On July 31, 1809, Elizabeth Ann Seton established the Daughters of Charity in Emmitsburg. On July 31, 1841, the first issue of Middletown's first newspaper - "Catoctin Enterprise and Middletown Valley Gazette" - was published by Jacob T. C. Miller. The paper was later known as "Catoctin Enterprise." On July 31, 1860, repairs to the steeple of The Evangelical Reformed Church on West Church Street in Frederick were completed. Repairs to the town clock in the steeple were completed in November. On July 31, 1913, the Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen voted to eliminate standing teams and hitching posts on Market Street between South and Fifth Streets, and on Patrick Street from Middle Alley to Court Street on Saturdays. On July 31, 1929, Deputy Sheriff Clyde L. Hauver was shot and killed during a raid on an illegal still six miles west of Thurmont. Charles Lewis, of Thurmont, 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]

On July 30, 1802, Ezra Houck, second president of Farmers & Mechanics National Bank (1872-1878), was born. On July 30, 1820, four Osage Indians passed through Frederick enroute to St. Louis after concluding a treaty in Washington. On July 30, 1861, the Maryland General Assembly reassembled in Frederick following its April adjournment. The question of secession was the foremost issue on the agenda. On July 30, 1864, Decatur Dorsey, who was born at New London in Frederick County, was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at Petersburg, VA, on this date. The medal was presented November 8, 1865. On July 30, 1949, President Harry S Truman, and members of his staff, arrived in Thurmont for a weekend visit to Shangri-La. On July 30, 1955, a new bridge, connecting Brunswick, Maryland, with the Virginia side of the Potomac River, was dedicated. 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, Maryland - Equity Court Records - ES-2 592-600 - BIGGS, KNOFF, KUHN, COVER, SMITH, MARTIN, OGLE, BLAIR, RIDENOUR, HESSER, DEVILBISS, HERRING, TROXELL - May 1853 Joseph S. KUHN & Others vs John SMITH & Others Jacob BIGGS d/ Oct 1822 (Will 3 Oct 1822; 21 Oct 1822) s/ Jacob BIGGS (Jr) (gave him 217 acres) s/ William BIGGS (gave him 170 acres) d/ Catharine BIGGS, dec'd w/o John KNOFF (KNOUFF), dec'd .....Jacob KNOFF .....John KNOFF Jr. .....Mary KNOFF w/o Jeremiah MARTIN .....Catharine KNOFF w/o Benjamin OGLE .....Susannah KNOFF w/o William G. BLAIR .....Eve KNOFF w/o William RIDENOUR .....Amy KNOFF w/o George HESSER d/ Amy BIGGS, dec'd w/o Zebulon KUHN, dec'd .....Joseph S. KUHN .....Louisa KUHN w/o E. DEVILBISS .....Eliza KUHN w/o William H. HERRING .....Franklin KUHN d/ Susannah BIGGS w/o John COVER d/ Mary BIGGS w/o John SMITH (Uniontown, Carroll Co, MD) Land - Plantation of 211 acres - "Resurvey on Bucks Forrest", 115 acres, located four miles north of Graceham, adjoining lands of Jacob BIGGS and John TROXELL with a stream running through it, has 1 1/2-story log house and indications of deposits of copper ore Execs/ Jacob BIGGS and Zebulon KUHN Witnesses: Joshua DELAPLANE, William DERN and Frederick BIGGS Trustee was John COVER, esquire. Sale was held on 18 Feb 1854 at the tavern of P. R. HARRY in Graceham, high bidders were: - Abraham TROXELL for 115 acres at $6.54/acre Distribution of $752.10; court costs, $127.79; - each daughter received 1/4 or $156.07 Closed 29 May 1854. =================== www.MidMdRoots.com

Hi, The Michael Fickel family lived in Frederick Co. MD during the Revolutionary War. I am looking for two Maryland records for their sons which I can't find. I live in California and we really don't have Eastern records and I have not found them on line. The records are as follows: >From Maryland History Magazine Vol 22, September 1927, No. 3. Daniel and Benjamin Fickel enlisted July 1 1775 in Capt. Thomas Price's Company of Riflemen of the United Colonies. They marched to Boston. I would like to get the records but also would like to know what battles they fought in in Boston. Isaac Fickel was also a son of the Frederick County MD family but served from Talbot Co, MD. He is in the Archives of Maryland Vol. 18 page 408. The year was 1781. Does anyone have acces to these records or know how I can send for a copy of these pages. Thanks for any help that you can be. Velma

