History of Emmitsburg, Maryland, with a prelude of historical facts of Frederick County, and a romance entitled Disappointed, or, The recluse of Huckle's feld, Part 2

Author: Helman, James A
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: [Frederick, Md. : Citizen Press,]
Number of Pages: 258


USA > Maryland > Frederick County > Emmitsburg > History of Emmitsburg, Maryland, with a prelude of historical facts of Frederick County, and a romance entitled Disappointed, or, The recluse of Huckle's feld > Part 2


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The Frederick County court had the high honor of first deciding in a legal manner the unconstitutionality of the


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Stamp Act. This decision was received with joy, and the people hastened to celebrate so important an event. A fes- tival took place in Fredericktown on November 30th, 1765. The Sons of Liberty in funeral procession, in honor of the death of the Stamp Act, marched through the streets bear- ing a coffin, on which was inscribed, "The Stamp Act expired of a mortal stab from the genius of liberty in Fred- erick County Court November; 1765, aged 22 days." The late Zacharias Hood was chief mourner in effigy; the whole affair ended merrily in a ball.


The foregoing has been related to show the time our an- cestors passed through; the excitement, the deprivation, the anxiety that awaited them at every turning point of Frederick County history. In the adjoining county of Adams, Pa., the early settlers were Irish and Scotch-Irish, with a small minority of Germans.


A meeting convened at the old school house, not far from the mill built by John Troxell in 1778 on Toms' creek, Sunday, August 28th, 1770. The meeting was largely at- tended by the old inhabitants, who were deeply impressed by the situation. There were present on that occasion Wil- liam Blair (old Scotch descent), James Shields, Sr., William Shields, Charles Robinson, Patrick Haney, Robert Brown, Henry Hockensmith, Rudolf Need, Thomas Hughs, Thos. Martin, William Elder (son of Guy), Samuel Westfall, Moses Kenedy, Alexander Stewart, William Curren, Jr., Charles Carroll, Octavius S. Taney, Philip Weller, Daniel Morrison, Wm. Koontz, Christian Hoover, John Smith, Daniel McLean, John Farris, John Long, Arthur Row, John Crabbs, George Ovelman, Jacob Valentine, Win. Munroe, Moses Ambrose, George Kelly, Walter Dulaney, Homer J. Bowie, James Park, Robert Agnew, John Carrick, Fred- erick Troxell, Dominick Bradley, William Brawner, Henry Brooks and others. It was agreed by a show of hands that Wm. Blair should be called to the chair, and John Farris appointed secretary of the meeting. The meeting was then addressed by Walter Dulaney and W. Elder (of Guy), who concluded by offering the following resolutions :


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Resolved by the inhabitants of Toms' creek, Frederick County, in the province of Maryland, loyal to their king and country, That we reaffirm the great Magna Charter of our civic and religious rights, as granted by Charles of Eng- land to Lord Baltimore and the inhabitants of this colony, as reaffirined on the first landing of the pilgrim fathers of Maryland. That there shall be a perfect freedom of con- science, and every person be allowed to enjoy his religious political privileges and immunities unmolested.


The resolution was read and re-read and adopted by a showing of hands. It was further


Resolved, that the proceedings of this meeting be pub- lished in the Annapolis Gazette and Bradford paper at Philadelphia.


There were four military companies raised in Frederick County, Md., in 1775, as follows:


First at Emmitsburg (called the Game Cock Company)- Captain W. Blair; Ist Lieutenant, George Hockensmith; 2nd Lieutenant, Henry Williams; Ensign, Jacob Hocken- smith; Sergeants, W. Curren, Jr., Christian Crabbs, John Smith, George Kelly; Corporals, John Crabbs, George Mathews, Arthur Row, James Parks; Drum, Daniel Mc- Lean; 54 privates.


Second at Emmitsburg, Md-Capt. W. Shields; Ist Lieut- tenant, John Faire; 2nd Lieutenant, Michael Hockensmith; Ensign, John Shields; Sergeants, Charles Robinson, James Shields, Patrick Haney, Robert Brown; Corporals, Moses Kennedy, John Hank, Jolin Long, Thomas Baird; 52 privates.


