USA > Maryland > Caroline County > History of Caroline County, Maryland, from its beginning > Part 5
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Tobacco was a sacred herb among the Indians and used only in the ceremonial pipe. In the council it was lighted by the chief who drew on it a few times, opened the subject for discussion, and passed the pipe to the Indian next in rank. He in turn puffed a while then gave his views on the matter. This was continued until the pipe had gone all around the fire and each man al- lowed an opportunity to speak. Another use made of the pipe was to determine the attitude of visiting tribes. The chief after smoking it a while passed it to the prin- cipal man of the visiting tribe. If he accepted the pipe and smoked it, his errand was understood to be friendly, but if he refused to smoke, it was a sign of trouble be- tween the tribes. The pipes were made of clay and dec- orated to suit the savage fancy. Several have been found in our county within recent years along with nul- merous stone hatchets, axes, and darts.
Indian Money. One of the Indian means of ex- change was known as peak and consisted of small pieces of clam or mussel shell in purple or white. The purple was known as wampum-peak and had twice the value of the white. Rough bits of shell, rudely shaped, known as "roenoke" was much less valuable. Both peak and roe- noke were strung and valued according to measure. The value of a vard of white peak was 9 pence (18c), in trade with the English ; the purple, 18 pence (36 cents).
Indian Warfare. The Indians in their attacks upon the settlers used the same form of warfare as when fight- ing their own race. They delighted in surprise attacks and displayed great skill in this. When an attack was to be made, the chief and his warriors met in council and celebrated the coming events by dancing and pantomine of shooting, tomahawking and scalping of foes. After this they slipped from camp and travelled noiselessly to their destination. Often they went under cover of dark- ness, in single files, hiding behind trees until at a signal, they burst upon their victims with a war-hoop and be- gan their cruel slaughter.
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There are in some of our communities Indian stories and legends which have been handed down for several generations, and while in this way have become altered, still must have had some foundation in fact. One of these stories is of the kidnaping of a child near McCar- ty's Wharf, in lower Caroline. An infant boy, Richard Willoughby by name, was left alone in his home while his father and mother were engaged in some ont-of-door work. An Indian erept up to the house and stole the child. It was not until after six weeks of searching by the distracted parents and neighbors that he was finally found in an Indian camp at Yellow Hill.
Along Hog Creek the remains of an Indian camp and medicine pit were found a few years ago. Indian caves and a large burying ground were located near Blairtown. On the Caroline side at Reliance there was for seventy years a reservation belonging to the red- men. What is now Downes Wharf once bore the name of Indian Landing. On the old Lyford farm in Tuckahoe Neck bones and skills of savages have been found.
Perhaps some day you, too, may find a relic of those long-ago tribes and treasure it in memory of a fast van- ishing race.
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FOREWORD TO THE TRIAL OF POH POH CAQUIS.
(.Adapted from the Maryland Archives).
On the 18th day of December, 1682 Poh Poh Caquis, Indian of the Eastern Shore, Maryland came to the home of William Troth at Dover Bridge. Troth was absent from home but, the Indian being cold, Mrs. Troth permitted him to sit by the fire.
After an hour had passed Troth returned, accom- panied by John Shepherd, a neighbor. A few minutes later as the Indian, Troth and Shepherd conversed to- gether Thomas Bussey came to the door.
As Troth turned to speak to Bussey, Poh Poh Ca- quis seized his gun and fired directly at Troth, but fail- ing in this attacked him with his tomahawk, then ran away followed by Troth, Shepherd and Bussey. Al- though he finally escaped Poh Poh Caquis carried with him a load of buckshot from Troth's gun.
Fearing further trouble, on Dec. 22, 1682 Troth went to the home of John Edmonson where Col. Phile- mon Lloyd, a member of the Governor's Council, was visiting, and made formal complaint against Poh Poh Caquis.
Lloyd at once wrote to the Governor, and later when the Council met definite action was taken. At this meet- ing only four members of the Council were present, namely :
The Hon. Col. Thomas Zailler, The Hon. Col. Vincent Lowe, The Hon. Col. William Burges, The Hon. Mr. John Darnall.
The Council appointed as a Special Commission "to go examine and try" the case of Poh Poh Caquis the Honorable Henry Coursey. Esq. and the Honorable Col- onel Philemon Lloyd.
The Hon. Henry Coursey, Esq., was President of the Commission which met at Wye River, Talbot Co., March 5, 1683.