On July 29, 1819, Historian James A. McSherry, who wrote the first History of Maryland, was born in Littlestown, PA. He lived in Frederick at the time of the publication of the history in 1848. On July 29, 1839, Milton G. Urner, first president of the Frederick County Bar Association, was born near Libertytown. He died February 9, 1926. On July 29, 1848, Judge Abram Shriver, who served 40 years on the Frederick County Circuit Court, died, just seven years after retiring. On July 29, 1869, ground was broken to connect the Baltimore & Ohio and Pennsylvania railroads 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]

Looking for parents and info on SUSANNAH ADAMS (10 Sep 1779 - 22 Feb 1829). She was confirmed 30 April 1826 at St. Mary's Church (Reformed), Silver Run, Carroll County, MD. She and husband George are buried in the Church's old cemetery. Thanks, Ray

On July 28, 1831, St. Mark's Episcopal Church at Petersville was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. William M. Stone, third bishop of the Diocese of Maryland, during the rectorship of the Rev. Jared Rice. On July 28, 1908, the cornerstone for The First Baptist Church of Brunswick was laid. On July 28, 1978, Frederick County Products Inc., the largest meat packing plant in the county and one of the oldest businesses in continuous operations, closed its doors, citing Environmental Protection Agency regulations as the culprit. 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 July 27, 1834, John Brien, the owner of Catoctin Furnace, died in Bedford Springs, PA. On July 27, 1848, wires for the magnetic telegraph from Baltimore to Wheeling, VA, were installed in Frederick. On July 27, 1917, Amos Tecumseh "Tup" Lucas, who was born into slavery, died at his Thurmont home at age 69. He had become a familiar figure in town and had a barber shop for many years which served Thurmont's white population. On July 27, 1944, the deed giving ownership of the historic Steiner House, at the intersection of West Patrick Street and South Jefferson Street in Frederick, to the Historical Society of Frederick County for its first permanent home was recorded. On July 27, 1950, Army Pfc. Charles C. Roberts, of Ijamsville, went missing in action near Anui, Korea. It is unknown what happened to him, but he was declared deceased on December 31, 1953, by the U.S. Army. On July 27, 1958, President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower made a surprise call at the home of Goodloe and Beverly Byron on Fleming Avenue in Frederick. During World War II, Mrs. Eisenhower shared an apartment in Washington with Mrs. Ruth Butcher, Mrs. Byron's mother. Mrs. Butcher was staying with the Byrons at the time of this visit. Both Mr. and Mrs. Byron were later elected to the U. S. House of Representatives. On July 27, 2006, Marine Lance Cpl. James W. Higgins, of Thurmont, MD, was mortally wounded in Al Anbar Province, Afghanistan, a week before he was scheduled to return to the U.S. He was born June 2, 1984, in Olney MD, the son of Debbie Russ Higgins of Thurmont, MD, and James W. Higgins Sr., of Elizabethtown PA. He graduated from Catoctin High School in 2003. 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, Maryland - Equity Court Records - ES-2 573-592 - ROUTSONG, SHAFER, CAMPBELL, MAIN - Apr 1853 Daniel ROUTSONG vs Jonathan ROUTSONG & Others Ezra A. ROUTSONG d/ Feb 1853 intestate widow - Margaret A. (SHAFER) (age 33 in Mar 1853) d/ Frances Virginia ROUtSONG, a minor (age 11 in Mar 1853) d/ Charlotte Elizabeth ROUTSONG, a minor (age 8 in Mar 1853) Administrator was Johnathan ROUTSANG. Margaret ROUTSONG, the widow, had become "insane" (Feb 1853 inquisition stated she was that way since 1845) and Thomas SHAFER was appointed her trustee. Land - "Mantz Management", "Wardroof" and "I Have Lost the Most", 176 acres, from his father, Daniel ROUTSONG, lies next to lands of Daniel ROUTZAHN, Jacob SMITH, George SMITH, John ROUTZAHN of B., Jonathan ROUTZAHN, Mrs. Hannah BAKER, Main Road from Middletown to Jefferson, near Mount Nebo School House, George SHAFER, Henry BURGESS; surveyed by John W. RAMSBURG. It lies 2 1/2 miles south of Middletown, has 2-story stone dwelling with a back building attached, an 80-foot long Switzer barn, wagon shed, horse stable, carriage house, smoke house and spring house Guardian was Abner CAMPBELL; trustee was Joseph ROUTSONG. Sale was held on 31 Dec 1853, high bidder was Daniel MAIN at $13,228.16. John SHAFER's estate was sold by trustees, John Randolph SHAFER and Robert SHAFER, with a portion of $2,337.36 going to Margaret ROUTZONG, one of his daughters. Distribution of $11,821.25; court costs, $545.29; - Daniel ROUTZAHN (purchase money due him), $5,946.82 - Margaret ROUTZAHN, widow, in lieu of dower, 1/7 or $761.30 - Randolph & Robert SHAFER, trustees, their claim, $2,470.61 - Frances V. ROUTZAHN, $1,048.61 - Charlotte E. ROUTZAHN, $1,048.61 Closed 13 May 1854. =================== www.MidMdRoots.com

