USA > Maryland > Baltimore County > Baltimore City > The Baltimore directory for : containing the names of the inhabitants, their places of business and dwelling houses, the City register, 1845 > Part 2
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
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A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF BALTIMORE.
spot where the Battle Monument now stands, and continued till the new Court House was built in 1808; the latter, of stone, was near St. Paul's lane, and stood till the erection of the present county Jail, in 1800.
In 1769, an association, aided by a general subscription, procured a fire en- gine, at an expense of upwards of $250; and took the name of the " Mechani- cal Company." This was the first engine in the place; and the association which procured it may be regarded as the germ of the present extended and efficient organization of companies for extinguishing fires.
In 1773, about eiglity acres of Plowman's, Philpot's and Fell's lands were added to the east of the town. An alms-house was erected, and work pro- vided for the poor. On the 20th of August, Mr. Wm. Goddard commenced the first newspaper, a weekly, under the title of the " Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser." Before this, it was the custom to take the papers from, and send advertisements to, Annapolis and Philadelphia. Soon after, proposals were issued for a circulating library, but the plan failed. Theatri- cal performances were about this time presented to the inhabitants, in a ware- house on the corner of Frederick and Baltimore streets ; but a small theatre was afterwards erected in Water street, and the performances continued till the revolution. The increasing trade and intercourse, at this period, induced the establishment of a line of stages and packets, by the head of Elk, to and from Philadelphia.
When the revolutionary crisis came on, as Annapolis was the capital of the province, the stamps and the teas, upon which duty was to be raised, were sent to that city. There is no doubt, however, that, had they been sent to this place instead of that, their reception would have been resisted with equal energy. On the arrival, in 1774, of the news that the port of Boston had been closed, a meeting was promptly held, and a committee appointed to corre- spond with the neighboring colonies. Non-exportation resolves were after- wards entered into; collections were made for the distressed Bostonians ; and the most decided measures taken to manifest the patriotic zeal of the citizens. Several companies were formed, and great exertions were made to procure arms and ammunition.
Early in the year 1775, there were in the town, 564 houses, and 5,934 in- habitants. In the course of this year, Mr. John Dunlap established a weekly paper, called " Dunlap's Maryland Gazette." A battery was commenced on Whetstone Point, and three massive iron chains, passing through floating blocks, were stretched across the river, leaving a narrow passage only, on the side next the fort. In 1776, the members of the Convention authorized the in- habitants of Baltimore to choose two delegates, to represent the town, exclu- sive of the four for the county; and on this election there appear to have been 472 votes taken. The population of the Point, about the same time, was 821. On the 22d of July, the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed at the Court House, with great rejoicings. In consequence of the possession of Philadelphia by the British, Congress assembled in Baltimore on the 26th of December of this year. They occupied Mr. Jacob Fite's house, on the south-east corner of Baltimore and Liberty streets, which was long afterwards known as " Congress Hall."
In 1778, foreign goods having become scarce, numerous manufactories of articles which had been prohibited in the colonies, were established in or near the town. Hitherto, the merchants of Baltimore had been obliged to obtain registers, and to enter and clear vessels at Annapolis; but in 1780, a Custom House was opened, and the naval officer, Thomas Sollers, was authorized to grant registers for vessels here. In one week in May, there entered one brig, from France; one ship, three brigs, and five schooners, from the West Indies.
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A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF BALTIMORE.
Great difficulty arose, in consequence of the state of the currency ; but out of fifty-six debtors to British merchants, who paid their debts into the state trea- sury in depreciated money, there were but four or five residents of Baltimore town and county. In the latter part of this year, the ladies raised liberal con- tributions in aid of the suffering soldiers.
In 1781, Fell's Prospect was laid off by the commissioners and added to the town on the east, besides eighteen acres, lying between Bridge, now Gay, and French streets. In September, Gen. Washington passed through Baltimore, on his way to Yorktown; on which occasion the town was illuminated, and an address presented in behalf of the citizens. On the march of La Fayette's detachment for the south, they were so destitute that, on his arrival, he ob- tained on his own credit from the merchants £2000, with which clothing was purchased. The ladies were, as usual, active in the matter, and the detach- ment were soon comfortably clad.
