USA > Maryland > Cecil County > History of Cecil County, Maryland, and the early settlements around the head of Chesapeake Bay and on the Delaware River, with sketches of some of the old families of Cecil County > Part 41
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In the April following while en route with his command from Sackett's Harbor to Buffalo, having arrived at Batavia
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he was ordered by General Brown, who had rode forty miles during the night to meet him there, to take command at Oswego, and important post at the mouth of Oswego River and the key to a very important depot of naval stores, twelve miles further up the river at Great Falls, which were intended for the use of vessels recently launched, but not yet finished at Sackett's Harbor.
When Colonel Mitchell had received his orders and with his officers was taking leave of General Brown, the General said to him, " Colonel, if you cannot save this property, our fleet on Ontario will be rendered useless. It very probably will be destroyed, and the whole force of the enemy will be brought against us on the Niagara. But if you save this property we will have a splendid campaign, and you will deserve from me the thanks of your General and the army and your country cannot sufficiently reward you." The alacrity with which the gallant colonel and his no less gal- lant soldiers engaged in this hazardous expedition is fully attested by the fact that they marched at the rate of fifty miles a day in order to reach Oswego before it should fall
into the hands of the enemy. Colonel Mitchell and his command reached Oswego on the 30th of April, 1814. The place was in a bad condition. There were but five cannons in the fortifications, three of which having lost their trun- nions were useless. The stockade around the ancient fort which was composed of pickets set in the ground was en- tirely decayed and useless. Notwithstanding these diffi- culties, Colonel Mitchell with his accustomed alacrity and promptness set about repairing the works and sent messen- gers into the surrounding country to arcuse the militia, a few of whom afterwards responded to his call. At daylight on the morning of the 5th of May, a British naval force of seven vessels and a number of gunboats was discovered ap- proaching the fort. The village and the fort being some distance apart and on opposite sides of the river, and Col- onel Mitchell having too few troops for the defense of both,
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ordered all the tents in store to be pitched near the town, while with his whole force, consisting of less than three hundred men, he took position in the fort. This deception had the desired effect, and the enemy believing the town to be full of troops proceeded to bombard the fort leaving the defenseless village unmolested. Early in the afternoon the enemy in fifteen large boats covered by the gunboats and small armed vessels attempted to effect a landing, but were repulsed by a small detachment of the Americans stationed near the shore, who used an old twelve pounder upon them with terrible effect until it bursted. At this juncture a heavy breeze sprang up and the entire squadron put to sea.
The next morning the British fleet again appeared off Oswego, and the large vessels soon afterwards opened a heavy fire on the fort. In the afternoon the enemy, about twelve hundred in number, effected a landing, and Colonel Mitchell finding it impossible to defend the fort with so few men, boldly sallied out and met the invaders under cover of a woods. He divided his small detachment into two parts, and placing himself at the head of one of them, attacked the British column in front, while the other assailed it on the flank. By desperate fighting the enemy was kept in check for a long time, but overwhelming numbers finally compelled the Americans to fall back, and the British took possession of the fort and what few stores were in the vicin- ity. Colonel Mitchell retreated up the river in good order and took a position where he might protect the naval stores at the Falls, should the enemy attempt to capture them.
This gallant defense of Oswego was one of the most bril- liant affairs on the Canadian frontier, and was in striking contrast with the mishaps and failures in the previous cam- paign which were owing in great measure to the incom- petency or cowardice of those in command. An American historian, in writing of the defense of Oswego two years afterwards, uses this language: "On no occasion did the Americans deserve better of their country ; at no time be- fore did the enemy buy victory with less advantage to
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himself, or at a dearer price. Twice they repulsed and for nearly two days maintained a contest against seven times their number, and finally succeeded in preserving the stores at the Falls, the loss of which would have materially im- peded the operations of the army and navy."
For the gallantry displayed at Oswego, Colonel Mitchell received the thanks of his superior officers, and on the 14th of the following August, was breveted Colonel in the regular army.
After the memorable battles on the Niagara, in which Generals Brown, Scott and Ripley, were disabled by their wounds, General Gaines was ordered to take command of the army of the Niagara, he left Colonel Mitchell in command of the army of the centre, which command he held during the continuance of the war, performing with the approbation of the commanding generals and the Secretary of War the many important and difficult duties which devolved upon him. He was the first to announce the news of peace to the British authorities in Canada.
