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 9
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Coeval with these, was the old church, which stood on the site of the present Episcopal church, it was
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built of brick, and was the only one in the place. It was originally built in the form of the letter T,- neatly finished inside. The principal entrance was towards the east. It was in a ruinous condition pre- vious to the revolution. Its minister often remon- strated with his congregation, and urged them to repair or rebuild it, but did not succeed until the fol- lowing poem appeared in the Maryland Gazette, de- scriptive of the old church, pleading its own cause :
'To the very worthy and respectable inhabitants of Annapolis, the humble petition of their old church, sheweth,
'That, late in century the last, By private bounty, here were placed, My sacred walls, and tho', in truth, Their stile and manner be uncouth ; Yet, whilst no structure met mine eye, That even with myself could vie, A goodly edifice I seemed, And pride of all Saint Anne's was deemed. How changed the times ! for now, all round, Unnumbered stately piles abound, All better built, and looking down On me quite antequated grown. Left unrepaired, to time a prey, I feel my vitals fast decay ; And often have I heard it said,
That some good people are afraid, .
Least I should tumble on their head. Of which, indeed, this seems a proof- They seldom come beneath my roof. The stadt-house, that, for public good, With me co-eval long had stood ; With me full many a storm had dared, Is now at length to be repaired : Or, rather, to be built anew, An honour to the land and you. Whilst I, alone, not worth your care, Am left your sad neglect to bear.
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With grief, in yonder field, hard by, A sister-ruin I espy ; Old Bladen's palace, once so famed, And now too well, the folly named. Her roof all tottering to decay, Her walls a mouldering all away ; She says, or seems to say, to me, «Such too, ere long, thy fate shall be.' Tho', now forever gone and lost, I blush to say, how little cost, The handsome pile would have preserved, Till some new prefect had deserved A mansion here, from us, to have As good as Carolina gave. But party, faction (friends that still Have been the foes of public weal) The dogs of war against her slipped, And all her rising honours nipped, Of sunshine oft a casual ray, Breaks in upon a cloudy day, O'erwhelm'd with woe; methinks, I see A ray of hope thus dart on me. Close at my door, on my own land, Placed there, it seems, by your command, I've seen, I own, with some surprise, A novel structure sudden rise. There let the stranger stay, for me, If virtue's friend, indeed she be. I would not, if I could, restrain, A moral stage ; yet, would I fain Of your indulgence and esteem, At least, an equal portion elaim. And, decency, without my prayers, Will surely whisper in your ears, 'To pleasure, if such care you shew, A mite to duty, pray bestow.' Say, does my rival boast the art One solid comfort to impart, Or heal, like me, the broken heart ? Does she, like me, pour forth the strain Of peace on earth, good will to men? Merit she has ; but, let me say, The highest merit of a play,
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Tho', Shakespeare wrote it, but to name With mine, were want of sense or shame. Why should I point to distant times, To kindred and congenial climes, Where, spite of many a host of foes, To God a mighty temple rose ? Why point to every land beside Whose honest aim it is, a pride, However poor it be, yet still, At least, to make God's house genteel ? Here, in Annapolis alone, God has the meanest house in town. The premises considered, I With humble confidence rely, That, Phenix-like, I soon shall rise, From my own ashes to the skies ; Your mite, at least, that you will pay, And your petitioner shall pray.'
The publication of this poem, had a better effect than all the minister's previous expostulations, and · his congregation at last resolved to put up a new building. Accordingly, the old church was razed to the ground, but the erection of a new one was pre- vented for a time, by the revolution which soon after took place. The theatre was used as church and forum, until the erection of the present church.
A palisade and white railing enclosed the old church- yard, which was at that time the city grave-yard.
The last Indian tribe which was known to. frequent Annapolis, is said to have lived on the Potomac. This tribe, the name of which is now lost even in tradition, (sometimes more enduring than musty, records)-ex- changed their lands with the Calvert family for lands in Baltimore county, where game was more plenty ; and, as the white population increased, they retired to the Susquehanna.
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The Eastern Shore tribes visited Annapolis occa- sionally, previous to the revolution ; and the visits of old King Abraham and his Queen Sarah are still re- collected by some few of the inhabitants of our town.
At a county court held here on Tuesday, the 9th of July of this year, a 'Mrs. S. C. of Patapsco, was fined the sum of one penny, for whipping the R-d Mr. N-1 W-r with a hiccory switch; it being imagined by the court that he well deserved it.'
