USA > Maryland > Talbot County > History of Talbot county, Maryland, 1661-1861, Volume II > Part 4
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Besides this publication, we have no other extant emanating from this society; nor indeed is there evidence that this society maintained an
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
existence for any great length of time. The date of its demise is no where recorded. The fact of the existence at all, even for ever so short a time, of such an association, at so early a date, is extremely interesting of itself and when the purposes of the society, as set forth in the II arti- cle of its constitution, are considered, we must regard its foundation as an evidence, not only of a pervasive interest in the improvement of agriculture, a something which might be expected in a community deriving its support so largely from the products of the soil, but also of the intelligence with which all matters relating to rural economy were regarded by those actively engaged in the pursuits of husbandry. Here we have proof that however much we may have improved in the practice or art of farming, we have advanced but little in the theory, and that our forefathers of seventy years ago had actually anticipated us, at least in thought, in almost everything that leads to the ameliora- tion of the soil, and profitable management of land.
After the extinction of the society, the organization of which has now been given, there is no evidence of any farther attempt to form another with similar object, until the year 1818 (not 1823, as has been stated with some authority), when the Agricultural Society of the State of Maryland was established, which had its branches upon the Eastern and Western Shores, and of which the "Board of Trustees of the Agricultural Society for the E. Shore" is the surviving representa- tive. Of this an account will hereafter be given.
The plan for the organization of a separate agricultural society for the Eastern Shore originated in the year 1818 and was stimulated by a published address issued on March 30, 1819, over the signature of Edward Lloyd, Nicholas Hammond, Tench Tilghman, Robert Moore, and Edward Needles Hambleton, advocating the establishing of agri- cultural societies in every county in the state.
The first agricultural fair or cattle show, as it was then called, was held in Easton, November 8, 1822, under the auspices of the Maryland Agricultural Society. At a meeting held in Easton, November 25, 1823, the amendment to the constitution of the Maryland Agricultural Society, providing for separate Boards of twelve trustees, one for the Western Shore, and one for the Eastern Shore, was adopted, and the Board of Trustees of the Agricultural Society for the Eastern Shore, was instituted by the election of the following gentlemen, to wit: Nicho- las Hammond, President; Samuel T. Kennard, Secretary; Edward Lloyd, Samuel Stevens, Tench Tilghman, Perry Benson, Robert Moore, Robert H. Goldsborough, Daniel Martin, Thomas Hayward, Henry
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THE FOUNDING OF TALBOT
Hollyday and Samuel Reardon. Meetings of this Board were held from time to time in the Court House in Easton, A very successful cattle show was held in Easton in the autumn of 1824, which was at- tended by an unusually large crowd of visitors which had been attracted by a notice in the local newspapers to the effect that the premiums awarded at this fair were to be presented by the hand of the Marquis de La Fayette, who was then in America, revisiting the scenes of his Revolutionary victories. Great preparations had been made to enter- tain this distinguished character, but other engagements prevented his attendance, hence Talbot was never honored with his presence.
The first meeting of the Board of Agriculture for the Eastern Shore that was held at the residence of any of its members, met at "Wheat- lands," in Miles River Neck, the residence of General Perry Benson, on December 1, 1825, when Nicholas Hammond was reelected presi- dent, and Samuel T. Kennard, secretary. At this meeting Col. Edward Lloyd resigned his membership on account of declining health, and Purser Samuel Hambleton, U. S. Navy, was elected in his stead.
This ancient and honorable Board of Agriculture, consisting of twelve members, has enjoyed a continuous existence for almost a century. It has long been the time honored custom of this Board to meet monthly at the residence of one of its members to discuss agricultural topics and to enjoy a good Maryland dinner. The records of the Board dis- close the fact that its efforts towards improvements in agriculture from time to time by the introduction of improved farming implements and labor-saving machinery, of pure grain and grass seeds, in the judicious use of lime and commercial fertilizers, and the rearing of improved breeds of cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, have been a source of great benefit and profit to the farmers of Talbot County. The Presidents of this Board have been:
Nicholas Hammond, of Saint Aubins.
Robert H. Goldsborough, of Myrtle Grove.
Samuel Hambleton, of Perry Cabin.
Samuel Stevens, of Compton.
Nicholas Goldsborough, of Otwell.
Kennedy R. Owen, of Marengo.
