The life and times of Hon. Elijah Stansbury : an "old defender" and ex-mayor of Baltimore; together with early reminiscences, dating from 1662, and embracing a period of 212 years

Preface

In writing tliis introduction, we deem it scarcely necessary to remind the intelligent reader of the many brave and useful men whose valarous deeds and valuable public services have been suffered to pass into utter oblivion, because the hand of friendship and earnest affection had failed to stamp them on the historic page. It is true that Elijah Stansbury has never distinguished himself on the battle field as a renowned military chieftain, such as a Washington, Lee, or a Jackson; nor has he been known to figure in the halls of legislation as a great orator or statesman, such as a Clay, Webster, Pinkney, or a McMahon — yet he has, in his sphere, rendered valuable service in his day and generation. Appreciating that service, and impelled by good motives, the following pages are written with a lively hope and an earnest desire of perpetuating the memory of one whose successful and useful life should be held up to the present and rising generation, as well as posterity, to be studied as an example worthy of imitation. Mr. Stansbury's sands of life have nearly completed their course, the venerable man being now in his eighty-third year, and one of the very few "Old Defenders" yet surviving; therefore it is but reasonable to conclude that he will not be with us much longer, and it is now while remaining with us we have thought it eminently proper to utter this humble and sincere testimonial of regard for one who, as a true patriot, had been from his youth devoted to this city and his country's noble cause, like his brave and honored predecessors in the Mayoralty, Captain John Montgomery and General Samuel Smith, whose names, as well as those of many other distinguished cotemporaries, are recorded gratefully in the volume. In compiling we have interwoven some of the most interesting and important local events of Baltimore city during the present century, together with reminiscences as far back as 1662. The events of this century include a minute account of the Battle of North Point — some incidents never recorded before — the three Floods OF Jones' Falls, independent of the firet one 1786. The Grand 1* V

VI TREFACE.

Reception of Lafayette as the " Nation's Guest," and a description of the Brilliant Illumination, 1824. The Grand Military, Masonic and Civil Procession in 1828, commemorative of haying the First Stone of the Baltimore and Ohio Kailroad, by the venerable Charles Carroll of Carrolton, aged ninety-one years, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. The Falling Meteors in 1833. The Notorious Mob of 1835, in which the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, John B. Morris, Esq., and other gentlemen had their property most outrageously destroyed, and to compensate whom the Maryland Legislature afterwards so promptly and justly passed the Indemnity Act. The Inauguration of Morse's Electro-Magnetic Telegraph, 1844. The Grand Reception of the noble Hungarian Patriot Kossuth, 1852; Something new and interesting about the Star Spangled Banner ; together with some very interesting and useful statistics, all of which as a local historical group, with its lights and shadows, we trust will interest the reader and render this an acceptable if not a faultless volume. We think it fit and proper to say here that this book is not published for mere speculation, the number issued being very limited, Colonel Stansbury having no pecuniary interest whatever, in the sale of it either directly or indirectly, he being, as is well known by this community, entirely independent in his circumstances and perfectly free from the hankering desire for gain, or haunted by the " lust of lucre and the dread of death." This statement is voluntarily made, unsolicited by the Colonel whom the writer knows to be extremely sensitive regarding matters of that kind. Mr. Stansbury's Messages, with the accompanying documents, are given to show the flourishing condition of Baltimore during his administration.

In the local elections we have thought proper to give the returns in detail, with the names of all the candidates; also the names of the committees appointed at the various meetings and on the military and civic balls, &c., believing that the lists will prove very interesting to the survivors — doubtless reviving the " fond though sad memories of by-gone days."

ARCHIBALD HAWKINS.

Baltimore, March 12th, 1874.

