USA > Maryland > Kent County > History of Kent County, Maryland, 1630-1916 > Part 5
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There were four more of the Commissioners who did not attend this meeting, at which the important business of dividing the county into parishes was consummated.
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TWO PARISHES ARE LAID OUT.
When the "Act of Establishment" was passed by the Assembly those of the Protestants who were "Freeholders," together with the Commissioners of Cecil County, met November 22d, 1692, at the court- house on the Elk River and "laid out and divided Cecil County into two parishes. That is to say, one for Worton and South Sassafras Hundreds, and the other for North Sassafras, Bohemia and Elk Hundreds."
Worton and South Sassafras (afterwards Shrews- bury) parish was bounded on the north and west by the Sassafras River and the Chesapeake Bay and very probably extended as far south as Worton Creek. The southern boundary is yet unknown, but doubtless a line drawn in an easterly direction from Worton Creek to the Chester River, to the vicinity of the present site of Chestertown, divided this parish from that of St. Paul's in Kent.
On March 18, 1697-8, a petition was sent to the Assembly at Annapolis asking for a better division of the two parishes ; and on April 3, 1698, an Act of Assembly (Chapter 5) was passed authorizing the running of the division line between St. Paul's and Shrewsbury parishes nearly parallel to the old line, but about three miles farther to the north.
This latter line began at the crossing of a branch of Morgan's Creek east of William Bateman's house and runs to the head of a branch of a creek issuing out of the bay called Churn Creek. By reference to the land record of Kent County, we find that the line began where the main road from Chestertown
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to Kennedyville now crosses the stream at the foot of Goose Hill. From there it ran northwest to the stream that crosses the road leading from Hanes- ville to Still Pond, just south of where Christ Church "I. U." now stands.
This line also served as the southern boundary of Cecil County until, by Act of Assembly (Chapter 3) in 1706, the Sassafras River was made the southern boundary of that county. Prior to this time the present county of Kent was divided into parts of two counties, the upper part being in Cecil and the lower a part of the old "County of Kent." The resi- dents were to attend court of the farther side of the Chester and Sassafras Rivers. On June S, 1692, the following petitions were sent to the Assembly :
"A Petition preferred by the inhabitants of Kent County on the north side of Chester River praying that if the Island of Kent be separated from them into a county of itself a reasonable number of the inhabitants of the south side of the Sassafras River may be added to them ;" also:
"A Petition by the inhabitants of the south side of the Sassafras River in Cecil County setting forth that their court being held on the north side of the said river to their great damage, inconvenience and hazard in bad weather, pray, therefore, to be joined to Kent County in the manner as themselves the inhabitants of Kent County on the north side of Chester River have prayed."
Although these petitions were made in 1692, it was the misfortune of these people to have to endure the hardships for more than 14 years, the line between the two counties remaining unchanged until
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in 1706 Gov. John Seymour induced the Assembly to act.
It is quite possible that when the two parishes of St. Paul's and Shrewsbury were first laid out, the Commissioners having the matter in charge ran the line from Worton Creek to the Chester River, because this may have been the dividing line (prior to 1674) between Baltimore County on the north and the "County of Kent" on the south. The "Archives of Maryland," Browne, Vol. 2, page 318, state that at the session of the Assembly on Tues- day, October 17, 1671, "This House will consent to the Bill of Ferries, provided that a ferry may be kept-over Chester River from Baltimore County," thus indicating that the Chester River was a boundary of Baltimore County, and it is also very probable that this has reference to the ferry that crossed the river at the present site of Chestertown.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
CHAPTER VIII.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND.
Built in 1713, It Is the Oldest Building in the State Used Continuously as a Place of Worship-The "Vestry House" Was Built in 1776.
Previous to the foundation of St. Paul's parish, there is evidence of a church building on Eastern Neck in 1693. It is supposed to have been some- where near what was known as New Yarmouth. The town of New Yarmouth was built upon land purchased of Major Thomas Ringgold, by a man named Tovey. Tovey bought a hundred acres of the tract of land called Huntingfield, which is stretched across and to the south of Eastern Neck. In 1838 the farms of that tract belonged to George W. Wilson, Esq., and others. Visitors to this locality found the remains of a wharf, covered with rubbish, and also many stones which were not native to Maryland, but which had been brought in ships, as ballast, from England; said ships returned to Eng- land having tobacco as chief cargo. The stones had been used to pave the approach to the wharves, and for other purposes. In 1838 Thomas Browne owned this land. New Yarmouth was, in its day, a com- mercial center, and a port of customs entry; the court sat there, and there the King's justices met.