In 1782, Col. Howard annexed to the town all his grounds east of the street named by him, "Eutaw." On Lexington street, he laid out a spacious lot for a market, which was improved for that purpose in 1803. He also assigned a large lot of ground on Baltimore street, west of Eutaw, for the use of the State, should the Assembly make Baltimore the seat of government within twenty years : but the proposition has been rejected by the Legislature, as often as made. Up to this time, the streets were unpaved and consequently often im- passable ; but commissioners were now appointed, to repair the bridges, and grade, level, and pave the streets, beginning with Baltimore street. In No- vember, were added to the town, Gist's Inspection and Timber Neck, lying south of former additions and upon the middle branch; also the lands be- tween Fell's Prospect and Harris's Creek. These were the last specific ad- ditions by act of Assembly ; and no change of consequence was made in the limits for many years. A line of stage coaches was established this year be- tween Baltimore and Philadelphia, which was afterwards extended to Alex- andria. The town had, at this time, eight places of worship, and contained about 8000 inhabitants.
The suspension of hostilities with Great Britain, was celebrated April 21st, 1783, and at night the town was illuminated. The manifestations of joy at this period were doubly appropriate ; as not only was the nation beginning a new career of happiness and glory, but the town might also here date the com- mencement of a progress in wealth and prosperity, scarcely paralleled in the history of American cities. Many merchants from other States and from Europe settled here ; new wharves were built; streets were widened and ex- tended; and the establishment of a company to cut a canal on the Susque- hanna, of the Potomac canal company, and, not many years after, of a company to unite the Chesapeake and Delaware bays, gives indication of the commence- ment of that policy which has been pursued up to the present time ; having in view the connection of the town by the cheapest and speediest modes of com- munication with the principal regions of production and seats of trade, and especially with the west. In the course of this year, regular lines of stage coaches were established to Fredericktown and Annapolis.
In 1784, proposals were issued for establishing a Bank, and subscriptions were obtained to a considerable amount, but the plan finally failed. A public dinner was given to Gen. La Fayette in September, and at the same time he and his heirs male were declared by the Legislature, citizens of Maryland. Provision was this year made for lighting the streets; three constables and fourteen watchmen were appointed; and Major Yates was licensed as sole auctioneer. After much disagreement in regard to a location, the Centre Mar- ket was erected in Harrison street, on a space originally intended for a canal
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SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF BALTIMORE.
or dock; Hanover Market, on the north-west corner of Hanover and Canden streets ; and Fell's Point Market, on ground appropriated for the purpose by Mr. Fell. The proprietors of estates in the vicinity of the Court House, being desirous to extend northward Calvert street, which was obstructed by the Court House and the elevation on which it stood, raised by subscription a sum of money for the purpose of turning an arch directly under that building ; which was successfully accomplished, and the street was extended.
In 1786, there was considerable depression and distress, from the state of trade and the currency. In October, a great freshet occurred. All the bridges, which were of wood, were carried away and much property was de- stroyed. These structures have been from time to time renewed, as success- ive overflows have occurred from the Falls ; the last experiment having been to replace the stone bridges, erected about the year 1810, by wooden struc- tures of a single arch. In 1787, the Baltimore Fire Insurance Co. was incor- porated, and was followed by the Maryland, Equitable, and other companies. The state of the roads was represented as a public grievance, and turnpikes to Washington, Frederick, and Reisterstown were authorized, though not con- structed till some years after. Baltimore street was this year extended beyond Col. Howard's addition, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to introduce water into the town by pipes.
On the 17th of April, 1789, Gen. Washington, on his way to New York to assume the Presidency, under the new Constitution, was entertained by the citizens. This year, Drs. Johnson, Boyd, and others, attempted to lay the foundation of a medical school, but without success. . A new channel for the Falls was cut, from Bath street to Gay street bridge; and the old course, near the Court House, was gradually filled up. In 1790, the Bank of Maryland was chartered, with a capital of $300,000. A branch of the Bank of United States followed in 1792, the Bank of Baltimore in 1795, and others at different periods. The vessels belonging to the port were, 27 ships, 31 brigs, 1 snow, 34 schooners, and 9 sloops, carrying in all, 13,564 tons. According to the first census taken by the general government in 1790, the population amounted to 13,503 ; viz: 6,422 white males; 5,503 white females; 323 other free persons ; 1,255 slaves.
