The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-09-13

The Legislature, by the act Of 1880, con-
tiscatsd the property of all disloyal persons,
and by subsequent acts sought to make it
available for tho redemption of bill of credit
OF paper money, which it was found neces-
sary to issue to detray the expense of carry
ing on the war. Comm issioners wero to be
appointed to take charge of this property
and dispose Of it for the purpose before
named. The first mission of these bills OF
credit, which were somewhat i'll the nature
of y forced loan, and similar in character to
modern skin plasters, was authorized by the
act of May, 1871, and John Docky Thomp-
son, Henry Hollngsworth, Thomas Hughes,
benjamin Brevard and John Leach Knight
were appointed to superintend the issuing of
the bills in this county. Several subsequent
issues of pa per money were made and tho en-
actments in reference to them contain many
,llusions TO red money and black money,
which can only be explained and properly
understood, in connection with the fact that
some Of these issues of paper money were
printed partly with red ink, while others
were printed wholly with black. A large
quantity Of this contiscatcd property WAS
in this county. Robert Alexander, before
mentioned, who took refuge on board one of
the vessels of the British fleet when it laid
in Elk river in 1711, was the owner of 900
acres of land, upwards of one hundred acres
of which was that part OF the tract called
Friendship, extending from tho Hollow, in
the town of Elkton, eastward TO the Big
Elk creek. He also owned part of " Belle
connell and some other land on the elias
-ow road. Two-thirds of his land were con
ti,cated and sold; AS were also one-half his
slaves, he having twenty-five Of them. The
property of the Elk Forge Company, on ac-
count of the treason OF John Roberts, one
of the principal members, was also taken
possession of by the commissioners, but
owing to tho fact that the company had
never obtained deed for the land, we be-
lieye the State never realized anything from
it. This property consisted Of upwards OF
1900 acres of land, upon part of which were
two FORCES aud "valuable grisL mill, >"
which is the old mill at this time standing
near Baldwin S factory, on the Big Elk, and
sixteen negro slaves. This man Roberts
feSlu6Q Ill lLOWtI hcllpn tO"hHhil', !
.lephia county, not very far from VALLEY
Forge, when the American army was en-
camped there in the Winter of l717-S. He
was the proprietor Of Il griSt MILL and being
a cowardly villain, and Il strong partisan OF
the Royal cause, conceived the diabolcal
scheme of grinding glass with this wheat,
that he either furnished to tho American
army or expected them to seize for their use,
in the hope and with the intention of effect
d.. I 80. ~ l. =
was discovered before much harm was done
by it, and he paid the penalty of his devotion
to the cause of both his Satanic and Britanic
Majesty upon the gallowS
The property of the Principle Iron Com
pany, excepting the part belonging to 1h"s.
Russell and one of his loyal brothers, and
one-twelfth part belonging to tho heirs OF
Augustine Washington, of Virginia, brother
of Gen. Washington, was also conhScated.
This company owned the Principle Furnace
and North East Forge, together with up
wards of seven thousand six hundred acres
of land in this county, much of which Is
owned at this time by George L. Whitaker
and the Mccullough Iron Com pany, together
with forty-two negro slaves. Them AZ
Russell was the onl ' member OF the company
who resided in this county ut this time.
He being in charge of the iron works At the
time of the passage OF the act of contisca-
ton, asked that enough Of the negroes,
utensils and stock be set apart to enable him
to carry OH the business, which was done.
In 1882 the property was appraised by
Archibald Job. Thomas May, and Stephen
Hyland Who valued it at 81, $50, IS, I'D. and
the next year the Commissioners conveyed
il to him, he obligating himself to pay the
State the difference between that sum and
the value Of his own share of tho property,
which was to he subsequently ascertained.
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