The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-11-14
HARTFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Searching for a Lost County Seat and Find
ing Good Dinner,

Searching for a Lost County Seat and Find
ing a Good Dinner.
Reported for the Egis.
The Hartford Historical Society, in response to
an invitation of Col b. +. Taylor, met at his resi-
dence in the Fork of the Big and Little Gunpow-
der Rivers, in Baltimore county, last Saturday.
Nov. sth. The object of this field meeting was to
locate if possible, the site of the Court House Of
on a tract of land called "Simms' Choice - now
forming part of Col. Taylor's farm. Dr.. Geo. w.
tracts, as described in the old patents, among
others "Simms Choice" Swanson" and Wig
maids Rest" whose boundaries so related that
it was believed if any one of their boundary lines
could be definitely located, surveyor could locate
the exact site OF the old Court House. MIR. Albert
p Silver was prepared with compass and chain
to do the surveying. Col Taylor and Mr. Alfred
CrOssmore pointed out several old corner stones
but the marks upon them were. SO indistinct and
the time orinvestgation so limited that they could
not be identified certainly with the points OF the
plots. However DR.. Archer finally announced that
elevation about three hundred yards from where
the party were then standing, lis the site OF the
old Court House" The party, proceeded to the
place indicated and found it pleasantly elevated
spot, affording good view of the GunpOwder river
where it is crossed by the p, w. and b. Railroad
bridge. No indications of any buildings could be
found. but numerous excavations showed beyond
a doubt that this spot had been, and still is. the
home of numerous colony-of gophers or ground
Mr.. Taylor's pleasant home is adjacent to Lore
ley Park. on the B. and o. Railroad. This proper
W, WHICH mas D660 kDOWn LOT MANY years dS Tile
Samuel Patterson property, and contains some 800
acres, has been bought by the new b. and D. Land
and Improvement Company, and converted into
park and pic mic grounds. The old mansion
house has been changed into club house and
handsomely furnished. Several summer houses
and a pavilion have been built and excavations are
now being made for the foundation of a casino to
seat 1900 people.
The same company have also bought the Old
Forge tract of COO acres, just across the Gunpow
der river from Loreey Park, and have had it plot
ted aud laid out Tor town. Streets and avenues
ed along them. This town is said to have Mary
land Avenue a Pennsylvania Avenue and street
named after each OF the counties of our State
Three houses are said to be IN course of erection
in this would-be town and the company has the
plans for S5 900 hotel which 1t proposes to build.
The Gunpowder river is here a rocky. picturesque
stream, which affords a good water power, liable
to be seriously diminished. however, by the in
creaSing diverSionOf the water to supply Baltimore
city. A rolling mill. a nail factory and an iron
forge existed here once but ceased operations
about 1856 and are now ruins.
The members of the Historical Society spent very
pleasant day in these interesting historic grounds
Col. and Mrs. Taylor entertained them with a
were present besides Mr.. and Mrs. Taylor, Mrs.
Clayman, Mr.. Z. A. Day. Mr.. Albert Blakeney and
Mr.. Alfred CrOssmore and the following members
of the Historical Society: Rev. +. A. Colburn,
MeSSrS. Jeremiah z. Silver Albert p. Silver, DIR.
Geo. w. Archer, w. T. L. Taliaferro ond W. Beatty
Harlan.
Mr.. Chas. H. Pitcock presented to the Society
the marriage certificate, III the form used by the
Society of Friends. of James Mason and Rachel
Scott. who were married I'd day Sd month, $780,
The signatures of 81 witnesses attest this interest
ing old document.
Before separating the members of the Society
passed a hearty vote of thanks to Col. and Mrs
Taylor for their courtesy and generous hospitality