The Baltimore County union., 1882-12-02

Visit to Joppa.-A few days ago the Rev.
Dr. Leakin, accompanied by several Professors
and others from Johns Hopkins University, paid
visit TO the ancient city of Joppa, located on the
banks Of the Gunpowder river. From the old
parish records IL was discovered by DIR. Leakin
that Baltimore county formerly extended across
tho bay and took In what Is now Cecil county.
Here was held the first court Of Baltimore county.
The tide Of migration. however, was 10 the south
west. and the county town was then removed 90
Baltimore, place on Bush river, selected because
II was thought to offer good harbor. The harbor
soon began TO ill up with alluyial soil, and the
next move was to Baltimore on Fosters Neck.
which DIR. Leakin calls Third Baltimore For
the same reason IL was determined, in 1907, to de-
sert Fosters Neck and remove the court house 10
Joppa. Building had already begun at Joppa
before the news came that Queen Anne had vetoed
the measure. and the colonists were In sad per
plexity. In i7i2, however, the royal assent was
given. by which time the court house had been
very nearly completed. In all these migrations.
the evidence IL always explicit that their object 10
10 secure \ commanding position for inland and
foreign trade. Joppa was soon after made the
sole port Of entry for Maryland. and there can be
no doubt but that she enjoyed prosperous trade
with the West Indies and Europe. The process
Of alluvium soon began 10 detract from its harbor
facilities. and this, together with the malarial
nature 1.-THE prevalence Of smallpox being also
mentionedl induced the transfer ofthe county scat
Under the guidance Of Rev. Dr. q. A. Leakin.
who has the antiquarian history Of Maryland n,
his fingers ends, party made the excursion 20
Joppa. Arriving at Edgewood. station on the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore road.
the party was met by Mr. James Murray. the
present owner Of Joppa, and Rev. A. J. Barrow,
the pastor of 81. Johns Parish. II rather in
teres,ng for students engaged in the study local
institutions in this country, and tracing their
unity with old English customs, to be met nj the
threshold Of their Investigations by n Scotch
landed proprietor and high churchmAn whose
accent unmis;akably displayed him to be a native
Englshman. The party were driven TO tho resi-
denee Of Mr.. Murray. The parson. who was driv-
ing portion Of the party. pleasantly informed
them that they were on the road 10 Jericho; the
religious mould Of the Erst settlers further H.
iustrated by other Biblical names in the nc ghbor-
hood. such as Jerusalem and Paradise. Arrived
at the residence Of Mr.. Murray, which stands be-
yond the site of the town. the party was taksn In
charge by the host and Mr.. Smith, his oversecr (;
provided with q copy Of old map, drawn by
Rev. DIR. Ethan Allen. now in the possession
Of the Maryland Historical Society. the archeoio-
gists succeeded in locating the parish church,
which has been removed to Kingsviile, the
graveyard with some old tombs,ones. the most IN.
tsresting Of which bore the inscription David
MeCulloch, merchant In Joppa, died 18th day Of
September. i760.' A private graveyard Of the
Rumsey family, enclosed, is still preserved. Then
the site Of the old prison was found, the court
house site and the new prison site. with tho pill
lory and the amsn-eorner. Going then toward the
waters edge, the foundation walls of what 10 sup
posed 90 have been the warehouse were found still
standing not far distant from the wharf. Near
here was found an old English hatchet. which was
taken home. together with brick from the court
house. The party then returned 90 the house Of
Mr.. Murray, where n bountcous rcpast was placed
before them BY Mr.. Murray, TO which the most
amt.la iusfie9 done.