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- PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, MARYLAND ERECTED ON ST. GEORGES DAY, APRIL 23,1696
- NEWS AND NOTES FROM The Prince Georges County Historical Society
- PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, MARYLAND ERECTED ON ST. GEORGES DAY, APR I L 23. 1696
NEWS AND NOTES FROM The Prince George's County Historical Society Vol IX, no. 2, February 1981 The Meeting Schedule The Society will not meet in February. The next meeting will be on Saturday, March 14, at Riversdale. Details will follow in the next issue of News and Notes. The Maryland Antiques Show and Sale The third annual Maryland Antiques Show and Sale, sponsored by the Maryland Historical Society, will be held from February 12 through 15 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The show will feature formal and country American furniture, English furniture, fine porcelains, silver, brass, glass, rugs, jewelry, dolls, clocks and rare maps. A continuous buffet will be available each day of the show. Hours will be from noon until 10 p.m. on every day except Sunday the 15th, when the show closes at 6 p.m. Admission is $3.50 and a directory will be available for $3.00. Please use the Sharp Street entrance; public parking is available in several nearby garages. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Museum and Library of Maryland History. For more information, call 301‑685‑3750. Report on Historic Sites Hearing The County Council hearing on‑the proposed Historic Sites and Districts Plan, held on January 13 at the County Administration Buildings brought forth both praise I and criticism for the plan. Among the critics were representatives of several builders and developers who feared that certain provisions of the plan would unfairly limit development of many properties, and several owners, who did not, for various reasons, want their properties included. Numerous individuals spoke on behalf of the plan including representatives of several civic groups and municipalities. Many asked for expansion of the proposed historic districts, creation of even more districts, and addition of several unincluded properties PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND ERECTED ON ST. GEORGE'S DAY, APRIL 23,1696 to the plan. Speaking on behalf of the Society in favor of the plan was President De Marr. The next step in the process will be work sessions by the Council with staff, analyzing the plan in detail section‑by‑section. Final action is not expected until late Spring. New Members of the Society We welcome the following individuals to membership in the Prince George's County Historical Society: Richard F. Long Avondale Mr. DeMarr Wendy and Richard Palumbo Hyattsville Mr. Giannetti Ruth M. Knott Hyattsville Mr. DeMarr New Life Member of the Society The Society is very pleased to announce another Life Member: Paul Lanham Paul is the immediate past president of the Society, Virginia Spence Lescure We regret to report the death, in late November, of Virginia Spence Lescure, a charter member of this Society. Mrs. Lescure was the daughter of Thomas H. Spence, a dean at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Charlotte Calvert Spence. Her great grandfather, Charles Benedict Calvert, was the owner of Riversdale and founder of the Maryland Agricultural College, later the University of Maryland's College Park campus, from which she graduated in 1922. She married William J. Lescure in 1928 and lived in Harrisburg, Pa., for many years before returning to this area after his death in 1954. Besides our own Society, Mrs. Lescure was active in church work and numerous other civic and patriotic organizations. She is survived by a son , William J. Lescure III, two sisters, and three grandchildren. Our sympathies are extended to the family, The St, George's Day Awards The Society will again present the annual St. George's Day Awards at the annual dinner, April 23, to individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Prince George's County's heritage. Members with nominations should write to President Frederick S. DeMarr at P.O. Box 14, Riverdale, 20840, or call him at 277‑0711. Articles of Peace and Amity When the first settlers came to Southern Maryland in the seventeenth century, they found the region occupied by Indian tribes of the Piscataway Confederacy. The Piscataways lived in small villages along the creeks and rivers, chiefly on the western side of the peninsula, i.e. mainly in today's Charles County and on the Potomac side of Prince George's. As could be expected, there was some friction between the two peoples, and sometimes isolated and scattered incidents of violence, but in general, relations between the Piscataways and the Marylanders were peaceful. There were no Piscataway wars; indeed, when Maryland went to war