The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-02-25
WRITTEN FOR THE CECIL WING.

N the early settlements OF the colony
(172l) a cargo of Scotchmen known
as the kings passengers arrived in
Maryland
Among the most distinguished OF these
men, many OF whom became noted for their
energy and thrift, was Robert Leslie, who
settled on the west side of the North East
river in Cecil county.
The family of Lesly or Lashley or Leslie,
is first found between III and 1899, when
Malcolm, son of Bartholf, obtained Lesslyn
or Leslie wild pastoral parish in Aber-
deenshire. His descendants took their SUI
name from their lands. The family were
ennObled in 1857, when George Leslie Of
Rother was made Earl Of ROther and Lord
Leslie The title became extinct in 1871.
Robert Leslie, the founder OF the Mary
land family, married in 1740 Deborah jan
ney, daughter Of Thomas and Magdalrn
Januey. His three sons were Robert, Viii
liam and Thomas. Robert died unmarried,
and bequeathed his fathers property which
he inherited, to his niece Deborah Leslie,
who in turn wlled it to her nephew, Benz
min johnson. This property at or near
Leslie station, on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad and midway between Philadelphia
and Baltimore, is now occupied by Nj
Samuel q. johnson. short distance from
the residence Of the latter, the grave of the
second Robert Leslie has been identified.
The Johnsons and Benjamins of North East
aud vicinity are all Leslie descendants.
William Leslie, son of Robert first men
toned, married Christiana Hall, of Chester
county, Pa. His only surviving children
were Robert and Margaret. Robert Leslie
was born April 10th, 1865. Although de
prived of the advantages of a school educa.
ton, he very early evinced remarkable me-
chancal genius. AT the age of seven years
he had made in miniature all the imple
ments of husbandry then known, his tools
being only knife and gimlet.
About this time his father removed from
his former dwelling to reside near Elk
river. The vessels that sailed on this river
attracted Roberts attention. In 1775 when
ship came into the river, he soon boarded
her to observe her plan OF construction He
afterwards built and completely finished a
ship perfect in all the parts with respect to
sails and rigging. Soon after he was sent
to school, but the arrival of the British
Fleet in Elk river a few weeks afterward,
deprived him of the benefits OF an educa-
ton, for the appearance OF this fleet, threw
everything into confusion, and most of the
inhabitants, together with his tutor, re-
moved further from the river (Memorals
OF Robert Leslie).
After undergoing many hardships, and
with perseverance that overcame all ob.
stacles, he found au opportunity to learn
the business of clock and watch making.
At the age of twenty he set up the bust
ness in Elkton. About this time he mar.
ried Lydia Baker, daughter of Jethro Baker,
farmer of Cecil county, who owned
tract Of land, consisting of 800 acres, known
as ''Van Bibber's Forest During the
Revolution, Mr.. Baker was appointed to
collect blankets for the army, and in so
doing, contracted smallpox and died.
Francina Baker, the eldest daughter,
married Daniel McCauley. Among their
descendants are Daniel McCauley, ex-Sherlr
of Cecil county, and Judge James McCauley,
whose mother was a daughter of Franciua
Baker.
In 17S6 Robert Leslie removed to Phla
delpba. He arrived in that city without
money or friends, and for the first year had
very little to do. lie soon became ac,
quainted with some of the most influential
men OF the time. He sometimes visited DR..
Benjamin Franklin, who was then Presi-
dent of the Supreme Executive Council of
the Commonwealth OF Pennsylvania, and
conversed with him about the philosophy
of mechanics.
On the eth of September 1889, the Legis-
lature of Pennsylvania passed law en-
titled, IAN Act to grant and secure to
hootTt Leslie, ioT limited tlme, the sore
and exclusive right and benefit of construct
ing, making and selling within the Com,
monwealth, the Improvements by him
lately invented on clocks and Watches"
He made several other improvements on
clocks and Watches for which he obtained
patents from the United States under the
Laws Of Congress-
Not finding workmen in Philadelphia
able to carry his plans into perfect execu-
tion, he determined to 90 to London to
have the work done there. Accompanied
g L