Evening journal., 1898-11-29
MILES RIVER NECK.
Beautiful and Historic Eastern
Shore of Maryland.
HOW WYE RIVER WAS NAMED

THE NEW OWNERS HAVE Me-
elected OLD FAMILY GRAVE
YARDS. BUT HAVE IMPROVED
HOUSES AND IIAND-DUNDEE.
THE HOMIE OF COLONEL
HUGHES. THE FlRTEND OF MA
JoR ANDRE.
Easton, Nd, Nov. 29.-Miles River
Neck is one Of the most interesting
sections of Talbot county. There is a
great deal in its geographical position
and it's natural features, in the history
Of the old colonial places, the tradi-
tions and "reminiscences attached 10
them, to interest everyone. It's shores
are washed by Miles river on one side
and on the other by Wye river. There
are two theories about the origin of the
name Wye river. One is that it is the
namesake Of the beautiful Wye, famil-
lar to the readers of Scottish poetry
and romance; the other is that the
river derives its name from its re-
semblance to the form of the letter Y.
A short distance from It's mouth Is
Paca's. or Bordleys. or Wye Island,
a large body of land, which divides
the stream into two branch like the
arms Of the letter mentioned. The lat
ter is populariy accepted as the origin
of the name. but there are reasons for
believing the first theory to be the cor
rect one. It is in keeping with some
other things. Everyone knows how
many names of one kind and another
this part of Maryland inherited, or
adopted from our English cousins.
From the Wye and the Tired Avon,
q few miles away. there are numerous
small creeks running up into or cir
cling around the several farms, which
not only add immensely to the beauty
OF the landscape and the fertility OF the
soil, but also place the farmer within
easy and convenient access to the city
markets. as the vessel which takes OF
his grain and other produce can anchor
almost at the granary door.
There IS a good deal Of historic in
tereet TO be found among the old land
marks OF this section. Many OF the old
family mansions antedate the reYoiu-
ti)n. The site may still be seen Of the
old Dun6ee Church, (Church Of Eng
land). which stood up near the head
waters of Miles river, and which was
built Ear back in the last century and
xss frequented only by the local sub
jeets OF King George III.
Not far from Dundee, at a place now
called Lombardy, owned and occupied
by James NJ. Cowgirl, was the residence
OF Colonel Hughes, Of the revolution
airy army. The This gentleman was
with Colonel Tench Tilghman, another
scicn Of this section, a special friend
aud favorite of General Washington
1t is very interesting to know that az
ter the capture Of the gallant but un
fortunate Major Andre, General Wash
ington placed him under the charge o
Colonel Hughes, under whose command
he was during his trial and at his exc
cution. Colonel Hughes Stems to havl
entertained the highest opinion Of AM
regard for Andre as a gentleman AM
a brave, honorable officer. On III
morning OF the execution, Colone
Hughes relates, Andre asked for tn
use of his razors that he might shaw
himself before he left his cell. Tn
colonel hesitated, fearing he might us
them for his own destruction and s
escape through suicide the disgrace G
death on the gallows. Seeing this hes
tation and understanding at once th
fear which prompted it, he showed HI
hieh-toned character and his disdai
of everything cowariy or unfair, b
exclaiming: Upon the honor of ger
t.eman, / will make no improper Us
of the razors." 1t is needless to ad
that the request was compiled with.
The old homestead at Lombardy,
which Colonel Hughes lived and die
was destroyed by fire about sixty yea
ago while the place was in the posse
sion and occupancy Of Colonel Horai
Edmundson, of Talbot county. Colon
Hughes was not the only one OF Il
revolutionary army who, after the su
cessful termination Of the great stru
gle, found quiet home among q
peaceful scenes and refined society
this then very remote section. o
of them, General Perry Benson, resid
about a mile below the present NIL
river bridge. now known as Whea
lands, and which belongs to Louis
Trail. General Benson's grave is hei
There were others whb settled In {
same section.
The Lloyds. of Wye, once own
thousands Of Miles River Neck acr
Edward Lloyd. the grandfather OF
present distinguished proprietor
Wye House, was one of the forem'
-.na .