The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-07-08
The Centennial PourthI
OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY
IN ELKTON.
UNUSUAL DISPLAY OF FLAGS.
ELOQUENT ADDRESSES.
A Highly Interesting Historical Sketch.

The recollection of the oldest in
labitant" of Elkton, who, by the way
a devout and religious old lady whose
wore than four score years. are IL tribute
he gentleness and Kindness of her
re, cannot recall more general
enthusiastic observance Of the Ma
,.-ral Anniversary than was witnessed
Elkton, on Tuesday. More money
" have been lavished in decorations
at other places, greater effort perhaps
may have been expended to secure rich
displays of bunting, but we doubt
whether a more successful and enJoya-
BILE anniversary of the Nations one
hundredth birthday was had than that
in which our citizens participated. The
day was ushered in by national salute
fired under the management OF John
Gilpin, Esq, and the ringing of the
bells of the town, followed by parade
of the Groome Guards, under command
of Capt. Purnell and Lieut.. Tuft, who
although not parading the full numeri-
cal strength of the company, yet made
very creditabe and soldierly appear
ance led by the full uniformed Elkton
Cornet Band.
At the stand.
At 10 O'Clock, the anniversary exer-
cises were had in the shaded lot adjoin-
ing the Academy, where tastefully
decorated stand had been erected. A
few minutes after the appointed hour,
VIM. j. Jones, Esq, whose active per-
sonal exertions contributed much to-
ward the success of the day, called the
large assembly to order by naming
Ex-Gov. James B. Groome as President,
Jonathan bremen, F. A. Ellis, Geo. r.
Howard, James Spence and John S.
Everist, Esqs., as Vice-Presidents, and
John Perkins, Esq, as Secretary. The
Ex-Governor acknowledged the compli-
ment in one of his pertinent and we'll
timed speeches, delivered with his we'll
known earnestness and eloquence. We
should be very glad to have inserted his
remarks in full but suffice it to say,
that his address, although the opening
one of the day, and as such rather in
troductory than otherwise, sustained
his well-merited reputation as popular
speaker. At the conclusion of his re-
marks, prayer was offered by Rev. Jas.
McIntire; after which an opening hymn
VS. sung by the Sabbath schools of the
town, under the leadership of John
Perkins, Esq, and DR.. j. H. Frazer !;
Mss Eva Perkins presiding at the
organ. The singing of the children was
pleasing feature of the exercises and
contributed largely to the pleasures of
the large audience assembled. Then
followed the
Reading of the Declaration of
Independence,
by Robt C. Thackery, Esq. This be-
ing the first time we have had the op-
portunity of listening either to this gen.
tleman's defamation or oratory, we are
not alone in our judgment in pronounc-
ing his reading of the immortal Bill of
Rights most admirable one. Deliber-
ate in manner, distinct in pronunciation,
correct in emphasis, and graceful in
gesture, we confess our pleasure in lis
tening to his reading of this model
document, not always as on this occa-
sion one of the pleasures of 4th of July
celebrations. His remarks, introducing
and following the reading of the Declar
alton, were strikingly well-timed and
pertinent, displaying, in our opinion,
thoughts of more than ordinary force,
expressed in sentences framed in Ian
guage chaste and well-chosen. We con-
graduate Mr.. Thackery upon the sue
cess of his performance, and assure him
that the opinion we hold of his effort
is general.
Interesting Historical Sketch
The reading of the following unus-
ualy interesting historical sketch, by
Hon. James McCauley, came next. We
need make no further comment upon it
than to say that it is very valuable
contribution to our local literature, and
as such should be preserved by our citi-
zens as a Centennial contribution to
our county history:
SESlL SoONlIs
1t is not an easy matter, on short
notice, to condense the history of a century
into the space of an hour, and to gather
up the interesting events of early settle
ments where there is little or no public
record of the times-no newspaper to per-
petuate its history. l shall, therefore. have
to content myself with such records and
traditions as are now accessible, touching
tho aarlu sattlarc pf thQir
labors, manner Of building and farming,
their dress and sports; the establishment
of manufactures, Of canals and railways,
and to recite the history of important e0ents
in our county, and of distinguished indi-
Yidudls whom we claim as citizens, and
perhaps to recount the progress of the
ciosing century.
The Province of Maryland was granted
to George Calvert, Baron of Baltimore, in
1880, but, George dying before taking pos
session, the grant was confirmed to his son
Cecilius from whom Cecil county derived
its name.
A land Office was soon established at St.
Mary's, and warrants were issued on appli.
cation to take up vacant land. Bohemia
M nor was granted to Augustine Herman,
including all the land between Bohemia
and Elk rivers and Back Creek to the
Appoquinimink On settling the line a
part of this fell in Delaware.
New Connaught Manor, comprising all
the land between the North East and Sus-
quehanna rivers to the mouth of the Octo-
raro, and up the Octoraro to Stone run,
and then to the North East creek and
down the same to tide water, containing
81, 0Oo acres, was granted to George Talbot,
OF Roscommon, Ireland. New Munster
was granted to Edward o. Dwire, and St.
Johns Manor, in Elk Neck, to John Pate.
The tract on which Elkton now stands, of
400 acres, was granted to John Painter.
Herman and Talbot leased their lands on
very moderate terms. Talbot, having killed
Collector named Rouseby on board a YES
sci on the Patuxent, secreted himself for
some time in cave near the Susauehanna,
was at length arrested, and taken over to
England, tried, found guilty, and his lands
confscated. These were sold after the
Revolution by the Intendant of the Reve.
nue., with presumption in favor of actual
settlers.
Bohemia Manor was divided about the