News and notes from
NEWS AND NOTES FROM The Prince George's County Historical Society
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NEWS AND NOTES FROMThe Prince George's County Historical SocietyVol. XIII, no, 5 May 1985 The May Meeting: The Restoration of Montpelier More than a year after the work began, the restoration of Montpelier is complete. Its interior and exterior fabric is now in good repair, and the house is beautiful. The Prince George's County Historical Society will meet at Montpelier on Saturday, May 11, at 2 p.m., to see the results of the restoration and learn how it was done. Our guest speaker will be James T. Wollon, Jr., AIA, who supervised the work. One of the foremost restoration architects in Maryland, Mr. Wollon has been associated with several restoration projects in this county. He last spoke to the Society on the Magruder House in Bladensburg. Mr. Wollon's talk on Montpelier will be illustrated by slides, which will cover both the history of the house and the restoration process itself. For those who do not know Montpelier, suffice it to say it is one of the great Georgian homes of the United States. Built in the 1780s by the Snowden family, the mansion is one of but two National Register Landmarks in Prince George's County. The grounds are beautifully landscaped. Anyone who has not seen Montpelier in the Spring should not miss this meeting. Montpelier is located along Route 197 (Laurel‑Bowie Road) a few miles south of Laurel. It is easily reached by the Baltimore‑Washington ton Parkway. From the Parkway, exit onto Route 197 going north (a left‑hand turn at the bottom of the exit ramp). Not far beyond the interchange, turn left opposite the Montpelier Shopping Center (at a traffic light), where large signs will direct you into the mansion grounds. The meeting and slide show will be held in the Arts Barn, but there will be ample opportunity to visit the house itself. Plan to be with us for this most interesting and informative program. As always, guests are welcome and refreshments will be served. Reception to Celebrate Pictorial History By now Society members should have received invitations to the County Executive' reception on May 16 celebrating the publication of Prince George's County: A Pictorial History, by Alan Virta. Please RSVP at 952‑4131. The reception will be at Riversdale, at 7:30 p.m. PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND The Society and Marietta Late in March the board of directors of the Society met to discuss the problem of the Society headquarters. At present the headquarters and library are cramped into one small room in the slave quarters at Riversdale. The situation has become quite unsatisfactory, and the board directed the president to meet with officials of the Maryland‑National Capital Park and Planning Commission (the owners of Riversdale) to seek more space there. The results of President John Giannetti's meeting was summarized in this recent letter of his to the, board: "Several weeks ago I met with officials at Park and Planning to ask for more space at Riversdale. There just doesn't seem to be an answer to our problems at that location. "However, we were given the option of using historic Marietta as our headquarters. At first I was dismayed at leaving Riversdale, but after visiting the site with Fred De Marr and John Walton, Jr., I came away with an entirely different perspective. Locating at Marietta offers a number of advantages and opportunities." The board met at Marietta to examine the property and discuss the commission's offer on April 27. The board voted "to approve the idea of establishing the Society's headquarters, offices, and library at Marietta and to appoint a committee to negotiate with the Park and Planning Commission." Marietta is a lovely, old brick home located on Bell Station Road in Glenn Dale. It is near the intersection of Annapolis Road (Route 450) and the newly‑cut Glenn Dale‑Enterprise Road. It is visible from the newly‑cut road. The home was built early in the 19th century by Gabriel Duvall, a native of this county and an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The setting is rural and the grounds and surrounding countryside are beautiful. The home has a modern wing with a caretaker's residence and a large, ground‑floor room ideal for use as a library. A family lives in the caretaker's apartment and there is an elaborate security system. A number of pieces of appropriate antique furniture are already in place. The Park and Planning Commission maintains the house and pays the utilities. The National Quilting Association has used the mansion as its headquarters, but they are moving out in May. The Society of Mareen Duvall Descendants at the present time is restoring Judge Duvall's law office, a small building not far from the house. There is no room large enough to hold the Society's lecture meetings at Marietta, so for the time being, they will still be held at Riversdale. As attendance at meetings continues to grow, however, even the, Music Room is sometimes too small, so other arrangements may have to be made in the near future. A move to Marietta will offer both advantages and challenges to the Society. The additional space is badly needed, and it will enable