Navy’s Interest in Washington
AT TIMES the squalls are of gale strength; the winter’s night is thick with rain as each lightning flash reveals a storm tossed vessel being driven toward the shore by March winds and boisterous seas. The passengers, cramped below decks, cannot see, but in their darkened quarters can hear every peal of thunder and feel every sickening movement.
Such is the picture of the night that George Washington, President of the United States, nearly lost his life crossing Chesapeake Bay, as the vessel he was in first grounded on Greenbury Point and again on the opposite bank at the mouth of the Severn! All that wintery night he was afloat!
Five hundred biographies have been written of Washington—they are still being written! Nearly five hundred portraits, miniatures, engravings, busts and statues have been made of him. He has left us in his own handwriting thousands upon thousands of papers.
Why then, someone may well ask, should more be written?
Not only was Washington our first President, but under the newly adopted Constitution he became the first Commander-in-Chief of our Navy. It therefore seems most fitting that an account of his visits to the city which was to be the future site of the Naval Academy should appear in the Proceedings for February, the twenty-second day of that month marking the one hundred and ninety-sixth anniversary of his birth.
How many of our readers know: (a) That Washington visited Annapolis not less than eighteen times in a period of forty years? (b) That his first visit, in August, 1751, was made while an unknown youth of nineteen, and the last in March, 1791, referred to above, while President of the United States, age fifty-nine? (c) That his interest in Annapolis continued after his retirement from the Presidency and until 1798, the year before his death?
Today the distance between the Potomac and the Severn is covered by plane and motor—he first made the journeys on horseback, sometimes in the dead of the winter and sometimes in the heat of summer. Later he made the trips by chariot and carriage, traveling in state with outriders.
Where the oldest living graduate and the midshipmen of today first obtained their experience in small boats—upon the Severn and the bay—were scenes familiar to him.
Within a few feet of where the regiment of midshipmen is quartered today were the sites of two spacious mansions within the walls of which Washington was often a welcome guest. The gardens of one of them ran down to the water’s edge where now the football field is located.
Where the Academic group of buildings now stands were grounds also most familiar to him and most likely the first spot visited.
The State House, St. John’s College, the streets, the circles—all the Annapolitan subjects illustrated in this issue of the Proceedings and so familiar to a great many of us—were even more familiar to him.
Why He Came To Annapolis
What brought Washington here so many times and what did he do? How and by what routes did he travel? Whom did he visit and where did he stay while in the capital on the Severn?
The decade before the Revolution has been referred to by many as “The Golden Age” of Annapolis and during this period it was the center of the cultural, social and political life of that portion of the Colonies lying to the southward of Philadelphia, although Williamsburg, Virginia, was a keen competitor at an earlier date. Various writers, to name a few, Jonas Green (of The Maryland Gazette), Ridgeley, Scharf, Riley and Norris, have adequately and faithfully written its history and painted the word pictures of the customs, manners, dress and life of its inhabitants. All of these have drawn upon the material supplied by William Eddis in his Letters front America, etc., 1769-1777, written while he was surveyor of the port here during the rule of Robert Eden, friend of Washington, and the last Proprietary Governor of Maryland (1769-1776).
Winston Churchill, whose picture faces “Secretary’s Notes” in this issue of the Proceedings and who graduated from the Naval Academy in the class of 1894, has given us in his Richard Carvel a true and delightful, although fictitious, account of the times and of the people, paradoxical as the statement may appear. The author upon the completion of his novel wrote:
No one may read the annals of these men, who were at once brave and courtly, and of these women who were ladies by nature as well as birth, and not love them. The fascination of that free and hospitable life has been so strong on the writer of this novel that he closes it with a genuine regret and the hope that its perusal may lead others to the pleasure he has derived from the history of Maryland.
The reading of Churchill’s novel by the writer during the latter’s “plebe” year at Annapolis (1898-99) was a pleasure and a delight—perhaps the last thought expressed in the quoted remarks above has been subconsciously present throughout the years and has led to the preparation of this paper.
[Illustration: Washington’s Maryland Routes East of the Potomac
There were ferries across the Potomac at Mount Vernon, Alexandria and George Town; there was a ferry at South River near Annapolis and one from Annapolis across Chesapeake Bay to the Eastern Shore. Key to map: (A) Mt. Vernon; (B) Warburton Manor, the home of William Digges on the north shore of Piscataway Creek; (C) Alexandria; (D) George Town; (E) Marlboro; (F) Mt. Airy (now the Dower House), home of Benedict Calvert; (G) Home of Ignatius Digges of Melwood; (H) Bladensburgh; (I) Queen Anne home of Jonathan Boucher, 1772-74; (J) Tulip Hill home of Samuel Galloway, West River; (K) Davidsonville; (L) London Town on South River; (M) White Hall home of Governor Horatio Sharpe; (N) Bel Air home of the Ogles; (O) Habre de Venture; (P) Rose Hill; (Q’) La Grange; (Q) Baltimore Town. Washington sometimes went to Fredericksburgh or Williamsburgh via Piscataway and Port Tobacco instead of going down the Virginia side over the bad roads.
There were other ferries across the Potomac not shown on the map.
Editor’s Note: The above map was constructed from information taken from Griffith’s Map of 1794 (Courtesy Maryland Historical Society) and from several histories, books and diaries of the times.]
The First Complete Story
So far as the writer can ascertain no previous attempt has ever been made to investigate and set down in one account the number of visits Washington made to Annapolis. His Diaries are not complete—some parts missing and portions not kept. Sometimes the visits were mentioned by the Maryland Gazette and at other times one can search its files in vain.
We are fairly familiar with certain visits as disclosed by the Diaries and of others such as the occasions of his resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and the reception to Lafayette—others are less well known and a few are all but forgotten— some hazy and one or two are now known to be in error. Another trip in September, 1772, might be termed, to employ a modern word of expressive meaning, a “near” visit on which he, Martha and the Custis children came to Queen Anne, Prince George County, to spend a week with his friend, the “Reverend Mr. Jonathan Boucher.”
A little over two years ago The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union published George Washington Diaries, in four volumes, under the able editorship of J. C. Fitzpatrick, Assistant Chief of the Division of Manuscripts, Library of Congress. Dr. Fitzpatrick has just published George Washington: Colonial Traveler, 1732–1775, which traces Washington’s travels during the period in question by means of the Diaries above referred to and by the expense accounts in Washington’s ledgers. This book is timely and shows a wealth of research. It is complementary to the two volumes by Baker, Itinerary of General Washington, from June 15, 1775, to December 23, 1783, and Washington after the Revolution, 1784–1799.
The writer wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to Dr. Fitzpatrick for assistance and advice freely given and for permission to quote extracts from the Diaries and from his own book. Acknowledgment is made also to Professor W. B. Norris, of the Naval Academy, for his criticisms and for permission to use material from his interesting book, Annapolis: Its Colonial and Naval Story. Additional acknowledgments are due to the following: the staffs of the Naval Academy and of the Maryland State Libraries; Mr. A. Trader, of the Maryland State Land Office; Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Gassaway, and Miss Katharine Walton, all of Annapolis.
The map has been prepared primarily to assist the reader although every effort has been made it have it as accurate as possible.
The greatest care has been exercised that every statement made in the following list of visits is historically correct—otherwise an obviously qualified remark will be made.
To The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union is due the grateful appreciation of the U. S. Naval Institute, for permission to publish the four interior scenes of Mount Vernon (see pages xxii, xxiii, xxiv and xxiv (a).
Washington’s First Visit—1751
The earliest historical reference that the writer has been able to find of a visit to Annapolis by George Washington is in the recently published book of Dr. J. C. Fitzpatrick, George Washington: Colonial Traveler, 1732-1775, in which appears the following:
1751—August—Enroute to Annapolis, Maryland
“To Ditto Ditto (cash) lent going to Annapolis £3.18.0.”