Third Company-Capt. Jacob Ambrose; Ist Lieutenant, Peter Shover; 2nd Lieutenant, Henry Bitzel; Ensign, John Weller; Sergeants, Martin Bantz, Frederick Schultz, Jolin Gump, Casper Young; Corporals, Jolin Protzinan, George Kuhn, Dominick Bradley, Lawrence Creager; Drummer, John Shaw; Fifer, Philip Weller; 50 privates.


Fourth Company-Capt. Benjamin Ogle; Ist Lieutenant, Henry Matthews; 2nd Lieutenant, George Nead; Ensign, James Ogle; Sergeants, John Syphus, Lawrence Protzman,


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Peter Leonard; Corporals, Jacob Valentine, Adam Knauff, Daniel Protzman, William Elder of Guy; Fifer, Daniel Linebaugh; Drummer, John Roche; 52 privates.


It was in reference to these troops that General Wash- ington made the following remarks at the house of Key, near Middleburg, Md ..


My Citizens -- (Deeply affected) I am about to leave your good land, your beautiful valley, your refreshing streams, and the blue hills of Maryland, which stretch before me. I cannot leave you, fellow citizens, without thanking you, again and again, for your kind greeting, for the true and devoted friendship you have shown ine. When the dark- est hours of the revolution, of doubt and gloom, the suc- cor and support I received from the people of Frederick County, Maryland, always cheers me, it always awakes a responsive echo in my breast. I feel the emotion of grati- tude beating in my breast, my heart is too full to say more. God bless you all.


In this connection I copy the following to show the rate of taxes charged in 1780 and a receipt for substitute to serve in militia company during the Revolutionary war.


Sept. 12th, 1780. Then received of Mr. Richard Braw- ner the sum of seventy-nine pounds, twelve shillings and nine pence, for the purpose of hiring a substitute for my company of militia to enlist during the war.


Rec'd in full, JOHN SHIELDS.


Rec'd Sept. 9th, 1772, of Mr. Richard Brawner the sumn of nine shillings and ten pence sterling on two hundred and forty acres of land, which appears by G. Dickens, rest to be no inore due till the next Michaelmas, for George Scott, likewise by G. Dickens next for Michaelmas, 1721, Dated July 21st. PAUL, HAGERTY.


Richard Brawner, Dr.


To Elders kindness, 150 acres, 06'-412


" Resurvey by Black, 40 " 01-712


" The B. Goodwill, 45 01-10


" Elders kindness, 99 03-1I12


" Back rent 03-II12


الصناعية


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I herewith give a copy of Father Brutea's letter dated 1723, giving the town as he was informed it was in 1786: "Emmitsburg was a wood in 1786, when the Hughs came. The house of Mr. Jennings was the first built, not the present brick house, but a small log house, now a back building. The church was built in 1793, the land was be- longing originally to Mr. Carroll of Annapolis, and called Carrollsburg, it being in two parts, one lower in Maryland, one upper in Pennsylvania. The meeting for giving a name to the town was held at Ockenswith's farm. Some were for Carrolltown, some for Emmitsburg, which pre- vailed; it was about 1786. The line of Pennsylvania about three-fourths of a mile straight north of east on Gettys- burg road, but northwest much nearer. It passes the free George Snivally house, Chroniker still in Maryland and Mr. Little; but Patterson in Pennsylvania.


"The Roman Catholic congregation is composed of Irish, Germans and American, besides colored persons, both slave and free. Half of the town is Catholic the rest is chiefly Presbyterian and Lutheran. The latter have a- resident minister in the town who preaches alternatively in English and German. The Presbyterians have their meeting about a-half mile north, their minister, Mr. Grier, does not live in town: there are some Episcopalians. Dr. Moore is a Quaker, they follow principally the Presbyterian. One of the trustees is an Irish apostate. Sometimes other preach- ers pass through, they preach in these churches or in Pro- testant school houses. There is a Methodist preacher near about two miles (he holds meetings, classes, &c., at his house on Sunday and Wednesday), near Tom's creek, where there is a little village named after him, Morantown. I believe there are very few Methodists in town. The meet- ings and preaching of Presbyterians are held in the fields. Catholics sometimes attend them. The town numbers about 700 inhabitants. There are four principal taverns, and perhaps seven or eight tipling shops, under the sign liquors and fruits; besides these the principal groceries and dry goods stores, of which there are six, quite considerable,


