Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-22
DOUBT CAST ON HISTORY
OF R0CKWL[EL LANDMARK
D. A. R. investigators Decide
That Russell House Was
Not Hungerford Tavern.

Incident to the proposed demolition of
the old building in Rockville, tradition
ally known as Hungerford Tavern, an
interesting review Of the history of the
structure has been prepared by the men,
bers Of the D. A. r.
April 16. 1909. the Janet Montgomery
Chapter Of the National Society OF the
Daughters Of the American Revolution
was organized within the walls Of the
building by Mrs. Donald Mclean, then
president general of the society.
Tradition had said that important reso-
lutions indorsing Massachusetts, action
in regard to the stamp act, which helped
to bring on the revolution, had been
drafted there June II. 1774, and taken
by Henry Griffith. moderator Of the
meeting of the freemen Of the lower
part of Frederick" on horseback to An
napolis.
Published in Gazette.
These resolutions were published in the
Maryland Gazette July %. 1774, and cop
Library at Annapolis. Immediately on
organization the Janet Montgomery
Chapter went to work to raise money
for the preservation and restoration Of
the old inn. and an option was obtained
on the property. but the business man
ager for the owner set such high price
on the place that it was not until re-
Gently that the chapter saw it's way clear
to purchase this landmark Of supposed
historical value. Lately doubts were cast
on the authenticity Of the tradition. and
the chairman of the Hungerford Tavern
committee Of the chapter proposed be-
fore any money was paid over that as
matter Of precautiop the records be
searched. At the centennial anniversary
Of Rockville the orator of tho day, a
gentleman OF unQuestioned accuracy, had
referred to the old Russell house as one
OF the most glorious relics Of revolution
airy interest in Maryland
Members Of the Hungerford Tavern
committee spent nearly three weeks in
running back the land titles After two
weeks research in the Rockville court
house. nothing was found. The COM
mittee then proceeded to Frederick,
where two visits were made, as Mont
gomery county In the early days was
part Of Frederick county. Nothing de-
veloping In the way of proof. the COM
mittee went to Annapolis. but again
nothing was found anywhere to sub
stantiate tho claim that the Russell house
was formerly Hungerford Tavern. The
records show that at one time a tavern
was kept In that locality by Charles
Hungerford. but there is nothing to prove
that the Russell house was the tavern.
Undoubtedly the house is one of the
oldest structures in Rockville, The earliest
record OF the Russell house found by
the committee was in 1893. The COM
mittee ascertained that the present build
ing was not on the ground where 1t now
stands at the time the resolutions were
drawn up in 1174
Owners Had No Records.
Owing to the lack Of substantial proof
that the old place was as claimed, the
committee asked the owners for his
torical evidence, but the family stated
they had none. except what had come
down to them by tradition. The chapter
then decided to let this option lapse.
The bulk of the money collected has
been returned to the subscribers, and the
balance will be refunded when a few
D. A. r. chapters meet in the fall.
In light Of the Investigations made by
its committee. the chapter has reached
the conclusion that Owens ordinary and
Hungerford's tavern were the same
place.
Owens ordinary stood in Williamsburg.
the ancient name for Rockville. in what
the site Of Gen. Braddock's second en-
campment in Maryland. In Braddocks
orderly books is the statement that he
camped at Lawrence Owens ordinary.
and in the journal of Capt. Robert Orme
in this entry:
ION the 18th april. 1850. we began
our march at 6 and were ordered with
our detachment to go in front. and about
2 o'clock. at one Lawrence Owens. fifteen
miles from Rock creek. and eight miles
from the upper falls Of the Potomack, we
encamped on good ground
Owens ordinary was q roadhouse be-
fore 175O in a sparsely settled country,
and It Is considered improbable that there
would have been two roadhouses SO near
together. an eighth of a mile at most.
Ihe chapter concluded that Charles Hun
gerford succeeded Lawrence Owen as the
keeper Of this ordinary. on the death Of
the latter. The site Of Owens ordinary
has been located by Robert c. Peter Of
Rockville. who has given much time to
the study OF this subject. Mr.. Peter has
decided that Owens ordinary stood with
in hundred feet or so east Of the present
courthouse In Rockville. the exact loca-
ton being now within the confines Of
some backyard Of tho business section Of
the town.