The writer, as a result of his own investigations, is not only inclined to believe that the surmise of Dr. Fitzpatrick is correct, but also is convinced that Washington on this visit first met and lodged with one Daniel Wolstenholme, a rich bachelor, who was a merchant in the West Indian trade.
Wolstenholme was in Annapolis as early as 1747 and owned “a long range of warehouses” on the banks of the Severn, near which he lived in a large two-story house with three acres of land, stable, granary, etc., which he bought from Charles Carroll.
It seems most probable that on account of his trade relations with the West Indies he had been recommended to Washington as one to consult about a proposed trip to those islands.
We do know that Washington did lodge with Wolstenholme five and a half years later on his third visit.
Wolstenholme’s home was then near the old Ferry landing on the Severn, at the foot of a road which was the extension of Northeast Street (now Maryland Avenue), and in what are now the Naval Academy grounds, near the present site of Maury Hall. This ferry ran to the Eastern Shore.
Wolstenholme returned to England some time prior to 1753 for it is known he returned to Annapolis in the same ship that brought Governor Horatio Sharpe to this city, August 10, 1753. Wolstenholme did not take any active part in politics but his leanings were toward the Tory side and one of the last official acts of Governor Eden was to secure passage for him back to England about the same time the Governor departed, June, 1777. We do know that Wolstenholme was a member of the city’s social life in the sixties for he used to go on house parties down the bay to Colonel William Fitzhugh’s place, Rousby Hall, on the Patuxent, in company with the Dulanys and others as socially prominent.
Being a bachelor, Wolstenholme left no descendants; he built no brick colonial home; he was a merchant trader and not a lawyer; these reasons probably account for his being all but unheard of at the present day. He sold his property in 1772.
Since the above has been written the writer has talked with Dr. Fitzpatrick of the Library of Congress and he agrees that it seems safe to say that Washington most probably came here in 1751 to see Daniel Wolstenholme about the proposed visit to Barbados.
Washington and his tubercular half brother Lawrence, fourteen years the senior, did not sail from Annapolis, however, but left the Potomac, Mount Vernon, on September 29, 1751, for Barbados in quest of health for the latter, arriving after a passage of thirty-six days. Washington’s chary of this trip is of particular interest as he not only records the state of the weather, courses steered, amount of sail carried, etc., but also shows a certain familiarity with the tropics. He mentions our familiar friends the guava and the alligator pear. While there he went to his first play.
The return voyage was stormy and, after thirty-five days of beating up the coast, the ship he was in arrived in the York River January 26, 1752. He met Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia at Williamsburg, for the first time, and must have made an impression upon him. As the Governor had previously been collector of customs at Bermuda and also responsible for the unearthing of tremendous frauds in the Barbados collections some years before, one can imagine the interest Dinwiddie displayed in the youth of twenty who brought him the latest news and mail. The brother Lawrence did not find that his health had improved and went in further quest to Bermuda, George returning alone. The brother returned to Mount Vernon later but died July 26, 1752. George eventually became owner of Mount Vernon under circumstances which are well known. Most of us are familiar with the naming of Mount Vernon—Lawrence having named it in honor of Admiral Vernon, under whom he fought ashore at Cartagena. Another statement generally made in connection with George’s youth, but not so well authenticated, is that he came very near going into the Royal Navy as a midshipman when about fourteen years of age. We do know a sea career in the merchant marine was considered.
Rupert Hughes has much to say in his first volume, George Washington, 1732-1762, about this trip to Barbados, and following the same style as he does throughout the book, attempts to show Washington’s human frailties by such remarks as, “He made some study of navigation years before, and kept a record of this voyage, imitating, as far as possible, a log-book, etc.” Hughes adds that Washington tried “to write like an oldsea dog, etc.” The self-appointed critic of the sea terms recorded by Washington thinks it humorous to quote from Washington’s log such entries as this: “At 2 a.m. came on excessive hard Wind at No. Wt; Rain Lightning and some thunder the Wind increased so violently and had raiz’d so Montanous a Sea that oblig’d the handling all her Sails and driving with bear Masts.” Hughes also thinks it funny to call attention to the term “lay too” which Washington employs in recording how the ship rode out the gale! If Hughes is enjoying his own joke with reference to his “discovery” of Washington’s spelling the writer has no complaint although many manuscripts of the period were open to the same fault—if the critic is referring to Washington’s use of the term “laying to” to describe the handling of the ship under the above conditions of weather—the ship “driving under bare poles,” as we say today—then the joke is on Hughes, or else he is, as we suspect, attempting to dramatize all the old records in order to make a modern “best seller.” He has the training and instinct of a novelist and there is no gainsaying his art in this respect. Hughes never misses an opportunity to quote words from a supposed authority (sometimes without weighing them) in case the evidence as literally quoted adds to the dramatic effect. Witness his quotations from the Reverend Jonathan Boucher, of St. Anne’s Church, Annapolis, with reference to Washington’s character and the remarks about Lawrence Washington’s conduct under Admiral Vernon at Cartagena.
Washington’s visit to Annapolis to arrange his sick brother’s trip and the character of the diary, appear to mark a milestone in character building. The entries in the diary show keen powers of observation, particularly of wind and wave; these experiences must have left a strong impression —upon what youth would they have not?— and there can be no doubt but that the memory of these seventy-one days at sea “in sail” were most helpful at a later period when our Navy was in the making.
At Barbados, Washington was stricken with smallpox.
The Second Visit—1756
Upon the return of Washington’s unsuccessful campaign in 1754, the Governors of North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland drew up plans, which were approved by the
Crown, for renewing the operations on the Ohio and Governor Sharpe of Maryland was selected to be the Commander-in-Chief of the combined forces.
Washington, having a Colonial commission, only received half the pay of an officer of similar rank with a Royal commission; there was also a question of rank as between the two kinds of commissions—the Royal commissions of equal or inferior rank were held to “take command” over higher ones issued by the Colonies. In October, Washington, not yet twenty-three, resigned after word had been received from England deciding against the Colonials in the matter of rank. Both Dinwiddie and Sharpe, the latter through his second in command, Colonel William Fitzhugh, begged Washington to reconsider but without success.
In the meantime Braddock was on his way to the Colonies to take command of all the Colonial forces and his expedition sailed up the Potomac and anchored off Alexandria, February, 1755.
Braddock remained at Alexandria until April 19, when he set out for Frederick, Maryland. On the fifteenth of the previous month Washington accepted an invitation from Braddock to serve on his staff. The question of rank between Colonials and Royal officers not being involved, in this staff duty, Washington joined Braddock at Frederick, May 1, in a civilian status.
Some writers have pointed out that Washington was in Annapolis on April 3 that year, basing their information upon the conference scheduled to be held in this city on that date at the home of Governor Sharpe. The Annapolis story of Washington’s visit probably arose from the account of the dinner described by Thackeray in his Virginians, wherein is related how Washington placed bits of bread upon the dinner table to indicate the stations in the line of forts until the negro servant, changing “the courses, brushes off the Potomac with a napkin and sweeps up the Ohio with a spoon.” Washington met Braddock for the first time, Dr. Fitzpatrick now tells us:
1755—May 2, Friday. Frederick, Maryland “By expences at Frederick Town, Maryland 4.9.” Ledger A. op. cit.
Washington met Braddock for the first time at this place. He seems to have left Winchester April 30, or May 1, and arrived at Frederick on the latter date.
Although “Mr.” Washington was appointed an aide-de-camp to General Braddock on May 10, it was not until September that he received a commission as colonel, and this too, more than two months after Brad- dock’s disastrous defeat and death at Fort Duquesne.