In 1792, the wealth and population of the town were much increased by the arrival of a large number of fugitives from the massacre of Hispaniola. In 1795, the Library Company was formed. In 1796, after the subject had been long discussed in the public prints and by the citizens, a City Charter was obtained from the Legislature. The city was laid off into eight wards, and early in 1797, the election for city officers took place. James Calhoun, Esq., was the first Mayor. One of the first acts of the corporation was an address.expressive of gratitude and respect to Gen. Washington, as he passed through the city on his return home, at the expiration of his second term of office. In 1797, the building called the Assembly Rooms, on Holliday street, was erected, and the City Library was incorporated. In 1799, a piece of ground north of Saratoga street, was added to the city. Pratt street was opened from Frederick street to the Falls and a bridge erected. In June, 1800, President Adams passed through the city, and an address was presented by the corporation. Dr. John B. Davidge erected a hall near the south-east inter- section of Liberty and Saratoga streets, and, with others, commenced a course of medical lectures; but a great excitement arose on account of the dissec- tions, and a mob demolished the building and destroyed the preparations. The lectures were continued at the county Alms House. The population, by the census of this year, amounted to 31,514 ;- being an increase of 18,011, within ten years.
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A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF BALTIMORE.
In 1801, a society was formed to dispense medicines to the poor without charge, which, in 1807, was incorporated as the Baltimore General Dispen- sary. In 1803, the Right Rev. Bishop Carroll and others procured a charter for Baltimore College, which was established in Mulberry street. In 1804, St. Mary's College, which had been established in 1791, was much improved, and a handsome Gothic church added to the establishment. In 1805, a new Court House was commenced on North Calvert street. It was finished in 1809, when the old arched Court House was taken down. On the 6th of July, 1806, the foundation of the Roman Catholic Cathedral was laid. The business of the city received a check in 1807, from the general embargo, which continued till March 16th, 1809. During this year, Drs. Davidge, Shaw, and Cocke were authorized to raise funds by lottery to erect buildings for a medical college. The college in Lombard street was at once begun, under the superintendence of R. C. Long, architect ; though not completed till 1812. About the year 180S, several companies were organized for the manufacture of domestic goods on the streams in the neighborhood of the city.
In 1809, a public fountain was erected by the corporation on North Calvert street. Eight years after, the city purchased and improved the springs in the south and east parts of the city, and placed a fountain, supplied by the Water Company, at the head of the Centre Market. In this year, the three great turnpikes, authorized by the act of 1787, were completed, having cost about a million and a half of dollars. It was in this year also, that James A. Bu- chanan and others obtained permission to raise $100,000, to erect a monument to the memory of Washington. It was at first intended that it should occupy the site of the old Court House, in what is now called Monument Square ; but the design was afterwards changed, from an apprehension that so lofty a column might expose the neighboring houses to danger from lightning, and an eligible site, at the intersection of Charles and Monument streets, was given by Col. John E. Howard. The base of this beautiful column is fifty feet square, and twenty feet high ; the column, one hundred and sixty feet, and the statue, thirteen feet. On the four sides of the base are inscriptions, indicating the dates of important events in the life of the Father of his Country. In 1810, there were, according to the census, 46,555 inhabitants.
In 1811, Mr. Hezekiah Niles established "the Weekly Register," a most valuable publication, still in existence and conducted by Mr. Jeremiah Hughes. In 1812, an unhappy affray occurred in consequence of excitement against the editors of the "Federal Republican;" in which several persons were killed and some wounded. Several gentlemen of the city took commissions in the army, as soon as war was declared against England, and a number of priva- teers was fitted out. In 1813, the first steamboat, called the Chesapeake, was put on the line to Philadelphia, via French Town. On the 16th of May, was laid the corner stone of the Masonic Hall, with appropriate ceremonies. On the 12th of September, 1814, was fought the battle of North Point, the par- ticulars of which are already familiar to every citizen. On the 12th of Sep- tember, 1815, the foundation stone of the "Battle Monument," in honor of those who fell at North Point in the defence of the city, was laid on the site of the old Court House, and where it had been first intended to place the Wash- ington Monument.
