The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-11-13
F"T TIT NV'TT w
RecOllections of an Old House.

Passing along that way, lately my atten-
tionwas called to the old stone house, which
was lately occupied by Mrs. Lowry, until
the time of her DEATH and which has been
since abandoned, and has partly fallen
down. 1t is on property of the late Col.
Groome, about four miles from Elkton and
half mile north of the Nottingham road.
7 have always felt an interest in this old
house as being the place of my birth, and
associated with many early recollections,
as we'll as on account of it having been
built by my great grandfather, about one
hundred years ago.
woodwork was burned out before it was
finished, by the carelessness Of some one,
who was dressing flax in the cellar.
During the Revolutionary war, Jethro
Baker was employed in collecting blankets
for the army, which was, in general, very
lily provided with that article, and having
got some that had been used with small
pox patients, he contracted that disease,
and died of it.
He left three children: Nathan, Francina
Lydia. Francina married Daniel McCauley.
who died in 1913, in his ninetieth year,
and his widow died two years later. in her
eightieth year. Their remains lie in the
old grave yard at North East. Many of
their descendants are still in the neighbor-
hood, and many are scattered over differ
ents parts of the country. Lydia married
Robert Leslie, an ingenious mechan-
ic, who opened a watchmaker's shop
at Elkton, where he continued for only one
year. and removed to Philadelphia. He
became intimate with many members of
the old Congress, which was then sitting
there, and was patronized by them in his
business of matchmaker, in which he was
self-taught. He afterwards removed to
London, where 1t is said he received a pre-
MUM for an improvement in the town
clock. He remained in London several
Philadelphia. His widow likewise died in
Philadelphia. and his daughter Eliza, bet
ter known as Miss Leslie, an authorcss of
considerable repute, died a few years ago.
His daughter Patty, who married Henry c.
Carey. of Philadelphia, died many years
ago. His son. Charles r. Leslie, was born
in London. and returned there. after his
fathers death. to finish his study of paint
ing. i'll which he very early exhibited con-
siderable talent, and became member of
the Royal Society and one of the first artists
of the day. He was appointed by Presi-
dent Jackson Professor of Drawing at
West Point, but he only remained there
one year, and returned again to London,
where works of art are better paid for than
in this country. He died few years ago,
and his autobiography is familiar to the
public. His youngest son, Thomas Jeffer-
son Leslie, graduated at West Point, and
has been for many years Paymaster in the
L. 5. Army at New York
During my first recollection, and many
years afterward, this stone house property
belonged to John Williamson, a local
preacher in the Methodist Church, and
there was a class and regular preaching at
his house. The travelling preachers had
their appointments there generally on week
day afternoons, and came on horseback
with their saddle-bags. They generally
had good horses, and it is said that some of
them were very particular in seeing to the
horses feed after they were put in the sta
bic, having found it necessary precaution.
Among the preachers at Williamson's
were John Goforth, John Sharpley, Edward
Stout, Daniel Ireland, William Torbert,
John Wolson, Samuel Griffith, Thomas
Miller, Daniel Fiddler, William Lummis
and John Smith.
The Union Log Church was built in 1922,
and has been the regular appointment for
the neighborhood ever since. They have
now a new church at that place.
John Williamson had a large family of
children born in that house, but none of
them remain in the neighborhood. John
F. Williamson, merchant of Newark, Del,
and late Speaker of the House of Delegates
of that State is one of his children. When
a boy he was always called Fletcher. Camp
meetings of the Methodist were held in
Williamson's woods. l recollect of being
there, when a boy, and seeing a colored
man, named Prince, who had no arms, and
when piece of money was thrown down
before him, would pick it up with his toes,
and put it in his mouth. Mr.. Williamson's
evening hymns and prayers We're heard
around the neighborhood
Some forty years ago he sold this property
to James Lowry, who was reported to be
rather misery, and to have considerable
money by him. One afternoon, when lie
and his wife were at church, and no one at
home, a thief broke i'll and carried off some
of his coin. The old man regretted it very
much, but said he would not care so much
if he thought an honest man had got it,
but he supposed no honest man would take
it-he spoke coarse and fine.
There are some other recollections of the
old house and its occupants, but this ar icle
is long enough. Nee.
COunterfeiterS.
Col. II. c. Whiteley, Chief of the Secret
Service Division, has consummated one of
the most important arrests in the annals of
the Government. 1t will be the means by
which millions of revenue will be saved
All the parties arrested are implicated in
tbe manufacture of the celebrated Sixty-