TRIAL OF POH POH CAQUIS.
Scene,-Courthouse at Wye River, Mar. 5. 1683. Characters,
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Special Commission.
President, the Hon. Henry Coursey, Esq. Gov. Council the Hon. Philemon Lloyd. Secretary to President.
White men.
The Constable The Interpreter William Troth
John Shepherd Thomas Bussey
Indians.
Poh Poh Caquis Wasatwahan King Ababsco Weenakaman Cha Cha Pohosse
King Tequassimo Wewohquak
TRIAL.
Pres. of Court. (Calls order)
This body has convened today for the trial of one Poh Poh Caquis, Indian of the Eastern Shore, subject to Ahatsawak of Assoteaque. Will the constable bring the prisoner into Court.
Constable. ( Retires )
( Returns immediately with Poh Poh Caquis.) Here he is, Your Lordship.
Pres. of Court. ( Addressing assemblage. )
Gentlemen, we have before us today, in the Sub-Court of King George in the Province of Maryland, a case of much in- terest to our Red brothers as well as the White man,-that of an Indian for an evil attack on his white brother.
Red men, our Rt. Honorable Lord Proprietor gave you a convenient dwelling place free from the encroachment of the white man. It is the will of his Lordship, Gov. Charles Cal- vert that you have such a home.
King Abasco and King Tequassimo have in past times given testimony of their fidelity. Shall that fidelity be broken now ! The charge is that Poh Poh Caquis has placed himself under the law of the Province of Maryland by attempting murder. The Secretary has the complaint as made by one William Troth to Colonel Philemon Lloyd, while at the home of John Edmonson, Dec. 22, 1682. Let the Secretary read the Indictment.
Secretary to President. ( Reads )
About the 18th day of December (1682) came an Indian to my house about two o'clock in the afternoon. I, not being present in the house and the said Indian pretending to be cold, my wife bid him go to the fire and there he was about an houre. By this time my wife sent for me and when I came into the house the said Indian came from where he had been sitting by the fire and look'd upon me, but said not a word to me not I to him: then straight-way returned to the fire again. I went to where he was sitting by the fire with his Gunn standing by him. I spoke to him and said, "How is Ketop". "Howan Pawmen kees", he replied in Delaware. Governor's Council. ( Addressing Pres. )
Your Lordship, may I address William Troth.
(Pres. bows assent and Troth rises facing G. C. )
( Addressing Troth) Do you affirm the truth of this in- dictment as read in part before this court.
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William Troth.
Your Lordship, I do. (Sits)
Secretary of Pres. (reads)
John Shepherd, sitting by the fire, said, "He tells me he is a Delaware Indian, and that there are two hundred Senni- quox Indians hard by," I said, "Pish, does thou believe him what he talks of. He lies." The Indian make answer he did not lie, for I should see them by and by. I made answer I would not see them if I could help it, but he said I should and forthwith fell ahollowing.
Governor's Council. ( Addressing Pres. ) Your Lordship is John Shepherd in Court?
John Shepherd. ( Rising)
Yes Your Honor.
Governor's Council. ( Addressing Shepherd ) .
Were you present at the home of William Troth at the time referred to in indictment read?
John Shepherd.
I was your Honor.
Governor's Council
Do you affirm the truth of the indictment as read.
John Shepherd.
I do your Honor. (Sits)
Governor's Council. (To Sec. )
Proceed.
Secretary of President.
Before I could speak any more words to him, comes to the doore Thomas Bussey. I turned me about to speake to the said Thomas: while my back was toward the Indian the said Indian made ready his Gunn; I presently turned about again and seeing the muzzle of the gunn towards me. I endeavored to get hold of it, but before I could she went off, and with the bonding of my body to get hold of the gun, the shott mist. When he saw he had done no execution he took to his Toma- hawke, and followed me about eight or ten yards; and when I saw he followed me I called for my gunn, and as soon as he heard me call for my gunn he ran and when he was about thirty yards from me I discharged my gun at him. (Sec. sits. ) Governor's Council. ( Addressing Assembley )
Thomas Bussey, stand.
Thos Bussey. (stands and bows. )
Your Lordship.
Governor's Council. (Addressing Bussey)
Were you present on the 18th of December 1682 when Poh Poh Caquis attacked William Troth as charged.
Thos. Bussey.
I was your Lordship.
Governor's Council
Thomas Bussey do you affirm that this accusation charg- ing Poh Poh Caquis with an attempt on the life of William Troth of Dover Bridge is true?
