The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-08-29

| two books of the articles of war, one dark
lantern, one perspective glass and one
picket compass.
| st. Navier's Jesuit Mission was founded
in 1904 by Father Mansell There was
also mission school, which is believed to
have been established there in 1745 or 1746.
AS it was the only Roman Catholic school
in this country it was patronized by many
leading families Of that religion, and it
was there that John Carroll, afterward
Archbishop of Baltimore, and his cousin,
Charles Carroll, Of Carrollton, the last sur
viving signer OF the Declaration of indie
pendence, were educated.
This school is said to have been the
foundation of Georgetown College.
John Wesley and George Whitefeld
both preached in this county. Whitefield
by his preaching caused a split in the
Presbyterian Church, which was not healed
for years.
Among the many emigrants who have
settled in Maryland none are to be pitied
more than the Acadans, or French neutrals.
Driven from their homes in Nova Scotia, 30
or 40 of them settled in Fredcricktown,
this county. They were so poor and
miserable that they excited the pity of the
Legislature, which passed an act authoriz-
ing the Justice Courts in the counties
where they were quartered "to take care
and provide for such of them as are objects
of charity, and bind out such of their
children as they are unable to support;
provided, the King does not order their re-
moval to some other place.
Among the famous persons who emf
grated to North Carolina from this county
and signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of
Independence, in 1775, were members of
the Alexander family. The father of ex-
President Andrew Jackson is believed to
have also emigrated from this county to
North Carolina.
MAKING GUNS FOR PATRIOTS.
There were no drawer nor more patriotic
people in the State than in Cecil county
when the war OF the Revolution broke out
1t was at the Head of Elk (now Elkton)
that the first gun barrels and bayonets were
manufactured in the State, by Colonel
Henry Hollingsworth. The State Con-
vention advanced him $50 pounds sterling
for which he gave bond for the payment
of that sum in good, substantial gun barrels
well bored and ground, of an inch in the
bore and 81 feet in the barrels, at twenty
shillings per barrel; and good substantial
steel bayonets, at eight shillings per bay
onet." The stocks were manufactured at
Chestertown, Maryland, and the iron used
in the construction was purchased in
Philadelphia.
General Howe, when he failed to capture
Philadelphia by land, sailed down the
coast, entered the Chesapeake Bay,
sailed up the entire length into the Elk
River and landed on the Elk Neck
shore, this county. On August 81, with
two brigades of light infantry, he advanced
to Head of Elk, leaving larger and heavier
division, under Generals Knyphausen and
Agnew, to cross the Elk to Bohemia Manor
The British under Howe scattered out,
destroying fences and anything that was in
their way. After reaching the Head Of
Elk they encamped on a plain northwest
of the town. When they resumed their
march they left small garrison in the
town for the purpose of keeping in COM
munication with the fleet.
The Americans had troops stationed at
Elk Forge, place of much Importance at
that time, and also posts from Kennett to
Philadelphia.
The British sent out many foraging
parties, capturing whatever they were able
to find. There is a tradition that nineteen
Hessians, who deserted the British, were
captured and shot at Welsh Point, on the
Elk, and buried in one common grave,
known as "The Hessan Hole, indications
of which may be seen to this day.
TRYING TO SAVE THE SALT.
The Americans had great quantities of
salt, grain and other necessaries o! life at
Head of Elk. AS salt was scarce they
were anxious to remove it to place of
safety. For this purpose Washington left
Philadelphia on August "a, and on the
next day he encamped on Red Clay Creek
making Wilmington his headquarters His
army consisted of 1000 men. He sent
Generals Rodney and Armstrong to press
forward and secure the stores, but they
failed. Generals Green and Weldon were
sent to reconnoiter, and Washington HIM
self rode to Head of Elk to make a personal
reconnaissance. He passed the night in
the old brick house owned by the Hol-
lingsworth family, which stands opposite
the Singerly Pulp Mills. Two days later
General Howe slept in the same room and