On July 26, 1797, Louisa Johnson, niece of Thomas Johnson, first governor of Maryland, married John Quincy Adams, future president of the United States, in London's All Hallows Church. On July 26, 1826, a circus performed on the grounds of the Hessian Barracks in Frederick. On July 26, 1832, U. S. Attorney General Roger Brooke Taney and Mrs. Taney visited Frederick on their way to seek treatment for Mrs. Taney's undisclosed illness. It was apparently successful as she lived until September 29, 1855. On July 26, 1852, Newton M. Zentz, longtime owner of The Zentz Mill on North Bentz Street in Frederick, which was located just south of the National Guard Armory (now The Talley Recreation Center), was born in Carroll County. He died December 12, 1924, in Frederick. On July 26, 1856, Dr. Samuel Tyler, who was born in Frederick on December 10, 1820, and who was the first "surgeon in Maryland to adopt anesthetics in surgery," died in Frederick. On July 26, 1864, Dr. Levin West, a prominent Brunswick physician, was born near Petersville. On July 26, 1867, Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, of the Supreme Court of The United States, arrived in Frederick for a short vacation with the family of Mrs. Margaret Goldsborough. On July 26, 1925, The International Order of Odd Fellows dedicated its new Market Street facility on the Old Gittinger Farm. This property now houses The Banner School. On July 26, 1933, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt had dinner at the Francis Scott Key Hotel. She was driving back to Washington from Chautaugus, N. Y., with her secretary. There were no Secret Service agents with them. On July 26, 1982, the new Frederick County Courthouse, the county's fourth, was opened for business at West Patrick and South Court Streets 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]

