USA > Maryland > Kent County > History of Kent County, Maryland, 1630-1916 > Part 10
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of Maryland. Yorick had won several matches and Selim had never been beaten. The race was for 4 mile heats; a big crowd was present and Selim won. Races lasted a week, and closed with a ball and grand opera. Many ladies were present, while many fine old Virginia gentlemen would be present and
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DUNN'S "BROADNOX," BUILT ABOUT 1708, OWNED BY GEORGE D. LOFLAND AND OCCUPIED BY J. H. SHRILEY.
bet their negroes on the result. Courts were adjourned and schools dismissed. Endurance, rather than speed, was the quality expected of the racers.
In 1710 the Sheriff of Kent received 600 pounds of tobacco for conveying letters and packages to and from the Capital seat.
Some of the ordinances passed in 1806 did not allow a negro or slave to be on the street after 10 o'clock at night without permit from master or mis- tress. No negro residing out of town was allowed to remain in town after 7 o'clock in winter and 9 in
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summer. This was kept up until 1860. The church bell on the Protestant Episcopal Church, the only bell in town, was the signal for the colored people to leave. A chimney sweeper was appointed by the town, and for many years old Chester Wilmer was the appointee.
In 1826 we find the people advertising for a school- master and requiring that he must keep away from "tippling shops."
In 1784 five men crossed the bay on the ice, and in 1836, on February 16, five men came across the bay on the ice and returned.
The postmaster of Chestertown in 1824 was Joseph ReDue, who was Sheriff in 1827, and Inspec- tor of the Port of Chester until abolished by Con- gress in 1850. From 1826 to 1852 he was President of the Board of Town Commissioners. In 1870 the salary of the postmaster at Chestertown was $780; Kennedyville, $200; Still Pond, $125; Millington, $220; Rock Hall, $65, and Chesterville, $200. The mail route between Lankford and Chestertown was established in 1870. In February, 1899, a mail route was established between Price's Station and Ches- tertown, and an afternoon mail given to the citizens.
The present postmaster is T. D. Bowers, who suc- ceeded M. Wilbur Thomas. The salary is about $2,300, with allowance for rent, clerk hire of five men and fuel. There are rural routes starting at Chestertown served by W. B. Ashley, Rock Hall; D. B. Kendall, over bridge in Queen Anne's; Thos. Willis, Fred. S. Russell, Walter Hadaway, Charles E. Woods.
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0
MRS. WM. B. USILTON'S RESIDENCE, WHERE A GUNSMITH MADE WEAPONS DURING THE WAR.
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Col. Henry Hollingsworth, at Elkton, and Elisha Winters, at Chestertown, were large manufacturers of muskets for the army of the Revolution, and the grain mills of Cecil and Kent furnished large sup- plies to the soldiers. Col. Isaac Perkins, of Kent, was indefatigable in his work of purchasing corn and wheat for the military authorities, and in or- ganizing the militia, and was an efficient and gallant officer in the field. The house on High street, Ches- tertown, now owned by Mrs. Wm. B. Usilton was one of the places where guns were made by a man named Smith and the house was afterwards used as a carriage factory, paint shop, etc.
Private capital, aided by the government of Mary- land, conducted a large armory here during the Rev- olutionary War, and an old relic in the shape of a cannon was found and has been preserved to this day. This is the cannon that stood for so many years in front of the old Market House, then put in the school yard on Cross street, on the site of Davis & Satterfield's plant. It was removed by Mr. John S. Vandergrift, a member of the old Kent Guards, and for 16 years was buried in front of his barber shop and used as a hitching post. It now adorns the grounds about the home of Hope H. Barroll, Esq., on Chester River, near Chestertown. It weighs 2,500 pounds.
A sad incident of Fourth of July celebrations oc- curred in Chestertown in 1845. The big cannon was located near the old engine house and pointed down Cross street. Just as one of the salutes was being fired, a colored woman, with a baby in her arms, was crossing over from A. L. Spark's (Candy Kitchen)
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corner to Bordley's corner. The wad from the can non struck the child, which was the daughter of Captain Vanhorn, and killed it instantly.