In a short time, and to meet the convenience of the northern trend of the settlers, and when the parish of St. Paul's was founded by law, the church site was moved from this New Yarmouth locality to
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the place it now occupies at the head of "Broadnox Creek."
The first vestry meeting of St. Paul's Parish was held in the house of Mr. Thomas Joce, of New Yar- mouth, on or immediately after 30th January, 1693.
ST. PAUL'S, BUILT IN 1713, IS THE OLDEST BUILDING IN THE STATE USED CONTINUOUSLY AS A PLACE OF WORSHIP. THE "VESTRY HOUSE," BUILT IN 1776, IS AT THE LEFT.
The early vestry meetings were held in the houses of Mr. Michael Miller, of Lankford's Bay, Mr. Thomas Joce, of New Yarmouth, and of Mr. Simon Wilmer.
After several efforts on April 15, 1695, the Vestry agreed with Mr. Daniel Norris to build a church 40 feet long and 24 feet wide. The church was built upon a parcel of land belonging to Michael Miller, being part of the land called Arcadia lying at the
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head of "Broadnox Creek," for 2,000 pounds of tobacco.
It would appear, then, that in 1707 there were two buildings or churches, one built as a Parish Church of St. Paul's, on "Michael Miller's land," the other built "adjacent to the Parish Church of St. Paul's," on two acres from Charles Ringgold for which he got 500 pounds of tobacco.
But of the church before mentioned as having been built by Mr. Daniel Norris, it was not finished according to contract ; for the Vestry sued Mr. Nor- ris for his unfulfilled contract, and on November 27, 1707, obtained judgment against him for 4,673 pounds tobacco and 299 pounds for costs of suit, though he (Mr. Daniel Norris) gave a receipt on 6th February, 1696, in full for payment for building the church.
May 10, 1711, Rev. Alexander Williamson, an Orthodox minister of the Church of England, was sent certified and recommended by the Right Hon. and Rev. Father in God, Henry, Lord Bishop of London, to officiate within this province.
At a meeting of the Vestry at the Parish Church of St. Paul's in Kent County, August 27, 1711: Rev. Mr. Alex. Williamson, Mr. Win. Scott, Capt. Edw'd Scott, Mr. Wm. Harris, Capt. Jas. Harris, Mr. Wm. Frisby, Sr., contracted with Mr. Jas. Har- ris, as undertaker, to build a church for the use of this Parish of St. Paul's, in Kent County, 40 feet long in the clear and 30 feet wide in the clear; to be 16 feet from the ground.
Mr. James Harris, William Pott and James Smith gave bond to the Vestrymen in one hundred and
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fifty thousand pounds of good, sound, merchantable leaf of tobacco, and cask to contain the same, for the completion of their contract.
The Vestrymen gave bond to Mr. James Harris for 140,000 pounds of good, sound, merchantable leaf tobacco, on behalf of St. Paul's Parish, for the due performance of their agreement. At a meeting of the Vestry on 2d February, 1713, Capt. James Harris having complied with his obligation to the Vestry about building the Church, made his delivery of the church and took up his bond. A tax of ten pounds of tobacco on each tax-payer was continu- ally levied each year, pursuant to an Act of Assem- bly, for repairing, beautifying, or building churches. In 1717, 20th November, the Vestry of St. Paul's Parish met in the court house in Chester Town.
The Vestry House was built in 1776, for 20,000 pounds of tobacco. 27th October, 1800, the Rev. George Dashiel held services at St. Paul's only every other Sunday; but what he did, or where he went, on the other Sundays, is not said. On 27th October, 1800, there occurs the first mention of dollars, where a necessary 50 dollars is to be raised to do the repairs of the church that must be done immedi- ately. 11th May, 1801, Simon Wilmer is elected as lay delegate to the convention at Baltimore. 27th May, 1801, William Voss rented the Vestry House for a school house at three pounds per annum, Mr. Voss to keep the house in repair and mend at all times any broken windows.
In 1812 St. Paul's Church was used as a barracks for the troops, during some time of the war of that date with England. Captain Scott, who was mater-
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nal grandfather to Mrs. George Jessop (nee Maria Harris), was quartered there.
26th November, 1843, the church was repaired. It was consecrated to the service of Almighty God by the Right Rev. William Rollinson Whittingham, Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland. The Rev. Thomas B. Flower, Rector; Thomas Miller, Wm. B. Wilmer, James P. Gale, James F. Browne, James Browne, Horatio Beck, Alex. W. Ringgold, Henry W. Carvill, Vestrymen; J. N. Gordon, Sr., Register ; Thomas Miller, Esq., Delegate to Convention.
