Hampstead District, or District No. 8
HAMPSTEAD DISTRICT, OR DISTRICT No. 8, of Carroll County, is bounded on the north by Manchester District, on the east by Baltimore County, on the south by Woolery’s, and on the west by the districts of Westminster and Manchester. The east branch of the Patapsco Falls flows south through the centre of the district, and Aspen and White Oak Runs intersect the western portion, and empty into the Patapsco. In addition to the turnpikes and private roads the Hanover Railroad furnishes an outlet for the products of the district in a northern direction, and the Western Maryland Railroad passes along its southwestern edge. In 1880 it had a population of 1983. The metes and bounds of the district as determined by the commission of 1837 are as follows:
“Beginning at the forks of the county roads leading from Westminster to Hampstead and George Richards’ mill; thence to the forks of Aspen Run and Long Glade Branch; thence up said branch to the spring near the house of Joseph Bowser, deceased; thence to the spring near the house of John Orendorff; thence to the forks of the most northern branch of Patapsco Falls and Bosley’s spring branch, where they unite in William Albaugh’s meadow; thence through the farms of John Reed and Joshua Bosley, Sr., leaving said Reed and Bosley in District No. 6; thence to Michael Becker’s tavern, on the Hanover and Baltimore turnpike road, leaving said Becker in District No. 6; thence across said turnpike east of Shriver’s tan-yard; thence through the lands of Daniel Caltuder, leaving said Caltuder in District No. 6; thence through the lands of ― Gist; thence through the lands of George Caltuder, deceased, and John Wareham, leaving said Wareham and Caltuder in District No. 8; thence to Michael Miller’s mill, on the middle road; thence to Joshua Stansbury’s spring, near the house on the Falls road; thence through the lands of Hair, leaving said Hair in District No. 8; thence to Henry Zimmerman’s county road where said road crosses the Carroll and Baltimore County line at a blazed hickory-tree; thence on Baltimore County line to Edward Bond’s; thence with the lines of District No. 4 to Richard Gorsuch’s farm on Patapsco Falls; thence with a straight line to the place of beginning.”
Hampstead was made the place for holding the polls. The tract of land known as “Transylvania” was originally surveyed for Thomas White, Aug. 8, 1746, but resurveyed and patented to Capt. Richard Richards, June 10, 1751.
The district took its name from Hampstead in England, a town from which Capt. Richard Richards emigrated about 1735. The early settlers were Capt. Richard Richards and his brother-in-law, Christopher Vaughn, the Coxes, Stansburys, Henry Lamott, the Fowbles, Houcks, Snyders, Ebaughs, Murrays, Browns, Leisters, Rubys, Lovealls, Cullisons, Gardners, Hammonds, and Armacosts. The first settlers were generally English, but afterwards the Germans came into the district in large numbers.
Hampstead, a village containing upwards of three hundred inhabitants, is located on surveys called “Spring Garden,” patented to Dustane Dane in 1748, and “Landorff.” It was called “Coxville” for over fifty years in honor of John Cox, its first settler, but finally took the name of Hampstead from the district. About a century ago, Col. Johns, of Baltimore County (in which this district was then situated), built a warehouse of logs to receive and store wheat for his mills, near Dover. That house was afterwards weather-boarded and sold by Col. Johns to John Cox, the first actual settler, who kept a tavern in it. Cox subsequently sold it to Henry Lamott. It is the oldest house in the town, and is now owned by Micajah Stansbury. The town was laid out about 1786 by Christopher Vaughan, a brother-in-law of Capt. Richard Richards. They were both Englishmen, and during the Revolution Richards sympathized with the British, but Vaughan was an active Whig. Henry Lamott came to the village in 1798 from Havre de Grace, when there were only a few houses in it. He was the son of John Lamott, a French nobleman, who settled in Maryland about 1760, and was the first of this family in America. The first physician of the town was Dr. Urnbaugh, who had been a Hessian soldier, and lived a short time in nearly all the villages of the county. The first schoolmaster was a Mr. Parks. After Dr. Urnbaugh, Dr. Hall, who lived several miles distant, attended patients here, and the next resident physician was Dr. Richard C. Wells, with whom Drs. Roberts Bartholow and Hanson M. Drach studied in 1850-51 and ‘52.The last two married daughters of John Lamott. John Fowble kept the first store. Peter Frank kept the first tavern, and was succeeded by John Cox. Capt. Richard Richards owned fifteen hundred acres of land near the town.