On July 25, 1781, the trial of seven men for treason against the United States was held in Frederick. Three men, including Casper Fritchie, father of John Fritchie who would become the husband of Barbara Hauer, were executed after their conviction. On July 25, 1821, Frederick citizens gave William Perry $300 when his two horses were swept away and drowned in a Carroll Creek flood the day before. The driver had escaped the rising waters by climbing a tree. On July 25, 1861, former Maryland Governor Enoch Louis Lowe's wife Esther offered their Frederick home on East Second Street for sale. On July 25, 1931, Victorine Artz, daughter of Christian Burr and Catherine Thomas Artz, died, setting in motion the trust of her mother's will which led to the establishment of Frederick County's public library system named for her father. 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 July 24, 1821, 1848 and 1868, floods of The Carroll Creek through Frederick occurred. During the flood in 1868, the original home of Barbara Fritchie was destroyed and had to be demolished. On July 24, 1834, Richard Coale, who served as a ship's surgeon during the Revolutionary War, and who built a Roman Catholic Church at his own expense in Libertytown, died there. On July 24, 1903, the Citizens Savings Bank of Thurmont was incorporated. On July 24, 1942, a temporary bridge over the Monocacy River on U.S. 40 east of Frederick was opened to traffic. It replaced the old (1808) stone Jug Bridge, part of which collapsed on March 3. 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 July 23, 1950, radio and television personality Arthur Godfrey attended an air show at the Frederick Municipal Airport sponsored by the local squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. Godfrey was the honorary commander of the CAP unit. On July 23, 2001, A. Irvin Renn, a former county commissioner and longtime member of the board of The Great Frederick Fair, and his wife, Elgie Mae Wachter Renn, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Renn died April 22, 2005. Mr. Renn died November 21, 2006. 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 July 22, 1751, Daniel Weller and his family founded Mechanicstown, now Thurmont, according to local historians. The bicentennial celebration of this event was celebrated July 22, 1951. On July 22, 1864, Granville E. Smelser, who murdered Mrs. David Nusbaum and her son on January 12, 1864, was hanged in the jail yard on West South Street in Frederick. On July 22, 1809, Citizens National Bank on the southeast corner of Market and Patrick streets in Frederick, occupied its new building at that location. The building is now occupied by PNC Bank, Citizens' successor. On July 22, 1950, Folger McKinsey, The Bentztown Bard and co-author of History of Frederick County with Thomas T. C. Williams, died at his home on the Magothy River at age 83. He was born August 29, 1866, in Elkton. He was also an editor of The News, published by The Great Southern Printing and Manufacturing Company 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, Maryland - Equity Court Records - ES-2 546-573 - MILLER, EICHELBERGER, GILBERT, DUTTERER, EYLER, KOONTZ, LAUGHTERBAUGH, OTT, PITTINGER, BROWN, MORT, HINEY - Nov 1851 John W. MILLER & Others vs Thomas A. MILLER & Others William MILLER d/ Jul 1851 intestate (Woodsboro District) widow - Mary Ann or "Polly" s/ John W. MILLER and w/ Joana (EICHELBERGER) s/ William MILLER Jr and w/ Ann Eliza (GILBERT) d/ Mary Ann MILLER and h/ HEZEKIAH DUTTER/DUTTERO - Carroll County, MD s/ Thomas Augustus MILLER and w/ Sarah (EYLER) s/ Zachariah MILLER (a lunatic) d/ Catharine MILLER (d/ 1834), dec'd w/o Isaac KOONTZ - Ohio .....Thomas F. KOONTZ - Ohio .....Clemantine Matilda KOONTZ w/o John LAUGHTERBAUGH - Ohio .....William Wallace KOONTZ - Maryland .....Frederick Francis KOONTZ, a minor - Ashland Co, Ohio Land - "Millers Fancy", 526 acres less 100 acres sold; obtained by Special Warrant in 1829 and included parts of "Sixth Dividend", "Resurvey on Tura", "Resurvey on Royerton Plains", "Pittingers Lot", "Water Lot" and "Resurvey on This or None". Property started at corner of (Daniel) PITTINGER's Grave Yard. Neighbors were Peter ALBAUGH, James GRIMES, John GRIMEs, John FLOWER, Jacob OTT and the Monocacy River. - Mountain tract, 46 acres, from William CREAGER and w/ Elizabeth in 1839; neighbors were Washington BENNETT (east), Christian HOOVER and John HOOVER (north), heirs of Richard H. JONES (west) and Jacob FIROR (south); (previously from Nathan EYLER to Creager in 1835); lies one mile from Mechanics Town. - Mountain lot, 60 acres, from Susan OTT's Will (previously from estate of John GRINDER and his widow Magdalena GRINDER in 1843; located on road from Mechanics Town to Smithsburg. Susan OTT, dec'd d/o Michael OTT (Will written 21 Oct 1853) bro/ John OTT nephew/ Thomas OTT cousin/ William MILLER (mountain lot) Exec/ William MILLER Witnesses: John OTT, John WARNER and John W. MILLER Zachariah's share is held in trust by his brother, Thomas A. MILLER. Guardian for Zachariah for the sale of the real estate was John A. LYNCH. Guardian in Ashland Co, Ohio for Frederick F. KOONTZ was John H. McCOMBS. On 2 Mar 1852, testimony was heard from John TROUT and John SMITH of M. The latter claimed he had heard land in Indiana was also owned by William MILLER. At an inquisition regarding Zachariah by Sheriff Norman B. HARDING on 16 Oct 1851, the following ages were given for the Miller children: John W., 45; William, 38; Mary Ann, 34; Thomas A., 30; and for Catharine Miller Koontz' children: Thomas, 25; Clementina, 23; William, 21; and Frederick, 18. On 25 Apr 1852, John OTTO testified the widow, Mary Ann MILLER was 71 and her general health was tolerable. Trustee for the sale was John W. MILLER; on 30 Sep 1852, sale went to: - John COVER for mountain lot (Creager's) at $4/acre or $160. No sufficient bids were received for the other properties; therefore private sale was later made to - Ignatius BROWN for the larger mountain lot at $200 - William MORT for 181 acres of part of 'Pittinger Farm', now known as "Miller's Fancy (recently surveyed by Joshua BIGGS) at $30/acre - Henry HINEY for 3 acres on SW side of 'Pittinger Farm" @ $25/acre Distribution of $5,865; court costs, $359.95; - to widow, Mary Ann MILLER for 1/10 dower, $550.50 - each child's 1/6 share, $825.75 (Catharine KOONTZ's children each rec'd $206.43 from her share) Closed 19 May 1854. =================== www.MidMdRoots.com