us to expand our library. Having "a house of our own" will also give the Society a chance to grow in new directions. The responsibility for opening the house for tours and its interpretation will become ours. The board is looking forward to the move, pending the working out of details with Park and Planning. The Society's June meeting will be held there, on Saturday, June 15, so all members can see the house. Details will follow next month. The Sanguinary Practice of Dueling In the last issue of News and Notes we published a description of historic Broad Creek written in 1904 by W.H. Snowden. That article contained a reference to a duel fought in 1805 by two Prince Georgeans which resulted in the death of one of them. In this issue of News and Notes we present an account of that duel written by Susan E. Claggett. Miss Claggett lived at Keokuk, a family home not far from Upper Marlboro. In the early years of this century she wrote historical articles for the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post. The article below came from the Washington Post and was reprinted in the book, Duels in Virginia and Nearby Bladensburg, by Clara S. McCarty, published in Richmond by Dietz Press about ten years ago. The book, however, does not give the exact date this article appeared in the Post. Miss Claggett died in 1952 at the age of 94. "We had driven from Washington, for dinner at the inn on an old estate on the edge of the Potomac [on the Virginia side]. . .While waiting for a table we wandered about the well‑kept grounds. Many years before upon a level space on the river's bank and near a gushing spring two young men had faced each other in full view of anyone on the Maryland shore. At that spot the river narrowed as it swept past, and from where he stood a father witnessed the death of a dearly loved son upon the field of honor. "Broad steps now lead down the steep hill to the spring where they had stood. No one at the inn had ever heard the story‑-not surprising for 1805 is a long way from our own time. "There was a story, however, the circumstances forgotten except to those of the name, and perhaps even by them, but it so happened my companion remembered. He was a Bowie and his far away cousin, John F. Bowie, was one of the principals that ill fated day. It had its beginnings at Nottingham, on the Patuxent River, a town of some note in those days. At the tavern there the planters gathered for the duck and ortolan shooting and Maccubin, the owner, was no mean hand at cooking and serving the succulent birds. Among those who came was young [Enoch M.] Lyles, of Piscataway, a handsome and pleasing young gallant, invited to all the neighborhood homes. At one of them he met Elizabeth Bowie to whom he lost his heart. "Piscataway at that time was a district of wealthy landowners, and the center of social life....From Nottingham to one of the balls came John F. Bowie and his sister, Elizabeth, whose beauty and chaining way brought the young men about her like bees to honey. Among them young Lyles, who had never forgotten his first meeting with her and now paid assiduous court during her visit to the hospitable home of Richard Hatton. "He became extremely jealous of the attention showered upon her by his friends and others and gave expression of his feeling in so offensive a manner it was brought to the attention of her brother, and he, with the hot blood of his race, slapped Lyles' face. "This meant pistols. Later, however, when told the remarks made were not as repeated to him and finding himself in the wrong offered his apology and his hand, both of which were accepted. "But young Lyles' father, infuriated by Bowie's action, forced his son to send a challenge. The insult must be avenged. Early in the morning of August 7 [1805], the two young men with their seconds crossed to the Virginia side of the river. They were in plain view of several guests, invited by the father, to watch with him his son's victory and vindication. "But the outcome was otherwise. Young Lyles fell and within the year his father was laid beside him in the Broad Creek Churchyard [St. John's Church]. "Some time after I heard this tale, I received a clipping from my friend. It was from the Alexandria Gazette of August 8, 1805. 'It is with regret that we announce the sacrifice of another victim of the sanguinary practice of dueling. Yesterday morning at 6 o'clock, a duel was fought between Mr. John F. Bowie and Mr. Enoch M. Lyles, of Piscataway, Maryland, at Johnson's spring, six miles from this town, on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. They exchanged shots at but fifteen feet distance; when, unfortunately, Mr. Lyles received his antagonist's ball a little below the right breast; it penetrated his liver, and he expired a few minutes past 11 o'clock yesterday.' "The story was fresh in my mind several days later as I stood by a large slab covering a sunken grave, the lettering almost obliterated by time and the elements. With great difficulty I managed to decipher the epitaph: Enoch M. Lyles Died 7th August, 1805, aged 26 Go thou, my son, obey the call of heaven Thy sins, my son, we trust they are forgiven. Yet, oh, what hand can paint thy parents’ woe Gods only, can punish the hand that gave the blow.
