West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-06-26
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The Maryland Gazette of July
10Th, 1863, say: Fredericktown has
contributed to the support of men
to be added to Col. Cresap's force,
as we look upon the preservation of
Cresap's Fort at Old Town, to be of
utmost Importance to us, and
proper check to the ravages of
Indians, and to keep the enemy at a
distance, and thus, shelter the whole
province. July aIst, 1863, the
"Maryland Gazette. mentions
"Cresap is not yet cut off," and
later reports ''ten men more were
sent to his assistance.
The "Seven Years War" ended in
Europe, and with the ceding of
Canada to England by France on
this side the sea. (Sept. 1869
Peace smiled on our long suffering
colonists for few months. Then
England forgot it was colonial valor
enabled her to conquer the Canadas;
so, lest the colonies grow too strong,
she began to Cypress and repress
them In just a year and half or
March 2and, I765, the odious
"Stamp Act" was proclaimed.
The colonies rebelled. In Fred
erickstown, the Stamp distributor,
was burned in effigy. The Governor
called the Provincial Assembly"
together. Among those prese mt
from Frederick County, which then
constituted western Maryland, the
first one named is Col. Cresap.
This Assembly" adopted resolu-
ton against the "Stamp Act"
They did not stop with that. Feeling
was too high. In October, I76s,
"The Sons of Liberty" organized
under the leadership of Col. Thomas
Cresap. Nov. goth, the "Sons of
Liberty" assembled at the house of
Samuel Swearingen whose two sisters
Ruth" and 'Drusilla," married
Col. Cresap's sons Daniel and
Thomas, and whose daughter Flea
beth, welded the Coils grandson,
Daniel Cresap Jr.; afterwards a
Colonel in the kevolution). From
the residence of Samuel Swearinpen.
the "Sons of Liberty" marched,
two and two, taking up the coffin
containing the STAMP Act" at
exactly three O'Clock, with drums,
and banners, and civic officers, and
figure in chariot representing the
Stamp Agent, (who is named), and
placards containing more truth, than
compliments, they marched through
the principal streets, and arrived at
the gahows, on the Court House
green, where the STAMP Act" was
buried under the gallows, amid loud
huzzas. Then one Of the "Sons Of
Liberty" read paper, taken from
the bosom Of the figure, in a loud
voice, purporting to be the Con
fession and last wishes Of the Stamp
distributor. After filing up the
grave, the scclamations we're repeat
ed and the procession reformed,
and marched back to Samuel Swear
ingen's, where an elegant supper was
prepared, and a ball given to the
ladies', who made . brilliant ap-
pesrance, and many loyal and
patriotic toasts we're drunk, and the
whole concluded with the utmost
decorum." The result was, the
Stamp Act was soon rendered null
and void in Maryland forever, for
through the influence of these Sons
of Liberty, their leader Col. Cresap,
the Provincial Court Of Maryland,
March 5Ist, I766 rescinded il.
True, England repealed it March
18th, but the news did not reach
Maryland till May aznd, r766, and
II was already dead and buried.
From this on, the mutterings Of the
coming tempest or cyclone we're