The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-05-29
miscellaneous.
HISTORY OF ST. GEORGES PARISH.
BY DIR. G.. w, ARCHER.
NO. x.


In June, 1928, letter was received from
Mr.. Edward Chew, (who had been authoriz-
ed to dispose of the bricks of the Trappe
Chapel which was approved. The bricks
were, of course, removed by those who bought
them, SO that, for the time being, no vestige
of the Chapel was left, its site being marked
only by the graves which encompassed it and
possibly by the remains of the fence that
once formed the Enclosure.
In December san offer of $3.50 was made
to Rev. L. Ell. Johns for his services every
other Sunday, which he declined" In the
following May, "the glebe land was sold to
John Withers, Samuel Irwin and John Kirk
for $3.50 cash, and $3.50 credit" This was,
do doubt, the Allen farm, which, it will be
recollected, was assessed fifteen years before
at $4,000, showing great falling off in
value.
Ats meeting of the vestry in Oct. 1929, it
is noted that Rev. Mr.. Higbee, by letter
dated "a Sept, has accepted a call to the rec
torship of this Parish at $500 year for six
months"
One year later Col. Jacob Michael is authoriz-
ed "to procure material to enclose the burial
ground belonging to his church" Why the
word "his" is used, cannot conceive, unless
the burial ground referred to was that at the
site of the old Gravely Church, near Mich
aelsville, which, as already stated, had pro-
badly been abandoned more than a century be-
fore. l believe the tract on which the ID
Church stood was at this time the property
of Col. Michael. visited this site about two
years ago and was shown by the owner of
the property, Mr.. Michael, descendant of
Col Jacob Michael, the stump OF locust
post, the only remnant of any enclosure. l
understood Mr.. Michael (who was past
middle age,) to say, that although he had
been familiar with the locality from child
hood, he had no recollection of any fence
around the site. 1t is reasonable to suppose
that If a fence was built there in 1880
he would have distinct recollection OF having
seen it, as it would have stood for many years.
Iftherefore this was the burial ground referred
to by the vestry, it is probable that their in
tention of inclosing it was, for some reason,
never carried out. The question is an inter-
esting one from the fact that some have
doubted if any interments were ever made at
the old Gravelly Church, while others main
tain that all bodies buried there were remov-
ed to other points. On the other hand, if the
vestry of st. Georges, more than sixty years
ago, made arrangements (even though they
may not have been carried out,) to enclose
the burial ground at the old Gravelly Church,
we may rest assured not only that they knew
graves to be there, from which the dead had
not been removed up to that time, but
also that they have not been removed since
for there are men still living who
would remember such removal. Hence
if the word "his," in the Vestry's order,
has reference to that old site, it is al
most certain that some-probably many of
the old parishioners have been reposing in-
that neglected spot for nearly two hundred
years. 1t all depends on that little mono
syllable "his" whether we receive or re-
ject this view. Hence, l repeat, it is an in
teresting question.
Do not the words "the battle-ground be-
longing to his church" mean. the burial
ground which surrounds the site OF the old
church which once stood on the tract now
to suppose that the order referred either to
the Spesutia Church, to the Trappe Chapel or
to the Church at HaYre de Grace, and there
was no other but the one at old Gravelly-or
rather, the ruins of one.
In June, 1881, "the vestry agree to contract
with Rev Mr.. Higbee at $275 for this year.
1t is noted at this date that the ladies have
held Fair for the purpose of repairing the
church. And in September of the following
year, "a Committee of the vestry is appoint
ed to act with the ladies'" who had mean
while CONTRACTED with Elijah Walton to
repair the Church, which is now nearly COM
pleted-the outside being roughcast, and the
whole interior made new. The peWs to be
rented on Saturday next" 1t is probable
that the greater part of the 5000 subscribed
some fifteen years before for repairing the
church, but so far as appears, not then ex-
pended, was used on this occasion in addition
to the proceeds of the Fair.
On the 18th Feb, 1884, it was resolved
that the Rev. Mr. Higbee having been called
by Trinity Church. in Washington City, the
vestry assent with much regret to his resig-
nation, which is to take effect on the 10th OF
October"
The Rev. Edward Y. Higbee is said to have
been learned, eloquent and efficient rector.
During his incumbency the great Temper
ance movement began in this county, which
he substantially aided. He seems to have
been a native of Delaware, as in letter writ
ten in 1881, and preserved in the temperance
correspondence, he speaks of having recent
ly visited his father (then supposed to be at
the point of death) at Lewstown, in that
State He also had charge of Havre de
Grace parish, and soon after his coming here
married Mary, daughter of Abraham Jarrett
Thomas for many years cashier of the HaVre
de Grace Bank. She died in 1886, leaving
no issue. MIR. Higbee was made Doctor OF
Divinity, and for several years was rector of
Trinity Parish, in the City of New York
He has been described by those who knew
him here, as ga small man, with a ma gnif
cent voice." He was very prom inent
character in the church. DR.. Higbee mar
ried second time; and believe some of his
descendants are still living.
On the 4th Sept, 1884, 'Rev. Robert L.
Goldsborough was chosen rector at $500
year, and entered on duty in November"
In May of the following year it is noted
that 1.-THE Allen farm has passed to James W.
Patterson, Edward Patterson and Richard
Green" At the same meeting it was "resolv-
ed that the vestry make and acknowledge
the following Seal, of the Motto, "God Bless
YOU" The place of the seal is left
blank Presumably, it was intended to be
affixed to the deed conveying the Allen farm
to the three purchasers above named and if
SO, can probably be found in the county
Clerks office.
In May, 1910, it was resolved that the
vestry are entirely satisfied with the services
of the Rev. Robert Lloyd Goldsborough.-
Mr.. Edward Griffith dissents, and resigns. y
In the following year, on Goth Oct, "Mr.
Goldsborough is invited to St Mary AIMS and
Trinity Parishes, in Cecil county. His resig-
nation is accepted with regret" He is then
highly commended by the vestry1 "The
Rev. Thomas Bllopp is unanimously invited
at about ri $500 year." Here follow
series of resolutions-the 5th setting forth
that "the vestry are grateful to their atfec-
tionate Pastor Mr.. Goldsboroughl for all his
kindness and numerous donations to the
Church and are only disguised with the fu-
tile attempts of few unworthy characters to
to prosecute Mr.. Goldsborough, being fully
satisfied with all the conduct and services of
! their Reverend Rector" Present five of the