Shortly after the conclusion of peace, the Legislature of Maryland passed a series of resolutions, highly complimen- tary of his bravery and good conduct, and ordered the Gov- ernor to present him with an elegant sword.
Peace being proclaimed, and after having satisfactorily performed all the various and confidential duties imposed upon him preparatory to the reduction of the army, Colonel Mitchell expressed a wish not to be retained in the Peace establishment, notwithstanding which he was retained and by a highly complimentary general order, placed in com- mand of the fourth military department as the successor of Major-general Scott. This command Colonel Mitchell held several years, deserving and receiving the thanks of his superior officers for the ability with which he discharged his duties.
Owing to the partiality and favoritism shown in the re- duction of the army in 1821, Colonel Mitchell on the 1st of
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June, of that year, resigned his commission and returned to his native county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, of which he was very fond, upon part of the family homestead at Fair Hill, which he had inherited from his father.
On the 28th of May, 1816, Colonel Mitchell married Mary Hooper, daughter of Samuel Hooper and Ann (Conway) Hooper, of Dorchester County, Maryland. Mrs. Mitchell was a beautiful and highly cultivated and accomplished lady, and no doubt her husband after his long and arduous ser- vice in the army hoped to enjoy a long season of repose in the bosom of his family; but he was not allowed to do so. For his countrymen being fully sensible of his eminent fit- ness for the position, and being desirous to reward him in some measure for his gallant service in the army in the fall of 1822, elected him a member of the Eighteenth Congress from the congressional district composed of Cecil, Kent, and Harford counties, without opposition.
Colonel Mitchell's career as a statesman was no less bril- liant than his record as a soldier. In both positions he was distinguished by actions rather than by words. On the 12th of January, 1824, he offered the following preamble and re- solutions, of which he was the author, and which will fully explain themselves:
" Whereas, That distinguished champion of freedom, and hero of our revolution, the friend and associate of Washing- ton, the Marquis de Lafayette, a volunteer general officer in our Revolutionary war, has expressed an anxious desire to visit this country, the independence of which his valor, blood, and treasures, were so instrumental in achieving; Therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives of the United States of America, in Congress as- sembled that the President of the United States be requested to communicate to the Marquis de Lafayette the expression of those sentiments of profound respect, gratitude and affec- tionate attachment which are cherished towards him by the
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government and people of this country, and to assure him that the execution of his wish and intention to visit this country will be hailed by the people and government with patriotic pride and joy ; and be it further resolved that the President of the United States be requested to ascertain from the Marquis de Lafayette, the time when it may be most agreeable for him to perform his visit, and that he offer to the Marquis a conveyance to this country in one of our national ships."
These resolutions were referred to a committee, which changed but did not improve their phraseology, and they were subsequently passed by both Houses of Congress.
On the 6th of the following December, Lafayette, having in the meantime reached this country and being at that time in Washington, Colonel Mitchell offered the fol- lowing resolution :
" Resolved, That the Honorable, the Speaker (Hon. Henry Clay), invite our distinguished guest and benefactor, General Lafayette, to a seat within the hall of this House, and that he direct the manner of his reception."
Colonel Mitchell was subsequently made chairman of a committee of twenty-four members of the lower House, and had the honor of introducing the nation's guest to the rep- resentatives of the people.
This action of Colonel Mitchell, which is characteristic of the manliness and generosity of his heart, led to the forma- tion of a friendship between him and the distinguished for- eigner, which was co-extensive with their lives, as witness the following extract from a letter from Lafayette, dated at La- grange, France, the 26th November, 1826, and addressed to Colonel Mitchell : " You are again by this time on the floor where your kind voice was heard to invite an American veteran to the most honorable and delightful welcome that ever blessed the heart of man ; the sense of that obligation
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to you, my dear friend, cannot but mingle with every one of the enjoyments of the recollections relative to a period of my life, the happiness of which to express I could never find adequate words. I beg you, my dear sir, to accept the best wishes and highest regards of your affectionate and grateful friend, Lafayette."