We learn from Fitzpatrick:
September 17, Wednesday. Fort Cumberland “George Washington, Esquire, is by His Honor Governour Dinwiddie appointed Colonel of the Virginia Regiment and Commander in chief of all the Forces that now are, and shall be raised &c. &c.” Every Officer of the Virginia Regiment to provide himself as soon as he can conveniently with a Suit of Regimentals of good blue Cloath, trimmed with Silver; a Scarlet waistcoat, with Silver lace; blue breeches, and a silver laced Hat, if to be had, for Camp or Garrison Duty." —Letter Book.
Captain Dagworthy, of Annapolis, who held a Royal commission with the provincial Maryland troops at Fort Cumberland, was the one who brought the question of rank to a head. The latter’s force being in Maryland complicated matters and Washington was virtually defied by Dagworthy. Washington again raised the question of rank with the Virginia Governor and with the latter’s permission set off from Alexandria February 4, 1756, on a one-thousand mile horseback ride to Boston and return, to get Governor Shirley of Massachusetts to settle the matter, the latter having been appointed commander-in-chief after Braddock’s death. Washington remained ten days in Boston and, the Governor having decided that Dagworthy was to obey the Colonial Colonel, returned to Alexandria March 23, via New York, Philadelphia and Annapolis. This was his first trip to the northward.
The writer has been able to find in the Maryland State Library, in an issue of The Maryland Gazette dated Thursday, March 25, 1756, the following entry:
Monday evening last, Col. George Washington, accompanied by some other Gentlemen, came to Town from the Northward, and next Morning sat off for Virginia.
On his return we know from Fitzpatrick that he came back via the Eastern Shore of Maryland “through Chester, probably March 21.”
Washington arrived in Philadelphia from New York on March 18 and, as he arrived in Annapolis on the twenty-second, we know he did not take more than four days for this portion of the trip. He made the trip from Annapolis back home in one day arriving on the twenty-third.
We do not know with whom he lodged over the night of March 22, but the writer believes he stayed with Daniel Wolstenholme.
The Third Visit—1757
The Maryland Gazette, Thursday, February 17, 1757, has the following item:
“Monday last. Col. George Washington and Capt. Steward, came hither from Virginia, on their way to the Northward.”
From Fitzpatrick we learn:
1757. February 15, Tuesday. South River, Anne Arundel County, Maryland and Annapolis.
“By ferrymen at So: River 1/3 Mr. Wolstenholmes Servts 1/3—Ledger A, op. cit.
South River is just below Annapolis. Washington was on his way to Philadelphia; he evidently crossed the Potomac at Alexandria and passed through Marlborough. He was in Annapolis February 14, at Daniel Wolstenhome’s.
The above is an extract from the expense ledgers and a search of the Gazette files determines definitely that Washington was here February 14 (Monday). Both records check and Washington tipped Wolstenholme’s servants the morning he left (the fifteenth) and entered the ferry charges at the same time.
This was Washington’s second visit to the north this time going to Philadelphia to see Lord Loudoun, who had recently arrived to take charge of American affairs, and who had called a conference of the governors at that city. Washington had previously written Loudoun a long letter telling him the whole previous history of military operations in the south. Washington’s visit was successful and he made a fine impression.
He was now becoming an intercolonial figure and known from Williamsburg to Boston. He traveled in resplendent uniform accompanied by an aide and two servants. He was corresponding with many influential persons.
We have no information as to whether he crossed over to the eastern shore by ferry and hence by Rockhall, Chester, and Georgetown to Philadelphia, but the chances are he did, else he would have gone to Baltimore direct via Bladensburg and not have come into Annapolis.
The writer is more than ever convinced that the friendship with Wolstenholme began in August, 1751, and that Washington lodged with him on the second visit and probably on the first.
The Fourth Visit—1757
Fitzpatrick has stated it as his belief that Washington returned from Philadelphia via the Eastern Shore and South River the end of March, arriving at Alexandria, April 1. The writer has confirmed the date by going through the voluminous correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
In Volume I, page 547, in a letter to Dinwiddie, dated May 5, 1757, Sharpe writes: “Before Colo. Washington left Annapolis, I gave him, etc.”
On page 536, same volume, is a letter dated March 30, 1757, at Annapolis, written to Captain Dagworthy, Fort Frederick, which bears the endorsement “ddl [delivered] the next morning to Colo. Washington.”
It appears from the above that Washington was here March 31 and undoubtedly the night before.
We do not know with whom he stayed but probably with Wolstenholme his host of six weeks previous. Eleven months earlier, after Shirley had turned down Sharpe’s favorite, Dagworthy, in the controversy about rank, Sharpe had written to Shirley recommending Washington for the post of second in command, there is no reason to believe the breach had healed to the extent that Washington would be a guest over night. Sharpe at this time lived in the home that afterwards became the Naval Academy Library (1867-1901); White Hall, his country place outside of Annapolis, had not yet been built.
As Fitzpatrick records Washington as being in Alexandria April 1, it appears that Washington left Annapolis immediately after receiving the letter from Governor Sharpe.
The Fifth Visit—1761
Colonel Washington again went out to the West, in 1758, against the French. In the fall of this year he resigned his Colonial commission, although the Crown had recently removed all discriminations.
He married Martha Custis January 6, 1759, and returned to Mount Vernon, through with war, to settle down and to lead the life of a gentleman farmer.
Of Washington’s next visit to Annapolis we learn from Fitzpatrick’s George Washington: Colonial Traveler:
1761. August or September, Annapolis, Maryland.
The details of this trip are lacking, beyond a note of an expenditure of £1.6.4. at Marlborough and an item in Thomas Bishop’s account that Mr. Jonas Green at Annapolis, was paid £5.18.0.
Jonas Green was Maryland’s famous printer and editor of The Maryland Gazette. The Gazette, in its issue of August 11, 1761, carried a half column advertisement for Washington, stating a number of his slaves had run away for no reason and offering a reward of forty shillings for their return. Obviously the sum of money referred to above was not for one-half column of advertising for at the bottom page of the Gazette we read:
Annapolis: Printed by Jonas Green, and William Rind, at the printing office, the Sign of the Bible, in Charles-Street: where all Persons may be supplied with this gazette, at 12s 6d per Year. Advertisements of moderate Length are taken in and inserted for Five Shillings the first Week, and One Shilling each week after, and in Proportion for long Ones.
The Sixth Visit—1771
It was just ten years, nearly to the month, before Washington again visited Annapolis and during this period he continued his gentleman-farmer life at Mount Vernon, but in the meantime he had made contact with Annapolis through the Reverend Mr. Jonathan Boucher.
Boucher had a boys’ school in Virginia to which Washington had sent his stepson, John Parke Custis. When Boucher came to Annapolis as rector of St. Anne’s, young Custis was sent to Annapolis (July 26) to continue his schooling and boarded with Boucher, who was appointed rector June 12, 1770. Custis visited Mt. Vernon quite frequently, stopping en route at Mt. Airy, the home of Benedict Calvert (now the Dower House), and upon these occasions he met Calvert’s beautiful daughter Eleanor. After one of these home-comings to Mount Vernon, Washington became alarmed at the “flaming youth” of those days and wrote to Boucher as follows:
Mount Vernon, Dec. 16th, 1770.
According to appointment Jacky Custis now returns to Annapolis. His mind [is] a good deal released from study, and more than ever turned to dogs, horses, and guns; indeed upon dress and equipage, which till of late, he has discovered little inclination of giving in to. I must beg the favor of you, therefore, to keep him close to those useful branches of learning which he ought now to be acquainted with, and as much as possible under your own eye. Without these, I fear he will too soon think himself above control, and be not much the better for the extraordinary expense attending his living in Annapolis; which I should be exceedingly sorry for, as nothing but a hasty progress towards the completion of his education can justify my keeping him there at such an expense as his estate will now became chargeable with.
