USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Maryland, from its earliest settlement in 1650 to 1879 > Part 3
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
woma." Few were the words of the Indian. They went with him to Mattawoma's cabin; and Mattawoma, with the humanity that distinguished the Indians of that tribe, gave up to the immigrants his wigwam. The next day he conveyed them to the Indian village of Piscataway, which was fifteen miles below, where now stands Washington, and at the mouth of Piscata- way Creek, where resided their Chief, Tayac, to whom he intro- duced the madame and her retinue. The chief entertained them in regal style and splendor, and gave them permission to settle in any portion of his dominions. During the entire subse- quent history of the province, no aggressive war was ever waged by her people against the Indians. They dwelt together in peace and amity, until the latter either emigrated to the West, or lost their identity as a people by absorption. Some unim- portant conflicts took place with the Indians during the pro- gress of the settlements. These were principally to repel the inroads of hostile tribes from beyond her borders, but none could be dignified as wars.
Such consideration had our forefathers for the rights of these people, that when the Senecas, a tribe of the Six Nations, who came from the State of New York, invaded their territory, under a claim of doubtful right to a portion of its soil, instead of repulsing the hostile incursion and driving them back to their homes, they appointed commissioners to settle the dispute, and purchased their alleged claim for three hundred pounds sterling. The colony having respected the rights of the original owners of the soil, exercised the same justice and forbearance towards their European brethren, who came and settled among them.
Although religious toleration had been declared by the Pro- prietary as one of the fundamental principles of the social union over which he presided; yet, in order to give the principle the sanction of anthority, the Assembly proceeded to incorporate it in the laws of the province. It was enacted, that no person, professing to believe in Jesus Christ, should be molested in respect to his religion, or the free exercise thereof; and that any one who should reproach his neighbor with opprobrious names, of religious distinction, should pay a fine to the person insulted. Thus it will be seen that Maryland was the first province in which religious toleration was established by law. While at this very period the Puritans were persecuting their Protestant
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
brethren in New England, and the Episcopalians were retorting with the same severity on the Puritans in Virginia, there was forming, in Maryland, a sanctuary where all might worship, and none might oppress; and where even Protestants sought refuge from Protestant intolerance.
Annapolis, which had been erected into a port of entry in 1683, was made the seat of government in 1691.Y For a period of forty years the colony enjoyed almost undisturbed tranquillity. The only troubles were contests between the Governor and Council, who formed the upper house, and the delegates of the people in the lower house. These struggles were the germ of that mighty contest in which the liberties of the people were finally secured.
CHAPTER V.
LAND GRANTS.
Joseph's Park. Girl's Portion. Leeke Forest. Hermitage. St. Winerburg. Carroll's Forest. Dan. Brightwell's Hunting Quarter. Clean Drinking. Bear Neck. Maiden's Fancy. Bear Bacon. Friendship. Charles and Thomas. Friendship. Clagett's Purchase. Huntington. Contention. Bradford's Rest. Addition to Bradford's Rest. Bradford's Rest. Dung Hill. Thompson's Hop Yard. Cool Spring Level. Allison's Park. Archibald's Lot. Younger Brother. Dispute. Tico Brothers. The Exchange. The New Exchange. Addition to Dan. Joseph and James.
THE general progress of settlement in what is now Mont- gomery County, was to the north and westward, a course which has uniformly been pursned in every State and community since the earliest history. Among the first of recorded patents is that of
Joseph's Park, and was granted to William Joseph, May 20th, 1689, containing four thousand two hundred and twenty acres. This tract lies on the east side of Rock Creek and em- braces Knowles' Station, Forest Glen Station and Linden Sta- tion, including the farms of Alfred Ray, William A. Batchelor, and Carroll's or St. John's Chapel. The Brookville and Wash- ington Turnpike passes through it, from Augustus Burgdorf's farm nearly to Grace Church.
Girl's Portion. This was surveyed for Colonel Henry Dulaney, in 1688. Extends from Rock Creek, eastward, to O. H. P. Clark's farm, three and three-eighths miles. The Ashton and Sligo Turnpike passes through the tract. The Silver Spring Farm, the estate of the late F. P. Blair, and the residence of the Hon. Montgomery Blair, ineludes a portion of the tract; also, the Silver Spring Station and Sligo. The Brookville and Washington Turnpike crosses it.
DARNALL
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Leeke Forest. This additional tract of seven hundred and ten acres, was also surveyed for Colonel Henry Dulaney, in 16SS. It lies west of "Joseph's Park," on the west side of Rock Creek, and extends west one and seven-eighths miles. The Rockville and Georgetown Turnpike passes through it. The farms of the late Samuel Perry and William Hudleston, on the old Georgetown road, and Bethesda Church are included within its limits.