After Lafayette returned to France he sent Colonel Mitchell a number of choice cherry trees and a quantity of sweet or sugar corn, now extensively cultivated for table use, but at that time very rare in this country. The cherry trees which were planted on Colonel Mitchell's farm, at Fair Hill, flour- ished well and attained a large size, but his estate having passed into the possession of persons unacquainted with their history, were cut down some years ago. A few trees which were grafted from them, may now be seen on the farm of Joshua Green, near Fair Hill.
The following interesting letter refers to this subject.
" LAGRANGE, MAY 29th, 1827.
" My Dear Sir :- The several kinds of corn from Fair Hill Farm through the good care of our friend Mr. Skiner are arrived just in time to be carefully planted. It is not the first nor greatest obligation I am under to you, but I do as- sure you the previous invoice is very welcome, the more so when it has been gathered on your farm, and kindly sent by you. I hope this letter will find you in good health and re- questing you to remember me most respectfully to family and friends, I am with all my heart, your affectionate grate- ful friend,
" LAFAYETTE."
Colonel Mitchell was re-elected to Congress in the fall of 1824, carrying his native county against Mr. Reed, his op- ponent by a majority of five hundred and sixty five in a vote of a little upwards of two thousand. At this time politics were in a chaotic condition, no less than four can- didates, Adams, Jackson, Clay, and Crawford being before the people for the high position of chief Magistrate. The
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political sentiment of the district was divided between Messrs. Jackson, Adams, and Crawford, and Colonel Mitchell, though a friend and follower of the illustrious Jackson, promised his constituents that in the event of the election of President being thrown into the House of Representatives, he would vote for the candidate favored by a majority of them. The result of the election having shown that a majority of his constituents were favor- able to the election of Mr. Adams, Colonel Mitchell in ac- cordance with the promise made cast his vote for that gen- tleman who was elected. But notwithstanding this he was a firm supporter of General Jackson, in 1828 and subse- quently, and so great was his popularity and influence among his immediate friends and neighbors that the people of the northeastern part of the county almost universally followed his leadership and from that time to this the fourth district has been known as the Gibraltar of Democracy.
For some reason not ascertained, Colonel Mitchell was not a candidate for election to the twentieth Congress, during which this congressional district was represented by Levin Gale. He was, however, again elected to Congress as the Jackson candidate in the fall of 1829, after an active and spirited campaign, against his opponent James W. Williams, of Harford County, carrying the district by a majority of two hundred and eight votes.
In April, 1829, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable companion, who for nearly thirteen years had shared his joys and sorrows, and been his helpmate in every emergency, leaving him with a family of seven helpless children.
Colonel Mitchell felt the loss of his wife keenly, but not- withstanding he was nearly overwhelmed with grief, he con- tinucd to serve his country in Congress with credit to him- self and acceptability to his constituents.
In October, 1831, he was stricken with paralysis, in his office, at Fair Hill, one morning while preparing to visit his
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patients. He partially recovered from this attack and with great difficulty reached Washington, at the opening of the session of Congress, in December, 1831, and continued to perform his duties as a member of Congress until the time of his death, which occurred on the 28th of June, 1832.
His death was brought to the notice of the House of Representatives by Mr. Howard, of Maryland, in a brief and eloquent speech which was alike creditable to himself, and eulogistic of the patriotism, bravery, and good judgment of the deceased. The late Ezekiel F. Chambers, then a sena- tor from Maryland, offered an appropriate resolution in the Senate.
The high estimation in which Colonel Mitchell was held by his fellow-soldiers was shown by the spontaneous offer of the military authorities to take charge of his funeral. His remains were interred in the congressional burying ground, at Washington, under the supervision of a committee of the lower House of Congress, the funeral being attended by the members of both Houses, the president and heads of de- partments and all the military in the city. Colonel George E. Mitchell and Mary Hooper Mitchell were the parents of seven children, as follows: Mary A., wife of John Stump, Esq., and mother of Judge Frederick Stump; George W., who served in the Mexican war and died in this county, in 1850, in the thirtieth year of his age ; Dr. Henry Hooper, of Elkton, formerly clerk of the circuit court for this county, and well-known in this county as a physician ; Cath- arine W., wife of James T. Mccullough, Esq., of Elkton ; Elizabeth H., wife of Russel Thomas; Arther W., formerly clerk of the circuit court for this county ; and Samuel Hooper, who served in the Mexican war and died at his residence near Elkton on the 21st of March, 1869, in the fortieth year of his age.