The time of life he is now advancing into requires the most friendly aid and counsel (especially in such a place as Annapolis) ; otherwise, the warmth of his own passions, assisted by the bad example of other youth, may prompt him to actions derogatory of virtue and that innocence of manners which one could wish to preserve him in; for which reason I would beg leave to request that he may not be suffered to sleep from under your own roof unless it be at such places as you are sure he can have no bad examples set him; nor allow him to be rambling about of nights in company with those who do not care how debauched and vicious his conduct may be.
You will be so good, I hope, as to excuse the liberty I have taken in offering my sentiments thus freely—I have his well-being much at heart and should be sorry to see him fall into any vice or evil course which there is a possibility of restraining him from.1
Boucher replied concerning the conditions in Annapolis. “I must confess to you,” he writes to Washington, “I never did in my life know a youth so exceedingly indolent, or so surprisingly voluptuous: one would suppose nature had intended him for some Asiatic prince.”
To the Washington Diaries we are indebted for the following entries:
1771. September 21. Set out with Mr. Wormeley for the Annapolis Races. Dind at Mr. Willm. Digge’s and lodged at Mr. Ignatis. Digges.
September 22. Dined at Mr. Sam Gallaway’s and lodged with Mr. Boucher in Annapolis.
September 23. Dined with Mr. Loyd Dulany1 and spent the Evening at the Coffee Ho.
September 24. Dined with the Govr.3 and went to the Play and Ball afterwards.4
September 25. Dined at Doctr. Steward’s5 and went to the Play and Ball afterwards.
September 26. Dined at Mr. Ridout’s6 and went to the Play after it.
September 27. Dined at Mr. Carroll’s and went to the Ball.
September 28. Dined at Mr. Boucher’s and went from thence to the Play and afterwards to the Coffee Ho.
September 29. Dined with Majr. Jenifer and Suppd at Danl. Dulany,7 Esqrs.
September 30. Left Annapolis, and Dind and Suppd with Mr. Sami. Gallaway.
October 1. Dined at Upper Marlborough and reach’d home in the Afternoon. Mr. Wormley, Mr. Fitzhugh, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Burwell, and Jack Custis came with me. Found Mr. Pendleton here.
With reference to the above quotations and notes it may be said that William Digges lived at Warburton Manor (present site of Fort Washington opposite Mount Vernon) and that Ignatius Digges, his brother, lived at Melwood, near Upper Marlboro, about four miles out on the present pike to Washington (see map page 91). Samuel Galloway lived at the beautiful place, Tulip Hill, on West River, now the property of Mrs. Henry H. Flather, of Washington, who has informed the writer that there is scratched on one of its windows “T. Ringgold, A. Galloway, 1773.” Ann Galloway and Ring- gold were married here and were the forebears of John Hays Hammond. Quaker Galloway and Washington were excellent friends apparently (see pages lxxvi and lxxvii).
The Diary says “lodged with Mr. Boucher in Annapolis.” Where did Mr. Boucher live? The present writer believes he has established the fact that at this time Boucher lived in what is known today as the Peggy Stewart Inn on Hanover Street, just outside the present site of the Naval Academy, near Maryland Avenue. If the evidence is conclusive then this is another historical Colonial building in Annapolis not previously claimed as such.
Here is the evidence. In the Land Office, Annapolis, is a plot of a survey, dated 1718, which shows the lot, on which the present building stands (see page xiii), to be glebe property. Page 77 of the Reverend Ethan Allen’s Historical Notices of St. Anne’s Parish, published 1857, says that “it was ordered by the vestry, that the Register search for a deed of the lot K (same lot) in Annapolis, whereon the parsonage then stood (1768), as it still does (1857).” There are those living in Annapolis today who can vouch that the building today is the same one here in 1857, with the exception of the new portion toward Maryland Avenue. Boucher, himself, says, in his “Reminiscences of An American Loyalist, 1738-1789, “Toward the close of the second year of my being Rector of Annapolis, where I had a good house, x x.” There can be no doubt that the present building was a “good house” for the clergy in those days.
Lloyd Dulany lived at the corner of Church and Conduit Streets (see page xcvii). Its history as Mann’s Tavern will be told later in connection with Washington’s resignation as Commander-in-Chief.
Governor Eden at this time lived in what afterwards became the old Naval Academy Library (see page lxxxi), tom down in 1901. This building was the home of Governor Sharpe from 1753 to 1769 and, when Eden relieved him, the latter went to live at his beautiful country estate, White Hall (see page lxxix).
The “Balls” were held during the racing seasons and in what is known today as the Assembly Rooms (see page xv). Gentlemen had to have tickets, ladies were free.
So far as the writer can find out, Daniel Dulany at this time lived at the old Dulany mansion, the home of his brother Walter. This mansion (see page xiv) was built prior to 1751 and was the home of the Dulany heirs until 1808 when the War Department bought it and nearly eight acres of land for $1,800.
When the Naval Academy was founded in 1845 t became the residence of the superintendent and remained as such until 1883 when it was torn down. Daniel Dulany (the younger) remained a loyalist and went to England during the Revolution; his properties were confiscated after the Revolution and sold for over $400,000
Space does not permit of a description of the above houses, nor of those of Mr. Ridout and Charles Carroll of Carrollton (see pages lxxxii, lxxxiii, xc, and xci), but the pictures themselves will give a better idea than any words of the life and times of the period.
The Seventh Visit—1772
B. C. Steiner, Ph.D., in his Life and Administration of Sir Robert Eden, Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science, 1898, (page 82) refers to a visit made by Washington in May, 1772. Steiner also says that Washington was in Annapolis having his picture painted by Charles Willson Peale. Both of Steiner’s statements are in error. Washington was not here at that time and he sat for Peale at Mount Vernon. (See page xxiv (b) for this first portrait of Washington). In this connection the following extract from the Diaries may be of interest:
1772. May 18. Went up to Court and stayed all Night. In the Evening Mr. Peale1 and J. P. Custis came to Mount Vernon.
1772. May 22. Set for Mr. Peale to finish my Face.’ In the afternoon Rid with him to my Mill. I returned home by the Ferry Plantation.
The entry in Washington’s accounts respecting this portrait are as follows:
May 30, By Mr. Peale Painter,Drawg. My Picte. |
£18.4.0 |
Miniature Do. for Mrs. Washington |
£13. |
Ditto Do. For Miss Custis |
£13. |
Ditto Do. For Mr. Custis |
£13. |
|
£57.4.0 |
He Did Not Visit Annapolis September, 1772
On page 77 and 78, Volume II of the Diaries, is quoted an extract given below. The running head at the top of page 77 reads “Visiting Mr. Boucher at Annapolis” and the footnote by Dr. Fitzpatrick would indicate that Boucher at this time was in Annapolis. This is believed to be in error for the following reasons:
(a) Boucher was not rector of St. Anne’s after June 4, 1771.
(b) Boucher in his book previously referred to states (p. 72) he was given Queen Anne’s Parish, Prince George County, and moved into his new house there just before Christmas; four or five months then passed (p. 76) in courtship and he was married just as he was thirty-four (p. 77). As Boucher was born in 1738 (see preface to his book) he was married in 1772 and living at Queen Anne—not Annapolis. (See map p. 91).
If one will read the account as given below in the Diary in the light of the above facts it will readily be seen that Washington never came into Annapolis during this month:
September 4. Set out with Mrs. Washington and Miss Custis (attended by Mr. Custis) on a Visit to Mr. Boucher, &ca. Breakfasted at Mr. Wm. Digges’s (the Horses and carriage being got over the day before) and dined at Mr. Boucher’s1 with Govr. Eden and Mr. Calvert, and his two Daughters.2
September 5. Dined at the same place and in the said Company. Mr. Calvert and Daughters went away in the afternoon.
September 6. Went to Church with Govr. Eden in his Phaeton.