Hermitage. Granted to William Joseph, May 2nd, 1689, for three thousand eight hundred and sixty-six acres. This grant lies on the east side of Rock Creek and adjoins "Joseph's Park" on the north, and extending from Vier's Mill to the inter- section of the Rockville and Washington Turnpike with the Union Turnpike Company's road. The Brookville and Wash- ington Turnpike passes through it from the V ttery Branch to one-fourth of a mile south of Mitchell's Cross Roads. The City road, from Rockville to Washington passes through it, from Graves' farm to Aug. Burgdorf's farm, at the intersection of the Brookville and Washington Turnpike. The Norwood Turnpike traverses the tract from Kemp's store to Lyddane's farm, or its intersection with the Brookville and Washington Turnpike. It embraces many fine farms and elegant residences. Lying to the east of "Hermitage" is
St. Winexburg, surveyed for John Woodcock, May 3rd, 1689, for five hundred acres, extending from the North-west branch at Kemp's Mill, westward one and one-half miles west of the Brookville and Washington Turnpike. The road from Kemp's Mill to Lyddane's farm and the Norwood Turnpike passes through it. This grant includes the estate of the late William Pierce. Immediately north of "St. Winexburg" is located
V Carroll's Forest, granted to Charles Carroll, May 3rd, 1689, consisting of five hundred acres. This traet was conveyed May 3rd, 1794, by Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, to John Connelly. On the west side of Rock Creek, north of "Leeke Forest," and west of " Hermitage," is a tract called
Dan, granted Thomas Brooke, September 6th, 1694, for three thousand six hundred and ninety-seven acres, extending from Rock Creek, one and a half miles west, and up the creek north, two and seven-eighths of a mile. The Georgetown Turnpike
1.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
passes over it from Mr. Codwise's farm to that of the late Samnel Perry. The year following, attracted no doubt by the fertility of the bottom lands lying on the banks of the Potomac, Richard Brightwell, with a more adventurous spirit than any of the previous. settlers, and actuated by a noble impulse, ascended the Potomac River above the mouth of the Great Seneca, and sought to establish a settlement far from his neigh- bors, where he and his friends could enjoy the pleasure and excitements of fishing and hunting. Here could be found in abundance, buffaloes, bears, wolves and deer; the Sugar Loaf Mountain and the chain of hills that extend to the Monocacy River, affording them ample shelter and protection from the skill and pursuit of the wily hunter. He located his grant between Edward's Ferry and the mouth of the Great Seneca, and named it
Brightwell's Hunting Quarter, patented August 29th, . 1695, and contained one thousand and eighty-six acres. It ex- tended for about four miles along the Potomac River, and is now traversed its entire length by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The beginning of this tract was destroyed in the con- struction of the canal, but a suitable stone was planted in its stead at the bottom of the canal, which is known only to a few persons. Leaving Mr. Brightwell with his dogs and guns, to enjoy himself to the best of his ability, for the next twenty- five years the course of settlements on Rock Creek, continued west of the Creek. Located west of "Joseph's Park," and south of "Leeke Forest," is situated
Clean Drinking, patented to John Coats, October 1st, 1699, for seven hundred acres. This tract extends down Rock Creek to Jones' Bridge. Walter C. Jones established a mill on this survey, and leaves his epitaph upon an old stone that still remains a living monument of his folly. The inscription, though somewhat defaced by time, is still legible, it reads:
-" Here lies the body and bones Of old Walter C. Jones; By his not thinking, He lost ' Clean Drinking,' And by his shallow pate, He lost his vast estate."
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Following the settlements on Rock Creek, comes those upon the Patuxent River.
Bear Neek, granted Benjamin Williams, March 26th, 1700, for one hundred and fifty acres. Adjacent to this, and lying to the south, is
Maiden's Fancy, to Neal Clark, surveyed September 11th, 1700, for five hundred and eighty acres. This tract is situated in the south-east corner of the County, and the intersection of the Patuxent. Two miles above on the river, is
Bear Bacon, surveyed for Mark Richardson, June 24th, 1703, containing six hundred acres. The Ashton and Laurel road passes through this tract from the cemetery to Liberty Grove school-house. The next settlements made in the County were located in the south-western part, between Rock Creek and the Potomac River.