In 1815, an incorporated company commenced the erection of the Ex- change, fronting on Gay, Water and Second streets. It is a large, com- modious building, occupied by Banks, &c., and having the Exchange Hall in the centre. In 1816, the Gas Company erected their works on the corner of North and Saratoga streets. At the session of this year, the limits of the city were extended, so as to take in the old precincts and form a parallelogram,
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A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF BALTIMORE.
about three and a half miles from north to south, and four and a half from cast to west. The City Court was organized this year, and Nicholas Brice was appointed chief Judge. In March, 1817, St. Paul's church was consecrated and the old church taken down. In June, 1817, President Monroe visited the city and was invited to a public dinner, which he declined. In 181S, a society was formed to induce the industrious to save a portion of their earnings, which was afterwards incorporated as the "Savings Bank." The city was now divided into twelve wards. In 1819, Gen. Jackson visited the city, and re- ceived and answered an address from the city authorities. This year was marked by great distress, arising from the appearance of the yellow fever at the Point, the failure of the City Bank, and the fall in the price of flour and tobacco in foreign markets. By the census of 1820, the population of the city was ascertained to be 62,738 ; being an increase of 16,183, in ten years, and of 49,235, since 1790.
On the 31st of May, 1821, the Cathedral, the building of which had been begun in 1806, suspended during the war, and re-commenced in 1817, was consecrated. The form is that of a cross; its length, 166 feet ; breadth, 77 feet ; and across the transept, 115 feet. It yet wants the portico on the western front; but through the exertions of an association formed for the pur- pose, it has been surrounded by a handsome iron railing, and a sexton's lodge has been erected. In November of this year, a committee of gentlemen from Maryland and Pennsylvania, examined the Susquehanna, with a view to the removal of obstructions in the navigation. In the beginning of 1822, the small pox prevailed to a considerable extent. The city and county purchased the present location of the Alms House. In December, 1823, at a great meeting held at the Exchange, on the subject of canals, the majority decided in favor of the Susquehanna, in preference to the Potomac. In April, 1824, the steam- boat Eagle, plying between Baltimore and Annapolis, burst her boiler; the first fatal accident of the kind on the waters of the Chesapeake. In October, Gen. La Fayette visited the city, and was received with the utmost enthusiasm. In January, 1825, he returned and partook of a splendid dinner, offered him by the fraternity of Masons.
In February, 1825, a bill passed the House of Delegates, allowing the city four delegates, but met with opposition in the Senate. On July 26th, 1826, a public funeral procession took place, and a funeral oration was delivered by Gen. Smith, in honor of Adams and Jefferson, recently deceased. In March, 1827, Wm. Patterson, Esq., presented to the city, two squares of ground, on Hampstead Hill, for a public walk. On the 31st of the same month the book of subscriptions to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was closed. The amount subscribed, in the city alone, was over four millions of dollars. On the 4th of July, 1828, the first or corner stone of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was laid by the venerable Charles Carroll, and a grand civic procession was formed on the occasion. On the Sth of August, 1829, a centennial celebra- tion of the settlement of Baltimore was held, and an oration was delivered by W. George Read, Esq. The Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad Company embraced this opportunity to lay the corner stone of that improvement. On the 21st of September, 1829, the first public school was opened. In 1830, the population of the city was 80,990.
In 1832, the Canton Company was actively engaged in clearing and laying out its grounds. During this year, the cholera prevailed to a considerable ex- tent. In 1835, the stock debt of the city was about $1,000,000 ; mostly for internal improvements. In March, of this year, a meeting of congratulation was held, on account of the passage, by the House of Delegates, of a bill to loan $2,000,000 to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and $1,000,000 to the
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A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF BALTIMORE.