September 7. Dined at Mr. Calvert’s (going with the Govr. in his Phaeton and calling at Mr. Sprigs.3 ) Mr. Igns. Digges and Family dind here also. We lodgd, they retd.
September 8. At Mr. Calvert’s all day and night.4 The Govr. returned to Annapolis this Morning.
September, 9. Mr. Boucher, who came to this place with us, returnd home early this morning. We dined at Mr. Igns. Digges with a good deal of Compa., among whom Mr. Calvert’s D[augh- te]rs, he himself going to Annapolis.
September 10. At Mr. Digges’s all day. Miss Calverts came, and returned in the Afternoon.
September 11. Returned home by the way of Mr. William Digges’s, where we Dined and where my Boats met us.
Washington did however visit Annapolis about a month later as will be seen from the following extract from the Diaries:
October 4. Set of for the Annapolis Races. Dined and lodged at Mr. Boucher’s.
October 5. Reached Annapolis.1 Dined at the Coffee House with the Jocky Club and lodgd at the Govrs. after going to the Play.2
October 6. Dined at Majr. Jenifer’s. Went to the Ball, and Suppd at the Govrs.3
October 7. Dined at the Govrs. and went to the Play afterwards.
October 8. Dined at Colo. Loyd’s and went to the Play; from thence early to my Lodgings.
October 9. Dined at Mr. Ridout’s. Went to the Play and to the Govrs. to Supper.
October 10. Dined at Mr. Carroll of Carrollton and set out for Mr. Boucher’s which place I arrivd at abt. 8 Oclock.
October 11. Got home to a late Dinner.4 Jno. Parke Custis came with me. Found Mrs. Barnes there.
It is perfectly evident from the October entries referring to Mr. Boucher (also see map page 91) that Mr. Boucher was not at this time in Annapolis. Rupert Hughes makes the same mistake.
The Eighth Visit—1773
Of this visit nothing is known except as quoted from the Diaries below:
1771. April 12. Set of for Annapolis with Mr. Custis. Dined and lodgd at Mr. Boucher’s with Govr. Eden and others.
April 13. Got to Annapolis. Dind and Lodgd at the Governor’s, where I also Supped.
April 14. Dined and Suppd at Mr. Loyd Dulany’s. Lodgd at the Govr’s.
April 15. Dined at Colo. Sharpe’s1 and Returnd to Annapolis. Supd and Lodgd at the Governor’s.
April 16. Dined and Supped at Mr. Danl. Dulany’s. Lodgd at the Gov’rs.
April 17. Left Annapolis. Dined and Lodgd at Mr. [Benedict] Calvert’s. [“Mount Airy.”]
April 18. Reached home to Dinner after passing through Piscataway Town.Fitzpatrick raises the question as to whether it was Horatio Sharpe that is referred to. There is no doubt in the writer’s mind for Sharpe was then living in White Hall about eight miles from Annapolis— Washington says he returned to Annapolis. As at one time Sharpe was Washington’s nominal Commander-in-Chief holding a colonel’s commission when Washington first knew him, it seems most natural he should use the title colonel—especially so as Robert Eden was governor at this time. Sharpe did not return to England until May, 1773.
The Ninth Visit—1773
This is Washington’s third trip to the northward and the second time he has gone via Annapolis and crossed the Chesapeake Bay to the Eastern Shore. He returned to Mount Vernon, June 8, via Baltimore and Mt. Airy.
1773. May 9. At home all day, Messrs. Ramsay, Rumney, and Herbert dind here; the last of whom went away, the others stayd all Night.
May 10. Those two Gentlemen stayd to Dinner, after which I set out on my journey for New York.1 Lodgd at Mr. Calvert’s.
May 11. Breakfasted at Mr. Igns. Digges’s. Dind at the Coffee Ho. in Annapolis and lodgd at the Govr’s.
May 12. Dined, Supped and lodgd at the Governor’s.
May 13. After Breakfast and abt. 8 Oclock, set out for Rockhall2 where we arrivd in two hours and 25 Minutes. Dind on Board the Annapois at Chester Town,3 and Supped and lodgd at Ringold’s.4
The Tenth Visit—1773
This is Washington’s third visit during the year and he comes over for the Annapolis Races. Following is from the Diaries:
September 26. I set of for Annapolis Races. Dined at Rollin’s1 and got into Annapolis between five and six Oclock. Spent the Evening and lodged at the Governor’s.
September 27. Dined at the Govr’s and went to the Play in the Evening.
September 28. Again Dined at the Govr’s. and went to the Play and Ball in the Evening.
September 29. Dined at Mr. Sprig’s and went to the Play in the Evening.
September 30. Dined at Mr. Ridout’s and spent the afternoon and Evening at Mr. Jenifer’s.
October 1. Still at Annapolis. Dined with Mr. [Benjamin] Ogle.2 Spent the Evening at the Governor’s.
October 2. Set of on my return home.3 Dined at Marlborough and lodged at home, Mr. Custis coming with me.6s. By Cards & Racing £3.16. By Servants £1.15.3’; equal £14.0.1. ‘By Cash pd. for Mr. Custis’s expense there £3.0.0’ (Ledger B.)
The Eleventh Visit—1774
Again he goes North via the Eastern Shore for the third time and on this occasion to the First Continental Congress at Philadelphia, arriving September 4 for the meeting which occurred September 16. Again the Diaries are quoted:
1774. August 30. Colo. Pendleton, Mr. Henry,1 Colo. Mason and Mr. Thos Triplet came in the Eveng. and stayd all Night.
August 31. All the above Gentlemen dind here, after which, with Colo. Pendleton and Mr. Henry, I set out on my journey for Phila, and reachd uppr. Marlbro.
September 1. Breakfasted at Queen Anne.2 Dined in Annapolis, and lodged at Rock Hall.
September 2. Din’d at Rock Hall (waiting for my Horses) and lodgd at New Town3 on Chester.
The Twelfth Visit—1774
This is the third time he has returned from the north via the Eastern Shore. Congress adjourned on October 27 and Washington immediately set out for home. The Diaries tell of the trip:
October 27. Set out on my return home, dined at Chester and lodged at Newcastle.
October 28. Breakfasted at the Buck Tavern. Dined at Down’s and lodged at Newtown upon Chester.
October 29. Breakfasted at Rockhall and reached Annapolis in the Afternoon.
October 30. Breakfasted at Mr. Calvert’s and reached home abt. 3 Oclock.
The Thirteenth Visit—1781
Washington did not Visit Annapolis again until after the surrender at Yorktown.
It may be of interest to note that in Fitzpatrick’s new book we find that Washington in setting out for Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress, which met May 10, crossed by ferry at Alexandria and went to Baltimore via Upper Marlboro for the first time. Washington paid a guide to show him the way. He did not return to Mt. Vernon for six years.
When Washington stopped at Annapolis en route from Yorktown to Philadelphia, the following account of the visit was printed in The Maryland Gazette:
The General’s arrival (at Annapolis) was announced by the discharge of cannon, and he was accompanied to his excellency, the governor (Thomas Sim Lee), by the honest acclamations of the whigs; a few Tories, to expiate their crimes, and shuffle off this opprobrium of their characters, feebly joined in applauding the man, whose late successes had annihilated their hopes, and whose conduct is a satire on their principles. The president of the senate (George Plater), speaker of the house of delegates (Thomas Cockey Dey), members of the general assembly and council,and many respectable citizens hastened to offer their tribute of affection, which was richly repaid by the engaging frankness and affectionate politeness of the reception. The evening was spent at the governor’s elegant and hospitable board with festive joy, enlivened by good humour, wit and beauty.