Chapter I. PAOE

Birth of Elijah Stansbury — His Ancestors — The Youthful Captain — His Habits and Peculiarities — His Voluntary Apprenticeship 13

Chapter II

The War of 1812 — Patriotism of the Baltimoreans — The "Old Maryland Line" — General Mordecai Gist — General Otho Williams — His Capture — Cruel Treatment by the Enemy — Appointment as Collector of thp Port of Baltimore by Washington— Colonel John Eager Howard — His Bravery at the Battles of Camden and ''The Cowpens " — Chosen Governor of Maryland— General Samuel Smith — His Gallant Defence at Mud Fort — Forty Years in Congress, «S:c 19

Chapter III

The Battle of North Point — Mr. Stansbury Volunteers though Lame — Captain John Montgomery his Commander — Union Artillery — Major-General Ross — Admiral Cockburn — General Strieker — Colonel Paul Bentalau — General Winder — Virginia Militia — United States Cavalry 24

Chapter IV

The Bombardment of Fort McHenry — Major Armslead — Fort Covington — City Battery — Lazaretto — Commodores Rodgers and Barney — Colonel Brook — Major Frailey's Report of the Killed and Wounded, &c 31

Chapter V

Captain Montgomery as State's Attorney — His Noble Vindication of his Young Friend Stansbury — Captain J. S. Stiles — Banquet at Watkin's Hotel — Battle Monument — Colonel Samuel Moore — Governor Veazy — Lieutenant Stansbury... 48

Chapter YI.

PAGE.

Battle of Life — Mr. Stansbury as a Builder — His Marriage — His Political Principles — First Entrance into Public Life — His Gallant Commander is Elected Mayor of Baltimore — Mr. Stansbury and several other Defenders Elected to City Council, &c 53

CnAl'TER YII.

Ecception of Lafayette — His Arrival at Fort McHenry — Charles Carroll of Carrolton — Colonel Hindman — George Washington Lafayette — Monsieur Le Vasseur — Society of Cincinnati — Washington's Tent — Alexander McKim — William Patterson — Samuel Hollingsworth — Nathaniel Levy — Campaign in Virginia, 1781 — De Kalb Cadets — " Gratitude " — " Triumph of Liberty" — Brilliant Illumination at Night — Major-General Goodloe Harper — The Toast' of the " Nation's Guest." G4

Chapter YIIL

Presentations — General Harper's Address — Lafayette's Feeling Beply — French Kesidents — Yenerable Du Bois Martin — Mr. Gerardin — Fountain Inn — Yisit to the Grand Lodge — Colonel Benjamin C. Howard — Grand Ball and Supper at the Holliday Street Theatre and Assembly Booms — Brilliant Spectacle — Mottoes in Gold Letters — Unbounded Enthusiasm — Congress Yotes the Yenerable Patriot an Independent Fortune 75

Chapter IX.

The Colonel's First Entrance into Public Life, Continued — Population of Baltimore — City Council — Public Schools ~^ Established 1829— Jew Bill— J. J. Cohen, Esq.— S. Etting, Esq. — Elected to City Council — The Meteoric Phenomenon, 1833 — Baltimore American 81

CONTENTS. IX

Chapter X.

PAGK.

The Notorious Mob in Baltimore, 1835— The True Origin— An Exciting Aflair— Judge Brice — Gaming Establishments —Monument Square, 5th of August, 1835— Bank of Maryland—Jesse Hunt, Esq., Mayor— Public Meeting, 7th— Captain A. I. W. Jackson— The Watchmen, &c 89

Chapter XI.

The House of John Glenn, Esq.— Dr. Samuel Baker— Pistol— Wounded— The People Fired on— The Killed and Wounded —Charles street— Reverdy Johnson, Esq's House in Monument square — Bloodshed — W^ashington Blues — W^olfe and others killed in Charles street — Attack on Mr. Glenn's House — Attack on Mr. Johnson's House — American Eagle — Valuable Library and Furniture Destroyed — Portico hurled from its base, cost $2,000— Attack on the House of John B. Morris, Esq. — Attack on the House of Jesse Hunt, Esq.— Captain Joseph Willey— Dr. Hintze— E. T. Poultney, Esq —Evan T. Ellicott, Esq.— Hugh McElderry, Esq. — Captain Bentzinger — Genenil Samuel Smith 101

Chapter XII.

