On December 30, 1824, The Lafayette Ball was held at Talbott's Tavern (where the City Hotel was later built in the first block of West Patrick Street). A mid-day fete for the Revolutionary War hero at John McPherson's home on Council Street (now known as The Ross House) was also held. On December 30, 1842, James McSherry, who became chief judge of the Frederick County Court and The Maryland Court of Appeals, was born in Frederick. On December 30, 1907, Dr. Edward Oliver Belt, who was born in Frederick on May 19, 1861, was killed in a train wreck on the B&O line just outside Washington at Terra Cotta. Dr. Belt was the founder of Episcopal Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital in Washington, and a professor at Howard University. On December 30, 1990, Bernard A. Adams, former news director at WFMD and WFRE, and the public relations director at Frederick Community College, died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage at age 37. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

On December 29, 1824, General Lafayette was received at the Monocacy (Jug) Bridge by many Frederick dignitaries, including Lawrence Everhart, who had carried a wounded Lafayette from the Brandywine Battlefield during the Revolutionary War, and taken to town with great pomp and circumstance. On December 29, 1830, six members of the John Newey household in Harbaugh Valley west of Thurmont were stabbed to death and their home burned to the ground. John Markley was executed for the crime on June 24, 1831, on the Barracks Grounds on South Market Street in Frederick. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

Frederick Co, MD - Equity Court Abstracts - ES-3 344-357 - SMITH, MOTTER, McLANAHAN, SLAVES, FOUT - Oct 1854 John C. MOTTER & Edward S. MOTTER vs Mary A. V. MOTTER & Others Rebecca SMITH d/ (Will written 25 Jan 1851) d/ Mary Ann MOTTER d/ 1 Jun 1854 intestate; w/o John S. MOTTER .....John C. MOTTER .....Edward S. MOTTER .....Mary A. V. MOTTER, a minor .....George R. MOTTER, a minor .....William H. MOTTER, a minor .....Joseph E. MOTTER, a minor .....Cecelia A. MOTTER, a minor s/ John Jacob SMITH s/ Ezra SMITH, dec'd .....Henrietta R. SMITH s/ William H. SMITH s/ George SMITH d/ Ann Rebecca McLANAHAN .....Alice R. McLANAHAN .....William H. McLANAHAN granddaughter/ Eveline C. SMITH grandson/ John T. SMITH SLAVE - coloured girl NELLY (slave for life), to daughter Mary Ann MOTTER - coloured boy JOE (slave for life), to son John Jacob SMITH - negro girl CATHARINE (or KEPP), to granddaughter Eveline (with stipulations) - coloured girl ELIZA (slave for life), to daughter Ann Rebecca (provision for trustees to sell Eliza if they choose to and buy another in her place) Land - House & Lot on W. Patrick St, Frederick Town (western portion to daughter Mary Ann MOTTER); eastern portion was then occupied by David SCHLEY, esquire (given to daughter Ann Rebecca in trust provided she not return to her husband who does not provide for her and her children; then to her children); lies next to lot of George MARKELL. Execs/ son George SMITH and son-in-law John S. MOTTER Witnesses: Ezra HOUCK, George BECKENBAUGH, Daniel HALLER Guardian was John S. MOTTER and was also trustee for the sale. Second sale was successful with high bidder, - John H. FOUT, esquire, at $2,005 Distribution: court costs, $213.62 - Each 1/7 to Mary Ann MOTTER's children, $255.91 Closed 11 Feb 1856. =================== www.MidMdRoots.com

Looking for any information about Peter and Abraham Miller noted in Frederick Co. 1761-1794. Peter Miller came to Frederick Co., Md. with John Slifer Jr, Peter Garber and Rudolph Brown (he came from Big Conewago Congregation of Brethren). In 1770, Peter Miller purchased land from Daniel Arnold located near Burkittsville. I also have an Abraham Miller who was executor in 1772 for will of Catherine Hardman who was widow of George Hardman who was brother of Anthony Hardman (pastor at Middle Creek congregation near Middletown). Is this same Abraham Miller? Were Peter and Abraham father and son? Where did they come from? Could they have been related to Ludwig Miller who lived on Pa/Md border until 1771? Welcome any info on these guys. Art Miller, Louisville