In July, 1898, a meeting was held in Stam's Hall and resulted in the formation of the Ladies' Town
Improvement Society. Every citizen and visitor points with pride to the results accomplished by this society. The public squares attest to their taste and æsthetic skill. Mrs. Thomas W. Eliason was the first president. The Fountain Day in Chester- town was a great occasion. Through the kindness of Dr. C. A. Grise, of Wilmington, the fountain which now adorns Kent Square was brought to the attention of the ladies. Wednesday, June 15, 1899, a committee consisting of Mrs. Hope H. Barroll, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur W. Hubbard, and Fred. G. Usilton purchased the $1,200 fountain. The honor of unveiling the fountain was won after an inter- esting contest by Miss Ida Orem Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Smith. Hon. James A. Pearce presided, and addresses were made by Gen. F. C. Latrobe, Harrison W. Vickers and Col. Wil- liam J. Vannort. Without detracting from the work of the ladies, the personal supervision given to grading, laying walks and arranging for the foun- tain and park by Mr. W. W. Hubbard is worthy of recognition.
Mrs. Hope H. Barroll, Mrs. James A. Pearce, Mrs. W. W. Hubbard, Mrs. W. B. Copper, Mrs. M. A. Toulson, Mrs. William J. Vannort, Mrs. J. H. Spen- cer, Mrs. James Brice, Mrs. Joel R. Clements, Mrs. W. F. Jarrell, Mrs. Physick, Mrs. J. D. Bacchus, Mrs. R. H. Collins, Mrs. C. E. Crane, Mrs. L. W.
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Wickes, Mrs. William F. Russell, Mrs. Allan A. Harris, Mrs. H. G. Simpers, Mrs. Merrick Clements, Mrs. C. R. Twilley and other ladies have given much time to these public improvements. A public drink- ing fountain is the gift of the Hon. James A. Pearce and occupies a place on the edge of the square on Cross street. Mrs. Harriett L. Hill donated a foun- tain near the News Building, at the head of Center Square. Only those who remember old conditions, and can now see the wonderful changes, can appre- ciate the magnificent work done by these ladies in so short a time. Unsightly buildings, such as the mar- ket house, engine house, have disappeared; dump heaps in the center of the town have given place to grass plots, and a fountain sends up a cooling spray within a few feet of where was before a grazing lot for livery horses, or, after a rain, a pond for wading birds ; shade trees now throw cooling shadows along cement walks through the large square. Woman as a factor in town improvement has been a brilliant success in Chestertown. She has done in three years what the men of Chestertown would not have accom- plished in three centuries.
The first horseless carriage (automobile) ever seen in Chestertown, on the Eastern Shore of Mary- land, arrived in Chestertown Tuesday, August 8, 1900. It came from Tolchester, driven by Mr. Clark, accompanied by John S. Vandergrift. It took just 50 minutes to make the run. It was not many months afterwards when Mr. J. H. Sides and Dr. H. B. Simmons each were driving horseless car- riages.
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
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CHESTER BRIDGE AND CHESTERTOWN WATER FRONT.
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CHAPTER XXVI.
The Noted Chester Bridge-Paradise for Lovers- A Rendezvous for Fishermen-Some Events That Have Transpired in Chestertown.
Chester Bridge, which spans Chester River, was begun in 1802 by the following committee: Robert Wright, Benjamin Chambers, Samuel Chew, Wil- liam McKenney and Richard Tilghman, of Chester- town ; James Brown. William Chambers, R. E. Har- rison, Charles Vanderen and W. B. Hackett, of Queen Anne's. S. Betz, Thomas S. Burgess and Richard Frisby were afterwards named to fill vacan- cies. Chapter 76 of 1821 states that the bridge has been actually built and authorized a lottery to be drawn to reimburse those who erected it by private subscriptions. It was built by William Vannort, of Trenton, N. J., the grandfather of Col. William J. Vannort, Samuel Vannort and Mrs. J. H. Simpers. Mr. Vannort fell into the river the day it was completed and died a few days later from pleurisy. The stock of the company was put at $40,000, at $50 per share. The bridge was afterwards burned, the drawer changed and the whole rebuilt by lottery. In July, 1890, the bridge was purchased by the two counties of Kent and Queen Anne's for $11,400, and made free, it being previous to that time a toll bridge. As high as 500 teams crossed this bridge in one day during 1895. Cupid has found many a victim on this structure.
As for fishing, this bridge is sometimes lined with white and colored anglers, and some fine rock, perch
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and catfish have been landed. In earlier years, when wild game was more plentiful than now, this was a favorite place from which local sportsmen brought down wild ducks.
It was over this bridge that many of the shows came to town, and many remember when the pro- prietors of a large circus made the elephant swim the river because of the reported unsafe condition of the bridge.
The State Roads Commission took over this bridge in 1914 and propose to replace it with a magnificent concrete structure, it being a part of the improved macadam road which has been built by the State from the Delaware line clear through to Ocean City.
CHESTER RIVER.
BY GEORGE ALFRED TOWNSEND.
Wise is the wild duck winging straight to thee,
River of summer; from the cold Arctic sea,
Coming like his fathers for centuries, to seek
The sweet, salt pastures of the far Chesapeake.