Thos. Bussey.
The charge is true Your Lordship. (Gov. Council and Bussey sits. )
Pres. Of Court.
The indictment has been read and its truth affirmed by these witnesses. Interpreter will you ask the prisoner why he denied his tribe.
( Mock interpretation ) Interreter. (To Pres. of Court. )
The prisoner says he was drunk and knew not what he did.
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Pres. of Court. (To interpreter. )
Ask the prisoner what defense he makes.
( Mock interpretation )
Interpretor. (To the Pres. of Court. )
The prisoner says he was drunk otherwise he would not have shot at William Troth or have done any mischief. Pres. of Court. (To Interpreter. )
Tell the Indians that it is the English law that if a man do mischiet he must suffer. If drunkenness is an excuse then the English might make themselves drunk and kill Indians. ( King Ababscoete confer with Interpreter.)
Interpreter. ( To Assembly. )
King Ababsco says that an English man shott at three Indian boyes but they came home not hurt, soe took noe notice. Governor's Council. (Interrupting. )
Tell him the English were not informed. If they had the English man should have suffered as the law prescribes in such cases.
Pres. of Court. ( Ignoring Council's words. )
Tell the Indians we can remember several miscarriages of their people, for which they have not been punished but we came not here to call to mind old differences but rather expect they should be forgot on both sides; but now we have taken this prisoner in fact he ought to suffer. We desire to know whether they justify the prisoner.
( Mock interpretation )
Interpreter.
They say they cannot justify the prisoner, neither did they come to excuse him.
Pres. of the Court.
Tell them that it is the custom of Christian Nations, that, if the peace is broken, he that doeth it must surely die, and this Indian by the law deserves death; but that the English are not desirous to exercise the rigour of the Lawe; there- fore Poh Poh Caquis shall be carried to the whipping post and have twenty lashes on his bare back.
Interpreter. ( After mock interpretation. )
Your Lordship, the Indians consent and have commanded one of their great men, Weahquap to execute the judgment. (Constable, prisoner and Indians turn to leave. )
Governor's Council. ( With Emphasis) ( Indians turn )
Your Lordship the punishment is not sufficient. ( Mock interpretation )
Interpreter.
King Ababsco and King Tequassimo engage their words for the prisoner's good behavior forever hereafter. Gov. Council.
It is not enough. Poh Poh Caquis may, notwithstandin, doe further mischief. Troth's life may be in constant danger. In what custody will they keep him.
( Pres. Order Interpretation. )
Interpreter.
Your Lordship. the Indians do not know how to secure him. They can say not more than Abatsawok had said form- erly,-that they left it to his Lordship.
Pres. of Court.
The order is given that Poh Poh Caquis receive twenty lashes on his bare back. This for his evil attack. Moreover for the future safety of the English the Court decrees that after this punishment Poh Poh Caquis be transported into some part beyond the sea, as a villian not fit to be trusted here without danger of having the peace broken.
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The Constable may remove the prisoner and after We- wahquap hath executed the sentence, the sentence of twenty lashes on the bare back, Poh Poh Caquis may be delivered to the High Sheriff of St. Mary's. ( Constable leads out Poh Poh Caquis followed by Indians. Conversation and handshaking among men.)
Pres. of Court.
The trial of Poh Poh Caquis being ended this Special Commission has fulfilled its duty and adjourns the Court.
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CAROLINE COUNTY'S FIRST COURT HOUSE.
ERECTION OF THE COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.
Perhaps you wonder why over twenty years elapsed between the formation of the county and the building of the court house. Here is the explanation as given in the records of the county court, General Assembly and Convention of Maryland of 1774-97.
Just previous to the establishment of Caroline, Dor- chester county had levied a tax for the purpose of build- ing a court house at Cambridge. That part which had been paid by people living in the section included in Caroline (70,000 'bs. of tobacco) was ordered to be giv- on to the new county. The inhabitants of the section taken from Queen Anne's were to be taxed in the same proportion (56,000 lbs. of tobacco) and the monies there- from used for building a court house at Pig Point (now
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Denton). Although this seemed to assure the financial side of the undertaking, the dark days which were ahead for the entire colony caused a delay. With the outbreak of the Revolution, the Convention which now took the place of the late Assembly, suspended all levies until after the war. Dorchester's tobacco had been turned into paper money and at the close of the war its value had so depreciated that it was necessary to cause a new levy to be made upon the county for $1000. The com- missioners were ordered to "demand, sue for, recover, and receive all monies previously levied and collected and use it for the same purpose."