Matthew Tilghman Goldsborough, of Ellenboro.
Edward Lloyd VII, of Wye House.
Matthew Tilghman Goldsborough of Otwell.
THE INDIANS IN TALBOT COUNTY
Although prior to 1652, there were many Indian settlements, as still indicated by their banks of oyster shells, on points along the shores of the Choptank, Chester and Tred Avon rivers, it was in this year, being eight years prior to the founding of Talbot county, that a treaty was made with them, which is the first of which any record has been pre- served and by which all of their lands on the Eastern Shore, north of the Choptank river, were ceded to the English.
This treaty was made at the river Severn, where the city of Annapolis was later located, and, tradition says, it was held under the old tulip- popular tree, still standing on the campus of St. John's College. This treaty may be found, at length, in the appendix to Bozman's History of Maryland, in which it is stated a blank occurs in the first article. A critical examination of the old council book will, however, convince any person familiar with the peculiar chirography of that time, that there is no blank in it, and that the word that Bozman says, in another place, is illegible, is in reality the word trees. The first article is as follows:
Article of peace and friendship treated and agreed upon the 5th day of July, 1652, between the English nation in the province of Maryland, on the one part, and the Indian nation of Susquesahanough on the other part, as followeth:
First, that the English nation shall have, hold and enjoy to them, their heirs and assigns, forever, all the land lying from the Patuxent river unto Palmer's Island, on the Western side of the Bay of Chesepiake, and from Choptank river to the north east branch which lyes to the northward of Elks river, on the Eastern side of the said baye, with all the islands, rivers, creeks, tres, fish, fowle, deer, elke, and whatsoever else to the same belonging, excepting the Isle of Kent and Palmer's Island, which belong to Capt. Clayborne. But, never the less it shall be lawful for the aforesaid English or Indians to build a house or forte for trade or any such like use or occasion at any tyme upon Palmers' Island.
The treaty further stipulated for the return of fugitives escaping from either of the contracting parties, and provided that when the Indians desired to visit the English they should come by water and not by land, and not more than eight or ten of them at one time, and that each party, when visiting the other, should carry with them and exhibit
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THE INDIANS IN TALBOT COUNTY
the token, which they appear to have mutually exchanged with each other, so that they could be recognized and entertained. And after pledging the contracting parties to a perpetual peace, which was to en- dure for ever, to the end of the world, provided that if it should so hap- pen that either party should grow weary of the peace, and desired to go to war, they should give twenty days' notice by sending in and deliv- ering up this writing.
This treaty was signed by Richard Bennet, Edward Lloyd, Thomas Marsh, Capt. William Fuller and Leonard Strong, commissioners on the part of the English, and on the part of the Indians by "Sawahegeh, treasurer, Auroghtaregh, Scarhuhadig, Ruthehoagh and Nathheldi- anch, war captains and Councillors of Susquesahanough," and was wit- nessed by William Lawson and Jafer, or Jasper Peter, the last individual signing it for the Swedish Government. This Peter was probably an Indian trader from the Swedish settlement at Christina, (now Wil- mington, Del.).
The reader will notice that Kent and Palmer's Island are said to be- long to Captain Clayborne. The facts being that at this time the Gov- ernment of Maryland was in the hands of his friends and that he had re-entered and taken possession of these two islands a short time before the treaty was made. We learn from Hansons "Old Kent" that "in consequence of dangers arising from the hostility of the 'Salvages,' Capt. Giles Brent, Esq., one of the Counsil, was commissioned, Feb. 3, 1639, o. s. to be Commander of the Isle of Kent," with military powers. This was for special and temporary purposes. He remained on the Isle, in commission, but a few months, for it appears that on the 14th of August, 1640, William Braithwayte was acknowledged by the Governor, Commander of the Isle, and "Gyles Brent, Gent" as "the treasurer of our province."
The Indians had again become so hostile that the Governor on the 10th day of July, 1641, issued his proclamation prohibiting all persons whatsoever "to harbour or entertain any Indian" under pain of the penalty of martial law, and declaring it "lawful to any inhabitant what- soever of the Isle of Kent to shoot, wound or kill any Indian whatso- ever coming upon the said Island."
