente, that it is very requisite,'
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and determined it should be built on or near the state- house hill.
In 1717, they resolved that 'none of the inhabitants of this city shall buy any fflesh or ffish, living or dead, eggs, butter, or cheese, (oysters excepted) at their own houses, but shall repair to and buy the same at the fflagg staffe, on the state-house hill, untill such a time as there shall be a market-house built-on penalty of 16s. 8d. current money, &c. And that the market be opened at 8 or 9 o'clock in the forenoon, and that the drum beats half quarter of an hour to give notice thereof, and that no person presumes to buy any thing untill the drum be done beating, and that the market days be on Wednesday and Saturday every week.'
There was a large range of buildings near the post- office, called 'Calvert's row'-they were used by Mr. Peale as exhibition rooms, within the recollection of some of the present inhabitants of this place; and in the only remaining one of which, Mr. Jonas Green now resides. The building now owned and occupied by Mrs. Lloyd, was built by governor Ogle, as a family residence ; additions and improvements were made to it by his son.
The house formerly occupied by Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Esquire, is of a more modern date; it was built for a family residence. An upper room of this house was used as a catholic chapel during Mr. Car- roll's residence there, and until the present chapel was built. There was for some time a resident priest in the family, but not for a few years previous to Mr. Carroll's removal from this city.
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