The Disastrous Floods of 1786, 1817 and 1837— Great Destruction of Property and Human Life — Thrilling Scenes within the City — Colonel Stansbury's election to the Legislatures

Chapter XIII.

Colonel Stansbury's Installation into Office — Many Conjectures Concerning His Nominations — His Independency of Spirit — His Eeticenco till the Names were sent in to be Confirmed by the Councils after his Message, &c 129

CONTEKTS.

Chapter XIY.

PAGE.

Measures taken to relieve the Sufferings of the Poor — Grand Civic and Military Ball — Major-General Smith and Staff- General Lealdn and others constituting the Managers on the part of the Military, and the Mayor and City Councils on the part of the Municipal Authorities ; upon the part of Citizens, Peter Mowell, Esq., Hon. Solomon Hillen, Jr., John E. Stansbury and others; Joshua Vansant, Esq., Treasurer — Meeting in Favor of Seamen in the United States Navy, Mayor Stansbury, President ; George Brown, Christian Keener, Esq., and five others, Vice-Presidents; Kev. H. Y. D. Johns, Dr. Backus, Dr. Plumer, Charles F. Mayer, Esq., Hon. John P. Hale, United States Senator, Speakers — York and Cumberland Railroad Public Meeting, Mayor Stansbury, President; General O'Donnell, Johns Hopkins, William Bose, Chauncey Brooks, John S. Gittings, and others, Yice- Presidents — Municipal Courtesies- Monsieur Yattemare 153

Chapter XY.

Mayor Stansbury's Second Message — Approval of his wise Administration by the Press — Healthy Condition of the City — Progressive Improvements in Building — New Houses — Register's Summary, and the Mayor's Proposition Concerning Colonel Howard's Property, &c., &c 170

Chapter XYI.

Colonel Stansbury's Retirement from Public Life — Fifty-nine Years of Age— Has lived through all the Administrations of the General Government- Flood of 1868— Great Destruction of Life and Property — Thrilling Incidents on Jones' Falls in the City, and on the Patapsco at Ellicott City— A Valuable Table of Reference — All the Presidents of the United States Elected since 1789 to 1874— Chief Justices of the United States, from John Jay to Morrison R. Waite... 202

CONTENTS. XI

Chapter XVII.

PAGE.

Colonel Stansbury's Connection with Freenaasons, Odd Fellows and other Secret Associations — Took three Degrees a few weeks before the Battle of North Point, as Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason — All in Eight Days, &c. — List of all the Governors of Maryland since 1777 — First City Council of Baltimore, 1797 — James Calhoun, Mayor — List of Members — List of all the Mayors of Baltimore 209

Chapter XVIII.

About the "Good Olden Times" — Pioneering for a Town Site — Baltimore in EmbrycK — Jones' Falls a Beautiful, Harmless, Meandering Brook — Society of Friends — Episcopalians—Jonestown — The First Newspaper, &c 216

Chapter XIX.

Bayltimore in the Eighteenth Century — The First Meeting of Congress in the Town — Preparing for War — Washington and Lafayette — Illumination — General Washington Elected President Unanimously, 1789 — On his Way to Congress at New York to be Inaugurated — Bank of Maryland, First

Chapter XX.

Baltimore in ttie Nineteenth Century — Innoculation Introduced — The Lazaretto — Kobert Smith — Eev. Dr. Allison — Rev, James Ingliss — Kt. Eev. Bishop Carroll — Baltimore College — Penitentiary — Old Court House — Wm. Pinkn6y —Washington Monument — Nile's Eegister — John S. Skinner — St. Paul's Church — The Cathedral — Gas Introduced — List of Surviving " Old Defenders," with their Ages 2o7

Xll CONTENTS.

Chapter XXI.

PACK.

Inaugunition of the Baltimore and Ohio Kailroad — The Masons — Kev. Dr. Wyatt — Upton S. Heath — John B. ^ Morris, Esq. — Charles Carroll of Carrol ton— Colonel Benj, C. Bo ward— General Samuel Smith— P. E. Thomas, Esq. — Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 1873 — Population of Baltimore, 1828— The Cholera, 1832 267

Chapter XXII.