January 10, 1845, G. C. Griffith was made sole supervisor of the cemetery. Ordered that no separate inclosure should be made for any grave. At this time St. Paul's owned a slip of land of an acre, more or less, lying between the main road and Dr. Houston's land, beginning at a boundary of Houston's land, on the Bellair road, and running on with Houston's land to the Rock Hall road. Said slip of land was appropriated for a Sexton's House. The Vestry voted in 1878 that it meet once a month regularly and any member not attending or even fifteen minutes late, to be fined $1. That Vestry meant business !
Pews were first let by lot, then in 1862 the rent amounted to nearly $500. From 1862 they were sold to the highest bidder. Pews were made free on the 1st of May, 1870, and again levied in 1872. Since 1887 it has been supported by voluntary con- tributions and subscriptions.
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OLD ST. PAUL'S CEMETERY.
Between nature's grand provision and art's care- ful supply, this cemetery of St. Paul's is second to none for quiet grandeur and exquisite beauty. It is situated on the summit of a gentle slope, with
THE SACRED SPOT AT I. U. CHURCH-BIG OAK.
a pretty, bright stream of water at the foot of the hill, while the dear old church, at its brow, rises from its 200 years of foundation in a call of peace and rest with God. Great giant oaks make the scene majestically beautiful from the hand of nature, and art has done her part in promoting most sweet loveliness. The tree tops of the great giant oak trees tower their lofty heads as reaching for the skies, and stretch out their tops as fingers ever pointing heavenward. Their great lower limbs reach out
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their wondrous length in unusual size and strength, as though typical of the great loving arm of the Good God, stretched out over His own Sacred Acre, in merciful care of His faithful departed holy dead. Hosts of evergreen and other trees and shrubs are in irregular beauty all around the grounds. The graves are all neat and well-cared for, the walks clean and hard. Flowers in abundance adorn the scene and bright green grass everywhere colors and closely covers the whole cemetery. For many years it was under the managment of the late Thomas W. Skirven and now his son occupies the same position. The oldest stone-marked grave has inscribed on its foot-stone:
Here lies ye body of Daniel Coley. He departed this life Oct. ye 20, 1729. Cut by John Godfrey.
The head-stone is as follows:
Behold & see now here I lye As you are now so once was I As I am now so must you be Therefore prepare to follow me.
The next oldest has: "Here lyes ye Body of Even Evans. He departed this life June ye 30, 1735." The next is of Benjamin Vickers, Esq., 1790. There are a number of very old graves, with rough head and foot-stones, but which bear no inscription at all.
(The Rev. Chris. T. Denroche, rector of this church, 1893, issued a Souvenir History of the Parish of St. Paul's for the Bi-Centennial Celebration of its foundation in 1693, to whom we are indebted for much of the above informa- tion.)
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
CHAPTER IX.
EMMANUEL PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH- CHESTERTOWN.
The Act of the General Assembly of Maryland, through which the present Episcopal Church was erected, was passed in 1768, with an appropriation attached, in addition to five hundred pounds in cur- rency subscribed by the people for the purpose of erecting a chapel in Chestertown, in place of the old church. For greater convenience, the act read that it should be erected on a part of the public court house ground, 90 feet on High street and 120 feet on Cross street. The provision in former acts not proving sufficient, another act was passed in 1770, assessing three hundred and sixty pounds currency on the parish, to be applied by the trustees for the finishing of the chapel and enclosing the burying ground.
In June, 1784, the war being over, the Rev. Dr. Smith, the President of Washington College, called a meeting of the Episcopal clergymen who could be found in different parts of the country, to meet at Washington College, for the purpose of organiza- tion ; but on account of the small attendance noth- ing was effected. Another meeting was called and due notice served on the clergy to meet in the chapel at Chestertown the following October. At this meeting the name Protestant Episcopal Church was adopted as the name of the church, under which name the convention met in May of the following year at Bordentown, N. J. It had previously been
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
known as the Church of England. Emmanuel Church is the local name. The rectory, on Queen street, was purchased in March, 1866, of John Greenwood, for $3,500.