When the citizens received the pleasing intimation of his excellency’s intentions to honour them with his presence, all business ceased, and every consideration gave way to their impatience to behold their benefactor, and the deliverer of his country. On his appearance in the streets, people of every rank and every age eagerly pressed forward to feed their eyes with gazing on the man to whom, under providence, and the generous aid of our great and good ally, they owed their present security and their hopes of future liberty and peace: the courteous affability with which he returned their salutes, lighted up ineffable joy in every countenance, and diffused the most animated gratitude through every breast.
On the next day (November 22) the general was so obliging as to partake of a public dinner directed by the legislature, as a mark of their respect, and to render the participation of his company as universal as possible. In the evening the city was beautifully illuminated, and an assembly prepared for the ladies, to afford them an opportunity of beholding their friend, and thanking their protector with their smiles. His excellency, to gratify the wishes of the fair, crowned the entertainment with his presence, and with graceful dignity and familiar ease so framed his looks, his gestures, and his words, that every heart o’er- flowed with gratitude and love, and every tongue grew wanton in his praise. When he retired from the Assembly, this was the universal language:
“ ‘Unrival’d and unmatch’d shall be his fame
And his own laurels shade his envied name.’ ”
The Fourteenth Visit—1783
This was the occasion of his most memorable visit—joyful and sad—for he came to resign his commission as Commander-in- Chief of the Continental Army, after eight years of continuous public service.
He resigned at noon, December 23, in the present State House, in a room still preserved in its original condition, now known as the Old Senate Chamber. He then hurried to be home by Christmas Eve.
The resignation was witnessed by a brilliant assemblage of Revolutionary personages and members of the Congress; Martha Washington with several ladies, all elaborately gowned in the dress of the period, occupied seats in the gallery over the entrance to the room.
Washington arrived in Annapolis Friday, December 19, after a fifteen-day ride, traveling in state by coach from New York, where he had been to bid the officers of the Army an affectionate farewell. As he approached from Baltimore he was met on the outskirts of the town by the principal Annapolitans 'of that day and escorted to the city where lodgings had been prepared for him at Mann’s Hotel, a tavern then situated on the east corner of Church and Conduit Streets, a most famous lodging in the Colonial period. The tavern took its name at this time from its proprietor, Mr. Mann, although in one period it had been known as the Dulany House, its owner then being Lloyd Dulany, a friend of Washington’s.
The next day, Saturday, December 20, was spent in official calls and making arrangements for the resignation ceremonies which were to be most formal and it was finally decided that Washington would resign at noon on the twenty-third in the State House before the assembled Congress and that he would be given a public entertainment on “Monday next.” It was further decided that the city of Annapolis as well as the State of Maryland would honor him on that day with public addresses and that a ball would be given that night by the General Assembly of Maryland.
On Saturday night Washington was entertained at dinner at the ballroom (now the cester Street at the foot of Market, by the President of Congress, members of Congress and the “principal military and civil officers of the State.”
On Sunday Washington spent the day returning the visits of the citizens and others who had called on him, of which there were many as he had long been familiar with the city and its people.
On Monday night came the “public entertainment” tendered by the Continental Congress, which took the form of a dinner at the ballroom to over 200 guests, the dinner being served by Mr. Mann “in the most elegant and profuse style.” This is the same “ballroom,” most probably, that Washington had in mind when writing in his Diary of the visits during 1771-1773 when he made such simple entries as “Dined with the Govr. and went to the Play and Ball afterwards.” Upon the conclusion of the dinner “the roar of artillery began” and thirteen patriotic toasts were drunk.
Later in the evening there was a grand ball given by the General Assembly of Maryland in the State House, the latter being beautifully illuminated and in which a supper was served. Elihu Riley, in The Ancient City, says that for the receptions tendered this day to Washington, Mr. Mann furnished “ninty-eight bottles of wine, two and a-half gallons of spirits, nine pounds of sugar, a lot of limes, music and waiters, and a dozen packs of cards,” which by the way, according to Professor W. B. Norris (Annapolis—Its Colonial and Naval Story) cost £71 6s 6d. The Governor directed the Annapolis Coffee House (now torn down but then on Church Street opposite Chancery Lane), to “furnish the people with punch and grog to the value of £10 ios.”
In those days it was customary for the guest of honor at dances given upon occasions of state to “open the Ball’’ with some fair partner selected for him by the committee in charge. But this night Washington did not choose to follow the custom and perhaps, relieved the committee of much responsibility and embarrassment, by “choosing” (a word not unfamiliar in the past few months) as his partner “one of the most beautiful women of her day”—Mrs. James Mackubin, of Annapolis, then a popular young bride in the capital on the Severn. (See page xvm). It has been the privilege of the writer to see the portrait of her painted years afterwards by Charles Willson Peale and the miniature of her daughter, Juliana, later the wife of Commodore Ballard, painted by John Wesley Jarvis—that of the daughter having been painted when she was at about the same age as that of her mother on the night of the ball. To one who has seen these paintings it is readily realized why the quoted remarks were used by Jonas Green in referring to Mrs. Mackubin’s beauty.*
Finally came the exact hour and day which climaxed the brilliant events of the preceding days. If the motion picture had been perfected on December 23, 1783, we could have presented before our eyes today the following scenes:
Washington with his aides enter the State House. A messenger hurries to announce their arrival to the Congress assembled in the southeast room and the General is soon introduced by the Secretary of Congress, after which he is conducted to a chair and is seated, his aides standing beside him.
As he entered the chamber in which he is to perform, as he thinks, the last official act of his life, we see the members of Congress sitting about the room in arm chairs and strangely enough they and their President, General Mifflin, who sat in a chair at the further end of the room, had their heads covered—“in token of the sovereignty of
the States they represented.” Around the members of the Congress are gathered the Governor of Maryland and his Council, together with both branches of the Maryland Legislature. Present also are the judges of the State courts and the gentry of the city and countryside. One can see Washington’s celebrated aide, Tench Tighlman, of the Eastern Shore, made famous by his horseback ride from Yorktown to Philadelphia to carry the news of Cornwallis’ surrender.1
In the distinguished gathering before us are four future presidents of the United States—Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe—men of vision it is true, but could they have visualized their country of today? Present also are seen the four Maryland signers of the Declaration of Independence—Thomas Stone, William Paca, Samuel Chase, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the latter said to have been the richest man in the Colonies, and, therefore, the most to lose financially at the time he signed, and the owner of a nearby estate of 60,000 acres. Our own Joshua Barney is present, as well as Alexander Hamilton, the future Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. In addition there are “beauty and grace unnumbered and unchronicled.” Surely a brilliant audience that we see before us and fitting in every respect for the final scene yet to be enacted.
“The hum of incident disorder being hushed,” the President of Congress, General Mifflin, arises from his chair, his head still covered, and informs Washington that “the United States in Congress assembled are prepared to receive your communication.” Washington is seen rising and bowing to Congress; he walks to the right of the Clerk’s desk and begins the famous address (see page xcvm) which may be read today upon the walls of this same room.2
As the speech is concluded Washington advances toward General Mifflin, holding a copy of his speech and his commission, both of which he delivers to the President of Congress. Washington stands by his chair as General Mifflin makes his reply on behalf of the Congress and upon its conclusion Washington is handed a copy of this speech and “with affecting dignity,” bows to Congress. Despite the previous instructions that Congress was to remain “covered” when he retired, printed accounts state that the members took off their hats before the First Citizen as he departed.
Washington immediately set out for home with Mrs. Washington, presumably over the route long familiar to him and over which he traveled many times before, viz.: by the way of South River, West River, Upper Marlboro and “Piscataway Town,” and then ferried across the Potomac to his own beloved Mount Vernon—to arrive on Christmas Eve.
The Fifteenth Visit—1784
Washington made three visits to Annapolis this year—the tirst May 19. From The Writings of Washington (Sparks), Volume IX, page 45, there is a letter dated June 2, 1784, to David Humphreys in which Washington says, “I did not hear of it until I arrived at Annapolis, where I remained but one day, and that occasioned by the detention of my carriage and horses on the Eastern Shore.”