JAIL DENTONMO.
SECOND CAROLINE COUNTY JAIL PRECEDING PRESENT ONE.
While this was being done and things again at a standstill, Bridgetown renewed her plea for the county seat. The compromise spoken of in the preceding chap- ter occurred at this time and four years elapsed before further decision was reached in the matter. In 1790 it was finally decided that as the removal of court to Pig Point would be for the convenience and advantage of the inhabitants of the county the clerk should move the records, rolls, and books to that place and there, "safe- ly deposit, keep, and preserve the same in some conve- nient house" before March 1st, 1791.
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New commissioners were at this time appointed as follows: William Richardson, Zebdiel Potter, Joseph Richardson, Peter Edmonson and Joshna Willis. These men were to purchase land, have it surveyed, laid out and plotted, collect all monies and tobacco previously levied, and contract for the erection of conrt house and jail.
On April 27, 1791. they contracted with William Benson of Talbot county to build the court house. The original contract called for $1300 current money, but later, Mr. Benson finding this insufficient, an additional $500 was allowed. In 1797 the building was finally com- pleted and stood until 1895 a tribute to the persever- ance of the people of Caroline county and the splendid workmanship of Benson.
Upon the completion of the court house, monies which had been intended for use in building the jail were entirely used. Thomas Hughlett, Zebdiel Potter, and Thomas Allen Sangston were appointed commissioners and authorized to levy a tax of $500 in the years 1797 and 1798 for the purpose of building the prison. Not all of this money was needed, however, and the remain- der was used in building a causeway on the east and a wharf on the west side of the Choptank at Denton.
CAROLINE'S PRESENT COURT HOUSE.
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I
سابيديكـ
Candle-moulds
Silver Snuffers and Tray
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REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
The Militia.
I. Introduction.
The story of the Militia of the Eastern Shore is the story of the spirit of the times, and this cannot be more clearly set forth than by quoting from a letter written May 1774, by a Mr. Eddie, officer of the English Govern- ment.
"All America is in a flame: I hear strange language every day. The colonists are ripe for any measure that will tend to the preser- vation of what they call their national liberty. I enclose you the resolves of our citizens; they have caught the general contagion. Expresses are flying from province to province. It is the universal opinion here, that the mother country cannot support a conten- tion with these settlements, if they abide steady to the letter and spirit of their association."
AAll Maryland was aroused and Caroline County seemed imbned with even more than her quota of enthu- siasm, and she was among the first to respond to the call of the nation. Her militia. her minute men, her Flying Camp were the material outgrowth of her spirit of De- mocracy.
II. Origin of Militia.
The Militia was a provincial organization of a very early date, an Act of General Assembly for such an or- ganization having been passed at their session in 1638.
This Act provided that, under the direction of the Lieutenant General, "The captain of the military band shall use all power necessary, or conducing, in his direc- tion, to the safety and defense of the province."
However at the opening of the Revolutionary period the Militia was only a tentative organization and Caro- line as a county had no such military body of which we know.
III. Caroline's Awakening.
In all the colonies the English yoke was becoming heavy and as the spirit of Liberty spread abroad Mary- land joined the opposition to England's tyranny with "A stern determination to have it efficient."
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Then Caroline came to the fore-front in her state activities when the citizens in 1774 held a large meeting at Melvill's Warehouse, on the 18th day of June, by ad- jonrnment from the 8th of the same month, and passed the following resolutions, Charles Dickinson, Esq., chair- man :
"1. Resolved, That the inhabitants of this country are by duty and inclination firmly attached to his most sacred majesty, King George the Third, to whom we owe all due obedience and allegiance.
"2. That it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting that the Boston port act is principally grounded on the opposition made by the inhabitants of that town to the tea duty, that the said town of Boson is now suffering in the common cause of British America, and that it is the duty of every colony thereof to unite in the most effectual means of obtaining a repeal of the late act of parliament for shutting up the port of Boston.
"3. That in the unanimous opinion of this meeting that if the colonies came into a joint resolution to forbear all importa- tions whatsoever from Great Britain, (except such articles as are absolutely necessary ) until the acts of parliament for shutting up the port of Boston, and for levying a duty in America for the ex- press purpose of raising a revenue, shall be repealed, it will be the means of preserving the liberties of North America.