The present church building, of itself, has an
EMMANUEL P. E. CHURCH, CHESTERTOWN, MD., BEFORE IMPROVEMENTS ADDED.
interesting history. The brick of which it is con- structed came from England, and the mechanical laying of the walls-peculiar to the olden time-is an interesting feature of the building today. This building was at first considerably taller than at present, and had a belfry at the west front, in which was held the bell which served for so many pur- poses of public utility as well as for the call to church worship. In 1881 the building was thoroughly remodeled inside and a choir building
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
erected on the site of the robing room. The former interior had galleries on three sides, with choir space and organ in the western end. The pulpit was located on the northern side and the main entrance was on High street. H. M. Stuart was the contrac- tor for the improvements, and his most important work was to lower the walls, which he did, without tearing off the roof.
The Vestry at that time was as follows: Geo. B. Westcott, Dr. W. H. Meeteer, W. N. E. Wickes, Joseph A. Wickes, Wm. S. Walker, G. W. T. Per- kins, James A. Pearce. Wardens-N. G. Westcott, Thos. S. Wickes. The following comprise the pres- ent Vestry : James A. Pearce, Allan Harris, E. F. Perkins, George B. Westcott, Lewin W. Wickes, Wm. W. Beck, C. E. Crane, T. G. Wroth. Dr. Henry B. Martin is rector, succeeding Dr. S. C. Roberts in February, 1900.
Dr. Roberts, who received the call here in Decem- ber, 1871, had a continuous pastorate of twenty-nine years. Some of Dr. Roberts' predecessors were Par- sons Jones, Gordon, Bradley, J. R. Hubard, A. A. Curtis (afterwards a Bishop of the Catholic Church), E. H. C. Goodwin and others.
A splendid addition to this church has been built during the rectorship of Dr. Martin. This addition is used as a Sunday School room and chapel, and has all modern conveniences, such as kitchen, gas ranges, etc. A new bell was also bought and placed in a new tower.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
CHAPTER X.
THE FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE.
A part of Kent County known as Quaker Neck was named in honor of the industrious and even- tempered Friends or Quakers. Among these early pilgrims were the Trews, who settled in Quaker Neck in 1668. The representatives of this "colony" now living are: Mr. Bartus Trew and his family, in Quaker Neck; Thomas W. Trew, of Pomona; Miss Josephine Trew, of Chestertown; Mr. Joseph Trew, near Kennedyville; Mrs. Virgil Kendall and sister, of Chestertown, and Mrs. T. Benjamin Durding, of Rock Hall. The original dwelling was a log cabin on the shore of Lankford's Bay on the farm now owned by Mr. Bartus Trew. The Trew family, or at least the largest part thereof, has lived in Quaker and Broad Necks ever since the establishment of the original homestead. They have impressed their in- dividuality upon the community in which they have lived for years, and the history of Quaker Neck, all that pertains to its development in all walks of life, could not be accurately written without the inclu- sion of the great part which the Trew family has played in that development. Mr. Bartus Trew is the oldest living member of the family today.
The old meeting house which stood for so many years at the fork of the road has been torn away, but the cemetery was used for some time later. This Friends' Meeting House was the center of all re- ligious and social activity for many miles, but had to give way to the march of time.
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The commodious brick mansion in which Mr. Trew has lived for these many years was built in 1781, and is, therefore, one of the oldest landmarks in the county. Mr. Trew has in his home a grand- father's clock which was brought to this country in
THE FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE AT THE OLD QUAKER BURYING GROUND, NEAR LYNCH.
1668. It is in excellent running order today. There are also in his possession sheets made from flax grown on the farm and blankets made of wool grown on the sheep and spun on the looms in the home. These relics are precious heirlooms, and are in a remarkable state of preservation. All these and more of the links that bind the past to the pres- ent may be seen at the old homestead.
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Another landmark of Kent is the Quaker Meeting House at Lynch. John Lynch, a Quaker, once lived where the village is now, and the meeting house stood on land once owned by him. The Quakers named this the "Cecil Meeting," because at the time (1698) it was erected or established it was within
THE BARTUS TREW HOME IN QUAKER NECK-1781.
the bounds of Cecil County. It was a branch of the Friends' Yearly Meeting established at Phila- delphia by the great Quaker, William Penn, and numbered many of Kent's best families as its mem- bers. From its records the following names have been taken : Turner, Dawson, Corse, Alston, Brown, Thomas, George, Hodges, Atkinson, Trew, Maslin, Norris, Simmonds, Parrott, Bowers, Rasin, Neal,
-
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
Gale, Beck, Jones and Lamb. From this last-named family came that great educator of the past decade- Eli Lamb-known to hundreds of men and women as "Cousin Eli."