against Indians‑‑Susquehannocks and Senecas in particular‑‑the Piscataways either remained neutral or allied themselves with the colonists. One reason why the Piscataways and the Marylanders lived in peace is that they needed each other for protection. The Susquehannocks and Senecas from beyond the frontier often conducted raids into Southern Maryland‑‑against both the Piscataways and the Marylanders‑‑so the Piscataways and Marylanders looked to each other for assistance. Marylanders hoped the Piscataways would be a buffer between them and the northern tribes; the Piscataways hoped the Marylanders would help them resist the raids. By the 1690's, however, the Piscataways decided to leave Southern Maryland. The area was rapidly filling up with settlers Prince George's would be populous enough to become a county in 1696‑‑and the Piscataways were being deprived not only of the best agricultural 'Lands but their hunting areas as well. In 1697 they finally left the area for the backwoods of Stafford County, Virginia, beyond the line of settlement where they could live and hunt freely. The Maryland government repeatedly sent emissaries to them, seeking their return, but they never did. They stayed in Virginia for a while, then moved to an island in the Potomac near Point of Rocks, above the Monocacy‑where they suffered severely from smallpox‑‑and then moved on to Pennsylvania in 1711, never to return as a tribe to Maryland. The Piscataway Confederacy of Southern Maryland became a memory, leaving behind only the relics of its civilization and a few scattered individuals who chose not to move on. We publish in this issue of News and Notes one of the many peace treaties between Maryland and the Piscataways. Many of the provisions of this treaty, signed in 1692, were identical to provisions in previous treaties dating back as early as 1666, if not before. The following text, supplied by Ashby H. Canter, is taken from the Charles County court records. ‑‑Alan Virta Reference source : The Piscataway Indians of Southern Maryland, by Alice and Henry G. Ferguson. Published by the Ferguson Foundation, 1960. Articles of Peace and Amity Concluded & Agreed upon Between ‑ ‑The Honoble. Lionell Copley Esquire Capt.. Genll. & Governour in Chief in & Over this their Majestyes Province & Territory of Maryland and Orhotomaqnath Emperor of Piscattaway this fourteenth day of May in the years of our Lord 1692 Imprs. Itt is agreed upon from this day forward there be an Inviolable peace & amity Between their Sacred Majesty of King William 2; Queen Mary and their subjects the Inhabitants of this Province & Virginia and the Emperour of Piscattaway upon the Articles hereafter in this Treaty to be agreed upon to the world's End to Endure, and all former Acts of Hostility S. Damages of whatsoever by Either party sustained be buried in perpetual oblivion. 2ndly: That if any Indian subject to the said Emperour shall hereafter Chance to kill an Englishman, the sd. Emperour shall be obliged to deliver such Indian up‑to the Governour of this Province as a Prisoner. 3dly: For as much as the English Cannot Easily distinguish one Indian from another, that noe Indian shall Come into any English mans plantation painted, and that all the Indians shall be bound to Call aloud before they Cone within three hundred paces of any Englishmans Cleare ground, and lay down their armes whether Guns Bowes or arrowes or other weapons for any Englishman that shall appeare, upon his Call to take up, And in Case that noe one appeare that hee shall there leave his sd. armes if hee Come nearer, and that afterwards hee shall by Calling aloud Endeavour to give notice to the English of his nearer Approach, And if any Englishman shall Kill any Indian that shall Come unpainted and give notice and deliver ‑tip his armes as aforesd hee shall dye for it as well as Indian that killeth an Englishman, And in case the Indian & English meete accidentally in the woods Every Indian shall be bound immediately to throw down his armes upon Call, and in Case an Indian soe meeting, an English man shall refuse to throw down his armes upon Call hoe shall be deemed as an Enemy. 4ly: The Priviledge for Crabbing, fowling, hunting &, fishning shall be preserved to the Indians inviolably. 5thly: That Every Indian that killeth or stealeth an Hogg Calfe or other Beast or any other goods shall undergoe the same punishment that an Englishman doth for the same offense. 6thly: In Case any servants or Slaves run away from their Masters and Come to any of the Indian Townes within the Territory of the said Orhotomaquath and his subjects, they shall be bound to apprehend the sd. fugitives and bring them to the next English plantation to bee Conveyed to their Masters, and in Case any Indian aforesd. Shall Convey or assist any such fugitives Li their flight out of this Province, that hee shall make their respective Master or Masters of such servants or slaves such satisfaction as an Englishman ought to doe in the like Case. 7thly. That the sd. Emperour shall not make any new peace with our Enemies, nor make any warr without the Consent of the Governour of this Province for the time being. 