The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-02-03
QUEEN ANNE,s COUNTY.
Some Facts Worth Noting About
Bordley's or Paca's Island.
From the centreville tMda observer.

,
the waters Of which entirely encircle, is a
body Of land, for multiplicity Of reasons,
well worthy our notice in these articles.
In Revolutionary days here were the lands
of the patriot, statesman and jurist. VIM.
Paca. A contemporary of Washington,
he, with the father of our country, was a
conspicuous figure in our early political
history. Member of Congress in 17T4,
l77s, occupying seat in the Constitu-
tional convention of 1876, Chief Justice
and Governor of Maryland, United States
Judge and one of the signers of America
Magma Charta, the Declaration Of Indc-
pendence. simultaneously with Paca on
the southern extremity of the Island was
to be found the old brick mansion, the
home of Jno. Beale Bordley, a distinguished
jurist. These two personages owned the
entire Island in nearly equal parts. The
upper or northern portion containing about
100 acres, and the lower portion embrac-
ing about 1400 acres The entire body
was included in the estate of Philemon
Lloyd Chew, who left the property at his
DEATH about 1770, to his two sisters, Mrs.
Bordley and Mrs. Paca, hence. the Island
is known as Chew's, Bordley's, Paca's and
| Wyes. The island is about seven miles
in length, with an average breadth of about
two miles, and is now divided into twelve
farms That portion which descended from
VIM. Paca is still in the Paca family, the
present owners being his great grand-chil-
dren, though the property has been greatly
improved That portion owned by Bord-
ley has passed through number of hands,
none of which today remains in the pos
session of any of the Bordley descendants.
Both of the old mansions have entirely
disappeared That Of Bordley, the walls
of which until few years ago stood like
grim sentinels, overlooking the waters of
Back and Front Wye and the silyery bosom
of Eastern Bay, stretching far away to the
Chesapeake, has entirely wasted under
times ravishes, and nothing today remains
save the inundation of the cellar and few
bricks. The home of the Bordley's in
its colonial days was an old fashioned
brick structure, which bore no evidences of
special display or architectural beauty. Near
where the old Bordley house stood may be
found tunnel crossing from Back to Front
Wye, which evidently was constructed for
smuggling. Its said that in the centre Of
this part of the Island where the two tunnel
outlets join, there was large underground
chamber in which was found bolts of silk
and other articles only few years back.
In the revolutionary times Judge Bordley's
home was attacked by marauders, who en-
tered the river at night. Twelve gained
admittance to the house which they robbed
of everything valuable, and on leaving
ordered the house burnt, in which they
were unsuccessful The Paca manson
which stood at the upper end of the Island,
upon the farm now known as the "Paca
home farm, and where lived in style the
late VIM. Paca, was large and imposing
structure, modelled after the design Of the
capitol at Washington This building was
erected by John Paca, son of the first VIM.
Paca, Of revolutionary fame, and father of
the late VIM. Paca A firein 1SS0 destroy
ed this magnificent edi6ee, and the dwelling
now upon the old site was since built by
Hon. John B. Brown. Aside Gom its
distinguished owners Wye Island has been
from an early period noted for its agricul-
tural worth. Judge Bordley took great
pride in farming in his day, and it is re-
corded that his wheat fields attracted
general attention, and it was no unusual
occurrence for gentlemen to come great
distance to see the beauty of his growing
crop. The Island has the honor Of being
the cradle of wheat culture in the county,
and not only was it rare sight to scan
wide acres covered with golden grain, but
it was highly profitable as we'll
Today there is no body Of land in the
county, embracing the same number of
acres, more productive than Bordley's
Island, or in better state of cultivation
A deep, loamy and rich soil it responds
literally to proper tilIage. There is some
stiff land in different parts Of the Island,
but comparatively little, the larger portion
being character of rich soil well adapted
to the culture Of wheat, corn, grasses or
fruits. There is very little waste land,
what there is being principally embraced
in the little ravines which ran up hereand
there from the river on each side. The
drainage is excellent and the rains falling
upon any part are readily conducted to the
river. Inreeent years this Island has been
materially changed. Where stood the prl-
meyaI forest today blossoms the wheat.
buds the peaches, tassels the corn and
aourishes the clover. Wheresone wheat
field Of couple Of hundred acres was
curiosity, we Hnd this Island producing
from 10000 to 25000 bushels. Its corn
crop reaching from 2sO00to 10000 bushels,
to say nothing Of the fine quality and rich
favor Of the peaches shipped by the thou-
sands of boxes The land naturally rich
has been under proper management brought
up to standard doubtless unsurpassed in !
the county or the stare.
The farms are all convenietIy laid out
bordering on either Front or Back Wye,
which affords excellent facilities for the