About this period, a jockey-club was instituted here, 'consisting of many principal gentlemen in this, and in the adjacent provinces, many of whom in order to en- courage the breed of this noble animal, imported from England, at a very great expense, horses of high re- putation.' This club existed for many years. 'The races at Annapolis were generally attended by a great concourse of spectators, many coming from the ad-
joining colonies. Considerable sums were bet on these occasions. Subscription purses of a hundred guineas were for a long time the highest amount run for, but subsequently were greatly increased. The day of the races usually closed with balls, or theatri- cal amusements.' The race course at this time and for many years after, was located on that part of the city just beyond Mr. Severe's blacksmith shop, em- bracing a circle of one mile, taking in all that portion of the town now built up.
On the 29th of September, in this year, a race was run on this course between governor Ogle's Bay Geld- ing, and col. Plater's Grey Stallion, and won by the former-the next day six horses started, Mr. Waters' horse Parrott, winning, distancing several of the run-
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ing horses. On the same ground some years after, Dr. Hamilton's 'horse Figure,' won a purse of fifty pistoles-beating two, and distancing three others. 'Figure' was a horse of great reputation-it is stated of him that, 'he had won many fifties-and in the year 1763, to have received premiums at Preston and Carlisle, in Old England, where no horse would enter against him-he never lost a race.' Subsequently, the race course was removed to a field some short distance beyond the city, on which course some of the most celebrated horses ever known in America have run. It was on this latter course that Mr. Bevans' bay horse 'Oscar,' so renowned in the annals of the turf, first ran. Oscar was bred on Mr. Ogle's farm near this city-he won many races, and in the fall of 1808, it is well remembered, he beat Mr. Bond's 'First Consul' on the Baltimore course, who had challenged the con- tinent-running the second heat in 7 m. 40 s., which speed had never been excelled.
"Old Ranter' was 'Oscar's' great, great, grand sire. 1752. In the Maryland Gazette of the 18th June,
1752, appeared the following advertisement :
'By permission of his honour the president,* at the new theatre, in Annapolis, by the company of com- medians from Virginia, on Monday next, being the 22d of this instant, (June) will be performed, 'The Beggars Opera :' likewise, a farce, called the 'Lying Valet'-to begin precisely at 7 o'clock. Tickets to be had at the printing office. Box 10s., pit 7s. 6d. No persons to be admitted behind the scenes.'
* Benjamin Tasker, Esquire, was then the president or governor. of the province.
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The principal performers belonging to this compa- ny, appear to have been Messrs. Wynell, Herbert, Eyanson, Kean, and Miss Osborne-they performed while here, 'The: Busy Body,' 'Beaux Stratagem,' 'Recruiting Officer,' 'London Merchant,' 'Cato,' 'Rich- ard III,' with many others. After leaving Annapolis, they performed at 'Upper Marlborough,' 'Piscattaway,' on the Western Shore, and at 'Chester Town,' in Kent county, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
During the time they performed here, a Mr. Richard Bricknell and company, exhibited some curious wax- figures, representing the 'Queen of Hungary sitting on her throne, and the Duke, her son,' and courtiers in attendance.
1753. The first lottery drawn in this province, was at Annapolis, on the 21st September, 1753, for the purchase of a 'town clock, and clearing the dock.' The highest prize 100 pistoles-tickets half a pistole. The managers were Benj. Tasker, junior, George Stewart, Walter Dulany, and ten other gentlemen of this place.
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On the 11th of August, of this year, Horatio Sharpe, Esq., governor of the province, arrived here, in the ship Molly, captain Nicholas Coxen, from London.
In September, (1753) several companies under the command of captain Dagworthy, lieutenants Forty, and Bacon, marched from Annapolis against the French on the Ohio.
1755. On the 3d of April, 1755, general Braddock, governor Dinwiddie and commodore Keppel ar- rived here, on their way to Virginia. And on the 11th and 12th of the same month, arrived governor Sherley, of Boston, governor De Lancy, of New York, and
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governor Morris, of Philadelphia, with a number of distinguished gentlemen-they left here accompanied by governor Sharpe, for Alexandria, and on the 17th they returned to Annapolis on their way to their respective governments. A few days after, governor Sharpe set out for Frederick Town.
This period, which just preceded the defeat of gene- ral Braddock, near Fort Du Quesne, appears to have been a busy time with their excellencies.
On the 29th of September, of this year, doctor Charles Carroll departed this life, aged sixty-four years-he had resided in Annapolis about forty years. For some years after his coming to this city, he 'prac- tised physic with good success ; but laying that aside, he commenced trade and merchandise, by which he amassed a very considerable fortune:' In 1737, he was chosen a member to the lower house of assembly, in which station he is said to have spared no pains or application to render himself serviceable to the county, and his constituents, to the time of his death. He is represented to have been 'a gentleman of good sense and breeding, courteous and affable,' and was held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens. Dr. Carroll owned all of the ground on the lower part of Church street, on the south side, extending back to the Duke of Glos- ter street; and in 1749 opened Green street,-adver- tising to sell or lease lots on either side of the same.