Claggett and Mr. Snowden report young Lyles' epitaph differently. The Prince George's County Historical Society, Riverdale, Maryland John Giannetti, President 422‑8988 Alan Virta, Editor 474‑7524 NEWS AND NOTES FROM The Prince George's County Historical Society Vol. XIII, no. 6 June 1985 The June Meeting: At Marietta, June 15 Historic Marietta will be the scene of the next meeting of the Prince George's County Historical Society on Saturday, June 15, at 2 p.m. Marietta is a beautiful Federal‑style home in Glenn Dale, built early in the 19th century by Gabriel Duvall, a justice of the United States Supreme Court and a native of Prince George's County. The program will be presented by Shirley Baltz, a member of the Society, who will speak on the history of the house and the Duvall family. Mrs. Baltz is an accomplished local historian and has recently written and published a history of the Belair estate and the Ogle family. The meeting will be outdoors, under the large trees on the mansion grounds; however, there is a meeting room indoors should there be inclement weather. The Park and Planning Commission has offered Marietta for the use of the Historical Society because of the overcrowded conditions at Riversdale. The Society's board of directors has endorsed the concept of moving to Marietta, and negotiations over terms are now being conducted. This June meeting will afford an excellent opportunity for the membership to see the house and the lovely grounds. Marietta is located on Bell Station Road in Glenn Dale, near the intersection of Annapolis Road (Route 450) and the newly‑cut Glenn Dale‑Enterprise Road. From the Beltway, take Annapolis Road east through Lanham, past Glenn Dale Hospital, to the new intersection with Glenn Dale‑Enterprise Road. Turn left at the traffic light onto the new Glenn Dale Road, and then make the first left onto Bell Station Road. Those coming from the Hyattsville, Riverdale, and College Park areas may find it easier to come via Greenbelt Road, which becomes Glenn Dale Road at Glenn Dale. It is now a straight shot (8 miles) from Route One to Marietta. Turn right onto Bell Station Road just before (and in sight of) the traffic light at Annapolis Road (Route 450). For further directions, call Alan Virta at 474‑7524 or Fred De Marr at 277‑0711. Plan to visit Marietta on June 15 to see this important and beautiful house, soon to be (if all turns. out well), the home of the library and headquarters of the Prince George's County Historical Society. Guests are welcome, and refreshments will be served. New Members of the Society We welcome the following individuals to membership in the Prince George's County Historical Society: Sponsor
Lucille H. Bond Clinton Mrs. C. Clagett Birdie J. Parrish Hyattsville A. Virta Mrs. Hilda L. Hayes Hyattsville L. Tatspaugh Doris and Merle Nichols Hyattsville A. Virta Henry E. Billingsley Fairfax, Va. F. De Marr Irene Robb Fort Washington J. McDonald Josephine D. Jeter Coronado, Calif. Mrs. R. Waller Bob and Betty Borrell, Sr. Clinton F. De Marr Guy C. Barron Glenn Dale H. Embrey, J.Brennan
County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 819‑A., Bowie, Md. 20715. Two G's or One G In last month's issue of News and Notes we misspelled the last name of Miss Susan E. Clagett. She was a one‑g Clagett, not a two‑g, as we incorrectly had it. Miss Clagett wrote on county history for Baltimore and Washington newspapers in the early years of this century, and she lived at Keokuk, near Upper Marlboro. The St. George's Day Awards, 1985 At the St. George's Day Dinner on April 23, the Prince George's County Historical Society honored four individuals and four organizations for their work for the preservation of Prince George's County's heritage. The St. George's Day Awards of 1985 were presented to the following: Queen_Anne School, Upper Marlboro, for the publication in 1984 of a volume of oral history interviews entitled Prince George's Bounty. Compiled by the journalism students of Queen Anne School under the direction of Bob Weller, the interviews focus on the .traditions, legends, and history of rural Prince George's County. The award was accepted by Richard Fisher, director of development. Riversdale Historical Society, Riverdale, a volunteer group dedicated to the documentation, preservation, and interpretation of the Calvert mansion, Riversdale. The Riversdale Historical Society has opened the mansion for tours, developed a program of special events, begun the furnishing of the interior, and assisted the Park and Planning Commission (owner of the property) in the creation of a plan for its preservation. The award was accepted by the society's vice president, Doris Pullman. Glenn