8thly. In Case the sd. Orhotomaquath or any Indian subject to him shall. kill any Indians or any other in peace & amity with their sd, Majestyes shall be Esteemed as great an offense as killing an Englishman. 9thly. That neither the sd. Emperour nor any of the Indians under his subjection doe at any time hereafter keepe harbour or Entertaine among them or within their fort any foreigne or strange Indians or know or discover any such to appeare or Come into this Province without giving timely and all possible speedy notice thereof to his Excellency the Governour or some Magistrate or other Officer or person of noate by whom the same may be Comunicated with all Expedition to the sd. Governour or Governours of this Province for the time being for his advice & directions therein. 10thly. That as a further testimony of their peace League & friendship with their Majestyes, and as they Expect Protection from them and their Governour here, there be yearly paid by the sd. Imperour as a Tribute to their sd. Majestyes an Indian Bow & two arrowes to be delivered to his ‑Excellency the Governour or the Governour for the time being at his Residence wheresoever the same shall happen to be on the first Tuesday in Aprill Every yeare successively. In Confirmation of the promises his Excellency the Governour and likewise the Imperuur aforesd. have mutually signed sealed & delivered these present Articles in the presence of his Majestyes Councill and the great) men of the sd. Imperour then present the day & yeare first aforementioned. Signit;
Orhotomaquath Emperour True Coppy Hen. Denton, Clk Council
ask that a copy of your letter be forwarded to the County Executive. For further information, call Bill Aleshire at 262‑5505. Governess Desired "The subscriber wishes to engage the services of a Governess, well qualified to teach the higher branches of English education, French, Music, and Drawing. Testimonials as to character and qualifications will be required. All applications to be post paid. Robert Ghiselin Near Nottingham, Prince George's county, Maryland." ‑‑From the National Intelligencer Washington, D.C., Mar. 29,1845 Surratt Society Valentine Display On Valentine's Day weekend the Surratt Society will put on a display of 19th century Valentine cards in the Surratt House library. The cards date from the 1840's to 90's and are filled with the stirring verses and lacy ornamentation valued by the Victorians. There will be special demonstrations in papyrotamia, the art of paper cutting, and in calligraphy and illustration. Hours of the display, on both the 14th and 14th of February, are from noon to 4 p.m. The Surratt House, is located on Brandywine Road, Clinton. The Prince George's County Historical Society President: Mr. Frederick S. De Marr 277‑0711 4010 Hamilton Street, Hyattsville 20781 Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. Edith Bagot 927‑3632 3510 Longfellow Street, Hyattsville 20782 Treasurer: Mr. Herb Embrey 434‑2958 1043‑4 Tullymore Drive, Adelphi 20783 Newsletter editor: Mr. Alan Virta 474‑7524 8244 Canning Terrace, Greenbelt 20770 Annual membership dues of $5.00 include a subscription to this monthly newsletter. For a membership application, write the Society at P.O. Box 14, Riverdale, Maryland 20840, or any of the officers listed above. NEWS AND NOTES FROM The Prince George's County Historical Society Vol. IX, no. 3 March 1981 The March Meeting: Mr. Jack_Burns One of the Society's more popular meeting programs of the past several years was the visit of Jack Burns with his collection of wildfowl decoys six years ago. Mr. Bums has graciously consented to meet with us again and will speak on the topic, "The History and Art of Wildlife Decoys," at the March meeting of the Society, on Saturday, March 14, at Riversdale. Mr. Burns, who is a former resident of Greenbelt, now lives in Greencastle, Pa. He will bring many examples from his fine collection of beautiful and antique decoys with him to the March meeting. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. Riversdale is located at 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, between Kenilworth Avenue and Route One. Guests are welcome, and refreshments will be served. The April Calendar There will be no regular meeting of the Society in April. Members instead are invited to the annual Its George's Day Dinner on April 23. Details will follow with the personal invitations to be sent out soon. Members are reminded to submit nominations for St. George's Day Awards to the President of the Society, Frederick S. De Marr, at P.O. Box 14, Riverdale, Md. 20840 or by calling him at 277‑0711. Planning Ahead: The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage More than ninety sites, many never opened to the public before, are on this year's Maryland House and Garden Tour. Tickets for each county tour are $8.00, or $2.00 for a single house. Water cruise tickets, requiring are $25.00. This year's tour calendar is as follows: Saturday April 25 Anne Arundel County Sunday, April 26 Calvert County (Continued next page) PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND ERECTED ON ST. GEORGE'S DAY, APR I L 23. 1696 Saturday, May 2 Wicomico County Sunday, May 3 Dorchester County Tuesday, May 5 Carroll County Wednesday, May 6 Bolton Hill, Baltimore City Thursday, May 7 Baltimore County Friday, May 8 Frederick County Saturday May 9 Kent County Saturday: May 16 Cruise, Baltimore to St. Michaels
Mr. & Mrs. James B. Berry, Jr. Capitol Heights Mr. Virta The following sponsored by Mrs. Wilkinson and Mr. Virta: Mrs. Pauline H. Bolinger University Park Dr. & Mrs. Lloyd W. Hughes College Park Mr. & Mrs. W. Stanley Machen Hyattsville Mrs. C.E. Callow Cheverly Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Welsh III University Park
To Mr. Tuggey at Low Tewting in Surrey Anoplis November the 2 1756 Honerd Father and mother I take this opertinewtey of riting to you to Lett you know that i an, in maryland and a footman to the Honrable Colnall Taskur and i am in a Good Place and i am much surprisd i never Receved a letter from you I have sent 2 too you I Live as well as aney one Can but to be so Long from hering or seeing from you i think you are Ded I live Ass well as aney one Can in the world I am marrad since I Com heer and I hope to be in England in a bout 12 mounths and shall bring my wife with me and Pray send to me som knives some buckls and Butins and Aney thing you think Proper for i Can make Good money heer I have i all about two hundred pound in money since i hive been heer Pray send me a Letter by the first ship Com'g to maryland and Drict it to mr Teogget at the Honrable Collnl. Taskers in Anoplis i Maryland Pray Give my Love to All my frinds in England as knows me my Love to my sister and broth' Ann and James and i wish them helth and hapyness and my most sacret Dewtey to my father and mothar and All my frind frinds P S I have marrad as sweat a gall a Ever was Born shee Is as trew to me as the verelle Sun and i shall bring hur to England will me plees God i Live Pray send me a Letter to me by the firs Ship a Coms for i Long to heer from you Pray Excuse the bad riting to you for you knou i am a bad coler your Dewtful Sun Richard Tuggeyy: Reprinted from Colonial Captivities, Marches, and Journeys, edited under auspices of the Colonial Dames of America by Isabel MacBeath Calder, and published by Macmillan Company, 1935. The original is in the Public Record Office, London, and a photostat is in the Library of Congress Manuscript Division. A footnote in the above work gives some information on the senior Mr. Tuggey, recipient of the letter. He served as overseer of the poor, surveyor of highways, and church warden of his parish, Tooting Graveney, in Surrey. In 1729 he is recorded as contributing to the poor rate, but he himself was a recipient of public assistance in 1753 and 1757. The History of Tooting‑‑Graveney by W.E. Eorden (London, 1897} was cited as the source of this information. We cannot say with certainty that Richard Tuggey, Jr., ever actually served Col. Tasker at Belair. His letter home was written more than a year before Tasker purchased the property. And we do not know if the young Mr. Tuggey ever returned to the home he so longed for. Perhaps further research could answer that question. ‑‑Alan Virta Quilt Exhibit at Belair The Friends of the Belair Estate will sponsor an "Old and New Quilt Exhibit" at the Belair Mansion on Sunday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2.00 per person and all proceeds will go toward the Belair Mansion restoration. Prince George Will Stand "Prince George will stand this season at the subscriber's farm, near Good Luck Post Office, Prince George's County, Maryland. Terms, $25 for blood mares, $10 for common, 50 cents to groom. Mares from a distance grain fed for 25 cents per day. Every attention paid, but no liability for accidents or escapes. G. W. Duvall” ‑‑From the National Intelligencer, March 29, 1845. The place known as Good Luck was located near the present day intersection of Good Luck and Greenbelt‑Glenn Dale Road (Route 193), not far from the Goddard Space Flight Center. Additions to the National Register Williams Plains, near Bowie, and the Greenbelt Historic District have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Fuller reports will be included in next month's newsletter. 
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