The early settlers of this neighborhood were: St. Leager Codd, William Frisby, William, Daniel and Gideon Pearce, Edward Scott, George Warner, Charles James, George Oldfield, James Hepburn, James Wroth, Edward Blay, John and Edward Beck, Nathaniel Styles, George Skirven and Philip Rasin. Later came Matthews Howard, Nathaniel Kennard, Cornelius Comegys, John Wethered, Charles Tilden, George Medford and many others whose names appear on the register of Shrewsbury Parish or the land records of the county.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
CHAPTER XI.
OLD "I. U." AND STILL POND-THE FIRST CHURCH IN WORTON.
Properly belonging to this county of Kent is old Christ Church at "I. U.," built in 1765, at the head of Churn Creek, within whose walls have wor- shipped men and women whose names are familiar to all.
I. U. Church in Worton takes its name from initials found on a large boundary stone near the church. In early times the natives made a "J" like an "I," so that the letters are no doubt "J. U.," and may stand for John, Jim or Jonas Ute, Usilton, Urie or some other early resident of old Kent.
The Still Pond M. E. Church is probably the oldest continuously organized Methodist Society on the Del-Marvia Peninsula. The original edifice of which the present is the successor was erected some time during the Revolutionary War. Bishop As- bury, the pioneer organizer of Methodism, estab- lished a preaching place here in 1772. The present pastor is Ransom P. Nichols. The trustees are: F. H. Cornelius, A. J. Hackett, S. G. Rosebery, C. P. Norris, R. D. Moore, F. B. Harper, L. A. Ford, J. T. Baxter, R. G. Warren, J. N. Bennett, W. L. Ford, J. W. Clark, W. H. Fogwell.
The name of the town-Still Pond-where this church is located, takes its name from "Still Pond Creek," whose name is ascribed to a very deep pond at its source which is said to have never been frozen
I. U. CHURCH, NEAR CATT'S CORNER, IN WORTON.
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
over. This tradition may be taken for what it is worth, but in the land records of early times, as well as on the map of Maryland in 1673 by the famous Augustine Herman, of Bohemia, the name of this creek is spelled "Steelpone" Creek.
THE FIRST CHURCH IN WORTON.
Prior to 1825, as far as we can learn, there was no established place of worship in Worton. On August 5 an acre of land was purchased from William Tay- lor and wife for the sum of $50, on which to erect a church for the Protestant Episcopal denomination. The church was called "Parson Handy's Church," in honor of Rev. G. D. S. Handy, a Protestant Epis- copal clergyman, who lived in the community and who was its first, and, as far as known, its only rector. This church afterwards became St. James'. The records show that on June 21, 1832. St. James' Church and lot were deeded to the Methodist Protestants on the payment of the sum of five dol- lars. The trustees at this time were Francis Lamb, Emory Edwards, Joseph Kennard, William Copper and David Arthur. There were but few members and a small congregation. Rev. J. J. Murray, who was sent as an assistant to Rev. Isaac Webster, says : "Kent Circuit then embraced Chestertown, Welsch's Chapel School House, above Urieville, Quaker Neck and Wesley Chapel. St. James' at that day was one of the least hopeful of our appointments. I cannot recall the name of one male member who belonged to the class. My first visit to St. James' was on Sat- urday in April or early in May. The country, as I
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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
drove out in my sulky from Chestertown, seemed poor and neglected. Fields without fences, over- grown with sedge, dwarf pines, cedars and weeds, and other indications of land overworked and left in a state of nature appeared where the pleasing evi- dences of culture, thrift and comfort are now seen. The congregations were small."
In the midst of wheat harvest Dr. Murray held a revival, which resulted in a number of conversions and additions to the church. This marked a new era in its history. St. James' became a live, aggres- sive church, and has remained so to the present day.
In 1853 Dr. Murray returned to Kent Circuit as superintendent, and during the second year of his pastorate purposed the erection of a new church. The response on the part of the people was so prompt and encouraging that work was begun at once. Winter came and found the building unfin- ished. The following spring Dr. Murray was suc- ceeded by Rev. John Roberts, under whose pastorate the church was completed and dedicated. The building committee was Messrs. John Gale, Isaac Parsons, William Vannort, Robert Nicholson and John T. Skirven. The contractors were George R. Reed and Hyland P. Smith. The dedicatory serv- ice was preached by Rev. John S. Reese. The present pastor is Rev. H. B. Jester. Samuel Vannort is the oldest living member, his name having been enrolled in October, 1856. He was the superintendent of the Sunday School for many years. The present super- intendent is Robert G. Nicholson.
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