Swift 'twixt thy capes like sunset's purple coves, Shallow the channel glides through silent oyster groves, Round Kent's ancient isle by beeches brown,
Cleaving the fruity farms to hustling Chestertown.
Still like thy water-fowl yearly do I yearn In memory's migration once more to return,
Where the dear old college from the gentle ridge O'erlooks the sunny village, the river and bridge.
On the pier decrepit I do loiter yet,
With my crafty crab lines and my homespun net,
Till the silver fishes in pools of twilight swam,
And stars played round my bait in the coves of calm.
Sweet were the chinquapins growing by thy brink, Sweet the cool spring water in the gourd to drink, Beautiful the lilies when the tide declined,
As if night receding had left some stars behind.
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But when the peach tints vanished from the plain, Or struggled no longer the shad against the seine, Every reed in thy marsh unto music stirred, And to gold it blossomed in a singing bird.
Silent the otter, stealing by the moon Through the marshy places, hears the howl of the loon; Motionless the setter in the dawnlight gray,
Shows the happy hidden cove where the wild ducks play.
Homely are thy boatmen, venturing no more In their dusky pungies than to Baltimore, Happy when the freshet from northern mountains sweeps, And strews the bay with lumber like wrecks upon the deep.
From the mightier Empire of the solid land,
A pilgrim infrequent I seek thy fertile strand,
And with a calm affection would wish my grave to be Where falls the Chester to the bay, the bay unto the sea.
The records show that as early as 1648 the dig- nity of the court and the sacredness of the oath was most jealously guarded in Kent, but at the same time it shows that perjury was not unknown, as was attested by the sentence of one John Gonore, who was convicted of swearing falsely "att a court held at Henry Morgan's att Kent, 22nd January." John Gonore, not having anything to say for his defense, more than that it was the first time that he ever committed the like offense, the court adjudged him to be nailed by both ears to the pillory with a nail in each ear, and the nails to be slit out, and afterwards to be whipped with 20 good lashes. And this to be executed immediately before any other business of court be proceeded upon.
Two clippings from the old Maryland Gazette throw light upon that period in the life of the town :
"Friday, May 3, 1745-At Kent county school in Chestertown, Maryland, young gentlemen boarded,
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and taught the Greek and Latin Tongues, Writing, Arithmetic, Merchants, Accounts, Surveying, Navi- gation, the use of the Globes by the largest pair in America ; also any other parts of the Mathematics, by Charles Peale.
"N. B. Young gentlemen may be instructed in Fencing and Dancing by very good Masters."
In the issue of the Maryland Gazette of Friday, June 14, 1745, was this item: "On Friday last Hector Grant, James Horney and Ester Anderson were executed at Chester, in Kent County, pursuant to their sentence for the murder of their late mas- ter. The men were hanged, the woman burned. They died penitent, acknowledging their crimes and the justice of their punishment."
What the ground for the barbarous discrimina- tion between the punishment of the men and of the woman does not appear, and its justification would seem to be difficult.
During the late Civil War Chestertown, like hun- dreds of other places, became the temporary home of the soldier. From October 7, 1861, to February 7, 1862, a regiment of Federal soldiers known then as the 2nd Eastern Shore Maryland Volunteers, un- der the command of the late Col. Edward Wilkins. encamped on the land of the late Dr. Thomas HI. Whaland, near Chestertown.
Dr. Whaland's lands were at the time of the en- campment in hay and wheat, and during the six months' occupancy these crops were totally de- stroyed. Up to the present time the Government has never made any payment to Dr. Whaland or his heirs in the discharge of what seems to be a
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debt incurred purely in the interest of the United States.
One of the biggest events in Chestertown's his- tory was on August 8, 1851, when three men were hanged for the murder of William Cosden and fam- ily, on the Moody farm. They were taken to the Whaland lot, adjoining Chester cemetery, seated in an open wagon, followed by two troops of dragoons commanded by Captains Beck and Wallis of Kent, also a troop from Queen Anne's and a civil corps of 200 men, all under Col. William Camp. There were 8,000 people in town, five steamers being at the wharf, and many people slept all night in tents so as to be here at sunrise.
Another notable event was that of the celebration of the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States by the colored people. Over 3,000 persons were in line, with flags, transparencies and decorated wagons. The "Wor- ton Band" gave a second rendition of the "Old Cow" with variations. Speeches were made in the woods by General Crawford, H. R. Torbert, Rev. H. H. Garnett and a number of others.