Friendship, patented to Thomas Addison and James Stod- dart, December 1st, 1711, for three thousand one hundred and twenty-four acres. This land extends from near the Potomac and below Edmund Brooke's farm, a south-easterly and easterly direction across the Georgetown Turnpike, north of Tenally- town, and up the pike, north-westerly, near to Bethesda post office, and contains many rich and valuable farms; Allison Nailor's lands, and the farms of Richard Williams, Henry Loughborough, and others. The river road passes through from Rider's farm to near Tenallytown. Adjoining, and on the east, lies
Charles and Thomas, surveyed for Charles Beale and Thomas Fletchall, April 8th, 1715, containing four hundred and nineteen acres. The road from Tenallytown to Jones' Bridge, runs through the land. On the north, and west of "Friendship," lies another tract, called
Friendship, for Thomas Beale and Charles Fletchall, May 2nd, 1715, for one thousand three hundred and sixty-eight aeres. This traet extends from the farms of L. A. Lodge, in a north- east course as far as C. W. Lansdale's farm.
Clagett's Purchase, surveyed for Thomas Fletchall, April 10th, 1715, containing seven hundred and seventy-two acres, and situated west of "Clean Drinking," and south of "Leeke Forest." The Georgetown Turnpike crosses the tract from the
V
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
branch below Bethesda Church, to nearly its intersection with the old Georgetown road. Immediately west of this, is
Huntington, surveyed for Thomas Fletchall, December 10th, 1715, comprising three hundred and seven acres. It is divided by the old Georgetown road. West of "Leeke Forest," and west of "Huntington," comes
Contention, granted to William Fitz Redman, February 5th, 1715, containing six hundred and twenty acres, embracing the farms of Mr. Yeabower, and others. North of "Hermitage" and east of Rock Creek, is found
Bradford's Rest, granted to Major John Bradford, June 3rd, 1713, comprising two thousand six hundred and fifty-eight acres. Adjacent, and on the west, lies the
Addition to Bradford's Rest, granted to Major John Bradford, September 20th, 1715, for five hundred and eighty- four acres. And again, the same lands re-surveyed, with lands added, and called
Bradford's Rest, for Major John Bradford, June 10th, 1718, containing four thousand eight hundred and ninety-two acres. This tract extends up Rock Creek, north, as far as Wil- liam E. Muncaster's farm, and east, as far as the late Roger Brooke's farm. The road from Rockville to Baltimore runs through the grant, from William S. Brooke's farm to Granville Stabler's farm, three and one-half miles; and the Brookville and Washington Turnpike runs through it from near Higgins' Tavern, nearly to Ranies' stord, The lands embrace many ele- gant farms, including those of Philip Riley, Charles Abert, the late Roger Brooke, A. R. Wadsworth, William S. Brooke, Hon. Allen Bowie Davis, A. H. Herr, and others.
The streams and water courses seem to have attracted the attention of the early settlers, as is proven by the location of the grants. First comes Rock Creek, and then North-West branch which was the next point selected by the emigrants, followed by the settlements along the Patuxent; after this come Watts' Branch and Hawling's River. The first on Watts' Branch, was
Dung Hill, surveyed for Walter Evans, August 10th, 1715, containing five hundred and thirty-six acres. It was situated on the Potomac, at the mouth of Watts' Branch. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal runs through it, as does also the river road, from
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
near Watts' Branch to Cornell's farm. Immediately below this grant, lying along the Potomac, comes
Thompson's Hop Yard, patented by John Thompson, December Sth, 1715, and which embraced one hundred acres. This is but a short distance above the Great Falls.
Cool Spring Level, to Archibald Edmonston, April 28th, 1717, containing five hundred and ninety-two acres. This tract is situated on the road from Offutt's Cross Roads to the Great Falls. On the north of this road,
Allison's Park, surveyed for John Allison, June 10th, 1715, embracing six hundred and twenty acres, and lying south of Watts' Branch. Adjacent to this,
Archibald's Lot, granted to James Moore, March 17th, 1718. This tract lies on the road from Rockville to the Great Falls, and contained one hundred acres, and is embraced in the farm of Jacob Miller.