Largent, general manager of the Prince George's Post, who has directed the resources of the trust established by the newspaper's late publishers, George and Carmel Aman, to the preservation of the George Washington House in Bladensburg. The funding of the upkeep and maintenance of this important historic site had been a problem ever since the initial restoration; the future of the house is now secure. Joyce G. Rumburg, and the Maryland Heritage Committee of Prince George's County. The committee planned and sponsored Prince George's celebration of the 350th anniversary of the founding of Maryland; Joyce G. Rumburg was the driving force behind its work. Because of their efforts, the 350th anniversary was a most meaningful one in Prince George's County, celebrated by a visit by the Maryland Dove to the Washington Navy Yard, the anniversary concert by the Prince George's Symphony, the Festival of Flight in Bladensburg, restoration of Riversdale cannon, and publication of a map of historic sites in the county, among other activities. John Hanson Savings and Loan, Beltsville, for the firm's sponsorship and financial backing of the book Prince George's County: A Pictorial History, written by Alan Virta and co‑sponsored by the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce. Without the involvement of John Hanson, the book would never have seen the light of day. Gail C. Rothrock, honored for the exceptional level of professionalism she brings to the cause of historic preservation in Prince George's County. She has worked as a historic preservation planner in this county for five years, and now serves as executive director for the county's Historic Preservation Commission. Jean A. Sargent, of Laurel, for her work as editor of a most important research tool, Stones and Bones: Cemetery Records of Prince George's County, Maryland, published by the Prince George's County Genealogical Society. Mrs. Sargent coordinated the work of volunteer transcribers, prepared the histories of the churches that appear in the book, typed the manuscript, and illustrated the text. Because of her work, historians, genealogists, and future generations of citizens will have a permanent record of those whose final resting place is in the soil of Prince George's County. Before the presentation of the awards, Frederick S. De Marr was honored by a special proclamation from the County Executive commending his service to the citizens of Prince George's County as president of the Historical Society from 1972 until 1984. The evening's program was concluded with the unveiling of a portrait and induction of Dr. James Harris Rogers, the scientist, into the Prince George's County Hall of Fame. W.C. "Bud" Dutton of Upper Marlboro was master of ceremonies. Editor's note: The St. George's Day Award to John Hanson Savings and Loan was accepted by the firm's chairman, Charles A. Dukes, Jr. Quiz Question: What Roads are These? The Prince George's County Genealogical Society's latest publication, 1828 Tax List, contains contemporary descriptions of roads of Prince George's County. Can you figure out what roads these are‑‑and give their modern names? Answers in the next newsletter. "Commencing at the Priest Bridge on the Patuxent, thence through the White Marsh Plantation; then through Bel‑Air, thence through the plantation of Dr, James Magill by the Forest Chapel, thence by Magruders Tavern, thence by Lanhams Shop to the Muddy Hole Gate." [Commencing in Upper Marlboro, it forks] "near the Federal Spring, and running thence as a dividing line between the lands of David Craufurd and John R. Magruder, thence through Strawberry Hill, thence through Doctor John E. Berrys, thence through Mellwood, thence through Benjamin Clarks, thence to Centerville, thence to the Old fields through Nathan Summers's where it unites with the road leading from Washington City." The Odd Fellows in Prince George's County The 1913 national directory of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (a fraternal organization) reveals three lodges in Prince George's County: Forest 41 in Forestville:, Croom 45 in Croom, and Oriole 47 in Hyattsville. A fourth was nearby, Olive Leaf 146 in Indian Head. There were several in Washington. There were about 17,500 lodges nationwide. --Directory of Subordinate Lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows on the Continent of North America (1913) One of the Finest Churches in the Counties One of the handsome old buildings of Upper Marlboro is St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, on Main Street on the east side of town. The church was dedicated in the Spring of 1899, as reported in the June 3, 1899 issue of The Catholic Mirror