On October 11, 1882, the Democratic Judicial Con- vention met in the old Armory and nominated Hon. John M. Robinson for chief judge and Hons. Joseph A. Wickes and Frederick Stump for asso- ciates. At night the nominees were serenaded at the Voshell House by the Excelsior Band, and speeches from the balcony were made by ex-Gov- ernor Philip Frank Thomas, Col. William Henry Legg and others.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
On August 28, 1893, one of the highest tides ever known was witnessed in Chestertown, as the result of a heavy rain and strong east wind. Rowboats skimmed about Water street as far up as Mrs. Brown's residence, and persons from Mrs. Watts' boarding-house (the old Chambers residence) had to be boated across to High street. The water was nine feet above the mean level, and, according to Mr. Charles Estes, it was six inches higher than in 1876. It was impossible to do any cooking in many of the dwellings along the river, and many were compelled to go elsewhere for eatables. The families living in the submerged district were W. N. E. Wickes, Dr. W. F. Hines, E. F. Perkins, Mrs. Barroll, Mrs. Meeteer, B. F. Fleming, H. M. Brown, R. D. Hyn- son, J. K. Aldridge, Mrs. M. E. Watts, E. C. Reiche, John Brice.
An event of more than passing interest was the great Children's Carnival, held at Chestertown in May, 1898. Four hundred children, beautifully costumed, paraded the streets to the music of two bands, while several street pianos enlivened the public square. Prizes were awarded for various excellencies and ice-cream served to all. At night declamation and singing contests were held in Stam's Hall. Several thousand people were in town. and every citizen vied in decorating and making it a great occasion.
Monday evening, September 25, 1910, Chestertown was the scene of the largest conflagration ever wit- nessed here. The blaze started in Davis & Satter- field's blacksmith shop at 7 P. M., and burned for four hours. Twenty business houses and a half
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
dozen homes burned. Chestertown's Volunteer Fire- men, under Chief Harry Cannon, did heroic work and got control of the flames when they reached Moffett's store on High street, across from Voshell House. Wilmington sent aid, arriving here at 11.30 o'clock, and connected their hose with the river, and did good work on the dying embers. Loss $90,- 000, covered by insurance to about one-half. Tempo- rary business structures were erected on the square opposite the Court House until new places could be constructed. Elegant brick business houses re- placed the burned buildings.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
Notable Houses in Chestertown-First Hotels- Chester Cemetery Donated-The Old Graveyard -The Newspapers.
Chestertown contains a number of stately homes suggesting the generous styles which prevailed among those of wealth or influence. Conspicuous among these was the Wright house on the river- afterwards the home of Judge Ezekiel F. Chambers, and now the residence of Wilbur W. Hubbard. This is a fine example of the dignified architecture of the period. The old Bowers home in the center of the town, owned and occupied by Judge John B. Eccleston, was most impressive by reason of its surroundings. It occupied almost an entire large square, enclosed by a high brick wall, pierced by several grated gates which gave charming glimpses of the noble grove of horse chestnuts in which the house was set. The dwelling was of simple archi- tecture, with ample hall and rooms, long sloping roof embracing a deep porch, and with unobtrusive view of the river at the foot of the street. It yielded in 1863 or 1864 to the march of improvement and the grounds are now the site of the principal hotel of the town, the home of Samuel Vannort, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
T. W. Eliason's building was in use in 1775 as a hotel, the office occupied by Wm. Eliason being used as a bar room. In 1855 Mr. Eliason purchased it of the heirs of the original patentees of the town,
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
and since then it has been used for mercantile pur- poses. This building was a contemporary of B. F. Fleming's home, Mrs. DeCorse's "Beck" house, the Westcott Foundry House, and other buildings. It was in this building, now replaced by dwellings, that the society known as the "Sons of the Revolution" was formed. A hotel was kept on Queen street, where Mr. William Robinson's shoe shop and house stood. It was kept by a Mr. Poston, and afterwards by a Mr. Ware, and in June, 1861, by Charles Thompson, giving way in later years to a private house.
The old jail was built in 1793-4, and cost 1,200 pounds. The commissioners were Jeremiah Nichols, Richard Tilghman, Benjamin Chambers, Simon Wilmer, James Smith; Thomas Worrell, sheriff. The present jail was built in 1884, by H. M. Stuart. contractor, at a cost of $13,500. The commissioners were C. P. Loper, John B. Parrott, R. C. Smyth, V. Hendrickson and J. Charles Wheatley; John W. Parsons was sheriff. The present Court House was built in 1860, Mr. Thomas W. Eliason being at the head of the committee; Judge Chambers on the bench. The county levied $12,000, but the cost was only $11,254.
Armstrong's hotel was built in 1879, and is now turned into a garage and rooming house.