Mr. Green says in his Gazette of the 6th of Nov., of this year, 'we are now about entrenching the town. If the gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Annapolis, were to send their forces to assist in it, a few days would complete the work.'
This measure it would seem, was taken by the citi-
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zens, in consequence of the 'dreadful murders and mas- sacres' committed by the French and Indians upon the border country, and serious apprehensions were enter- tained by the inhabitants, that Annapolis would fall into the hands of their 'politic, cruel and cunning ene- mies.' It was asserted by a writer for the Gazette, that the Indians 'were but a little way from the city, and that so entire was their defenceless situation, that even a small party of twenty or thirty Indians, by marching in the night and skulking in the day time, might come upon them unawares in the dead of night, burn their houses, and cut their throats, before they could put themselves in a posture of defence.' Other writers of the day, seemed to think that there was no more danger of 'Annapolis being attacked by the In- dians, than London.' The fears of the inhabitants were soon quieted, by the return of several gentlemen who had gone as volunteers to the westward, and who reported they had seen no Indians, except one, and he was 'very quiet,' for they found him dead.
1757. On the 29th of March, of this year, (1757) governor Sharpe arrived here from the north- ward, accompanied by governor Dobbs, of North Caro- lina, and governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia.
In this year, the small-pox made its appearance in Annapolis, and continued to afflict and alarm the in- habitants for nine months. Scarcely one of them escaped the disease. Of about one hundred persons who were inoculated, not one died, while those who had it in the natural way, at least one in every six died. On this occasion the physicians of the town inoculated every person who desired it, without fee or reward.
In consequence of the disease being here, the ge-
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neral assembly was prorogued to meet in Baltimore, where it held its sesion for this year.
In the winter of this year, (1757,) five companies of Royal Americans, were quartered upon the town.
CHAPTER V.
Forts on the Border Country-Fort Frederick-Reduction of Que- bec-A Company of Comedians at Annapolis-Stone Wind-mill erected-Collection for the sufferers by fire at Boston-Ball-room- Cold winter-Stamp Act-Proceeding at Annapolis on-Maryland Gazette-Sons of Liberty-Repeal of the Stamp Act-A new The- atre opened-Gov. Eden arrives at Annapolis-His character- Death and burial-Articles of Non-importation, &c .- Arrival of Brig Good Intent-Resolute course pursued by the Association- Its results-Mr. Wm. Eddis-Annapolis described-Whitehall- Governor Sharpe-His character-Appropriation to build the pre- sent State-House-Commissioners appointed-The Foundation laid-Incident-Dimensions of the building-The Architect-An- niversary of the Proprietary's birth-Rejoicings at Annapolis-La- dies of Annapolis-Saint Tamina Society-Their Proceedings- Theatre opened-Trustees appointed by the Legislature, to the Theatre-Theatre pulled down-Causes which led to it-Mr. Dun- lap-Trustees appointed to build a new Church -- Meeting of the Citizens of Annapolis-Their proceedings on the Act of Parlia- ment for blockading the Harbour of Boston-Some portion of their Resolves dissented from by many Citizens-Proceedings of the Dissentients-Burning of the Brig Peggy Stewart-And the tea on board-The Proceedings had thereon.
BELIEVING the following statement of distances be- tween the several forts which were erected for the defence of the border country, will be interesting to many, it is here subjoined.
'Fort Frederick and Fort Cumberland stood on the north bank of Potomac river, about fifty miles distant
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from each other, the first twelve miles beyond Co- nococheague, the then most western settlement. Fort Loudoun was about twenty-five miles north from Fort Frederick; Rays Town fifty-three miles west from Fort Loudoun, and thirty-five miles northward from Fort Cumberland ; the distance from Rays Town to the Loylhanning, is said to have been fifty-eight miles, and thence to Fort Du Quesne, was computed to be about thirty-five miles.'
