Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-06-13


lin; Ker, of Princess Anne. and McMas-
ter. of Rehoboth, Snow Hill and Pitts
Creek. Also of Madam Holden, the in
teresting. wealthy and distinguished
daughter and last descendant of our
Mackenzie, whose first home was on this
spot where we are now standing and
whose second home is the large frame
old Colonial house nearby on this same
plantation, and which afterwards be-
came the Fletcher homestead and
where was born Hon. DR. Frank Fetch-
er who is to be custodian of this monu-
ment
From her will and deeds on records
in this county appears her great love
for Makemieland. and that she was
quite rich for her day in lands and slaves.
and decidedly patriotic and nti,Tory,
all time. The considerations in many
of the deeds show not sales for money
but gifts for being patriotic. etc. and
for her slaves she humanely provided
that the old and infirm should be- pen
stoned. and that such as were to be sold
should be- sold in families only, and that
they should have the choice of masters
and that if removed from this section
of Makemieland. their old home, across
the bay. they should be freed a"
In this way also would like to bring
to life, so to speak, many other distin-
gushed of this portion of Makemieland
such as Stephen Decatur, a native of
Berlin. and the naval hero of Tripoli.
the two Colonels Handy. of Princess
Anne and Snow Hill, who were on the
staifs of Warrington; and Light Horse
Harry Lee. father of Gen. Robert +.
Lee. at the battle of Paulus Hook,
near my law office in Jersey City, and
Gen. John Cropper, of this County of
Accomac, whose home, Bowen's Folly,
near here and on the Ocean side, has
always been one Of the show places of
this section. and where is most melod-
iously blended the music of the pines
and the nearby surf; the rare music we
Eastern Shoremen so much love. At
and near General Cropper's home are
also the native homsteads of the Wises,
Baylys. Joynes and other leading fami-
lies, who have furnished and still are
furnishing their full share Of our
country's great men and women.
When Washington, during the Revolu-
tionary War. called for troops from
Virginia. it was General John Cropper
of this County, who raised the first
troops in Virginia and marched them
/ right up this Peninsula as far as Norris
town, New Jersey where Washington
had his headquarters. and when his
distinguished war services We're over
returned to his beautiful Aecomac home
more in love with it than ever. and
there lies buried in well marked grave
which often visit.
DIR. Bowen, who first started this
Mackenzie monument movement by his
historical romance. "The Days of Ma
kemie, has told us therein and today SO
much about Mackenzie and his labors and
times that | need not tell more of
these His address of to-day when
printed. will become valuable histori-
cal document and will be read by US
and our children and others with re-
newed interest.
What "A pleasure it has been to renew
to-day our acquaintance with him after
his long absence in the West and his
recent return to US to serve for while
at least the old Rehoboth Church. In,
deed one of the greatest pleasures Of oul
gathering to-day has been to renew SC
many old acquaintances and make SC
many new ones. and the having of d
good time generally. Experiences. al
so pleasant to-day, and to be doublS
so as we recall them in the future.
My great-grand-father, Rev. Sam
uel McMaster. was the last Pastor oi