On December 28, 1825, Major General James Wilkinson, who was court-martialed in Frederick for conspiracy and for being an agent of the Spanish government, with Roger Brooke Taney and John Hanson Thomas as his defense attorneys, died in Mexico City. He was found not guilty at the trial, which lasted four months. On December 28, 1835, President Andrew Jackson nominated Roger Brooke Taney, a former resident of Frederick, to be Chief Justice of the United States. On December 28, 1931, the original works of Frederick Heisley's Town Clock in the steeple of Trinity Chapel on West Church Street in Frederick were presented to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

On December 27, 1803, William Magee Seton, husband of Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, later Mother Seton, died in Italy, leaving a widow and five children. On December 27, 1810, Roger Stemble, who would assist in putting down an uprising of the Seminole Indians in Florida in 1836, and who did "brilliant service" in the Mexican War in 1846, was born in Middletown. He rose to the rank of admiral in the U. S. Navy. On December 27, 1923, the Lebherz Brothers formed a new corporation called The Everedy Company. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

On December 26, 1774, The Maryland Gazette reported the case of John Parks who was forced by the Committee for The Upper Part of Frederick County, to walk bare-headed and set fire to a “chest of tea” he owned in defiance of an order barring such commodity. On December 26, 1788, Dr. Elisha John Hall, of Fredericktown, addressed a small local group of physicians in Baltimore. This speech led eventually to the formation of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland in 1799. On December 26, 1794, a Corporation of Frederick ordinance required all homes to keep leather buckets near their front entrances to supply water in case of fire. On December 26, 1839, First Lieutenant George E. Davis, Company D, 10th Vermont Infantry, who was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at The Battle of Monocacy on July 9, 1864, was born in Dunstable, MA. On December 26, 1941, William Tyler Page, who was born on Record Street in Frederick and who was also the author of The American's Creed, set the record of 60 years service at the United States Capitol in Washington. He was the clerk of The House of Representatives for many years. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

Frederick Co, MD - Equity Court Abstracts - ES-3 343-344 - BASFORD - Jan 1856 Estate of Alfred BASFORD; John T. BASFORD, trustee Supplemental of ES-1, 619 2nd Distribution of $177.27; court costs, $10.17 Each 1/9, $18.56 to - John T. BASFORD - Ellen BASFORD - Eliza BASFORD - Henry BASFORD - Charlotte BASFORD - George BASFORD - Alfred BASFORD - Adam A. BASFORD Closed 28 Jan 1856. (Note - pages 344 and 347 are switched online) =================== www.MidMdRoots.com

On December 25, 1783, Luther Martin, arguably the greatest lawyer in Maryland history, a Maryland Attorney General for 30 years, and defense counsel for Aaron Burr at his treason trial in Richmond, VA, married Maria Cresap, daughter of Capt. Michael Cresap, who led 300 Frederick Countians on a march to join the Continental Army after the Battle of Bunker Hill. On December 25, 1845, Adrian C. McCardell, who became president of Frederick County National Bank, and who operated a confectionery store at two locations on North Market Street in downtown Frederick, was born in Washington County. He was the father of Adrian Leroy McCardell, who also became president of Frederick County National Bank, and the grandfather of world-renowned fashion designer Claire McCardell. He died March 30, 1932, and was buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. On December 25, 1857, the Georgetown Chapel in Walkersville was dedicated. On December 25, 1883, Lawrence 'Larry' Dielman, son of Dr. John Casper Dielman, professor of music at Mount Saint Mary's College (now University) in Emmitsburg, began the tradition of walking to his father's grave every Christmas Day, playing his father's favorite carol, "Adeste Fidelis,' on the flute. The practice stopped in 1921, when 'Larry' was too ill to make the pilgrimage. He died in 1923. On December 25, 1951, five calves were born to a Holstein cow on the farm of Silas D. Bittle, near Myersville. The cow accidentally killed three of the calves prior to the discovery that she had given birth. On December 25, 2007, announcement was made of the appointment of District Court Judge Oliver John Cejka as the administrative judge for Maryland's District 11, which includes Frederick and Washington counties. The appointment became effective on January 1, 2008. Judge Cejka replaced his Frederick County District Court colleague W. Milnor Roberts. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