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THE RUMSEY FAMILY.
THE Rumseys, many of whom filled important offices and occupied responsible positions in this county during the last century, were the descendants of Charles Rumsey, who emigrated from Wales to America, about 1665. He landed at Charleston, South Carolina, where he resided for some years. He subsequently removed to New York, afterwards to Philadelphia, and sometime prior to 1678, settled at the head of Bohemia River, in this county, where he married and became the father of eight children ; three sons and five daughters. His name is first mentioned in the records of this county, in 1610, at which time he petitioned the court for liberty to keep an Ordinary at the Head of Bohemia. He probably died in 1717, for his will was admitted to pro- bate in that year. He left his home plantation, containing about three hundred acres, to his sons, Charles and William, and a farm called " Adventure," containing about one hun- dred acres, to his son Edward. Charles and Edward were less fortunate than their brother William. The former died, probably, in 1761, as his will was proved in that year. He devised all his estate to his wife, from which it may be in- fered that he left no children. Edward died in 1770, and left one son, Edward, and three daughters, Susanna, Mary, and Terissa.
James Rumsey, the inventor of the steamboat, of which an account is given elsewhere, was the son of the Edward last before-mentioned. He was born at the Head of Bohemia, in 1743, and died in London, December 23d, 1792, of appc- plexy, at a public lecture, where he was explaining the method of using the steamboat he had invented.
William, the second son of Charles, was a distinguished surveyor. He laid out Fredericktown, and is said to have assisted in locating the temporary line between Maryland and Pennsylvania, in 1739. He was one of the largest land- holders in the county, and was collector of customs at the Head of Bohemia, during much of the time that place was
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the only recognized port of entry for the rum imported from Pennsylvania. His will was proved in 1742. He left three sons and two daughters. To his son William, he devised his home place, containing about six hundred acres, on which there was a mill, and certain lots and wharves in Fredericktown. To his son Benjamin, he devised three tracts of land called "Round Stone," " Wither's " and " Baily," lying adjacent to each other, on the head of the Bay near North East River, containing eight hundred acres and other lands in Elk Neck, near Bulls Mountain, and a lot in Ceciltown. To his son Charles, he devised three tracts of land, two of which, " New Hall " and "Concord," were near the head of Elk River; also a tract called " Mill Pond" together with the mill thereon, containing about eight hundred acres, and a lot in Ceciltown. "Rumsey's Success," afterwards purchased by the Elk Forge company, and " David's Sheepfold," adjacent to it, which together con- tained seven hundred acres, and " Rumsey's Range," con- taining three hundred acres, lying on Elk River, he de- vised to his daughter, Mary. To his daughter Henrietta, he devised the tract called " Stony Chase," lying in the forks of North East River, containing one hundred acres, also a lot in Ceciltown. To his wife, Sabina, he devised two tracts called " Happy Harbor " and "Silvania," containing about one hundred and twenty acres, on Hacks Creek, in Sassafras Neck, on which there was a new mill ; and a house and two lots in Fredericktown.
The old Rumsey mansion was in Middle Neck, on an eminence about half a mile west of the road leading from Murphy's mill to Warwick. It is described by old residents of the neighborhood, who were familiar with it in child- hood, as a magnificent brick building, containing thirty rooms, with a massive stairway and a large hall with a handsome cornice around it. It is said to have been deserted by its owners in the early part of the present cen- tury, on account of the prevalence of fever and ague in that
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locality, and to have become the abode of those, who, having no houses of their own, were allowed to occupy it free of rent, owing to which it fell into decay and went to ruin.
The name of Rumsey has long been extinet in this county, but some of the descendants of its founder are living in Salem, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Chicago.
THE MAULDIN FAMILY.