"Resolved, therefore, That the inhabitants of this county are disposed firmly to unite with the inhabitants of this province and the other colonies of North America, in an association and agree- ment to forbear the importation of goods and merchandise from Great Britain, during the continuance of the said acts of parlia- ment (except such articles as may be judged proper to be excepted by a general association, ) and that all orders for importation, (ex- cept the articles before excepted, ) ought to cease.
"4. That it is against the opinion of this meeting, that the colonies go into a general non-importation from, or non-exportation. to Great Britain, but should both, or either of these measures be adopted, they will acquiesce therein.
'.5. That it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting that the courts of justice be kept open. But should a non-exportation agree- ment be generally come into, in that case it is the opinion of this meeting that the courts of justice be shut up.
"6. That it is the opinion of the inhabitants of this county, that this province ought to break off all trade and dealings with that colony, province, or town, which shall refuse or decline to come into similar resolutions with a majority of the colonies.
"7. That it is the unanimons opinion of this meeting that delegates be appointed from this province to attend a general con- gress of delegates from the other colonies, at such time and place as shall be agreed on, in order to settle and establish a general plan of conduct for the important purposes aforementioned.
"S. That Thomas White, William Richardson, Isaac Bradley, Nathaniel Potter, Benson Stainton, and Thomas Goldsborough, be a committee to attend a general meeting at Annapolis. And that
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the same gentlemen, together with Charles Dickinson, Richard Mason, Joshua Clark, Henry Dickinson, Dr. Wm. Molleson, Charles Blair, Wm. Haskins, Philip Fiddleman, Wm. Hooper, the Rev. Samuel Keene, the Rev. Philip Walker, Henry Casson, and Bene- dict Brice, be a committee of correspondence to receive and answer all letters, and on any emergency, to call a general meeting and that any seven of the number have the power to act.
"9. That this paper be considered as an instruction to the deputies nominated from this County to meet at the city of Annap- olis for the purpose of forming a general association, in which they are not to come into any engagement whatever, but upon con- dition that the colonies in general shall come into a, similar measure.
"10. That a copy of the proceedings be published in the MARYLAND GAZETTE, to evince to the world the sense they en- tertain of the invasion of their constitutional right and liberties. Signed, per order,
"Henry Downes, Jr., Clerk."
These resolutions show that the intent of the colo- nists was readjustment of differences, not war. They wanted trade relations changed, not the government. When however April 28, 1774 at 9 A. M. the blood-tid- ings from Lexington reached Annapolis war became a certainty in the minds of the Assembly.
A letter sent to the State deputies of each county stating the savage massacre of a number of the inhabi- tants of Lexington, and the movement of the King's troops, numbering 1200, caused great alarm through the colonies; therefore, it became necessary to form some kind of a resistance.
When the convention met at Annapolis in December a resolution was adopted, in substance as follows :
On the eighth day of December, 1774, the deputies from each county met and resolved to form a militia of their respective counties. This militia was to be com- posed of the gentlemen, freeholders and other freemen. It was further recommended that all persons from six- teen to fifty years of age enroll and form themselves in- to companies of 68 men ; to choose a captain, two lieuten- ants, an ensign, four sergeants, four corporals and one drummer for each company. These men were to use ev- ery means possible to make themselves masters of the military exercise. Each man was to be provided a good fire-lock and bayonet fixed thereon, one half pound of powder, two pounds of lead, and a cartouch box, or pow- der-horn, and a bag of ball, and be in readiness to act in any emergency.
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At the same time it was recommended that the "Committee" of each County raise a solicited subscrip- tion or voluntary gift of monies amounting in full to 10,000 pounds of which Caroline's allotment was 358 pounds.
Under the direction of the Committees from the re- spective counties this money was to be used to purchase arms and ammunition for the use of such county.
The resolves of the convention were immediately carried out; old and young enrolled with the greatest enthusiasm, and money, arms, and ammunition, were ev- erywhere collected to meet the approaching crisis. Mary- land was girding herself for the struggle. It broke out in open conflict, just before the meeting of the conven- tion.
To repress toryism, it was enacted that if any in- habitants of the province should, after the 5th of August following, levy war against the United States or should adhere "to any person or persons bearing arms or em- ployed in the service of Great Britain against the Unit- ed Colonies, or shall afford such persons,
any aid or comfort, or shall give them, or any subject of Great Britain any intelligence of the warlike preparations or designs of the United Colonies,
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