Fort Frederick being 'the only monument of the ante-revolutionary times,' now remaining in the western parts of our State, deserves to have handed down to posterity all that can be now collected relative to its origin and present ruins. It is stated by Mr. McMa- hon, in his history of Maryland, to have been situated on an elevated and rather commanding position in the plains along the Potomac, distant about one-fourth of a mile from that river, and about ten or eleven miles above the mouth of Conococheague creek. It was constructed of the most durable materials, and in the most approved manner, at an expense of upwards of £6000. When Mr. McMahon saw its ruins in 1828, the greater part of it was still standing, and in a high state of preservation, in the midst of cultivated fields. According to a description given of it at its construc- tion, its exterior lines were each one hundred and twenty yards in length, (the fort being quadrangular,) its curtains and bastions were faced by a thick stone wall, and it contained barracks sufficient for the accom- modation of several hundred men. This garrison was built under the personal supervision of governor Sharpe, and by a plan of his own ; he appears to have taken great interest in its construction. Its first commander
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was captain Dagworthy, who on being removed to the command of Fort Cumberland, was succeeded by captain Alexander Beall, who continued in the com- mand of this fort until after the capture of Fort Du Quesne, and the close of the border troubles.
Governor Sharpe, in a letter to Mr. Calvert, dated Annapolis, the 21st of August, 1756, speaking of Fort Frederick, says-'I thought proper to build Fort Fre- derick of stone, which step I believe even our assem- bly will now approve of, though I hear some of them sometime since, intimated to their constituents that a stoccado would have been sufficient, and that to build a fort with stone would put the country to a great and unnecessary expense ; but whatever their sentiments may be with respect to that matter, I am convinced that I have done for the best, and that my conduct therein will be approved of by any soldier, and by every impartial person. The fort is not finished, but the garrison are well covered, and will, with a little assistance, complete it at their leisure. Our bar- racks are made for the reception and accommodation of 200 men, but on occasion there will be room for twice that number. It is situated on the North Moun- tain, near Potomack river, about fourteen miles beyond Conegochiegh, and four on this side Licking-creek. I have made a purchase in the governor's name for the use of the country, of one hundred and fifty acres of land that is contiguous to it, which will be of great service to the garrison, and as well as the fort, be found of great use in case of future expeditions to the westward, for it is so situated that Potomack will be always navigable thence almost to Fort Cumberland,
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the flats or shallows of that river lying between Fort Frederick and Conegochiegh.'
The general assembly of Maryland in 1790, ap- pointed an agent to sell and convey the right of this State to one hundred acres of land at Fort Frederick, in Washington county .- (See resolution No. 4.) 1759. On the 30th of October, in this year, there was great rejoicing here, in consequence of the reduction of Quebec, by the troops under general Wolfe. The guns at the 'Point Battery' were fired early in the day. The military paraded through the streets, and at 12 o'clock, the cannon from the 'Half- moon Battery' were discharged. 'At night the city was illuminated, and the governor gave a public ball in the council chamber, at which there was a brilliant assemblage of ladies.'
1760. Mr. Green, in his Gazette of the 7th Febru- ary, in this year, says-'by permission of his excellency, the governor, a theatre is erecting in this city, which will be opened soon by a company of- comedians, who are now at Chester Town.'
The company here alluded to, arrived at Annapolis on the 3d of March, and on the same evening opened the theatre. They continued to perform here until the 12th of May following, as will be seen by the annexed list of performances, which is given for the amuse- ment of the curious in these matters, as well as for the gratification of the lovers of the drama.
Plays.
March 3. Orphans,
6. Recruiting Officer,
8. Venice Preserved,
10. Richard III.
13. Provoked Husband,
Farces. Lethe, or Esop in the Shades. Miss in her Teens.
Mock-Doctor.
King and the Miller.
Stage Coach.
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Plays.
Farces.
Mar. 15. Fair Penitent,
Anatomist.
20. Stratagem,
Lethe.
22. George Barnwell,
Lying Valet.
24. Busy-Body,
Mock-Doctor.
27. Revenge,
Lying Valet.
Damon and Phillida.
29. Bold Stroke for a Wife, (In Passion-week the theatre was closed.)
April 7. * Romeo and Juliet,
Stage Coach.
8. Provoked Husband,
Honest Yorkshireman.
9. Othello,
Devil to Pay.
10. Constant Couple,
King and the Miller.
11. +Romeo and Juliet,
Miss in her Teens.
12. Suspicious Husband,
Mock-Doctor.
14. Richard III. ( Ben. of Mr. Douglass, ) Hob.
15. Fair Penitent, (Mr. Palmer,) Lying Valet.
16. Venice Preserved, (Mr. Murray,) Devil to Pay.
17. Provoked Husband, (Mrs. Douglass,) Yorkshireman.
19. Revenge, (Mr. Hallam,) Lethe.
22. Stratagem, (Mrs. and Miss Dowthaitt,) Lying Valet,
.. 23. Orphan, (Miss Crane and Comp,) Lethe.