Introduction of Morse's Telegraph — First Message by a Young Lady — ^^What Hath God Wrought P^ — Mesmerism! — Millerism 1 1 — 27th Congress — Incredulity of the Assembled Wisdom of the Nation— Hon. S. S. Cox— Hon. Fernando Wood — Honors Bestowed on Morse — Triumph of Genius, &c 276

Chapter XXIII.

Population of Baltimore in 1774 — The City Limits — The Baltimore Newspapers — Fire Department — Water Works — New City Hall — Young Men's Christian Association Building — Railroads and Canals — Something new about "The Star Spangled Banner" — Francis Scott Key— Conclusion — Colonel Stansbury's Punctuality — His Habitual Discharge of Duties as Mayor, &c 285

MEMOIRS

O F

Col. ELIJAH STANSBURY,

Ex-Mayor of Baltimore.

Chapter I

Birth of Elijah Stansbury — His Ancestors — His Habits and Peculiarities — His Voluntary Apprenticeship.

Elijah Stansbury was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, in the month of May, 1791, near the line dividing Baltimore and Harford counties, the place being then known as " McGaw's Mills," on the manor. He was the sixth son of Elijah Stansbury, Sr., the scion of a family widely and favorably known throughout Maryland among her earliest settlers. While the subject of these memoirs was a tender infant, his father purchased a farm and mill seat in Harford county, to which place he moved, and where he lived happily for many years with his amiable consort, successfully rearing a family of thirteen children — ten sons and three daughters, Elijah being the sixth born. It was the earnest wish of his parents to make him a farmer, but 2 13 from his boyliood up, lie ever evinced a strong desire and fondness for military life, and as illustrative of the proclivity and spirit of the boy fore-shadowing those of the man, we here give as apropos the following" episode :

At the age of fifteen years, he organized a company of boys, numbering forty-seven. Being elected Captain, with Ed\\:;ard Rutledge, as First Lieutenant, he generously furnished them with plumes, wooden guns and svvords at his own expense and disciplined them to the best of his ability, meeting every Saturday, weather permitting, for drill exercise in military tactics. Soon after the organization of our young hero's company, a youth by the name of Joseph Johnson, also raised a similar company, some four miles from. Captain Stansbury's neighborhood, and the members elected young Johnson, their Captain. Sometime after this, Captain Stansbury's Company conceived that Captain Johnson's had offered them a gross insult which they took prompt measures to redress by demanding an apology or some proper reparation. But no notice of this appeal was taken by Captain Johnson, whereupon Captain Stansbury's Company challenged Captain Johnson's to meet them in open combat on a certain day indicated — the place of meeting to be on a large level old-field, kno\vn by the name of ^^Macatee's Old Fields," where all the public parades took place. This old field was about half-way between the homes of the two companies. The challenge was accepted and accordingly tlic neces3ary preliminaries were arranged to settle the matter as follows :

COLONEL ELIJAH STANSBUKY. 15

First. The Captains of the two companies were to have a single combat without arms, and if the result was not satisfactory to both companies; then, Secondly, The two respective First Lieutenants should, in evenhanded conflict, endeavor to bring the difficulty to a satisfactory adjustment by their personal skill and courage. If this failed, then. Thirdly, The next officers of equal grade should successively pit themselves against each other to fight for victory. But, if this material was exhausted in vain, then, Lastly. The whole of each company, equally numbered, should meet in general fight.

There was no battle however, for Captain Johnson's Company proved non est inventus, having failed to appear upon the field. By way of pleasantry tlie poet might add to meet this incident,

He from the %lit who stays UAvay, May live to fight another day !

