The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-02-03

the choicest oysters, finest terrapins, most
delicate fish, and crabs innumerable. Sail
ing crafts ply constantly to and from Bal
timore, and can land grain at Baltimore
city elevator III from u to Is hours at any.
season. There remains but little timber
on the Island The land is well above sea
level and thoroughly secure from high
tides. The shores have washed eompara-
lively little and there is no danger Of waste
from this source. The entire Island is de-
voted purely to agriculture. The follow
ing description from descendant Of Judge
Bordley Of his plantation shows that in
this respect the Island too has undergone
change aThe numerous buildings rising
far and near around the old fashioned
mansion bad altogether the appearance Of
a village, indeed was generally so consid
cred by passing strangers. There was the
carpenters and blaeksmith's shops always
busy Looms and spinning wheels in APP
propriate buildings; these prepared all the
coarse materials for laborer 5 clothing and
were supplied BY feeces from Mr.. Bord-
ley's own flock, and his own hemp fax and
cotton. On another side rope walk,
brickyard and Kiln constructed in 1873; a
windmill built in 1773, 1874. A large
brew house built Of his own bricks, etc .
Mr.. Bordley also engaged in the manufac-
tury of salt, as shown from the following
clipping from his biographer -" Mr. Bord-
ley very early also turned his attention to
manufacturing salt on his own estate, and
for this he looked to the river surrounding
it, as in that part it strongly partook of the
sea, by its junction with the tide waters of
the Bay. By small experiments, he ascer-
tanned the quality and quantity TO be OBJ
tanned and found it sufficiently encouraging
with view to "home consumption" to in
duce an immediate preparation for that
object, thus throwing aside the nice rock
and basket salt hitherto annually imported
from England Accordingly salt ground
was made aud sill the requisites procured,
and his experiment, as we see by his notes
and memoranda, proved quite satisfactory
and yielded abundant good, wholesome
salt Entombed iu Bordley's Island soil
are the remains of many distinguished
dead, including Judge Bordley and family,
who rest in the old family burying ground,
near the southern shore, in close proximity
to the site where stood the old homestead.
A few weather stained slabs are all that
remain to designate the spot where rest the
sleepers Of former days. A number of the
Paca family are hurled at the Paca home
farm but these consist mostly of the de
scendants of John Paea The remains of
the famous VIM. Paca are inferred at
"Wye, the old Paca homestead, just OPP
posite the Island home on the main land,
now the farm of Gen. McKenney. For
some years past that portion of the Island
belonging to the Paca heirs has been under
the management of Mr.. John B. Brown,
as trustee A large portion of the Bordley
estate passed into the hands of the late
VIM. Valentine Bryan, and at his death
descended to his children. Some of this
land was afterwards owned by William J.
Price, and the late r. J Carter, a part
of the old Bordley estate is now the prop
erty Of the descendants of William Paca.
The land of the Island has passed through
but comparatively few hands in the last
two centuries. attributable perhaps to its
productive value. The resources Of this
favored spot are limitless. This historic
Island could be made yeritable ssParada-
isical Garden In easy reach of the best
lands of Talbot, the home of the Lloyds,
Winder's and Keys the fertile soil and
delicacies Of the water, with white-winged
crafts or modern steam yatchs to quickly
trasfer you to any point, or battle you upon
the waves Of the sea, here might be re-
vived the spirit Of former glory, improved
by modern appliances. The manufaetur-
ing plant, the packing house, the oyster
canary, might all find place upon this
knoll Of land, and latter day a town bloom
forth in splendor. With steamboat faeili-
ties to Baltimore this Island could be made
a city Of no mean proportions in the very
near future