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sell drams and whiskey to anyone coming, particularly to their customers; there are four doctors, Hannan and his young brother-in-law, Dr. Moore, Dr. Shorb. We have neither library nor printing press. The various stores have an assortment of prayer books, and some elementary books for schools, of which there are principally two, one Cath- olic, the other Protestant, with their brick school house, one or two school mistresses for the smaller children."


There are inany poor families and widows at Emmits- burg. This may in general be attributed to the misfortune of the times, for it seems to be as a general thing. We cannot complain of disorder. The taverns are very quiet; the remarkable days, namely, election, Washington's birth- day, Review day, St. Patrick's and Christmas and New Year's day pass off very quietly and soberly, especially Christmas and New Year's day. I have been told many times, with an honorable complacency: satisfied, that not one person had been found intoxicated; this may be an ex- aggeration, but the case is generally true; there is an evi- dence of regularity of union and mutual cordiality which has been remarked from abroad. There is a great deal of religious opposition, and of interest amongst individuals; also frequent law suits, warrants and sales, going to court, but it seems to mne that these meetings are mutually at- tended and justice rendered, without ill feeling occasioned by poverty, debts, rents, etc. The stings of pride, indis- creet words and unfavorable reports exist often enough, but probably they are less violent and more easily rendered than in many other places. It may be said of the poor Protestants, that in the midst of their errors there is a fund of religion and principle at Emmitsburg. There are some saw mills and grist inills, also tanneries. Some hatters, which all constitute the trade; there is a paper mill, Mr. Oberinyer. Mr. Waters kept the principle tavern in 1821.


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EARLY MANUFACTURERS.


In 1784 John Frederick Amelung came from Bremen with a colony of 400, settling on Bennett's creek near Mo- nocacy, now Urbana District, Frederick County; here he


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erected a factory for making glass. It is said to be the first works established in America for the manufacture of hollow glassware. President Washington in a letter to Jefferson, referring to these works, says: "A factory of glass is estab- lished upon a large scale on Monocacy river near Freder- ick, in Maryland. I am informed it will produce this year glass of various kinds to the amount of ten thousand pounds." Amelung manufactured and presented in person to Washington two capacious goblets made of flint glass, exhibiting the General's coat of arms. The story goes, that Amelung armed with these goblets and dressed in full court costume, proceeded to Mount Vernon. Crossing the lawn, he accosted a man in his shirt sleeves mounted on a ladder fixing the grape vines, and was greatly astonished to find that the person addressed was the great Washington himself. A large number of pieces of glassware made by Amelung are still in possession of the Masonic lodge at Al- exandria, of which Washington was a member and its first master.


The old Masonic lodge (Holland) of New York also pos- sesses a number decanters, punch and wine glasses made by this factory. These works were removed to Baltimore in 1789 and occupy site of the present glass works of Chas. J. Baker & Sons, south side Basin under Federal Hill. Amelung colonists established a Masonic lodge of which Abram Few, one of the Maryland delegates to the conven- tion that framed the Constitution of the United States; a lodge was organized in Frederick in 1799-Hiram lodge.


LUTHERAN CHURCH.


The Elias Lutheran was organized at Tom's creek in the year 1757. Quoting from a letter of Rev. John George Young, of Hagerstown, Md., written in 1757, gives us the earliest account, tradition may serve where only secular motives are concerned, but not here. The letter was ad- dressed to Rev. D. Helmuth, a Lutheran divine, who seems to have projected a history of the ministerium of Pennsyl- vania. The original is now on file in the archives of the Lutheran Historical Society of Mr. Airy, Philadelphia. It


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was translated into English by Rev. Henry E. Jacobs, D. D., of Mt. Airy Theological Seminary, and published in the Lutheran of April 19tli, IS94:


EMMITSBURG, 1757.