Is it any wonder then that the poor Indian became desperate. Neces- sity lent them obstinancy. Despair lent them courage. Their only resource was the scalping knife. The Susquehannahs lived in Cecil county, the Matapeakes principally in Kent and upper Talbot. The Chester River was lined with their settlements, where many Indian re-
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
mains still exist, on the Emory Farm, called Indian Town, while the shores of the Tred Avon and Choptank rivers were occupied by the Choptank Indians. These two last mentioned tribes, though at first peaceably inclined towards the white settlers, became later fierce and warlike. They, however, dwindled rapidly away, and scarcely a men- tion of them appears in history.
About the year 1689, 28 years after the laying out of Talbot County, Mr. John Hawkins, for many years Judge of the Provincial Court, who lived at Queenstown on Chester River (1680-1717), long one of the chief shipping ports of Talbot County was appointed to head a com- mission to the Indians for the Eastern Shore. The other members of this commission, all of Talbot County, were John Stanley, Clement Sales, William Dickinson, William Stevens and William Bealey. The Nanticoke Indians had been committing many depredations along the shores of Talbot County, on the Choptank, the Saint Michaels and the Chester Rivers, and these gentlemen had been appointed to treat with the Indians and if necessary to reduce them by force.
Here is their Report to the Governor and Provincial Council:
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS TO THE INDIANS, AUGUST YE 23RD, 1689
These may acquaint you that we whose names are underwritten have according to request bin and treated with ye Indians, and doe find 'em to be very civill and kind, and desire nothing but peace and quietness, "butt yt in part through ye instigation of bad people, and chiefly doe instance Andrew Gray, that ye English in one moon would cut them all off; likewise concerning an Indian woman w'ch they say was killed by Cornelius Mulrain's wife, for w'ch they have expected some satis- factory answer, concerning which as yett, they have not received. And yt ye sd. Cornelius, since their departure, offered great abuse in robbing them of their cannons, corn, mattar, bowles and basketts, and they say, their chests have bin broke open, and since they have bin gone out ye sd Gray hath bin with 'em and threatened them if they would not come home, he would get a Party of men and fetch 'em by force. Likewise they say that they haven ten Indians w'ch went be- tween Oxford Town and Coll. Lowe's and that their time of return is elapsed and are not satisfied what is become of 'em, whereof all these things being computed together hath seized them with feare, butt that they are very joyfull att our coming, and were taking up their goods to return to their habitations.
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THE INDIANS IN TALBOT COUNTY
THE PASSING OF THE NANTICOKES
In Heckwelder's "History of the Indian nations who once inhabited Pennsylvania and the neighboring states," published by the Pennsyl- vania Historical Society, 1876, he says, concerning the Nanticokes- The Delawares say that this nation has sprung from the same stock with them, and the fact was acknowledged by White, one of their chiefs, whom I have personally known.
They call the Delawares their grandfathers. I shall relate the his- tory of the Nanticokes, as I had it from the mouth of White himself: "Every Indian being at liberty to pursue what occupation he pleases, White's ancestors, after the Lenapi came into their country, preferred seeking a livelihood by fishing and trapping along the rivers and bays, to pursuing wild game in the forests; they therefore detached them- selves and sought the most convenient places for their purpose. In process of time they became very numerous, partly by natural increase, and partly in consequence of being joined by a number of the Lenape, and spread themselves over a large tract of country and divided into separate bodies. The main branch of the Nanticokes proper were then living on what is now called the Eastern Shore of Maryland. At length the white people crowded so much upon them that they were obliged to seek another abode, and as their grandfather, the Delaware, was himself retreating back in consequence of the great influx of the whites, they took the advice of the Mengroe (Mingo's), and bent their course to the large flats of the Wyoming, where they settled them- selves, in sight of the Shawanos town, while others settled higher up the river, even as high as Chemenk, (Shenango) and Shummunk, to which places they emigrated at the beginning of the French war."
White's tribe resided there until the beginning of the Revolutionary war, when they went off to a place nearer to the British, whose part they had taken, and whose standard they joined. White himself had joined the Christian Indians, Sheekschequon, several years previous to the war and remained with them.
"Nothing," said White, "had equalled the decline of his tribe since the white people had come into the country." They were destroyed, in part by disorders they brought with them, by the smallpox and by the free use of spirituous liquors to which great numbers fell victims. The emigration of the Nanticokes from Maryland was well known to the Society of the United Brethren."