Younger Brother. This tract lies west of Watts' Branch, and was surveyed for William Offutt, August 21st, 1717, and contained six hundred aeres, and comprises the farms of Wil- liam Viers and Joseph T. Bailey. Following this, comes
Dispute, lying on the head-waters of Watts' Branch, sur- veyed for Charles and William Beall, January 19th, 1719, con- taining six hundred and seventy acres. An older tract then lies to the east of this, and is called the
Two Brothers, comprising twelve hundred acres, through which passes Watts' Branch and the road from Rockville to Darnestown. The next that claims attention on Watts' Branch, is
The Exchange, for Arthur Nelson, granted March 10th, 1718, for four hundred and eighteen acres; and again, to the same person, January 28th, 1719,
The New Exchange, for one hundred and fifty acres. These two were re-surveyed, December 20th, 1721, and were called "Exchange and New Exchange Enlarged," for Arthur Nelson, and contained sixteen hundred and twenty acres. By this extension the tract extended down Watts' Branch a long distance, and embraced the site upon which Rockville was origi- nally built. The road from Rockville to the Great Falls passes for more than two miles through the tract. The County Poor House farm, Judge Bouie's, (O'Neal's,) John E. Wilson's, and
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
other farms are included in this tract. North of "Dan," men- tioned previous, is the
Addition to Dan, surveyed for Philip Lee, December 10th, 1717, containing five hundred and seventy-six acres; traversed by the Georgetown Turnpike. Then came Joseph West and James Holmard, who joined in a co-partnership, and had a tract surveyed, containing five hundred and thirty-five acres, and when they came to give it a name, were at considerable trouble to select one that would give satisfaction to both partners, each wanted his name selected for the tract, so as to appear on the records at Annapolis. Much was said on the subject by both parties; finally a compromise was effected by mutual friends, who taking their two Christian names, joined them with the copulative conjunction "and," which gave them
Joseph and James, and was so patented October 15th, 1718. It is situated on the road from Rockville to Gaithersburg, and embraces the farms of Samuel Clements and others.
CHAPTER VI. LAND GRANTS-CONTINUED.
Easy Purchase. Friendship Enlarged. Drumaldry. Lay Hill. Snowden's Manor. Snowden's Manor Enlarged. Charles and Benjamin. George the Third. Beall's Manor. Beall Christie. Bear Garden Enlarged. Deer Park. Snowden Mill. Charley Forest. Addition to Charley Forest. Hygham. Gold's Branch. Gitting's Hah ! Hah! ! Bordley's Choice. Brooke Grove. Addition to Brooke Grore. John and Sarah. Benjamin's Lot. New Year's Gift. Autra. Easy Come By. Mill Land. Boyd's Delay. Magruder's Hazard. Paradise. Bernard's Desire. Wickham and Pottinger's Discovery. Partnership. The Bro- ther ' Industry. Deer Park. Fellowship. Constant Friend- ship.
IN following the succession of settlements, it is necessary to return to the North-west Branch, where Archibald Edmonston found an
Easy Purchase, granted April 23rd, 1716, consisting of nine hundred acres, extending from the North-west Branch to the West Point Branch. The Ashton and Sligo Turnpike runs through the entire length of it, from John T. Baker's farm below and near Colesville, to the late Johns Hopkins farm at the intersection of the Columbia road. Crossing to the east side of the North-west Branch, is located
Friendship Enlarged, for Alexander Beall, May 14th, 1716, containing nine hundred and twenty acres, and extending from near the County line up to the north of Bond's Mill, on the Ashton and Sligo Turnpike. A short distance north of "Carroll's Forest," heretofore described, lies a tract called
Drumaldry, surveyed for James Beall, September 16th, 1715, for two hundred and twenty-five acres. It lies on the North-west Branch and embraces the farm of James Bonifant. On the North-west Branch, and still north of this, James Beall was granted
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Lay Hill, August 17th, 1716, containing one thousand two hundred and ninety-eight acres. The North-west Branch runs through the tract, while the Norwood Turnpike passes the entire length. The farms of Abraham Van Horn, A. J. Cashell and others are situated on it. On the ridge dividing the head waters of the Patuxent River and North-west Branch, lies a tract embracing many farms called
Snowden's Manor, surveyed for Richard Snowden, De- cember 10th, 1715, containing one thousand acres. The Ashton and Sligo Turnpike runs through the estate, also the road from Ashton to Laurel. The tract embraces the lands of William John Thomas, the farms of William Lee, Warwick Miller, Asa Stabler, and the farm and bone mill of William Bond. A re-sur- vey was made twenty-eight years after and was called
Snowden's Manor Enlarged, for Richard Snowden, dated March 5th, 1743, and embraced nine thousand two hun- dred and sixty-five acres. This Manor contains some of the finest farms in the County. The Laurel road passes through it from Ashton, through Spencerville to the cemetery near Liberty Grove Church. The turnpike from Ashton to Winpenny's farm near Colesville runs upon it, while the Norwood Turnpike passes through it from Joseph Moore's farm to Van Horn's farm. The North-west Branch runs through the tract from near Ashton to Kemp's Mill.
