Daily Republican., 1879-05-03
WILMINGTON, DEL, SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1879.
LOCAL HISTORY.

LOCAL MISTORY.
The Old Club House The Great
Will case - william HOrsey Ro-
gers and his Connection with the
Family-Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines
How She Planned and Executed
an ElOpement,
The 10th of this month the building
known familiarly as the Club House,
situated on Market street above Tenth,
is to be sold. Of this sale We are re-,
quested to say that it is disposed of
under execution process, but it is only
a mere formal procedure to establish
its ownership on the part OF the Woot-
ten estate. The bull ling is one of the
very few historically connected. Around
it are clustered impressions-intluences,
that, rising up as if from grave-hang
with varied distinctness over the mem
cries of its founder, his history and
the antecedents Of his family. Men
ton was made of it in former issue of
the REPUBLICAN, bat in order to give
our readers a more distinct understand
ing in relation to it We have gathered
the following with some cotemporan-
eous historical matter relating thereto,
The building is singular one, and
stands as a convincing evidence OF
the designers ecceLtricity of ideas. 1T
was built bv William H0Isey Rogers,
Esq, of New Castle. Mr.. Rogers was
brilliant lawyer, one of the foremost
of the day. He occupied the position
of U. S. District Attorney, also the At
torney Generalship ofthe State. His
family was well connected, and he him
self being superior scholar, his society
was courted and greatly sought after
He married the daughter of Commodore
Barney, an old sailor, whose reputation
has become national from the fact of his
having INDUCED in the first scientific
sea fight tina. took place during the
Revolutionary war. The contest occur
red at the mouth of the Delaware, OPP
posite the capes, and was sanguinary
one.
Both vessels were evenly matched,
but at last through superior bray
cry and perseverance the commodore
was victorious and succeeded in bring
lug his prize in port. For this act OF
bravery he received the unprecedented
and enviable honor Of being publicly
kissed. in open court, by the Queen OF
FraYce, tn. unfortunate Marie Anton
etts. His wife was also the grand
daughter of Judge Chase, OF Maryland,
and relative Of Hon. John Barney, a
celebrated lawyer of Baltimore.
THE GREAT DAVIS WILL CASE.
Sometime after erecting this building
Mr.. Rogers was employed by Colonel
Davis to make out his will. Mr.. Davis
was the guardian Of Miss Mvra Clark,
now known throughout the country
as Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines, the ire
pressible itigationist of New Orleans
| This will case comes to us as one OF the
most important causes for action tina
ever engaged the attention of juy il
this or any other State. Col. Samuel B
Davis was man of considerable pro
perty some of which still bears hi
naulc although occupied by a man (Sen
ator Baya.d) who has since becom
famous. He was born at Lewes, Septenl
Der 25, l770,and advanced in years an
developed in wealth with the rapi'
growth of the commonwealth of whicl
he was an honored citizen.
III youth he was a sailor. and at al
early period of his life travelled to Lou
isiana. short time previous to its ces
sion to the United States, and there in
vested his means in real estate. Hi
purchase was in plantation property
and was bought at comparatively low
figure. While enjoying his proprietor
ship the cessiOn took place, and owing t.
the consequent increase of immigration
his lands rapidly advanced in value
While here he married FrencL lady
She soon dying, he gave up his planta
ton and returned to the State of hi
nativity a wealthy man. After tn
death of his first wife he married again
and had by his second wife five chill
dren, three of whom, New Castle, Della
ware, Kent and Sussex were named al
ter the counties of his little State. II
resided on Dslamore Place, handso,n
residence overlooking the city, now o,
cupied by Senator Thos. F. Bayard. II
had led an active and prosperous life
and had been distinguished in tn
public service, in recognition .
which the Legislature of Delawar
presented him with handsome swort
| About the time Of VIM. II. Roger
business connection with the famil
Mr.. Davis W an old man possessed {
unusual vigor both of body and minc
with the exception of his sight. Thi
affection was caused by cataract whic
in 1887 was operated upon. 1t wa
probably more TO the existence of thi
} afflction than to any other cause tina
the claims of the plaintiffs in the az
ton upon the will which followed til
death of Colonel Davis, was brought
a successful issue. The will was exc
cuted on the 25th of July, 1858 about
year before Mr.. Davis death, whic
occurred September 9th, 1854. Nj
Rodgers wrote the will and took it
: the house Of Colonel Davis, taking wit
: him Mr.. GeorgeC c. Gordon and Mr.. Han
rington to witness it. At Mr.. Davis
own suggestion private interview wa
had with Mr.. Rogers respecting til
will. The value of the property wa
estimated to exceed $l30,O0O.
Directly following Mr.. Davis dealt
the will was read. 1t bequeathed t
William Horsey Rogers, his heirs ant
assigns forever to hold and manage th
same without liability, all real estat
and personal property except 5000 year
ly, and dwelling house at 18th an
Market Sts., to the widow, and ais
lika snecific hau,las tn the childra,