Susquehanna Railroad. In April, the bill authorizing the construction of the canal to tide of the Susquehanna, was passed by the Legislature of Pennsyl- vania, and the news was received in Baltimore with great rejoicing. A rage for speculation prevailed about this time, and shares of Canton stock, on which $54 had been paid, were sold in some of the eastern cities for $260 .- In August, 1835, great excitement prevailed, mainly arising from the failure, some time previous, of the bank of Maryland and other institutions, by which heavy losses were sustained by the public. Mobs assembled, and, holding for a time the authorities at defiance, destroyed the dwellings of several citizens ; but the reign of riot was finally checked by the firmness of the friends of order and by the display of military force. Several lives were lost in the contests which occurred between the rioters and the armed citizens. Those who had sustained losses through the violence of the mob, were afterwards indemnified, at a cost to the city of over $100,000.
On the 25th of August, 1835, the branch railroad was formally opened to Washington. In 1836, the railroad to Philadelphia was projected. In March of this year, the City Council voted to subscribe $3,000,000 to the, stock of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. In May, the books of subscription to the stock of the Maryland Canal were closed ; but the work is yet to be commenced. The stock of the Tide Water Canal was subscribed for in June of this year. On the 11th of May, 1837, the banks of the city followed the example of those of New York and Philadelphia, and suspended specie payments. The Green Mount Cemetery was purchased this year, was dedicated in 1839, and has been rapidly improved. In June, a most extensive and destructive inun- dation occurred, from the sudden rise of the waters of Jones's Falls ; by which property to an immense amount was destroyed, not only within the limits of the city, but also for some miles along the line of the stream, and many lives were lost. On the 14th of June, 1838, the Pulaski, a steam packet running between Baltimore and Savannah, was nearly destroyed by the explosion of her boiler, while on a return trip to this place. Out of one hundred and sixty-nine passengers on board, but fifty-nine were saved. On the 13th of August, the banks resumed the payment of specie. On the 10th of October, 1839, they again suspended specie payments. In 1840, the population of the city was 102,513.
In February, 1841, the banks resumed the payment of specie, but continued it only eight days. On the 2d of May, 1842, they again resumed, and have since continued without interruption. The deranged state of the currency previous to this period, had given rise to several establishments called " Sa- vings Institutions ;" designed ostensibly for the purpose of supplying the pub- lic with small notes; but, whatever might have been the views of the project- ors, they exploded, one after another, inflicting a considerable loss on the public. Notes, called " orders," issued by the city and by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, were also largely circulated during the suspension. It is certainly a just ground for pride and congratulation that, during the severest pressure of this gloomy period, when the credit of other cities was reeling before the effects of distrust and commercial embarrassments, Baltimore sus- tained herself so firmly, and passed through the storm so well. No more convincing or satisfactory proof can be given of her substantial resources, and of the prudence, foresight and noble spirit of her merchants, than the steadiness with which they met the prostration of trade, and the promptness with which they sustained each other in the hour of need.
The city, for the past few years, has been so quietly moving on in the path of prosperity, that but few incidents have occurred worthy of special record. We must not omit to mention, however, the Magnetic Telegraph, invented by
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A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF BALTIMORE.
Prof. Morse, which commenced its operations in May, 1844, and affords in- stant communication between Baltimore and Washington. This ingenious application of the magnetic force to the immediate transmission of intelligence, is destined to work astonishing changes in the intercourse and communications between cities and countries. The population of the city is rapidly increas- ing ; trade is steadily improving ; manufactures are spreading on the adjacent streams ; and in the various branches of the mechanic arts, her workmen yield to none in the land for faithfulness, taste, and skill. Of the education of her children she is not unmindful ; since she sustains twenty public schools, inclu- ding one Male High School, and two Female High Schools, besides fostering a large number of private institutions and two Colleges ; and that her people are alive to their religious interests, may be inferred from the fact that there are in the city nearly one hundred churches, generally well supported, and many of them new and of great architectural beauty. Of the healthfulness of the city, some conclusions may be drawn from the statement that the deaths during the past year were 2879. Among these were nine persons over one hundred years old-one 104; one 105; one 114, and one 115.
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