The village is on the Hanover pike, and is one of the best stations on the Hanover Railroad. Its oldest citizens are Col. John Lamott and William Tall Hammond, who both served in the war of 1812, the latter being now (1881) eighty-seven years old. Col. Lamott was born in 1795, and was three years old when his father, Henry Lamott, moved to Hampstead. In the war of 1812 he was in Capt. Adam Shower’s company of Col. Shultz’ regiment, of which Conrad Kerlinger was major. He was in the battle of North Point, and draws a pension for his services. His father, Henry Lamott, kept a tavern here forty-five years, and died in 1851. Since the completion of the railroad in 1879 the town has rapidly increased in population, and the value of real estate has doubled. The physicians are Drs. Richard C. Wells and his sons, Edward and Constant Wells, Hanson M. Drach, John W. Stansbury, and W.W. Wareheim. C.M. Murray is postmaster, and Lewis C. Myerly, attorney-at-law. The latter was admitted to the bar during his residence in Indiana. He was born Jan. 24, 1829, in Westminster District, and was a son of Jacob, and grandson of George Myerly. The latter was one of two brothers who came from Germany before 1775. The Myerly family is of German and French extraction. Jacob Myerly married Eve Bishop, by whom he had the following children: Rachel, Benjamin, Reuben C. (wounded in the Mexican war, and died in Lima, La.), Jacob, Mary J., Lewis Cass, and Susanna. It was owing largely to the efforts of Lewis C. Myerly that the Hanover Railroad was located and built on its present road-bed. John Armacost, aged ninety-two years, lives near town with his wife, to whom he has been married seventy years, and during all of that time he has been a member of the M.E. Church. Shane Cullison, living near, died in 1877, aged ninety-six years.
The first edifice of the Methodist Episcopal Church was a log structure, built about 1800, which is now occupied by Charles Roat. It was used also as a school-house. The present stone church was erected in 1845 by Richard Richards as contractor. The parsonage was built in 1878. Rev. D. Benton Winstead is the pastor. The graveyard ground in its rear was a donation from John Lamott. Interred there are
Maria, wife of Jackson Belt, who died June 7, 1880, aged 62.
Elizabeth, wife of John Cox, died Aug. 20, 1872, aged 77.
Nicholas Gardner, died Nov. 3, 1874, aged 65.
Jeremiah Malehorn, died Feb. 28, 1871, aged 47.
Anna, wife of Christian Wisner, died March 28, 1869.
Leonard Belt, died Nov. 7, 1871, aged 59.
Mary, wife of Caleb Blizzard, died July 7, 1866, aged 56.
Susan, wife of Elisha Gorsuch, died July 1, 1863, aged 62.
Keziah Caltrider, died Oct. 3, 1876, aged 71; and her husband, John Caltrider, born March 5, 1795, died Feb. 25, 1863.
Elizabeth, wife of Richard D. Armacost, died July 16, 1859, aged 68.
Moses Myers, died Nov. 18, 1851, aged 58; and his wife, Jane, March 18, 1868, aged 67.
Elender, wife of Dr. Henson L. Drach (U.S. Army), died Oct. 3, 1864, aged 32; and Susan, wife of Dr. Roberts Bartholow (U.S. Army), died July 6, 1862, aged 28, both daughters of John and Rachel Lamott. The latter (Rachel) died Jan. 11, 1850, aged 46.
George Ports, died April 18, 1872, aged 70.
Joshua Tipton, born Aug. 14, 1800, died Sept. 20, 1853.
Dr. J. Ebaugh, died Oct. 13, 1848, aged 24.
Absalom Null, died Feb. 24, 1862, aged 40.
Rev. Amon Richards was the first preacher of this church, and died but a few years ago nearly one hundred years old.
The United Brethren church is situated one mile from town, at Greenmount, on the Hanover pike. Its pastor is Rev. J.R. Snake.
The Lutheran congregation has no church edifice, but holds its services in the hall of the Independent Order of Red Men. Rev. H. Burk is pastor.
Dehoff’s church, not now standing, was near Greenmount, and was built over seventy years ago by John Dehoff, who preached himself, although a plain farmer with limited education.
Red Jacket Tribe, No. 24, of the Independent Order of Red Men, was instituted about 1845. It
owns a fine hall and is in a flourishing condition. William A. Murray is its Chief of Records and
Keeper of Seal.
Snydersburg is on the east branch of the Patapsco, three and a half miles from Manchester, seven arid a half miles from Westminster, and twenty-nine miles from Baltimore. The merchants are E. Snyder and J.H. Lippy, the latter being the postmaster.
