Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-03-19


history. Another quite as great and
equally romantic has occupied the at
tention of the learned world, from time
to time, for many years.
Away back in the early part Of the
last century--so far back. indeed, that
the time is very uncertain-a distin-
guished family appeared in Cecil county,
and for many years acted conspicu-
Gus part in its history, being prominent
as merchants, soldiers and jurists
Bartholomew, Hance Jacob and To-
bias Rudolph, or rs the name is now
written Rudolph, were probably broth
ers. The names, Jacob and Hance, III
dictate that they were Teutonic origin,
as do also the traditions concerning
them. Little is known ef Bartholomew,
except that he seems from certain pa
pers or record in the Clerks Office to
have been well-to-do planter, though
| the records Of the county contains no
evidence that he owned any real estate.
Hance was the owner of much live
stock and many negroes, which he mort
gagged to John Highland and William
Bristow, many years ago, to secure them
MS sureties on his bond as administrator
of one John Kankey, who probably liv-
ed at the Elk Ferry, in Elk Neck, whose
widow he (Hance) had married. lie
was afterward W harfnger at Charlestown
when the people Of this county were try
ing to pursuade themselves that it was
the site of what would eventually be q
famous city. But little more is known
of Bartholomew and Hance, but Tobias
in l145 leased few acres Of land in
Elkton and was engaged in mercantile
business for some time ct or near Elk
Landing. He subsequently kept store
in Elkton, where in 1850 he bnilt the
brick house, now standing, two doors
east of the Court House. He also be-
came the proprietor Of much real estate
near the town, part of which is still in
possession of his descendants.
Jacob purchased the Bell Hill proper
ty, north of Elkton, where he seems to
have contentedly pursued the nnevent-
full life of u farmer.
Jacob and Tobias were men Of tami-
lies. The former had two sons-Michael
and Zebnlon, the Grandfather of Mrs.
Garfield, wife of the Presdent-elect, and
one daughter, the grandmother OF the
late VIM. Hewitt.
Tobias was the father of four children
John, Tobias, and two daughters, each
of whom married gentlemen named IT.
wing. His son Tobias (the second of
that nance was the father Of Tobias,
the lawyer, who was poet of consider
able ability; and Zebulon, also a writer
of poetry; and Mrs. Anna Maria Sewcll,
wife of the late James Sewell. and Mar
tina, who became the wife of the late
Rev. William Torbert.
Very soon after the commencement
of the Revolutionary War the cousins,
John and Michael Rudolph, entered the
American Army, the former as Major,
the latter as Captain Of light horse
company in Lees Legion, in which they
served with great bravery in the South
ern campaigns, in which Light Horse
Harry Lee" the commander of the Lee
gion, won imperishable renown. Their
courage and bravery soon won for them
the proud distinction of the "Lions of
the Legion" and John is still known
among the members of the family as
"Fighting Jack Michael was, if pos
sible, more daring and impetuons than
John. Upon one occasion he is said to
have led a squad of soldiers who sur
prised and captured a British ,uan-of-
war which was blockading Charlestown
harbor. Selecting dark night and a
fearless crew. the daredevil fellow APP
preached the vessel and when hailed
and halted by the sentinel, asked if
those Oh board wished to buy some
chickens. Just at this critical moment
one of his men pinched o chicken that
had been provided for the emergency
and which began to screech as only
frightened chickens can. This threw
the sentry Oft his guard; and q few
strokes from the oarsmen brought the
boat alongside of the enemy's ship, the
officers and crew of which were taken
| by surprise and carried IN triumph into
CharlcstOwn.
Very little is known of the history of
the light horse company in which the
Rudolphs served, but it is believed to
have been formed Of recruits from this
cnun+y The fathpr of orr tOWnSman