Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-05-18
(From the Rugby Monthly
THE ANCIENT METROPOLIS OF
MARYLAND.

time ago to visit st. Mary's county. in
the State of Maryland, I determined to
take advantage of this opportunity to
visit the historic ground where once
stood the ancient CITY of st. Mary's,
formerly the capital of Maryland. Leav-
ing Leonardtown in company with the
rector of St. Andrews and Poplar Hill
churches, we first visited those old
| lchuches which are The pride Of The
good people Of st. Mary's County.
will not describe those buildings at the
present time, but will remark that Pop
lar Hill Church stands almost on the
site of the first church Of England. erec-
ted in the province Of Maryland. In
wandering through the old graveyard,
l noticed many old tomb stones. Among
them l saw horizontal slab still in
good preservation, with the following
inscription:
"Near this place Ives Inter'd the
Rev'd. Leigh Massey. He was educa-
ted at Oxford, Rector of this parish, the
darling of his Flock and Beloved BY all
who knew him: He dyed January 10,
1929 aged 90"
Another stone which is to the MEM
ory of a child, Joseph Holt. who died
1901, is probably the oldest tombstone
now remaining in Maryland.
We left Poplar Hill Church about 4
o'clock, P. NJ, and after few miles
ride the beautiful St. Mary's river with
its enchanting landscape burst upon
o,,. The rsvop y,ov,ot xao f.ou>
the Potomac about twelve miles inland,
where it terminates in little forked bays
which wash the base of the woody hills.
In the distance We could see st. Inigoes
creek flowing into the st. Mary's-aud
between these rivers lies the beautiful
plain on which once stood the city of
st. Mary's, which had been the seat of
the Lord Proprietary's Government for
more than sky years. After viewing
the magnificent scene for a short time
We we're carried across the river in q
sail boat kindly loaned to US BY a gen.
tleman residing near the river. Arriv-
ing at the other side, We were met By
the Rev. Mr.. Hunter, the rector of the
parish, at whose house We were most
Hospitality entertained by himself and
his charming family. We spent de-
lightful evening. deeply interested with
the many "reminiscences related by our
kind host, and retired finally with the
intention of visiting the places of inter-
est on the following day.
We arose quite early the next morn
ing, and after eating an excellent break
r.. ~. s..o,,J xoll -, L.. -.
ready and as our time was limited, We
started at once. "Where shall we go
6rst 2" said 1. "To Rose Croft by all
means" said Mr.. H. As "Rose Croft
was the residence Of Blanche Warden,
I the beautiful heroine of Hon. ]. p. Ken
nedy's charming novel entitled Rob Of
the Bowl" We readily assented. and
were soon on our way. After q tide Of
about half q mile, we arrived ut our
destination, where We soon formed the
acquaintance of the present owner OF
Rose Croft. This ancient building
stands upon the high bank formed BY
the Union Of St. Inigoes' creek and st.
Mary's river, built of imported brick,
and was built before the year 1888
Mr.. Anthony Warden, the father Of
Blanche, performed the duties Of the
collector Of the Proprietary's revenues
in the port, having received from his
patron and friend, Cecilus Calvert, the
grant Of large tract of land stretching
along the creek Of ST. Inigoes'. After
taking . stroll through the garden. with
its trellised and vine-clAd gAtsways. and
walks lined with box, We we're invited
to enter tie house By the present pro.