On December 24, 1821, Dr. John Baltzell, age 47, married Ruth Ridgley, of Baltimore, age 22. Dr. Baltzell's home on East Church Street in Frederick is now the home for The Historical Society of Frederick County. On December 24, 1855, Frank Wanzer, his fiancé, and four other slaves fled their owners’ plantation in Loudoun County, Virginia, and made their way through the underground railroad in Frederick County, including stops at the farms of Ezra Henry and John Michael, who owned adjacent farms near Doubs. On December 24, 1934, a fire, caused by an electrical short circuit in the basement, extensively damaged the Brunswick YMCA. The building was rebuilt almost immediately. On December 24, 1963, two houses of East Fifth Street in Frederick collapsed after a natural gas explosion. Two were killed. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

Frederick Co, MD - Equity Court Abstracts - ES-3 341-343 - DEVILBISS, DEBOW - Jan 1856 Estate of George W. DEVILBISS; Adam W. DEVILBISS, trustee Supplemental of ES-2, 683 Distribution of $3,199.67; court costs, $16.27 - John DEBOW, balance of claim, $368.39 - Miranda O. DEVILBISS, in lieu of dower, $402.14 - various creditors, $2,217.75 - Rufus W. DEVILBISS, a child, $48.78 - Henry C. DEVILBISS, a child, $48.78 - Ann M. DEVILBISS, a child, $48.78 - George A. DEVILBISS, a child, $48.78 Closed 24 Mar 1856. =================== www.MidMdRoots.com

On December 23, 1823, John McPherson, Jr., the son of the man who built both the Ross and Mathias homes on Council Street in Frederick, married Fanny Johnson, the granddaughter of Thomas Johnson, Maryland's first governor. He was the manager of Branch Bank, and owner and operator of the Catoctin Furnace property. On December 23, 1861, Pvt. John Lanahan, of Company I, 46th Pennsylvania Volunteers, was hanged at Fairview, just west of Frederick, for the murder of Major Arnold C. Lewis at a Darnestown encampment. On December 23, 1926, The Tivoli Theater opened. It later became the first commercial building in Frederick to be air-cooled. It was operated by The Stanley Cramer Company and is now known as The Weinberg Center For The Arts. On December 23, 1950, Henry K. C. Fox, who assumed ownership of Fox's Stove Store in the first block of East Patrick Street in Frederick from his father, Ernst A. C. Fox, died of a coronary occlusion. He was born December 18, 1875. On December 23, 2005, The Frederick News-Post carried the news that Anna Johnson-Winegar, of Frederick, had been selected as chairman-elect of the American Cancer Society's National Board of Directors. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

On December 22, 1827, Col. Luke Tiernan Brien, who owned "Tyrone," where the Sabers and Roses Ball was held in 1862 in Urbana, and who was a pioneer in railroad construction in the mid-west after The Civil War, was born. He died November 25, 1912. "Tyrone" is now known as The Landon House. On December 22, 2002, former President George H. W. Bush shopped at the Giant Food Store on The Golden Mile in Frederick. Although surrounded by Secret Service agents, he stood in the check-out line like a regular citizen. He was on his way to Camp David to spend the holidays with his son, President George W. Bush, and other members of his family. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