In the files of The Maryland Gazette for Thursday, May 27, 1784, appears the following paragraph:
Last Friday morning his excellency General Washington arrived here from Philadelphia, and next day set off for his seat at Mount Vernon.
Again he used the Eastern Shore route in returning. We do not know with whom he lodged while waiting for his carriage and horses to be ferried across the bay. This is the second time he has referred to carriages, the first being in his visit to Mr. Boucher’s at Queen Anne in September, 1772. We know that the post roads from 1772 on were good enough for the carriage and coach.
Washington’s visit to Philadelphia was in connection with the organization of the Society of the Cincinnati.
The Sixteenth Visit—1784
The second visit made this year was to accompany Lafayette to Annapolis and it was in this city that he bade him goodbye and saw him for the last time. The occasion of this visit was a farewell reception to Lafayette by Annapolis before the latter’s departure for France. They arrived in Annapolis on Monday, September 29, and the next day the Legislature ordered a ball to be given in honor of the visitors. The Gazette says:
The evening was crowned with the utmost joy and festivity, the whole company being made happy by the Presence of two most amiable and all- accomplished men, to whom America is so deeply indebted for her preservation from tyranny and oppression.
It was at this time that the Legislature of Maryland enacted a statute to make “the marquis de la Fayette and his heirs male forever—natural born citizens of this State. . . . . “
Lafayette visited Annapolis again in 1824 with his son George Washington Lafayette and, as Professor Norris says, “this was pleasantly recalled” then as well as when “a later descendant, the Marquis de Chambrun, a French commander who won fame at Verdun, was in the United States at the close of the World War.”
Washington had a premonition that this was to be the last time he and Lafayette would see each other and so strongly did he feel that he escorted Lafayette to the outskirts of the city, when the latter departed.
The Seventeenth Visit—1784
The occasion of the third visit this year and the second within a month was, as stated in his letter from Annapolis, dated December 23, 1784, to Lafayette then about to embark for France: “I am here, however, with General Gates, at the request of the Assembly of Virginia to fix matters with the Assembly of this State respecting the extension of the inland navigation of the Potomac &c., &c.” (Spark’s, Volume IX, p. 82.)
In Rives’ The Life and Times of James Madison, Volume I, page 620, is what is known, so Dr. Fitzpatrick informs the writer, as the “headache letter” of Washington, written to Madison. In it he writes Madison under Annapolis date line of December 28:
It is now near twelve o’clock at night, and I am writing with an aching head, having been constantly employed in this business since the 22nd instant, x x x.
Washington apparently was here from December 22 to 30 although Baker’s Washington After the Revolution states he was in Annapolis from the twentieth.
We knew he was at Mount Vernon on January 1, 1785.
The Eighteenth Visit—1791
So far as can be ascertained this was the eighteenth and last visit made to Annapolis. This time he came as President of the United States and left Philadelphia “to make a tour through the Southern States” as he writes; his “equipage and attendance consisted of a Charriot and four horses drove in hand—a light baggage Wagon and two horses—four saddle horses besides a led one for myself—and five—to wit; my Valet de Chambre, two footmen, Coachmen and postilion.”
He came via the old familiar route of the Eastern Shore and came near losing his life off the mouth of the Severn. Let him tell his own story from his Diaries:
1791. March, Thursday, 24th. Left Chester- town about 6 o’clock; before nine I arrived at Rock-Hall where we breakfasted and immediately; after which we began to embark. The doing of which employed us (for want of contrivance) until near 3 O’clock,—and then one of my Servants (Paris) and two horses were left, notwithstanding two Boats in aid of the Two Ferry Boats were procured. Unluckily, embarking on board of a borrowed Boat because she was the largest, I was in imminent danger, from the unskillfulness of the hands, and the dulness of her sailing, added to the darkness and storminess of the night—for two hours after we hoisted sail the wind was light and ahead—the next hour was a stark calm—after which the wind sprung up at So. Et. and increased until it blew a gale—about which time and after 8 o’clock P.M. we made the Mouth of Severn River (leading up to Annapolis) but the ignorance of the People on board, with respect to the navigation of it run us aground first on Greenbury point from whence with much exertion and difficulty we got off; and then, having no knowledge of the Channel and the night being immensely dark with heavy and variable squals of wind, constant lightning and tremendous thunder, we soon got aground again on what is called Home’s point— where finding all efforts in vain, and not knowing where we were we remained, not knowing what might happen, till morning.
Friday, 25th. Having lain all night in my Great Coat and Boots, in a birth not long enough for me by the head,1 and much cramped: we found ourselves in the morning within one mile of Annapolis, and still fast aground. Whilst we were preparing our small Boat in order to land in it, a sailing Boat came of to our assistance in wch. with the Baggage I had on board I landed, and requested Mr. Man2 at Whose Inn I intended lodging, to send off a Boat to take off two of my Horses and Chariot which I had left on board and with it my Coachman to see that it was properly done; but by mistake the latter not having notice of this order and attempting to get on board afterwards in a small sailing Boat was overset and narrowly escaped drowning.
Was informed upon my arrival (when 15 Guns were fired) that all my other horses arrived safe that embarked at the same time I did, about 8 o’clock last night.
Was waited upon by the Governor3 (who came off in a Boat as soon as he heard I was on my passage from Rock-Hall to met us, but turned back when it grew dark and squally) as soon as I arrived at Man's tavern and was engaged by him to dine with the Citizens of Annapolis this day at Mann’s tavern, and at his House to morrow—the first I accordingly did.
Before dinner I walked with him, and several other Gentlemen to the State house, (which seems to be much out of repair)—the College of St. John4 at which there are about 80 Students of every description, and then by way of the Governor’s (to see Mrs. Howell5) home.
Saturday, 26th. Spent the forenoon in my Room preparing papers, etc. against my arrival at George-Town.
Dined at the Governors—and went to the Assembly in the Evening where I stayed till half past ten o’clock.
In the afternoon of this day Paris and my other two horses arrived from Rock-Hall.
Sunday, 27th. About 9 o’clock this morning I left Annapolis, under a discharge of Artillery, and being accompanied by the Governor and a Mr. Kilty6 of the Council and Mr. Charles Stuart proceeded on my Journey for George-Town. Bated at Queen Ann,7 13 miles distant and lodged at Bladensburgh.8 Many of the Gentlemen of Annapolis, (among them was the Chancellor of the State’ escorted me to the ferry over So. River.
Washington’s last contact with Annapolis was in 1798, in which he sent his grand step-son, George Washington Parke Custis, to college at St. John’s. The letters written to the young man and to Dr. McDowell about the former’s education and the temptations of Annapolis were quite similar to those written eighteen years previously to Boucher with regard to the father, John Parke Custis.
Note: For bibliography, see page 128.
The following authors, books and publications have been consulted in the preparation of this paper:
Allen, Rev. Ethan, Historical Notices of St. Anne’s Parish.
Baker, William S., Itinerary of General Washington from June 15, 1775, to December 23, 1783.
Baker, William S., Woshington After the Revolution, 1784 to 1799.
Baker, William S., The Engraved Portraits of Washington.
Boucher, Jonathan, Reminiscences of an American Loyalist, 1738-1789.
Congress, Journal of, December, 1783.
Culver, F. B., Blooded Horses of Colonial Days.
Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, March, 1923.
Duval, Ruby R., Guide to Historic Annapolis and the U. S. Naval Academy.
Earle, Swepson, The Chesapeake Bay Country.
Edgar, Lady, A Colontal Governor in Maryland, Horatio Sharpe and His Times, 1753-1773.
Eddis, Wm., Letters From America, 1769-1777.
Fitzpatrick, J. C., The Diaries of George Washington, 4 volumes, published for The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union.
