The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-01-05
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY.
Francis Scott Key, Jr.-The "Elms Re
miniscences.

E6A0C1b oCUxT Il kG1s
Francis Scott Key, Jr.-The "Elms" Re
miniscences.
Bordering the Westminster Turn
pike for about one mile, at Glen Falls,
small station on the Western Mary
land Railroad, two and one-half miles
west of Reisterstown, and one mile east
of Finksburg, Carroll county, Md, is
located property famous as having
once been the home of Francis Scott
Key, Jr., son of the illustrious author
of the inspired national poem, "The
Star Spangled Banner"
The "Elms," so named from the
long rows of stately elms which for
merly lined the winding driveway
leading from the turnpike to the man
sion, now embraces about 225 acres,
though at one time it was part of
much larger tract from which was
taken the historical estate, Mont
rose, )" formerly the home of the Bona
parties. The colonial mansion two
and-half stories high, with wide dor
mer windows, was built in the latter
part of the eighteenth century, and
bears the impress Of the primitive
methods, painstaking and expensive,
that characterized the construction of
the colonial homes of the aristocracy
in the early days of the common
wealth. The walls are stone, reared
on foundation three feet thick. The
nails used in the building are all hand
made. The shutter hinges were forged
by the smith and screwed into the
easements. The interior woodwork
is a marvel of patience and skill, hav-
ing been finished by hand, the man
tells being carved in graceful lines
with chisel and gouge, in those charm
ing designs peculiar to the age in
which the mansion was erected. and
long before machinery supplanted the
labors of the artisan.
There are fifteen rooms In the
dwelling, several of generous dimen-
sions, and when built it was by far
the most imposing estate in that sec
ton, with but few, if any, surprising
it in the State. The Typographical
contour has been so changed since the
estate was located that its original
distinguishing FEATURES nave been
transformed. The improvements for
merry fronted on road that led from
Finksburg to Reisterstown, entering
the latter place at point opposite
the present Central Hotel. When
the Reisterstown and Westminster
turnpike was built in 18o5-oS, the
old "Rolling" road was abandoned,
and the rear of the building faced the
new turnpike, to reach which wind
ing driveway was located, and lined
with elm trees, which in time grew
to become a distinguishing feature,
and gave the name to the estate.
In order to conform to the require
ments made necessary by the change
of roads, additions were made to the
original building, porches and veran-
das being added, so that what was
formerly the rear of the house has
been transformed to front entrance.
Inthe kitchen still remains the Dutch
oven," so essentially part of the do
nestle life of our ancestors, while
there still hangs in the large fireplace
the old-fashioned crane and hangers,
from which were suspended the pots
and kettles used in preparing the
meals.
The hospitality proverbial of the
age was generously dispensed by the
different owners of the "Elms," and
the lavish entertainments given there
to the beaux and bellies of Baltimore
and the country surrounding, furnish
entertaining "reminiscences to the older
inhabitants in the neighborhood to
this day.
To the left of the turnpike, at the
foot of the hill, on the bank of the
main branch of the Patapsco river,
stand the stone walls of the old grist
mill, erected at the time the mansion
was built, to grind the cereals raised
on the farm, as well as those of the
neighbors. Long years ago the old
mill outlived its usefulness, was con-
verted into dwelling and now stands
deserted, a mute witness of the mu-
tations of time.
Francis Scott Key, Jr., the son of
the immortal author of the "Star
Spangled Banner" owned and occu-
pied the Films" from 1885 to 1850,
Mr.. Key was remarkable in many re-
spects. He was a type of the old
school of Maryland gentleman. In
appearance he was of average build,
FIVE feet, ten inches tall, weighed
about 100 pounds, muscular, and
walked very erect was proverbially
generous, impulsive, fond of good
living and entertained lavishly.
He dressed in colonial style, wore
knickerbockers or knee breeches, blue
coat, with brass buttons, buff vest,
low shoes with buckles, powdered
wig with queue, walked with a stout
cane and was very affable and genial.
He came to Reisterstown for his mail,
was acquainted with everybody in the
village, and always had a pleasant
word for all he met. He was a
staunch Democrat, and always took
an active interest in the political cam
paigns. It is related that during the
campaign of 184o, when Harrison,
the Whig candidate, was elected Presi-
dent, Mr.. Key, who strongly cham
pioned Van Buren, the Democratic
candidate, gathered large body of
his partisan neighbors and with
band of music, drove coach, drawn
by ten iron-gray horses, to Baltimore
twenty miles distant, to participate in
the ceremonies attendant upon the
nomination of Van Buren. His father