Frederick Co, MD - Equity Court Abstracts - ES-3 329-341 - MILES, DUDDERAR, DAVIS, NORWOOD, JAMISON, RICE, MAGERS, COCKEY - Feb 1855 Isaac DAVIS & Others vs Albert F. MILES & Others Charles MILES d/ 1857 intestate widow - Almeda (age 55) and children - Elizabeth (d/ c1853) w/o Conrad DUDDERAR .....Henry DUDDERAR, a minor .....Frances DUDDERAR, a minor .....George DUDDERAR, a minor .....Emily DUDDERAR, a minor .....Charles W. DUDDERAR, a minor - Catharine S. w/o Isaac DAVIS - Elvira w/o Jeremiah NORWOOD - John W. MILES - Charles P. MILES - James W. MILES - Albert F. MILES, a minor - Francis MILES, a minor Land - Farm, "The Principal", 247 acres, one mile from Price's Mill and 2 1/2 miles from Urbanna, adjoins land of E. PRICE and J. McKINSTRY; Wesley MILES was then living there. - 2 Lots in Hyattstown, Montgomery County James W. MILES sold his share to Isaac DAVIS. Guardian was John RITCHIE, esquire. Testimony heard from Joshua McCLAIN who had known the family for 20-30 years. Trustees appointed were Isaac DAVIS and John W. MILES who renounced the duties; John J. JAMISON was then substituted with sureties as Upton WORTHINGTON and William JOHNSON. Property sold on 8 Aug at public sale on the premises to: - Edward T. RICE for the farm at $16.29/acre - John T. MAGERS for the lots at $200 On 24 Oct 1855, William COCKEY, made oath that Almeda MILES was 55-60 years old. Distribution of $4,237.08; court costs, $326.84 - Almeda MILES, in lieu of widow's dower. $391.02 - each 1/8 share to children, $439.90 Closed 17 Nov 1855. =================== www.MidMdRoots.com

On December 21, 1874, William Gideon Baker, Jr., who founded the financial house of Baker, Watts in 1900, was born in Buckeystown. He died in Baltimore County on December 27, 1948. On December 21, 1881, the elopement of Mrs. John Devilbiss and A. M. Geisbert, both of Creagerstown, was reported in Frederick's newspapers. Mrs. Devilbiss had abandoned her husband and children on December 2. On December 21, 1938, a contract was awarded to Calvin Owens, of Bethesda, for the construction of a new Frederick High School for a contract price of $369,000. The building on Carroll Parkway has undergone many renovations since, and now houses more than 1,500 students. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

On December 20, 1842, Father John Dubois, founder of Mount Saint Mary's College (now University) and Seminary in Emmitsburg, died in New York City where he was a Roman Catholic bishop. He was born in Paris on August 24, 1764. On December 20, 1920, the last road tollgate in Maryland, on the Frederick and Woodsboro Road between Frederick and the Monocacy River, was closed. Miss Alice Zimmerman, toll collector for nearly 18 years, collected the last fee. On December 20, 1946, The Frederick News-Post carried an article revealing that bobble birds, those glass figures that dipped their beaks into a container of water, were being manufactured in Frederick. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