In justice to the absent company, we would say that it was more than probable that the parents of the respective members of Captain Johnson's Company, having heard of the contemplated mieeting, took measures to prevent their sons from going. Indeed, Captain Stansbury's Company numbered only twenty-seven on this occasion, doubtless from the same cause. The l>:\rents of some of the members of Captain Stansbury's Company secretly followed, in order to see how they would acquit themselves in battle ! This was not known to our young heroes till they returned to their quarters. At all events. Captain Stansbury's command gave at least this manifestation of bravery and pluck, by marching to the battle field to confront the enemy — and if the foe was not there, it certainly was not the fault of our young soldiers, who so faithfully followed their commander. This incident tends to show that the candor and manliness of Elijah Stansbury's disposition were thus early displayed among his young companions, and the commanding influence of his character was first discovered by his ascendency over them. At the age of fifteen, the military bias of his mind was discovered, and had his aspirations for military life been gratified by a cadetship at West Point, we have no doubt that he would have carved his way to military renown, blended with a literary reputation of the highest order; for when at school, he generally was at the head of his class, manifesting an ardent love for letters, which only waited for a favorable opportunity to develop the industrious student and thorough scholar. In the rural districts, at the time of which we write, the branches taught in the schools rarely extended beyond an ordinary English education.

In all the youthful sports requiring skill and activity, such as bandy, trap ball, cat, &c., he, although somewhat lame, was always chosen by his schoolmates as their captain or leader. He had acquired such extraordinary precision in throwing stones that he has been known to kill as many as five birds on his way to school in the morning. Young Stansbury was a universal favorite. This partiality seems to have extended to his father and mother, for parents will have their preferences. It may have ai'isen from the fact that, besides bearing his father's christian name, which was a favorite one with the mother, he was the only child that strongly resembled her. So striking was the likeness that persons, previously seeing the mother would recognize the son upon meeting him alone, though a perfect stranger to them. It is mentioned as a singular circumstance that, as young Elijah approached manhood, his likeness to the features of the mother gradually changed to the counterpart of those of the father.

At the age of seventeen, Elijah decided that the vocation of farming was not suited to his taste or inclination, and that he preferred some mechanical pursuit, and, accordingly, he took measures to carry out his wishes. This did not meet the approval of his indulgent parents, nevertheless they did not interpose their authority to frustrate his purpose. But they kindly offered him great inducements to stay at home, but all in vain, as the reader will learn presently. At this period his father had two farm.s and a mill seat on Deer creek, in Harford county, Maryland. The mill seat consisted of a large stone mill for grinding flour and meal, a saw mill, a fulling mill and a carding machine. This was in 1808, when manufacturing was in its infancy in that section of the country. The carding machine was secured as a preliminary step to going into the manufacturing of domestic goods. But that enterprise was never carried into effect. Attached to this mill scat were, one hundred and twenty acres of land. All this last mentioned farm and mill seat his doting parents offered to give him, provided lie would stay at home, making him a deed for the same, and giving him full possession upon his reaching his twentyiirst year. But all this could not induce him to change his mind. They made no further objection. Having a brother living in Baltimore, who was a bricklayer by trade, he at once apprenticed himself to him for four years, and faithfully served his time out. What a noble and manly example is this, for youth of the present generation to follov/.

CHAPTER II. The War of 1812

At this time, 1812, the war between the United States and Great Britain broke out. Before we proceed further in our memoirs, we beg to indulge in a digression. The people of Baltimore were among the first to resent the outraires of Endancl, as exhibited in the various taxations, which she had levied on the Colonics. They were, also, among the first to stir up tlie Colonies of the south to a just indignation of those wrongs ; and when the war actually took place, although Maryland w^as nearly exempt from any visitation of the enemy, yet that did not prevent Baltimore from furnishing her quota of officers and troops, who, under the proud name of the " Old Maryland Line,'' did honor to the cause they aided and espoused, as well as to the people, by wdiom they were sent to the battle field. It is therefore a grateful duty, to mention in these pages, the names of some of these gentlemen, in order to offer to those who may be hereafter called upon to sustain their country's honor, such an example as shall, vv^heu imitated, secure to themselves unfading honor.

General Mordecai Gist was born in Baltimore county, and when the war commenced he was appointed Major in a regiment of regular troops. He remained with his regiment, which was stationed at Baltimore, for some time after its formation. It was afterwards marched to the north and served in the campaigns of the Northern Army. Major Gist was considered so meritorious an officer that he was soon promoted to tlie rank of Colonel, and when the Maryland Line was sent to the south he also went as a Brigadier-General, continuing in the service an active and meritorious officer until the peace. Subsequently he married in South Carolina, and died there in 1791, the very year the subject of these memoirs was born.