THE Mauldins of Cecil County are the descendants of Francis Mauldin and Mary, his wife, who were natives of Wales and settled in Elk Neck, in 1684, on a traet of land, containing upwards of fifteen hundred aeres, which extended from the head of Chesapeake Bay across the Neck to Elk River, and included Mauldin's Mountain and the valley be- tween it and Bulls Mountain. This land is described in the original patent as being very fertile and heavily tim- bered. Portions of this tract remained in possession of the family through seven generations, or until about twenty- five years ago. Though the members of this family are said to have been unambitious and never to have taken an active part in public affairs, except those of the established church, of which they were members, the records of the county show that Francis, the founder of the family, was a justice of the county court in 1721, and filled several other positions of trust and responsibility.
But little more is known about the early history of this family, except that they were owners of large numbers of slaves and much given to hospitality. The will of Benja- min Mauldin was proved in 1760. It contains some evi- dence tending to show that he resided in Sassafras Neck. Captain Francis Mauldin's will was proved in 1762. He left four sons : Francis, Benjamin, William, and Henry ; and three daughters, Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Mary, among whom he devised the family homestead in Elk Neek.
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Francis and Benjamin were undoubtedly the sons of the founder of the family. The former was one of the represen- tatives of this county in the General Assembly in 1758 and 1761. Henry, the son of Captain Francis Mauldin, migrated to South Carolina many years ago. His grandson, Benja- Francis Mauldin was a member of the convention of South Carolina, which passed the ordinance of secession, in 1860.
THE GILPIN FAMILY.
THE Gilpin family of Cecil County are the descendants, in about the twentieth generation, of Richard de Guylpin, of England, to whom the baron of Kendal gave the Manor of Kentmere, in consideration of his having slain a wild boar that infested the forests of Westmoreland and Cumberland, in 1206.
Joseph Gilpin the founder of the Gilpin family in the United States, was a Quaker, and settled in Birmingham, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in 1695. The country was at that time a wilderness, and he constructed a cave by the side of a large rock, in which he resided for many years, and in which thirteen of his family of fifteen children were born.
The Cecil branch of the Gilpin family are the descend- ants of Samuel Gilpin, the eldest son of Joseph, who settled in Birmingham. He was born in England, in 1694, and emigrated from Birmingham to Concord, and subsequently, in 1733 removed to Cecil County, and settled at Gilpin's Rocks, on the Great North East on a tract of seven hundred acres that he and Edward Taylor bought of Joseph Carter, for £450. This land is erroneously stated as being in Not- tingham, but the records of this county show that it had been patented to Joseph Carter, under the name of Kings- by, by Lord Baltimore, in 1726. It was south of Notting- ham, and, no doubt, Gilpin purchased it on account of its
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proximity to that township and hoped that ultimately the then disputed boundary would be adjusted so as to leave it under the jurisdiction of Penn.
In 1735 Gilpin and Taylor conveyed a considerable part of their property at Gilpin's Falls to John Copson. The consideration mentioned in the deed is only £400, though they had, in the meantime, built a saw-mill on the property. On the same day that the before-named deed was executed Copson conveyed three hundred and sixty-nine acres, called Cox's Park, situated in the forks of North East Creek, to Gilpin. From these facts it seems plain that Gilpin and Copson exchanged lands. The same year Gilpin purchased of Edward Rumsey three hundred and fifty acres, adjoining Cox's Park, in the forks of North East. This tract was part of Stony Chase, now in the possession of the Mcculloughi Iron Company, and part of Rumsey's Ramble, which had been taken up and patented by William Rumsey. At this time New Connaught Manor was in the possession of the lord proprietary, and Gilpin had a small part of it, contain- ing nine acres, adjoining his other land at the forks of the North East, patented to him. Samuel Gilpin married Jane Parker, of Philadelphia. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Mary, Joseph, Thomas, Hannah, Samuel, Rachel, and George. Their son Thomas, a Quaker, resided in Philadelphia, and declining to do military ser- vice during the Revolutionary war, was with about twenty others, similarly circumstanced, exiled from the city, in 1777, and taken to Winchester, Virginia, where he died in 1778. His brother George was at the same time colonel of the Fair- fax militia, and endeavored to effect his liberation. George was an intimate friend of General Washington, and is said to have been one of his pall-bearers. This intimacy was owing to the fact that the Washingtons and Gilpins had intermarried in England.
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