24. Constant Couple, (Mr. Morris,) Yorkshireman.
May 5. Douglass, ( Master A. Hallam,) Virgin Unmasked.
8. Jew of Venice, (Mrs. Morris,) Lethe.
12. Gamester, (Mr. Scott,) Toy Shop.
From this place the company went to 'Upper Marl- bro,' and performed there for several weeks.
In September of this year, the stone wind-mill was built, on the point where Fort Severn now stands, and was then 'reckoned to be one of the best built mills in the country'-it is said to have 'ground twelve bushels in an hour.' The owner of the mill was a Mr. James Disney. It was destroyed when Fort Severn was built.
In 1761, there was collected in this city and 1761. province for the sufferers by the great fire at
* 'Romeo, by a young gentleman, for his diversion.'
+ 'With the funeral procession of Juliet, to the monument of the - Capuletts.'
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Boston in March of this year, the sum of $5940 62, a collection that speaks well of the liberal and humane disposition of the 'ancient city and province.'
1764. In 1764, the present 'ball-room' was built from the proceeds of a lottery drawn here for that especial purpose.
1765. The winter of this year was one of uncom- mon severity. The editor of the Gazette says, 'on Monday, the 5th of February, a very merry set of gentlemen had a commodious tent erected on the ice between the town and Greensbury's point, where they had an elegant dinner, &c. &c., and in the afternoon diverted themselves with dancing of reels, on skates, and divers other amusements.'
STAMP ACT.
On the 27th of August, in this year, 'a considerable number of people, 'Assertors of British American privi- leges,' met at Annapolis to show their 'detestation of, and abhorrence to, some late tremendous attacks on liberty, and their dislike to a certain late arrived officer, a native of this province! They curiously dressed up the figure of a man, which they placed in a one horse cart, malefactor like, with some sheets of paper in his hands before his face.'
'In that manner they paraded through the streets of the town, till noon, the bell at the same time tolling a solemn knell, when they proceeded to the hill, and after giving it the MOSAIC LAW, at the whipping-post, placed it in the pillory, from whence they took it, and hung it on a gibbet there erected for that purpose, and set fire to a tar-barrel underneath, and burnt it till it fell into the barrel. By the many significant nods of
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the head, while in'the cart, it may be said to have gone off very penitently.'
Such was the reception given to the famous stamp act, by the citizens of Annapolis, who have never been known to falter in the cause or defence of Ameri- can rights and liberty. The stamp-master was a Mr. Hood, he imported a large quantity of goods and offer- ed them at reduced prices, but such was the indigna- tion of the people, that no one would purchase of him. He made his escape to the north, previous to the burn- ing of his effigy, which is said to have resembled him wonderfully-and in his haste left behind him the ma- terials for a suit of tar and feathers, with which the citizens were about to present him, for his zealous support of the stamp act.
The landing of this officer was successfully resisted at first by the citizens, who repaired in a body to the dock where the attempt was made; a scuffle ensued in which the only three citizens now known to have taken a prominent part in this resistance, were Mr. Charles Farris, Mr. Abraham Claude `and Mr. Thomas McNier, the last of whom, had his thigh broken on the occasion. Although they prevented the landing of this officer at this time and place, yet he subsequently effected a landing clandestinely, and was rewarded for his perseverance, as above mentioned.
In the MSS. Letter Book of governor Sharpe, is found the following letter from him, to the Earl of Halifax, dated Annapolis, the 5th September, 1765, giving an account of the stamp-officer's reception and treatment by the citizens of Annapolis, to wit :
'My lord : I am sorry to have such a reason for troubling your lordship, but it is my duty to inform 12*
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you, that the proceedings of a great number of the people in this province, since the person said to be ap- pointed distributor of the stamps for Maryland arrived here, gives me too much room to apprehend they will endeavour to prevent the stamp act having its intended effect. Your lordship will, I presume, long before this can reach you, have received an account of the late riotous proceedings of the populace of Boston and other places in the northern colonies, 'on account of that new act of parliament, and will not therefore, I suppose, be surprised at receiving similar accounts from other parts of North America, nor at my telling your lordship that the inhabitants of this province, incited by their example or actuated by the same spirit, were not satisfied with expressing their indignation against their countryman, Mr. Hood, the distributor, by hanging or burning him in effigie, but having in the night of the second instant assembled to the number of three or four hundred, in or near this place, pulled down a house which he was repairing for the reception of a cargo of goods that he had it seems imported for sale. Being very uneasy and much terrified at the contemptuous treatment he had since his return from England, met with from his former acquaintance, and the violent proceedings of the populace, who really are not to be restrained on this occasion, without a military force.
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