On July 21, 1828, the Rev. John Johns, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick, tendered his resignation to accept a call to Christ Church, Baltimore. On July 21, 1861, Calvin Lamar, of Adamstown, was shot and killed by Samuel Webster, a Union soldier, during a quarrel over the use of a railroad handcar. Webster was arrested by his military superiors at Point of Rocks and later turned over to the Frederick County sheriff. On July 21, 1863, General George G. Meade's Union troops crossed the Potomac River at Berlin (Brunswick) on a pontoon bridge. On July 21, 1979, Dr. A. Austin Pearre, prominent local physician and among the founders of the county's Heart Association, died at his home on Upper College Terrace in Frederick. He was born February 1, 1899. 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 July 20, 1963, D. John Markey, who owned and operated a shoe and hat store at 9 North Market Street in Frederick, and who was a brigadier general in the Maryland National Guard, committed suicide at his Talbot County home. He was born October 7, 1882, in Frederick. On July 20, 1972, The Articles of Incorporation were signed creating The Frederick County Landmarks Foundation. On July 20, 1973, retired Associate Judge of The Maryland Court of Appeals Edward S. Delaplaine married Helen M. Stickell, widow of R. Dean Stickell. 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 July 19, 1753, Richard Potts was born in Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County. He was a Frederick lawyer and served as a U. S. Senator, succeeding Charles Carroll of Carrollton in 1792. On July 19, 1951, the Third Annual Tri-County Soap Box Derby Championships was held on West Patrick Street with 33 boys competing. On July 19, 1960, Thomas E. Dawkins, of Washington County, was fined $1,000 and given a year in prison for operating an illegal still, which was discovered after a farmer in the Fingerboard Road area found six heifers intoxicated from eating the mash. Robert Winston was fined $500 and given a 6-month term in the same case by Magistrate Joseph Cody. On July 19, 1978, the Carty Furniture Store at 48 East Patrick Street, founded by C. C. Carty in 1869, closed its doors. The building is now the home of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. On July 19, 1982, a reception was held to honor Margaret Clary, who retired after more than 40 years of portraying Barbara Fritchie at the Civil War heroine's replica West Patrick Street home 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]

On July 18, 1775, 300 Frederick Countians left Frederick to re-enforce troops after the Battle of Bunker Hill. They were the first militia from a southern state to join the Continental Army. On July 18, 1797, Thomas Sim Lee, Maryland's second governor, offered his farm near Burkittsville - called "Needwood" - for sale. He lived at Needwood off and on from 1784 until his death in 1819. On July 18, 1826, Issac Shelby, who was born near present day Hagerstown, then in Frederick County on December 11, 1750, and who became the first governor of Kentucky, died. Shelby distinguished himself in both The Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. On July 18, 1841, John Walker, after whom the town of Walkersville is named, died. He was buried in Israel Creek Cemetery at the intersection of Devilbiss Bridge Road and MD Rt. 194. On July 18, 1886, the new brick sanctuary of the German Baptist Church at 23 West Fourth Street, was dedicated. It stood on the old Mantz Family Cemetery, land which had been donated to the church by Mrs. W. A. Worman. The church is today called the Church of The Brethren and is located at Fairview Avenue and West Second Street. On July 18, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made his first visit to Shangri-La near Thurmont. With him were Wild Bill Donovan, head of the Office of Strategic Services, now the CIA, and Supreme Court Justice James F. Byrnes. On July 18, 1978, Mrs. Janie H. Quynn, widow of William T. Delaplaine, Jr., publisher of The Frederick Post and The News, died at her home at 273 Dill Avenue. She was a founder of the Frederick Garden Club and was an active supporter of the arts in the county. She was born January 9, 1888. On July 18, 2005, James M. Powell, retired chief of the U. S. Capitol Police in Washington and a resident of the Lake Linganore area of Frederick County, died. He was born May 13, 1914, in Chapel Hill, TN. He was the first person to hold the position of chief of that police department when it was formed in 1965. 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 July 17, 1755, Maryland Governor Horatio Sharpe summoned the Frederick County Militia to a meeting in Frederick after learning of British General Edward Braddock's defeat at Fort Duquesne. On July 17, 1856, Dr. William Crawford Johnson, a physician in Frederick for more than 50 years, was born. He was buried on New Year's Eve in 1943 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. On July 17, 1892, St. Paul's Lutheran Church was dedicated on Pennsylvania Avenue in Walkersville. It was built on a lot purchased from George W. Stauffer for $125. On July 17, 1978, the Francis Scott Key Mall, located between MD 85 and MD 355 just south of Frederick, opened. On July 17, 1978, Mrs. Frances W. Ashbury was re-appointed to a five-year term on the Frederick County Board of Education. She had been recommended for the post by the Republican State Central Committee after the Democratic State Central Committee declined to do so. She was a life-long Democrat, and this marked the first time a central committee made a successful nomination of a member of the other party. 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]