Fitzpatrick, J. C., George Washington: Colonial Traveller, 1732-1773.
Ford, Worthington C., The Writings of Washington, 14 volumes.
Fry and Jefferson, Map of 1775.
Griffith, Map of Maryland.
Hockett, Homer C., A Political and Social History of the United States 1492-1828.
Hughes, Rupert, George Washington, 1732-1762.
Hughes, Rupert, George Washington, 1762-1777.
Irving, Washington, Life of George Washington.
Johnson, Elizabeth Bryant, George Washington Day by Day.
Maryland Gazette, files from 1743 to 1799.
Mitchell, S. Weir, The Youth of Washington.
Murray, Map of Maryland, 1841.
Murray, Elizabeth Hesselius, Life and Times of the Rev. Walter Addison.
Norris, Walter B., Annapolis; Its Colonial and Naval Story.
Richardson, Hester Sorsey, Side Lights of Maryland History. Two vols., volume 2, page 225.
Ridgeley, David, The Annals of Annapolis.
Riley, Elihu S., The Ancient City.
Idem, First Citizen and Antilion, with a History of Governor Eden’s Administration in Maryland, 1769-1776.
Idem, A History of Anne Arundel County.
Rives, William C., History of the Times of James Madison.
Sawyer, J. D., Washington, 2 volumes.
Scharf, J. Thomas, Hist, of Maryland, 3 vols.
Sharpe, Governor Horatio, Correspondence of.
Soley, James R., Historical Sketch of the United States Naval Academy.
Sparks, Jared, The Writings of Washington.
Steiner, B. C., Life and Administration of Sir Robert Eden.
Stoddert, Survey of Plat of Annapolis, 1718, now in Land Office, Annapolis, Maryland.
Tighlman, Oswald, Memoirs of Colonel Tench Tighlman.
Wilstach, Paul, Potomac Landings.
Wilstach, Paul, Mount Vernon.
Woodward, W. E., George Washington—The Image and the Man.
[The Editor in indebted to the following for information and permission to visit the following mansions: Mrs. Henry H. Flather, of Washington, D.C., owner of Tulip Hill: to Mr. J. P. Story, of Washington, D.C., owner of White Hall: to Mr. and Mrs. Percy Duvall, owner of the Dower House (Mt. Airy).
Thanks are also due to the following for information with regard to the colonial home of Ignatius Digges of Melwood, Maryland: Mrs. W. J. Digges of Davidsonville, Maryland: to Judge William Mitchell Digges of La Plata, Maryland, and to Mrs. Richard Hid of Washington, D.C.
The Editor has personally visited the old routes as nearly as they can be traced today from Port Tobacco to Piscataway and from Marlboro through the old site of Queen Anne, Prince George County, to South River and London Town.]
Account with Major Lawrence Washington,— Ledger A, op. cit.
The precise date of this visit to Annapolis, with Lawrence, is difficult to settle. It may have had something to do with the intended journey to Barbados.
1 Ford, Writings of Washington, Vol. II, p. 316.
1Lloyd Dulaney, attorney at Annapolis. Was a loyalist in the Revolutionary War and removed to England.
2 By John Parke Custis at ye Annapolis Races 8.’ (Ledger A.)
3 Robert Eden
4 ‘By Play Tickets at Do. £3. By Ball . . . . Ditto . . . . Do. 18s’ Ledge A. The races were the event of the social season at Annapolis. The Jockey Club had been formed in 1750; the track, a circuit of about one mile, was near the present Baltimore and Washington Railroad Station. The day’s sport usually ended with the theater or a Ball. The theater Washington attended on this trip was a new one that had opened in Feb., 1769, on West Street. It is not now standing.
5 Dr. David Stuart, of Fairfax County. He, later, married the widow of John Parke Custis (Eleanor Calvert). Dr. Stuart was one of the three first Conunissioners of the District of Columbia. Washington was much attached to him and remembered him in his will. (It is believed Washington refers to Dr. George Stewart—not James—who lived between the State House and St. Anne’s and married Anna Digges.—H. A. B.)
6 John Ridout (1732-53), attorney, of Annapolis, Md.
7 Daniel Dulany (1721-97), attorney of Annapolis. Held various State offices in Maryland prior to the Revolutionary War and was never entirely in accord with the Colonies, while he did not, at the same time, approve Great Britain’s course.
1 Charles Willson Peale, the artist (1741-1827). Born in Maryland and died in Philadelphia. Received instruction from John Singleton Copley and studied under Benjamin West, in London. He is best known as a portrait painter.
1 The Reverend Jonathan Boucher, Saint Anne’s Parish, Annapolis, Maryland.
2 Benedict Calvert and his two daughters, Eleanor and Elizabeth. John Parke Custis married Eleanor.
3 Thomas Sprigg, near Annapolis, (Toner).
4 September 9. Washington entered in his Cash Memorandum Book “To Cash won at Cards at Mr. Calverts 10s.”
1 By Ferriage over So. River is 6d.” (Cash Memorandum Book.)
2 John Parke Custis accompanied Washington to the races. Oct (5). “By sundry Tickets to the Plays there £1.0.0.” By Do . . . . Do. . . . to the Ball Do. 12s.” Oct. 10. “By Cash lost on the Races £1.6.0." (Ledger B.)
3 Thomas Eden. (This must be Robert.— H. A. B.)
4 “By Ferriage over So. River is.” (Cash Memorandum Book.)
1 Horatio Sharpe (?), the ex-governor.
2Piscataway, on Piscataway Creek, Prince George’s County, Md.
1 To place John Parke Custis in King’s College, now Columbia University, New York City. Governor Thomas Eden apparently accompanied Washington as far as Philadelphia to attend the races there.
2 On the Easter Shore of Maryland, Kent County. The Annapolis Packet ferry ran across Chesapeake Bay from Annapolis to Rock Hall.
3Chestertown, county seat of Kent County, about a dozen miles from Rock Hall.
4 Thomas Ringgold, near Chestertown.
1 Bladensburg (?)
2 Benjamin Ogle (1746-1808), of Prince George’s County, Maryland. He was Governor of Maryland, 1798-1801.
3 By Travellg. Exps. to and from the Annapolis Races £4.16.10. By Sundry Play Tickets £3.6. By a Ticket to the Ball
1 Patrick Henry, Jr. (1736-99), of Virginia. Governor of Virginia and delegate to the First Continental Congress.
2 A crossroads hamlet in Prince George’s County. It has long since disappeared.
3 Newton on the Chester River, Eastern Shore of Maryland, is now Chestertown.
* The paintings are now in possession of the Walton family which is directly descended from Mrs. Mackubin and the writer is indebted to Miss Katharine Walton of that family, now residing in Annapolis, for the above information and for the pleasure of seeing the paintings.]
1 There is a direct descendant of the same name now living and his mother, Mrs. Tench Tighlman, resides in Annapolis.
2 From an eye witness, Mrs. John Ridout, we are indebted for the following description: “The General seemed so much affected himself that everybody felt for him. He addressed Congress in a short speech, but very affecting. Many tears were shed.
1 Washington was nearly two inches over six feet in height.
2 Colonel William Mann, whose establishment at Annapolis was known as the City Hotel.
3 Governor John Eager Howard
4 Charter of St. John’s was granted in 1784 and the college formally opened in 1789. (See the brief sketch of the Institution in Henderson’s Washington’s Southern Tour, Houghton Mifflin Co.: 1923, p. 24.)
5 Mrs. Howard, wife of Governor John Eager Howard.
6 William Kilty.
7 Queen Ann, a village on the Patuxent, in Anne Arundel County.
8 Tradition has it that Washington lodged at the present ramshackle George Washington Inn on the main street of Bladensburg, near the old Spa Spring. It was built between 1747 and 1752.
8 Alexander Contee Hanson