The Nanticoke, the Choptank and Matapeake Indians, descend-
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
ants of the Delawares, were first seen along the bay shores of Talbot County by Captain John Smith and his exploring party from Virginia in 1608, and later by Claybourne and his trading party four or five years before Lord Baltimore's Colonists landed at Saint Mary's, near the mouth of the St. Mary's river. They had a peculiar and sacred respect for their dead. The corpse was buried for some months and then exhumed and the bones carefully cleaned and placed in an "Os- uary," called man-to-kump, (Manito) with the locative termination or rather signification, "place of the mystery or spirit." When their tribes moved from one place to another they carried the bones of their dead with them. When they emigrated, about the middle of the 18th century and settled in northern Pennsylvania, they carried their sacred relics with them, in bags on their backs, and buried them near the pres- ent site of Towanda. The Indian name Towandaunk literally mean- ing "where we bury our dead."
To avoid any possible difficulty in trading with the Indians, a privi- lege was granted every white inhabitant of Dorset county to trade with them, without license, only at Captain Henry Trippe's house, in 1680. Previously the Governor had issued special licenses to individual traders, who could go to the Indian camps and there trade, often selling them guns and ammunition, in violation of the trading regulations, which caused much trouble between the colonists and the native Indians.
AN INCIDENT AT TROTH'S FORTUNE
TRIAL OF POH POH CAQUIS
Interesting Story in Quaint Records of Old Times
One of the oldest Quaker homesteads in Talbot County is that known as "Troth's Fortune" four miles east of Easton, and fronting on the Choptank river, about a mile above the ancient town of Dover.
This tract of land, originally containing 400 acres, was surveyed for William Troth, a prominent Quaker settler, August 15, 1676, and upon it he built the quaint old colonial hip-roofed brick dwelling that is still standing. It has withstood the storms of over 200 winters and is still in a fair state of preservation.
It was in this house that an Indian made a savage, violent attack upon its master, who fortunately dodged the ball fired at him by the Indian, and as the latter fled he carried with him a load of buck- shot from Troth's old flintlock musket.
This incident led to the trial of the Indian, after his capture and re- covery from his wounds. The particulars of which may be found at length in Volume 17 of the archives of Maryland. The follow- ing extracts therefrom form a most interesting chapter in the early colonial history of Talbot County, from which some idea may be had of the hardships that the early pioneers upon this prosperous penin- sula were called upon to endure. The unpronounceable names of the great men of the Indians, who were present at the trial, lends an addi- tional interest to the proceedings as printed in the archives of Maryland.
The ancient record reads:
At a Council held at the City of St. Maries the 22d Day of March Anno Dmi: 1683:
The Rt. honble the Lord propry The honble
Coll Thomas Tailler Coll Vincent Lowe Mr. John Darnall Coll William Burges Present.
1304312
At which tyme was returne made, read, and ordered to be entred in the Councill booke, the tryall of Poh Poh Caqui's an Eastern Shore Indian with the proceedings and judgment thereupon made by the
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
honble Coll Henry Coursey, and Coll Philemon Lloyd by vertue of his Lspps Commission to them directed the 15th Day of ffebruary Anno Dmi. 1683:
Poh Poh Caquis Indian his tryall.
March the 5th 1683:
At a Court held at the Court house in Wye River in Talbot County by the honble Henry Coursey Esqr and Coll Philemon Lloyd by ver- tue of a Speciall Commission to them directed from the Rt. honble the Lord Propry Empowering them Examine and trye Poh Poh Caquis, an Indian of the Eastern Shore, Subject to Ahatsawap of Assateague.
The honble Henry Coursey Esqr.
The honble Coll Philemon Lloyd King Abaco and King Tequassino being present and severall greate men of the Indians viz: Wasatt- naham, Weenakaman, Cha Cha Pohosse Yehock Cannab Catani Pa Canab Dewaqua.
Commission published.
The Court made knowne to the Indians the power committed to them from his Lsp for tryall of the prisoner Poh Poh Caquis; and in what ill part his Lsp takes it that one of their Indians for whom he had soe many acts of ffriendship, and been lately soe successfull as to take off their greate enemies the Senniquos, should notwithstanding attempt such a villany to the breach of the peace.
Wm. Troths Information agt Poh Poh Caquis.
