The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-02-24
CECIL'S HISTORICAL
MATERIAL.

% Nassau ST., New York

by tne people at q handsome Inquire, while
priceless historical documents were allowed
to pass from us at a very modest price to
enrich the collections OF the more wide
awake people of Boston.
Cecil county has been wonderfully rich
in the choicest historical material. To
catalogue the facts would far overreach the
limits of this article. By far the best part
of this material has been consigned to OBJ.
livion. We have let the Sibyl destroy it
but there is much yet left, to preserve which
some systematic effort should he adopted.
1t is true some excellent work has been
done along this line. SchaIf's elaborate
history OF Maryland contains much that is
interesting and valuable concerning Cecil
county. Few localities can boast better
outline record than that of Cecil county by
George johnson. But these can do little
more than to make the skeleton of that
valuable history. That which should
clothe it and give it life and local color has
not been made permanent in any published
iSSoit' hlbiiuSlel viii ulIse Out udf
to do this important work, and will weep
that his predecessors cared no better fol
the materials that have passed away.
Cecil county has had an interesting and
vital relation to every great movement in
the nations history. Captain John Smith
was the first white man to visit this section.
Soma Of ho aarliaot Mt
settlements were within the borders OF
this county. When the great struggle for
liberty came on, men and means in liberal
measure were furnished. Henry Holdings
worth made musket barrels and bayonets
and Edward Parker made linen and wooden
goods for the use of the soldiers In this
business he employed quite number of
looms.
During the long war Elkton was a very
important place and its chief citizen
Henry Hollingsworth-wa an exceedingly
valuable man. He filled for long while
the important post of Commissary General.
He gathered into large warehouses at Elk
ton quantities OF stores which were given
to the soldiers as they passed north or
south. The head of the Elk river was the
main artery through which moved the
armies and materials for the great war.
There are yet many houses and localities
that are distinctly associated with the lives
of such heroes as Washington and Lafayette.
The religious history OF the county is
equally rich. The Quakers received direct
from William Penn the grant of land on
which stands the Brick Meeting House.
Presbyteriansm has splendid local his
tory. The Episcopal Church still preserves
many local facts Of great interest. Meth
odism has its recollections OF Asbury, Lee
and Chandler.
In like manner, did space permit,
might pass in review the various veins of
historic wealth in our county, that are not
being worked. This is not needful. The
more Importance and to this l must call
the readers attention. A little systematic
work accompanied by foresight and at.en-
ton would avail to preserve much that is
valuable now and that will be increasingly
so as the years 90 by.
| would suggest the organization of a
Cecil County Historical Society with some
such historian as General A. w. Evans or
DR.. c. NJ. Ellis at the head This organl-
cation should make collection of these
historical materials by gift, purchase and
bequest and have them deposited in archives
provided if possible, in the county build
ings at Eikton.
This society should seek to secure cur
rent contributions, papers and printed
articles on matters of local history and
preserve them. 1t would be well to enliss
the children in all the public schools to
write up matters Of local history. Espec-
tally should the advanced students in the
High Schools be induced to do this II
they cannot be brought to activity in the
matter in any other way, system of prizes
ought to be used to stimulate their enthu-
sasm until pride in their local record shall
be touched. The Jacob Tome Institute,
under the leadership Of Mrs Newell and
with the hearty patronage OF the Director,
DR.. Mackenzie, is setting worthy ex-
ample in this matter. The students of the
upper classes in the Senior School are giving
CLOSE attention to local history. All posi-
BILE help is being evoked. The result will
be series Of competitive papers, the hest
Of which will be published. Copies of all
these papers should be preserved, but who
will do it? If the Elkton High School
should undertake something Of this sort, l
feel sure that could pledge, not only the
enterprising editor Of the CECIL WING but
also all the Elkton papers for the publica-