Evening journal., 1899-08-16


MAKING OF THE NATION
Fenwick's Island, Nd. Aug l5.--The
history OF Maryland is replete with
brilliant characters and stirring events,
Especially is this true with regard to
her colonial period No state can
boast Of her men with better grace and
point to her historical record with more
pdrdonable pride than She 1t has been
unfortunate for the perspective Of our
c0untry's history that the art OF fer
reting out and interpreting events OF
national Importance was almost a New
England monopoly. Prior to the mid
die OF the present century the histori-
cal craft was in other hands than our
own. II is not to be wondered at. in
consequence. that the romantic and at
the same time vigorous events that
characterized the settlement and devel-
opment OF the Southern States have
been miRimized or untold altogether,
The important part Maryland played
in the making Of the nation has been
not as yet strongly enough insisted
Upon Virginia, to be sure, has not suf-
fered to the same extent as Maryland
New England historians secured the
htld frst and naturally and consist
emily masnihed the PurKan element in
the national composition. The text
books compiled by these authors and
formerly used in the public schools Of
Southern States have had as aresult,
on the other hand the minimizing of
the Southern element What Maryland
schoolboy has not read OF the landing
bf the Pilgrims, the Boston tea party
and the battle OF Bunker Hill? But
can It be said that he is equally ia
miliar with the settlement OF the per-
secuted little band that established it.
self at St Mary's. the Annapolis tea
party or the brilliant exploits OF the
Maryland Line?" The impartial his
lorian regrets this want OF historical
balance as between the states. The his
tory Of Maryland is just as rich in
great events and personages as that OF
any New England state but it has not
been 30 we'll unfolded.
MEN WHO MADE HISTORY.
There are some OF Maryland's sons
whom history, "as it is writ" has fail
ed to give the Importance due them.
There are others deserving OF notice
who have not been mentioned at all.
Among the latter is Thomas Fenwick.
nom which Fenwicks Island derived
its name. He was one OF those restless,
adventurous men who emigrAted from
England to Maryland during the latter
part OF the seventeenth century. He
was not one OF those who left their
native country that they might worship
according to the dictates OF their con
science. His object was the better
hent OF his very much impaired for
tunes. He had the hber Of a man. but
not the making OF martyr He was
one OF those practical. close grained
pioneers who made possible a success
ful struggle with the forests and saw
ages Of the new world. Both kinds OF
men we're necessary for the successful
establishment OF the colony--men who
would sacrifice their lives for the sake
OF conscience and men who we're not
afraid to lose their lives in the pur-
suit OF their fortunes. Colonial Mary
End developed men OF both characters
Fehwick took up grant Of land be-
tween what is now Lizzie Assawoman
bay and the ocean Al that time and
up to a century ago this narrow strip
Of land fringing the ocean was cut by
three lnlets. The mediterranean was
called Little Assawomam inlet, the
southernmost Green river and about
midway between these was sinepuxent
inlet All three have been filled up
for nearly century. II seems in fact
that the island is gradually rising
Fenwick's Island lighthouse stands
very near the centre OF this grsnt Sc
cured by Thomas Fenwlck.
Fenwiok was a prominent man in
local affsirs and is frequently mention.
ed in the records OF Srssex county
Delaware. and Worcester county. Mary
land 1t must be recalled that lii.
grant lay in the centre OF that terri
terry. the possession o. which was hot
ly disputed by Lord Baltimore ant
William Penn. Under the proprietor
ship Of the latter Fenwick held the po
sltion Of sheriff. notary public and sew
eral other minor positions. Durinl
the latter part OF his life he took NJ
his residence. at Lewestown. Del.
where he died and is supposed to hav,
been buried At his death the islant
passed into the possession OF hi
daughter, Mary. who married william
Fassett about 1885,
CAPTURED BY PIRATES.
This Fassett was a bold seafarinl