Thomas Creek Hundred, twenty-three miles from Fred- erick and thirty miles from Hagerstown, foundation laid in that year for an Evangelical Lutheran church, by the pur- chase of an acre of land, and by a few families, and the erec- tion thereon of a church according to their circumstances. Pastor Bager served them first for two years, then the con- gregation was vacant for about the same period, then it was served by Rev. Ludwig Beck, who remained for six years, until his death; after this the congregation was vacant again for two years, until Rev. Mr. Wildburn served them for thirteen years. After Wildburn's departure, the Luth- erans united with the Reformed in the same neighborhood, and built a new church on the old location, and also a school house. Since his time I have made three or four visits in the summer, and administered the sacraments. The congregation consists on our part of from thirty-two 1


to thirty-four families; support uncertain.


Central Monocacy Hundred, sixteen miles from Frede- rick and twenty-two from Hagerstown. Union church built by Lutheran and Reformed, and consecrated by Rev. Wildbohn and Rev. Hehop from Frederick. The former served eight years after a vacancy of a year. They invited me and I accepted, serving them ever since from Easter to December, every eight weeks. In the beginning the con- gregation was composed of twelve or thirteen families, now there are forty on the Lutheran side. They have a school house, but no permanent school, support indefinite.


Such, dear doctor, are the congregation I have heretofore served with fear and weakness and trembling, may God graciously grant his blessing upon my weak planting and watering. How humbled I often am, as often I cannot see the hoped for fruit, and tares instead of the true grain ap- pear. The Lord have mercy upon his vineyard, especially upon this portion of it in our America, in order that the


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wild boar may not do greater damage. Following the foregoing early situation at Tom's creek during the years intervening between 1768 and 1797 (when the two congre- gations concluded to move to town and erect a union church); in 1794 and 1795 Rev. Wingent was the visiting pastor; two years the pulpit is vacant and the new church is built in Emmitsburg.


CHURCH LOTS AND CEMETERIES.


There is no record at Frederick nor in any of the church books of a deed for lot at Toms' creek. The Rev. John George Young in 1757 tells of the purchase of one acre of land at Tom's creek to build a church. The first church was built at the west corner of the cemetery, in 1768, when the Lutherans and Reforms united they built a log church, where it has stood until 1904, when the Methodist raised to the ground. They bought it in 1797 from the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, although there is no record any- where of the sale. On the 17th of August, 1795, Thomas Maxell purchased of William Emmit the lot the Lutheran church stands on, and deeded the same to the Lutheran and Reformed congregation, in 1802.


The lot adjoining, now the new part of cemetery was bought of Jacob Winter 118 acres December 12th, 1828, for the sum of $167.80.


Tradition says the first bell was a much smaller one, very fine in tone. It cracked, was sent away to be recast; when it came the bell was an excuse compared to the former one, the silver had been robbed from it; they rejected it and purchased the present one.


At the time, 1797, the church was built in town. The German language was spoken principally by these people, therefore the service was in German. Later the German and Englishi were alternately used. 1797, Rev. John Ru- therford is the accredited pastor. 1802, Rev. John G. Grobt of Taneytown supplied this congregation with a ser- vice once a month, remaining till 1828, with Rev. John Hoffman as assistant from 1826. Under his ministration


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he favored the introduction of the English language in the service. In 1828 Mr. Hoffman was installed as regular pastor, remaining until 1833, when he accepted a call to Chambersburg, Pa. 1834, Rev. Samuel D. Finkle entered his official duties as pastor of this church, remaining three years, when in 1837 Rev. Ezra Keller was called to fill the pulpit, remaining four years. 1841, Rev. Solomon Sent- man was called to fill the vacancy, remaining eleven years. Then, 1852, the Rev. John Welfly two years. 1854, Rev. George Collins a short time. 1855, Rev. Henry Bishop served the congregation seven years. 1863, Rev. W. V. Gotwold three years. 1866, Rev. E. S. Johnston twenty- two years. 1889, Rev. Luther DeYoe two years. 1892, Rev. Oscar G. Klinger from June 12th to August 28th. 1892, Rev. Clas. Rimewold.