General Otho Williams was a native of Prince George's county, Maryland. He commanded a company as early as 1775, which marched to Boston.

At the attack on Fort Washington he was wounded and taken prisoner, being at that time a Major. From the treatment he received from the enemy, cruel in the extreme, his health became so seriously impaired that he never recovered it, being an invalid the balance of his life. He was promoted to the command of the Sixth Regiment of the Maryland Line during his captivity, and on being released he marched with his command to the south, and in all the battles fovight by that celebrated line, he signally distinguished himself. He acted. as Deputy Adjutant-General of the Southern Army, under General Gates, and was in the disastrous battle of Camden. A remnant of the defeated army was formed into two battalions, constituting a regiment, and the command was given to Colonel Williams and Lieutenant-Colonel Howard. When General Gates joined the army he appointed Colonel Williams Adjutant-General. In the battle of Eutaw Springs he gained the highest honors. Near the close of the war he was promoted by Congress to the rank of Brigadier- General.

About a year before peace was restored, so sliattercd was his constitution that he was reluctantly constrained to retire fvom military service and was appointed by the State, Naval Officer for the Port of Baltimore, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Sollers, the late incumbent. He held this office till the organization of the Federal Government in 1789, when he was appointed Collector of the Port by the illustrious Washington. General Williams died in July, 1794. Colonel John Eager Howard was a native of Baltimore county. He entered the army as a Captain, and in the battle of the White Plains he became distinguished. When several battalions were required to be raised by a resolution of Congress, Captain Howard was appointed a Major in one of the number allotted to Maryland. He was with the army at Rockey Hill, near Princeton, in April, 1777, and remained with it until June, when he returned home for a while in consequence of his father's death. He however re-joined the army in the following September, and was in the battle of Germantown. In June, 1779, Major Howard received his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 5th Maryland Regiment. He was in the disastrous battle of Camden, but that portion of the duty assigned to Colonel Howard in the battle was sustained with great gallantry. In December subsequent to the battle, General Green arrived and took command of the Southern Army. In January, 1781, was fought the battle of ^Uhe Cowpens/' The glories of that day 2* belong principally to Colonel Howard. At Eutaw, ho had the command of the Second Regiment. Colonel Howard on this occasion again distinguished himself, and in the action received a severe wound in the left shoulder. General Green observed of him in one of his letters : " Colonel Howard is as good an officer as the world afforded, and deserves a statue of gold no less tlian the Roman and Grecian heroes.^^ Certainly a higher compliment could never be paid than this. In Nov^eraber, 1788, Colonel Howard was chosen Governor of Maryland, and continued in the Executive chair for three years. In the year 179G, he was elected a Senator of the United States, in which relation he continued till the year 1803. He died full of honors in 1827.

General Samuel SxMITII was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, but came to Baltimore in childhood. At the opening of the revolutionary war, he w^as appointed Captain in one of the regular companies stationed in Baltimore, but rose soon after to the rank of Colonel, and in that capacity, he joined the army, at that time w^atching the movements of Sir William Howe near Philadelphia. He was stationed with part of his regiment, at " Mud Fort," on the Delaware, when the British fleet was ascending that river. His gallant defence of that fort won him the reputation of a skilful and gallant officer, and, as a testimonial of his bravery, Congress presented him with a sword. He returned from the army some time after this battle, but did not withdraw from the service of his countrv. In Baltimore he took coLO^'EL ELIJAH STA^^SBU^vY. 23

command of a regiment of militia, and continued doing duty during the whole of the war. General Smith, some years after the war, was elected to the Legislature of the State, where he remained till he was elected to Congress, in the year 1792. In Congress he continued until the year 1833, having served forty years in the Kational Council. In the war of 1812, General Smith took a conspicuous part, which will be appropriately referred to in a future page of this book.