The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-08-29
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HISTORIC CECIL COUNTY
A Section of Old Maryland Rich
in Thrilling "reminiscences.
BY HENRY L. CONSTABLE.

lies the county of Cecilia county which
probably has one of the most inter
esting histories of any in the State. Its
history is closely allied with that of New
Castle county, Del, and Lancaster county,
Pa, which bound it on the east and north.
The first white man who visited Cecil
county, according to history, was the illus
trious Capt. John Smith. In 1908 Smith
set out from jamestown on an exploring
expedition to the head of the Chesapeake
Bay. He explored the Sassafras Elk
Northeast and Susquehanna rivers. He
first entered the Poghwogh (now Sassafras }
and assembled it for some distance until he
came to an Indian settlement. He was
received by the Indians with great kind
ness, and it was very difficult for him to
prevent them worshiping him and his men
as gods.
Smith then went up the Susquehanna for
few miles. The Indians he found there
were the most peculiar in appearance and
language he had ever come across. The
tribe was the Susquehannocks, and Smith
says of their chief that 1.-THE calves of his
and all the rest of his limbs so answerable
to that proportion that he seemed the good
lies man ever saw" Although this may
not be believed, there have been found in
Indians.
The tribe, which belonged to the Iroquois
nation, had town called Poppemetto, on
the Susquehanna, near Port Deposit, and
many arrow heads, flints, battle axes, cups
and dishes have been found, the arrow
heads being from an inch to six inches in
length.
On the Susquehanna, above the mouth of
the Conowingo, are the sculptured rocks
containing many hieroglyphics and few
pictures Of animals. Many Indians settled
around the head of the Bay, on account of
its richness in fish and game, and they were
expert basket makers and fishermen. Soon
after the establishment of an Episcopal
church in North East, several became
members.
FIRST SETTLEMENT IN THE COUNTY.
The first settlement in this county was
made upon Palmer's Island NOW Watson's J
Just above the p. w. & B. Railroad bridge
The date is unknown. Claybourne is sup
posed to have been one of the earliest, il
not the first, to establish trading post
tbara ALTHOUGH Coil did not baonn,a a
county until 1914, its history commences
with the establishment of Claybourne's
trading post on Watsons Island. The first
permanent settlement was made in 1868,
near the Northeast river along which the
P. w. x B. Railroad runs.
Augustine Hermen, the greatest land
owner in the county, was native of
Prague, in Bohemia. He first landed in
this country at New Netherlands. He
travelled over the country on business, and
having finally obtained Bohemia Manor
and Middle Neck, he brought his wife and
family from New Netherlands and settled
Ill this county. Because of the genial
climate and the richness of the soil he had
great deal of trouble during the latter
part OF his life in keeping persons from
encroaching on his property.
Before the war between the States the
Manor contained many beautiful farms on
the Bohemia and Elk rivers. They were
the homes of anyone who stopped, for
hospitality was unbounded. Most of the
planters were gentlemen, rich and educated,
and balls and parties were constantly given.
But now all is changed. They have lost
their money, have given up farming, and
left the once prosperous and gay country
for hard work in the cities, many Of them
settling in Baltimore, while their handsome
houses and beautiful lawns have gone to
ruin.
GEORGE TALBOT'S CAREER.
One of the most noted characters of
Talbot, an Irishman, who was supposed to
have been related to the infamous Dick
Talbot, about whom Macauley has written
in his History of England. Talbot pre-
ran things generally. When in the zenith
OF his power he had company of mounted
rangers, with which he suppressed the
hostile Indians that still fingered in the
county. He built line of block houses on
his manor, and by a regular code of signals
he called his followers together, either by
day or night.
Talbot murdered man named Rousby
on board an English vessel, the Quaker.
The captain would not surrender him to
the Maryland authorities. but took him to
Virginia instead He was rescued finally
by some of his friends, and came back to
Cecil county. The Virginia officials were
soon after him, and he secreted himself in
"a cave at the base of Mount Ararat which
was formerly known by his name. After
fleeing from place to place, and again
returning to the cave, he finally surrend
cred, and was convicted, but pardoned, and
returned to Europe, entered the Irish
Brigade and was killed in the service OF the