Charles and Benjamin, surveyed and granted to Charles Beall, July 2nd, 1718, containing two thousand two hundred and eighty acres. This tract extends from E. J. Hall's farm down the Brookville and Washington Turnpike to Higgins' Tavern, embracing the farms of Z. D. Waters, Thomas Waters, Josiah W. Jones, Samuel Cashell, and others. The Episcopal Church at Mechanicsville is located on this grant. The town of Me- chanicsville is built on a small tract occasioned by a vacancy between older surveys, and was named after the King of England,
George the Third, and granted to Richard Brooke, July 28th, 1763, and contained forty-seven acres. Returning again to West Point Branch,
Beall's Manor is found, granted to Charles and William Beall, February 14th, 1720, embracing seventeen hundred and eighty-seven acres. Situated on the head-waters of West Point
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Branch, beginning in Thomas Winpenny's house-yard, a mile north of Colesville on the Ashton and Sligo Turnpike. On it are located the farms of Thomas Winpenny, Mr. O'Hare, Lloyd Green, J. W. Bancroft, and others. Colesville stands on a tract adjacent to " Beall's Manor," surveyed about the same time, and called
Beall Christie, and contained five hundred and six acres. Colesville is a thriving village of recent date.
Bear Garden Enlarged, surveyed for Archibald Edmon- ston, November 10th, 1716, containing twelve hundred and sixty- five acres. Adjoining this tract,
Deer Park. surveyed for Archibald Edmonston, February 14th, 1720, containing six hundred and eighty-two acres. This grant. including "Beall Christie," lies between the West Point and the East Point Branches, and embrace the farms of Julius Marlow, and others. Adjacent to " Beall's Manor," is
Snowden Mill, granted to Richard Snowden in October, 1723, surveyed for five hundred and forty-six acres. The Columbia road passes by this tract; while it is well watered by the West Point Branch passing through it. Nancy Brown's farm, and others are included, as also the road from John Leizar's to Nancy Brown's.
Charley Forest, was granted to Major John Bradford, and contained one thousand two hundred and thirty acres. In- creased by
Addition to Charley Forest, surveyed for the same per- son, September 16th, 1720. These two united, extend from Mechanicsville to within a short distance of where Snell's Bridge crosses the Patuxent River. The turnpike from Mechanicsville to Sandy Springs and Ashton passes over it, and from Ashton, the road to Snell's Bridge; and the road to Brighton runs on it. On this tract is situated Sandy Springs and Ashton, including many valuable farms, viz: Fair Hill farm, at Mechanicsville, with the farms of William HI. Farquhar, Albin Gilpin, R. T. Bentley, Edward Thomas, and many others. The tract is lo- cated on the dividing ridge that separates the head-waters of the North-west Brauch and Cabin Creek.
In following the order of dates in settlement, Hawlings' River is reached, when
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Hygham is found, granted to John Bradford, February 23rd, 1720, surveyed for one hundred acres. Beginning from the same tree, is
Gold's Branch, granted to Richard Snowden, July 30th, 1722, for two hundred and fifty-seven acres. These two grants lie on Hawlings' River, and constituted a portion of the farm of Hon. Allen Bowie Davis, his residence being located on the latter, through which the Westminster road passes, and also Gold Branch. a small tributary of Hawlings' River.
Gitting's Hah! Hah !! was surveyed for Thomas Spriggs and Richard Simmons, July 27th, 1724, and contained five hun- dred and seventeen acres, lying on both sides of Hawlings' River, embracing the following farms: James T. Holland's, Thomas John Holland's, William Brown's, and others. Adjoin- ing this, lies
Bordley's Choice, granted to Thomas Bordley, April 8th, 1725, for one thousand acres. The Reedy Branch, an off-shoot of Hawlings' River, divides the tract and affords plenty of water to the following farms: Thomas J. Holland's, William Riggs', Thomas Riggs' and Brice Howard's. The Brookville Academy is located on this survey. Adjoining this grant lies a tract, originally
Brooke Grove, surveyed for James Brooke, September 4th, 1728, and a re-survey for the same person, November 15th, 1741, for three thousand one hundred and fifty-four acres, and again re-surveyed, so as to include the adjacent vacancies, and named
Addition to Brooke Grove, surveyed for James Brooke, September 29th, 1762, and contained seven thousand nine hun- dred and six acres. After this addition to his Grove, he had eleven thousand and sixty aeres granted by patent, and six thousand by purchase, and owned at the time of his death, nearly twenty thousand aeres.
This tract extends from Thomas J. Holland's farm, some eight or nine miles in a north-westerly direction, beyond the Big Seneca. The town of Brookeville, which was founded in 1780. and Laytonsville are situated on it. The road from Brookeville to Laytonsville passes through the tract. which embraces some of the finest farms in the County, including those of E. J. Hall, the late Dr. William B. Magruder, John Riggs, Charles Brooke, the late Walter Magruder, David L. Pugh, Thomas D. Gaither,
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