the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Dedication at Upper Marlboro' Upper Marlboro', Md., on Sunday last was the scene of a celebration worthy of the birthplace of the first Catholic Bishop of the United States, Rt. Rev. John Carroll [1735‑1815]. On that day Cardinal Gibbons dedicated the new St. Mary's Church, which was completed early in the spring. After the dedication Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Dr. Alphonse Magnien, S.S., president of St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, with Rev. John Wade, of Newport, Md., as deacon and Rev. Thomas Mory's of St. Stanislaus', Baltimore, as sub‑deacon. Rev. Louis O'Donovan, S.T.I., of the Catholic University, acted as master of ceremonies. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. D.J. Stafford, of St. Patrick's, Washington, D.C., who chose as his subject "The Divine Origin of the Catholic Church." A number of distinguished clergymen were present, including Rev. John A. Morgan, S.J., president of Loyola College, Baltimore; Rev. Charles Damer, rector of Holy Cross Church, Baltimore; Rev. John Gloyd, rector of St. Patrick's Church, Washington, D.C.; Rev. James T. Gardiner, S.J., of White Marsh, Md.; Rev. John J. Ryan, of Gonzaga College, Washington, D.C. The church is a brick building trimmed with Hummelstown brownstone, with slate roof. Its length is 12Q feet, 58 feet wide and 60 feet high, and it is surmounted with a gilt cross. On the front is a tower 75 feet hi, ornamented with four brownstone turrets. It contains 2 stained‑glass windows. The pews, which give a seating capacity of 800, are of solid oak, antique finish. All things considered, it is one of the finest churches in the counties, and, as His Eminence remarked, compares favorably with the churches of Baltimore and Washington. The church is built on the site of the old one, which was erected about 1830. Ground has been purchased adjoining the church, and a residence for the priest will be erected thereon. A large part of the funds requisite for building the church was legacies left by Mrs. Eliza G. Graham, Misses Annie and Agnes Hill and Mrs. Elizabeth Snowden Hill, mother of the latter two. The Cardinal spoke feelingly of the memory of these kind benefactors. A solid oak communion rail, in conformity with the pews, was donated by Dr. Richard S. Hill. The baptismal font, also of oak, was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Francis W. Hill. Two statues, one of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the other of St. Joseph, which surmount the side altars, were donated by the pastor, Rev. Charles J. Trinkaus. Mr. Hugh A. Campbell, of Washington, D.C., was the architect, and Messrs. Wyvill Bros., of Upper Marlboro', and members of the congregation, were the builders. The large high altar, formerly in St. Matthew's Church, Washington, D.C., was renovated by Wyvill Bros., with Mr. C. Thomas Seltzer, of Emmitsburg, as architect. The enameling and gilding was done by Messrs. H.J. Trinkaus & Son, of Baltimore. Stained‑glass windows were donated by Mrs. Richard S. Hill, Mrs. Benjamin Bowie, Mrs. Eleanor Martin, Mr. Joseph L. Martin, Wyvill Bros., Mr. and Mrs. John E. Wyvill, Mrs. J. Eckenrode, Wm. S. Hill, Mr. W. Gaston and Miss Mary Hawks, Miss Esther Hill, Mr. F. Snowden and Miss Edith Hill, Judge Geo. W. Wilson, Dr. N.S. Hill, Rev. Thos. J. Kenny, and Henry W. Clagett. Rev. Chas. J. Trinkaus, the pastor, is twenty‑five years of age, and a graduate of Loyola College and of St. Mary's Seminary. He was ordained two years ago by Cardinal Gibbons. St. Mary's is his first charge. Beall Family Traditions Sought The Family History Committee of the Montgomery County Historical Society is collecting information on Maryland BEALLs (all spellings), especially the Alexander Beall (Immigrant) line. They are seeking family traditions and legends‑‑good, bad, comic, and tragic. The story that Col. Ninean Beall's hair was still flaming red at the exhumation of his body long after his demise is already recorded; but the committee welcomes all other family tales to record and study. The committee hopes to have as many Beall family traditions as possible recorded by September 1985. Please contact: Genevieve Wimsatt Montgomery County Historic Society Library 103 W. Montgomery Avenue Rockville, Maryland 20850 Phones (301) 762‑1492 or (301) 762‑1576 after 6 p.m.
Vice president; Alan Virta Susanna Cristofane, Rec. Secretary: Warren Rhoads Col. Sam Crook Corr. Secretary: Margo Ritchie W.C. Dutton Treasurer: Herbert Embrey Ann Ferguson Historian: Frederick S. De Marr Paul Lanham John Mitchell Alan Virta, Editor (474‑7524) Don Skarda 
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