In January, 1784, a market was established on the "Square," afterwards improved by the old Market House, which was torn down in 1895, and for years all wagons were compelled to come to this place to sell their vegetables, poultry, etc. A wood corder
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
was appointed in 1792, and he got six-pence for each cord. A cord was 8 feet long and 4x4.
The Voshell House was opened in 1864, and the cost was $28,000. C. T. Ringgold was the con-
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF PARKS IN CHESTERTOWN-ARRANGED LADIES OF TOWN.
tractor. It is now the property of J. S. Bradley, who bought it of Capt. W. D. Burchinal, for $11,300, and managed by Geo. Lambert and his mother, "Aunt Tempie."
In 1863 the whole square now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church, Samuel Vannort, Mrs. Moody and others was purchased by Mrs. A. W. Voshell for $5,506.
DY
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
In 1883 the first steps were taken to discard the old graveyard that was walled around and estab- lished in the last century. When the new jail was built the remains were taken up and removed to other burial places. Among the remains were Capt. Aquilla M. Usilton, who commanded a company of artillery at the battle of Caulk's Field; he died in 1838; Anthony Banning, died December 27, 1787, aged 47; and Capt. James Crane, who lost his life from falling off his horse in April, 1798.
Chester cemetery was donated by Hon. George Vickers in 1861, and is one of the most beautiful burying places in the State. In 1880 H. W. Vickers, Esq., was elected president of the company. A neat iron fence incloses the grounds. The first body in- terred there was that of the late Senator Jas. A. Pearce.
The Watts House was known as the "Exchange Hotel" in 1827, and was kept by George Neal. The late John Hall kept the place for many years, and was followed by S. H. Crawford. T. W. Eliason bought the property several years ago and improved it. Miss Watts now conducts the house successfully.
Chestertown was poorly provided with a town hall until Colin F. Stam, one of its enterprising citizens, constructed the hall which now bears his name in 1886, at a cost of about $15,000. The town clock was placed there by subscriptions from citizens of the town, at a cost of about $1,000. On account of the failing health of Mr. Stam, he concluded to sell this property for $12,500 to the following company: H. H. Barroll, T. E. Hayes, Thos. G. Wroth, H. W. Vickers, R. H. Collins. Mr. Stam died in August,
HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
201
;
1
>
An old- time hotel
NOW BELONGING TO THOMAS W. ELIASON, ON HIGH STREET, CHESTERTOWN.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
1898. It was afterwards sold to a company headed by L. B. Russell, remodeled and greatly improved and the name changed to Chestertown Lyceum. The Postoffice was moved into this building in 1914 and the Stam Drug Company took the building opposite.
Books were opened in 1827 to receive subscrip- tions to build Masonic Hall, now known as the Kent News Building. The ground, 60 x 40 feet, was given the order (Clinton Lodge) by an act of the Legisla- ture in 1826. It has been changed over and over again, and is now occupied by S. Scott Beck, Beck- Walker Co., Frank V. Simpers and the "News." It is owned by Fred G. Usilton, who purchased it in 1896. The Kent News removed to this building in December, 1851. In 1825 the Chestertown Tele- graph, the first newspaper ever published in the county, was under the proprietorship of a Mr. Michael, who was succeeded by Mr. Cann. In the '30's the name of the paper was changed to the Kent Bugle and was published for some years by Capt. Wm. P. Mathews. A copy of the Bugle dated September 9, 1837, gives the market as follows: Wheat, white, $1.60 and $1.70; red, $1.50 and $1.55; corn, yellow, 90c. and 92c .; white, 90c. and 95c .; rye, 70c. oats, 30c. Captain Mathews was succeeded by George Vickers, then came Spencer and Crane, then owned by the late Senator Vickers. In 1839, the name of the paper was changed to the Kent News. In 1849 to '58 it was published by Edward Mansfield. James M. Vickers took charge and published the paper until November, 1860. On the 17th of November, James H. Plummer and Wm. B. Usilton became the editors.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
It is now owned by Win. B. Usilton's sons, Fred. G. and William B.
The second oldest paper is the Transcript, founded by Eben F. Perkins, Esq., in 1860. Major Perkins
House front of the old style
THE LATE HON. JOSEPH A. WICKES' HOME.
was succeeded in its publication by the late Samuel E. Sullivan, formerly publisher of the Centreville Times. Mr. Sullivan was succeeded by Mr. Casper G. Woodall, also of Queen Anne's, who disposed of the paper to Collins & Hopper, both of well-known Queen Anne's families. They were succeeded by a company and the editors are R. Harrison Collins and Thomas D. Bowers.
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