Frederick Co, MD - Equity Court Abstracts - ES-3 311-329 - JOHNSON, WILLIAMS, KEEFER - Mar 1852 Thomas JOHNSON & w/ Catharine & Others vs Richard E. JOHNSON & Others Richard JOHNSON d/ (Will written 31 Dec 1850) - (natural son by Sarah WILLIAMS), Richard Edwin JOHNSON, a minor bro/ Thomas JOHNSON's children ......Edwin JOHNSON ......Francis R. A. JOHNSON ......Jane JOHNSON, a minor ......Thomas JOHNSON Jr, a minor ......Wyndham JOHNSON, a minor ......Fanny JOHNSON, a minor ......Catharine Virginia JOHNSON, a minor ......Mary Bedloe JOHNSON, a minor Land - 'Home farm', 256 acres - "Peria Sand" (Boteler farm), 159 acres Both were sold by trustee, Michael KEEFER. Balance of real estate in both Washington and Frederick counties: - "Mountain Side", 38 acres, adjoining lands of John CRAMPTON on the south, Barton GARROTT on the west, Bryan PHILPOT (then in possession of Mrs. COST) on the east and Shamburg on the north, lies near Knoxville. - "Mountain Side" Lot #2, 20 acres, near Knoxville, adjoining lands of Tilghman HILLEARY on the north, William GARROTT on the east, Barton GARROTT on the west and Mr. SHAMBURG on the south. - Lots #21, 22, 23 in "Keep Triest", in Washington County. ...#21, 37 acres, next to Robert CUSHING's lot. ...#22, 28 acres, next to Edward EVANS' lot. ...#23, 24 acres, next to Edward EVANS' lot and east edge of the main road. Trustee for sale was Michael KEEFER. Francis R. A. sold his interest to Thomas. Guardian was William MAHONEY who also testified. New trustee was Col. Thomas JOHNSON with sureties, W. Cost JOHNSON, Joseph CARTZENDAFUER and Levin RICE. On 12 Mar 1853, public sale was held at Knoxville, the farm not receiving a sufficient bid. Sale to: - Robert McDUEL for mountain lot #21, 37 acres, at $1,285.49 - Dr. J. MARLOW for mountain lot #23, 24 acres, at $387.29 - Robert McDUEL for "Mountain Side" at $647.90 - Tilghman HILLEARY for Lot #2 of "Mountain Side" at $320 Total sales so far, $2,641.29. Petition of creditors, John R. JAFFREY, Arthur W. JAFFREY, Edward S. JAFFREY and Richard W. JAFFREY was filed on 31 Mar 1852 for claims of debts against the share of Francis R. A. JOHNSON. 2nd Report of Sales - - Valentine BIRELEY for mountain lot near Point of Rocks, 57 acres, at $1,130.50; (previously to Richard JOHNSON from Lewis MOTTER in 1834) - MORRISON & DRILL for Lot #25 in Knoxville at $310; by Joseph KNOX's lot and Main St to Ridge Road to Rail Road. - William Cost JOHNSON for "Daniel's Diligence", 73 acres, at $4,029.78; located a half mile from Jefferson between road to Harpers Ferry and Jefferson & Sharpsburg Rd, adjoining land of Joseph RODERICK on SW, Mr STRINE on the north and village of Centreville. Total sales, $5,470.28. Distribution of $8,111.57; court costs, $515.76; - multitude of creditors, $2,151.77 - inheritance tax, $136.10 - to his son, nieces & nephews, each 1/9 share, $589.77. Closed 22 Jan 1855. =================== www.MidMdRoots.com

On December 19, 1881, William Tyler Page, who was born and raised on Record Street in Frederick, was appointed a congressional page. He wrote The American's Creed. On December 19, 1929, Charles Lewis, 43, of Thurmont, declared his innocence from the witness stand in the death of Frederick County Sheriff's Deputy Clyde L. Hauver during his murder trial in Hagerstown. Hauver was killed during a raid on a still at Blue Blazes, three miles west of Thurmont. Lewis, and Leslie Clark, of Hagerstown, were convicted January 13, 1930, of the crime. Deputy Hauver remains even today as the only deputy sheriff killed in the line of duty in Frederick County. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]

Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 8:50 AM Subject: Ancestry.com Wow we are being sold all of our ancestors for us $1.6 billion dollars by Ancestry to a private investment group, however the sale is being held up pending details being made public. Gordon Crooks

On December 18, 1853, the Rev. Charles Seymour preached his first sermon as rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick. He resigned in 1862. On December 18, 1862, Barbara Fritchie, storied heroine of John Greenleaf Whittier's poem, died at age 96, just three months after she waved the Union flag at Stonewall Jackson's Confederate troops as they passed her West Patrick Street home in Frederick. On December 18, 1884, a new roller ring was open to the public on the Kunkel lot on East Patrick Street in Frederick. It was built by the Lancaster Company. Williard A. Holland was the business manager. On December 18, 1925, Dr. Will L. Payne regained his eyesight which he lost in an October car crash, following unorthodox treatment by himself to himself. On December 18, 2007, a bust of Dr. Ulysses Grant Bourne, Sr., the first African American doctor to practice in Frederick, was dedicated at Frederick Memorial Hospital. The sculpture was the result of the efforts of Sam Williamson, a student at Ballenger Creek Middle School, who had written an essay on Dr. Bourne while in fourth grade. Dr. Bourne was never allowed privileges at the hospital. If anyone can add information to these History Moments, or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day, please contact me privately. John W. Ashbury [email protected]