Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-01-24

once gathered the aflStOCfdcy anu LIE
beauty of Maryland in revel; dis
mantled and scourged by the tempests
that have swept through the paneless
Wlndcws; shelter for tramps and
wayfarers and it's far-stretchlng
grounds the roaming place for hogs
there stands within two hours drive
of Baltimore city the mansion OF
Folly Farm.
The old manor house-by no means
a ruin, for its granite blocks would TO-
day withstand an army Of beslegers-
is the most prominent of the group
of buildings that rose 70 years ago in
the midst Of as beautiful tract OF
land as any of the many held by
Charles Carroll of Carrollton.
1t crowns the proudest, loftiest hill
of all it's thousand acres, regal in
beauty and sturdy as the mountains of
adamant.
1t stands there silently guarding the
history OF its past splendor, calmly
resisting the lashings of the wind and
the beatings of the SHOWS and rains.
Folly Quarter has not only historic
interest of it's own because of it's con-
nection with the long history of the
Carroll family and the special atten-
ton given it by Charles Carroll OF
Carrollton, the last signer Of the
declaration of independence to survive,
but about it cluster local traditions
and pleasant memories that have
made the name familiar to all in that
section of the country.
Folly Quarter is part of the original
tract granted to the ancestors OF
Charles Carroll by Charles Lord Bal
timore. They were given grant OF
10000 acres in Frederick county, with
liberty to select the best land they
could find. They first fixed on spot
beyond Frederick town, according to
Charles Brownings Chief Explana-
tion," but finding the land better on
this side of Frederick, changed to the
country surrounding the present Doug
horegan Manor, in Howard county.
A Wedding Gift.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton took a
deep interest in the management of his
splendid estates, and gave to this
labor of love as much time as he could
spare from the important services he
was called upon to render to his state
and nation. A large part of his closing
years were spent at Doughoregan
manor. A loving attendant was his
granddaughter, Emily Cation, who mar
ried John McTavish, British consul
at the port of Baltimore. Desiring
to bestow a fitting testimonial of his
appreciation and affection the veneer
able Carroll gave her 1000 acres OF
the finest farm land in Howard county
the tract known as Folly. In order
that she might live there in style
conforming to her position and wealth
he began, a few years before his
death, the erection of a palatial man
sion.
The site selected was a lofty hill
from three sides of which the eye
seheld the waving grain fields and the
fine OLD forests of the farm. Great
blocks of granite were quarried from
the rocky hillsides of Woodstock, anC
slowly the stately mansion grew under
the busy and skillful hands Of the ar
GiSans The massive walls took shape
as the months went by, and woodwork
ers and carvers busted themselves or
the interior, plasterers piled then
trowels and painters their brushes
Plumbers were proud of chance tC
install the most modern sanitary
features of the day and decorator!
eagerly applied their art to the finish
ing touches.
1t is difficult to learn just when the
buildings were begun, but they were
finished in 1882. Charles Carroll o
Carrollton died in Baltimore Novembe
IA 1882
How and why Folly Quarter received
its name is a question that seems tt
be considerably clouded by the mist
of time In the surrounding countr,
is a tradition currently believed to tn
effect that Charles Carroll, son of tn
signer, had accumulated a considerable
sum of money from his allowances. Il
looking about for a good investmen
his attention was called to fine trac
of land several miles west of Doughc
regan manor. He was pleased with
and purchased it. When he informe,
his venerable and distinguished fathe
of the fact the latter, according to tn
story, exclaimed:
That is folly; we have enough Ian
now"
And so, the tradition has it, tn
farm was known ever afterward a
Folly Quarter, or the Folly.
True Derivation of "FoIIy."
This would be very interesting e2
PLANTATION of the subject but for tn
anachronism that is at once in ev
dence. In his will the signer refer
to the farm as though it had been fo
some time part of his property. H
does not devise the estate in his will
indicating that he had transferred
to Mrs. McTavish, his granddaughte
before his death. He does, howeve
bequeath to his son, Charles, slaves 20
the farm known as Folly
The original entrance to the mai
sion has not been used since the oil
house was deserted, Is years or MOI
ago. From the roadway only parts
the old mansion can be seen, because
the tangled growth and the unkeE. SUI
rounding trees, some >of which, ben
evergreen, obstruct the view at a
seasons. Desolation is everywher
The very air seems somnolent and tt
bora troo branches GRO C1oa-