The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-14
THESTAR SPANGLED BANNER.
Some New Light on the Origin Of the Pa
nous Old Song

nous Old Song.
The following leaf from the history
of the county seat Of Prince Georges
county, Md, has been carefully preserved
by an old inhabtant Of Marlboro, aud
now for the first time, is given 10 The
public. says the WASHINGTON Poet:
The day the British army passed Mari
bolO an route from Benedict 10 Washing
ton, Or. VILLAIN Beancs, a prominent
physician ami citizen of Marlboro, Was
dining party OF friends at his resi-
denCe, among whom were Dr. William
Hlll and MI Philip Weems. Excitement
in the neghbcih hood ran high, and feel
Ing of intense hostility was awakened
against the aOldiery, who, during their as
cent Of The PatuMent and their march
aCIOss the country. had acted more like a
party OF mdTaudeTs than a disciplined
army. rne main body Of the army, on
the day referred TO, encamped at the
Wood Yard" about five wles from this
place. and a party Of stragglers roamed
into Marlboro.
Some of the convivial guests Of DR..
BeaDes. seeing the red-cOats in town.
suggested that the party so out and ar
rest them. and the suggestion was ADOPT
ed. and put into execution without delay.
When they were released they FASTENED
TO rejOn the army, and reported the
ana a squad was sent back TO arrest
the ringeadors of the arrestng party.
Accordingly. Drs. Beanes and Hill. and
Mr.. Wcems were taken into custody
and hurried off to Bristol. six miles from
Marlboro, on the PatuXent, at which
place Admiral COchrane's flagship lay at
anchor. AS a special indignity, DR..
Beanes Was forced 10 ride the entire
distance on a barebacked horse.
and the case was reported to Admiral
Cochrane. he was disposed at first to use
severe measures with the prisoners, but
better counsel prevailed. and when the
ship reached Benedict DR.. Hill and Mr..
Weoms were released. Or. Beanes. how
ever d.d not fare so well. lie was re-
tanned on the ship. and carried TO Balti-
more. which had been marked for de-
structiOn.
At that time, Francis Scott Key, who
was nephew Of Dr. Bednos. was ,esid-
Ing I'm Georgetown, -. c., WHERE he was a
prominent member Of glee club. which
was composed of what was then the
lest musical talent of the place. Hearing
of the arrest and detention of his uncle.
he FASTENED 20 the scene Of the approach
ing conflict and went aboard the ship
under cover of a fac Of truce, to secure.
If possible. his release; and there he was
detained during the bOmbarlment Of Fort
McHerry.
out Of the hopes and fears of his tenn
porarv irrrisonment were born the sen-
timents Of the song that has made him
farlous. After the bombardment he was
sent ashore. but DR.. Beanes was carried
TO Halifax. where he remained a prison
or fo- over year After his release be
returnd to his old home i'm Marlboro.
where he died in lS2S aged eighty years.
His grave may be seen at Marlboro to-
day. on what is known rs Academy
Hill"
When Mr.. Key returned TO Georgetown
so the story runs-at me first meeting
of his glec club thereafter. ne related
TO his companions the thrilling oxper-
fences Of his self-imposed confinement.
and the suggestion was Immediately made
that he commit the incident to verse
The suggestion was acted upon. and the
"Star Spansled Banner was read amid
great applause at their next meeting II
was first sung by them 10 ;he air of an
old Lutheran hymn. Thus il will be
seen that the circumstances from which
came the soul-stirrng words of our ma
uonal song grew out of a thouehtlcssIv
precpitated incident that occurred in
Marlboro.