That about the Eighteenth day of December came an Indian to my house about two of the clock in the afternoone, I being not at present in the house, the said Indian pretended to be a cold, my wife bid him goe to the fire, and there he was about an houre, by this time my wife sent for me in, and when I came into the house, the said Indian came out of the other house, wher he had been sitting by the fire, and look'd upon me, but said not a word to me nor I to him, but straightway returned to the fire again, I went into the house where he was sitting by the fire with his Gunn standing by him; I spoke to him and said how is it Ketop? Howan pamen kees, he replied Delaware, I said to him from whence came you? he replied from Delaware; John Shepard sitting by the fire, he said he tells me he is a Delaware Indian, and that there is two hundred Senniquox Indians hard by; pish, doest thou believe him what he talks of; for he lyes; The Indian makes answer he did not lye, for I should see them by and by, I made answer I would not see them if I could help it, but he said I should, and forthwith falls a hollowing in the Interim, before I could speak any more words to him, comes to the Doore Thomas Bussey, I turned me about to speake to the said Thomas; while my back was toward the Indian the said Indian made ready his gunn; I presently turned about again and seeing the muzzle of the gunn towards me, I endeavoured to gett hold of it, but before I could she went off, and with the bending of my body to gett hold of the said gunn, the shott mist me, and when he saw he had done noe execution, he took to his Tomahawke, and
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AN INCIDENT AT TROTH'S FORTUNE
followed me about Eight or Tenn yards; and when I saw he followed me I called for my Gunn; and as soone as he heard me call for my gunn he rann, and when he was about thirty yards from me I discharged my gunn at his &ca
Court ordered the Interpreter to ask the Indian why the Prisoner deneyed his nation.
Prisoner Replyed he was drunk and know not what he did.
Court ordered the Interpreter to ask the prisoner what defense he could make for himself.
Prisoner said he was drunk, otherwise he would not have shott at Wm Troth, or have done any mischiefe.
Court told the Prisoner that it was the English Law, that if a drunken man committed murder when he was drunk, he must Suffer death, and that if drunkenness would excuse a man from doeing mischiefe, then the English might make themselves drunk, & kill the Indians.
King Ababco said that an English man shott at three Indian boyes but they came home and not hurt, soe tooke noe notice.
Court said the English was not informed, if they had the English man should have suffered as the Law prescribes in such case.
Court ordered the Interpreter to tell them that we can remember severall miscarriages of their Indians, for which they have not been punished, but we came not here to call to mind old differences rather expect they should be forgott on both sides; but now we have taken this prisoner in the fact, and he ought to Suffer, desire to know whither what they have said be to justifie the prisoner, if soe we would con- sider what further to say to them.
Indians replyed they could not justifie the prisoner, neither did they come to excuse him.
Court ordered the Interpreter to tell the Indians that is the custome of Christian Nations, that if peace is broken, he that doth it must surely die, and this Indian prisoner by the Law deserves death, but the English not desirous to exercise the rigour of the Lawe.
Judgment to be whipped.
Court Gives Judgment that Poh Poh Caquis the Indian prisonr be carried to the whipping post, and have twenty Lashes laid on his bare back, and after that he be again brought to the barr.
Court ordered the Interpreter to tell the Indians that it will be great Satisfaction to his Lspp to make it appeare to him that they doe in noe waies countenance the villanous act of the Prisoner, if they will command one of their owne Subjects to execute the sentence.
Indians after some small reasoning, the command one of their greate men (viz.) Wewohquap to execute it.
The Indian Prisoner again brought to the barr.
Court ordered the Interpreter to tell the Indians that it is the cus- tom of the English, that after punishment they must putt in security not to act the like again or any such like mischiefe, and ask them what they will prescribe to secure this prisoner from revenge, or doeing any more mischiefs to the English for the future.
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
Indians. King Ababco, and King Tequassino engage their words for the prisoners good behavior forever hereafter, and Ababco told the prisoner he may be thankfull was soe favourable and kind to him.
Court ordered the Interpreter to tell them that this passing their word is not sufficient, for that he may notwithstanding doe further mischiefe, we desire to know what custody they will keepe him in, that they may make of acting the like again.
Indians said they did not know how to secure him.
Court proposed as the safest way as well for them as his Lsp: and the English, to transport him into some part beyond the Sea, as a vil- lain not fitt to be trusted here, without danger of haveing the peace broke.
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