This congregation has had an influence in this commu- nity all these years. Since 1757 its marked increase from the small number named by Rev. Mr. Young to its present large congregation, speaks loudly for its health giving tones that have been uttered from the pulpit. The shaping of a morality in a community depends upon the respect these outsiders have for the Christian people. This is manifest here; the influence of the churches curbs this open and scandalous violations of the law in our town.


Rev. John George Bager, the first pastor of the Lutheran church at Tom's creek, 1757, changed the spelling of his naine from Bager to Baugher. From him came all the Baughers known here. The German pronunciation gave it the same accent the additional uh did. Some called him Badger, others Bagger, others pronounced it correctly. To rid himself of so many ways of pronouncing his nanie he added the uh, thereby all could call him by the same name.


Bill for shingling the Lutheran and Reformed church in


1813.


Lutheran and Reformed church.


To George Smith, Dr.


6,000 pine shingles,


2,000 chestnut .


$10, 10,


$ 60.00


20.00


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51 lbs. nails,


$1112 cts., $5.871/2


94 11.75


Hauling shingles,


34.00


Work,


81.00


$212.621/2


The clock on Lutheran church was made by John Hughs of Taneytown in 1814 when the steeple was built. It was · kept in repair until after 1860. Still remains in the steeple out of repair.


The Lutheran cemetery in town holds embosemed many of the early settlers and children to the fifth generation. Around these tombs cluster memories of so many families, like our neighbor the Roman Catholic. Many who die elsewhere wish their bodies to return to dust amongst rela- tives, and are returned for interment in this sacred spot. Many graves of the very early settlers are not marked by an epitaph, yet they sleep on, undisturbed, hisitors of an immortality bequeathed to all the sons of Adam:


Mathias Martin, 1748, 1815; Peter Troxell, 1768, 1856; John Martin, 1771, 1860; George Smith, 1780, 1817; Peter Krise, 1762, 1831; Jacob Winter,. 1771, 1846; Frederick Troxell, 1779, 1853; George Winter, 1783, 1850; George Sheets, 1773, 1853; Lewis Motter, 1779, 1837; Isaac Hahn, 1766, 1844; Jacob Troxell, 1786, 1833; Philip Nunemaker, 1763, 1824; John Troxell, 1746, 1830; Frederick Gelwicks, 1774, 1851; Jacob Danner, 1763, 1841; Samuel Valentine, 1798, 1872; George Smith, 1748, 1823; Joseph Martin, 1800, 1860; D. J. W. Eichelberger, 1804, 1895; John Sheets, 1803, 1891; Eli Smith, 1802, 1878; Joshua Motter, 1801, 1875; Jos- eph Moritz, 1813, 1853; Jacob Row, 1781, 1864; George L. Smith, 1817, 1901; Michael Helman, 1799, 1865; Andrew Eyster, 1800, 1872; Henry Winter, ISO8, 1884; Michael Sponseler; George Winter, 1805, 1894; George Boner; Rev. William Runkle, 1748, 1832; Michael Oyster; John Trenkle; Jacob Oyster; John Young; Henry Dishour; John Huston; Samuel Noble; William C. Seabrook, IS21, 1875; Jacob Trenkle; G. W. Row, 1817, 1901; Lewis Weaver; Jacob


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Troxell, hatter, 1767, 1852; John Zimmerman, 1788, 1861; Joseph+ Row, 1789, 1861; George Troxell, 1773, 1832; Jos- eph Row, 1814, 1888; Samuel Duphan, 1798, 1883; Detrich Zeck, 1814, 1891; Daniel Sheets, 1815, 1900, Isaac Hyder, 1819, 1887; James Hosplehorn, 1810, 1887; George Krise, 1802, 1893; John Grable; Adam Hoffman, 1751, 1825; his wife, 1747, 1817; Frederick Beard, 1759, 1842; his wife, 1763, 1849. Adam Hoffman was the first hatter; Frederick Beard, the first carpenter.


Here the associations of life cease; here the polished mar- ble tells the undying respect the living retain for the dead; here buried ambition ceases to excite the body's rest; here the earth to earth sentence is fulfilled, but there lingers around the spot a facination unlike that of any other, and we seek the quiet of the place and read the epitaphis we know so well, with increased interest, knowing ere long, our bodies will sleep beside those fathers and mothers.


The steeple was not erected until 1814. Peter Troxell was the architect and George Smith the builder. At various times improvements have been made. In 1868 the vesti- bule was built and internal improvements made. In 1897, when the centennial of the erection of the church was cel- ebrated, amongst the valuable gifts to the church is the elegant and artistic pulpit, given as a memorial of her par- ents, John and Savilla Sheets, by Mrs. Edgar D. Miller, of Baltimore, Md. The beautiful memorial window contrib- uted by the congregation to the fourteen pastors, who all stand endeared for deeds of personal friendship, then the window to commemorate devotion, by the children and friends. To Mrs. Nathaniel Row by his daughter, Miss Helen Row; to Mrs. Eugene L. Row by her husband; to Dr. J. W. Eichelberger and his wife by their children; to Samuel Maxell and wife by their children; to Mrs. Saralı Troxell by her son Frederick, of Baltimore; to Mrs. Samuel G. Ohler by her husband; two windows donated by Daniel and Barbara Sheets; one to the Zeck family, the gift of Miss Julia Zeck.


In 1905 the former study of the pastor was torn down,


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an avenue was opened through the lot to the church, paved with concrete to the church door, adding beauty to conven- ience, and an improvement to the town. Its no longer the dreary way to tread the lonely path in darkness to the temple door, but a highway illuminated all the way, and smooth to the entrance gate.


REFORMED CHURCH.


Its history from the union formed with the Lutheran con- gregation at . Toms' creek in 1768 is an analogous one, along parallel lines they walked, each having too much good will to offer any unkind act or word to inar the peace.


The first regular pastor was Rev. Jacob Weymer, 1784; 1788, Rev. Valentine Nichodumus, till 1794; 1794, Lebrecht L. Hinsch, 1804; 1793, Jonathan Rahauser, 1808; 1808, Rev. Frederick Rahauser, 1816; 1816, Rev. William kunkle, 1821; 1821, Rev. David Bosler, 1832; 1833, Rev. Elias Heiner, 1835; 1836, Rev. Samuel Fisher, 1839; 1840, Rev. A. P. Freeze, 1842; 1843. Rev. Wm. Philips, 1846; Rev. Geo. W. Aughenbaugh, 1856: 1858, Rev. E. E. Higbee, May till Au- gust, 1858; 1858, Rev. Walter E. Krebs, 1863; 1863, Rev. John M. Titzel, 1873; 1873, Rev. Abner R. Kramer, 1881; 1881, Rev. M. A. Gring, 1882; 1882, Rev. Geo. B. Resser, 1884; 1886, Rev. U. H. Heilman, 1892; 1893, Rev. A. M. Schaffner, 1895; 1896, Rev. W. C. B. Shulenberger, 1903; 1903, Rev. A. M. Gluck.


It was during the pastorate of Rev. John M. Titzel the Lutheran and Reformed congregation separated, buying the John Nickum lot for $800 in 1868 they erected the present church, where they have worshiped since. The steeple was blown down in March, 1873, and rebuilt same summer. From their organization in the county, connect- ing with the Lutherans at Tom's creek in 1768, installing their first pastor in 1784; at 110 period has the pulpit been vacant for any great length of time, or in the early days when the ministers were few, and they doing mission work. No doubt some of the early settlers worshiped at Monocacy church, near Creagerstown, and saw and heard the great


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missionary sent to the Monocacy church; Rev. Schlatter, as he was sent from Holland in 1746 to organize congrega- tions in the various localities; we know his journal of April, 1747, says: I undertook a great journey to Monocacy and other places in Maryland. Mr. Schlatter visited Frederick- town in 1753 accompanied by Rev. Theodore Frankenfield, who he installed as the first pastor of the Monocacy congre- gation; he writes he found the people in good condition, pure minded, &c.


Mountain View cemetery was started by Rev. Abner R. Kramer, buying the field and selling lots in 1881; he sold his interest in the cemetery to a few men who lately sold their interest in said cemetery to Sterling Galt, who has im- proved it wonderfully.




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