St. Mark’s church was erected in 1878 by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, who jointly use it in worship. The building committee were Michael Brillhart (Reformed), Jacob Yingling, and Mr. Ruby (Lutheran). The house was consecrated Sept. 29, 1878. The Lutheran organization was perfected March 9, 1879, when Jacob Yingling and Elisha Snyder were elected elders, Edmund Reed and Daniel S. Hann, deacons.
Houcksville is three miles from Patapsco, near the Patapsco River, thirty-four miles from Baltimore, and fifteen from Westminster. The merchants are S.A. Lauver & Son, G.W. Keller, and A.J. Houck. The latter is postmaster, and it is from his family that the place takes its name. Geo. W. Keller has an extensive paper manufactory here. Dr. C.S. Davis is the physician of the town, and Dr. George Rupp the dentist. Mr. Keller’s paper-factory gives employment to many mechanics and laborers. The water-power of the Patapsco at this point is magnificent, and numerous mills and factories are successfully operated.
The Bartholow family is one of the oldest in this district, and has given to the country a man distinguished at home and in Europe for his great medical learning and attainments. Dr. Roberts Bartholow was born and raised near Hampstead, and educated at Calvert College, after which he graduated at the University of Maryland. During the war of 1861-65 he was brigade surgeon on the staff of Gen. McClellan. After his resignation he took a professorship in the University of Maryland, and from there he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, at which place he was chosen Professor of Materia Medica of the Ohio Medical College. He is the author of several meritorious medical works. In March, 1879, this most skillful and scientific physician was appointed Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. Dr. Bartholow, within the past ten years, has attracted the attention of his profession, both in Europe and America, by the freshness and vigor of his writings and the variety of his contributions to science. In the literature of his profession he is now an acknowledged authority, and the fact that Jefferson Medical College chose him for the responsible position named is an evidence that this standard institution is determined to keep abreast of the age. He studied medicine with Dr. Thomas W. Wells, graduated on March 9, 1852, and practiced his profession at New Windsor until his removal to Cincinnati, Ohio. He married Susan, daughter of John and Rachel Lamott.
The following is a list of public school trustees in this district for 1881 and 1882, together with the names of teachers and number of pupils in each school:
1. Jesse Brown’s.—Leven Wright, John E. Houck, Adam Shaffer.
2 and 3. Snydersburg (Nos. 1 and 2).—J. Switzer, Wm. H. Ruby, John T. Reed.
4. Eberg.—John Strickland, George Gross, George Shaffer.
5 and 6.—Hampstead (Nos. 1 and 2).—James Sugars, William Houck, Jacob Caltrider.
7. Houcksville.—Michael Buchman, Joseph Brummel, A.J. Houck.
8. Emory Chapel.—Appointments deferred.
9. Lowe’s.—Miles Long, D. Leister, Lewis Green.
10. Salem.—J.M. Bush, John P. Murray, John A. Armacost.
11. Mount Union Mills.—Thomas J. Gorsuch, Casper Millander, William Kagle.
The teachers for the term ending April 15, 1881, were:
1, E.S. Martin, 39 pupils; 2, A. Eugenia Foltz, 36 pupils 3, J.H.L. Boyer, 39 pupils; 4, G.A. Leister, 46 pupils; 5, Mettie Miller, 44 pupils; 6, W.A. Abbott, 42 pupils; 7, Joel Sykes, 58 pupils; 8, Anna M. Buckingham, 27 pupils; 9, J. Thomas Green, 27 pupils; 10, Sadie E. Myers, 34 pupils 11, John W. Rilb, 48 pupils.
The justices are Dr. Hanson T. Drach, John W. Abbott; Constable, Benjamin Croft.
Below are given the votes cast for local officers in this district from 1851 to 1861, inclusive:
1851.—Vote for Primary School Commissioner: F.J. Smith 101, Daniel Hoover 89, F.J. Smith 126, Daniel Hoover 88.
1853.—For Justices: D.W. Houck 184, Richard Harris 160, H. Jordan 68; Constables: John Marsh 67, Jetson L. Gill 179; Road Supervisor: Joseph Armacost: 174, Jacob Lippo 72.
1855.—For Justices: Richard Harris 122, Jesse Brown 103, John Fowble 141, George Richards 150; Constables: J.L. Gill 137, J. Campbell 121; Road Supervisor: E. Ebaugh 110, Leonard Belt 154.
1857.—For Justices: Dr. H.M. Drach 183, George Richards 189, J.L. Gill 120, Daniel Richards 116; Constables: H.W. Ports 177, Jerome Ebaugh 121; Road Supervisor: L. Belt 172, C.P. Frick 121, William Corbin 8.
1859.—For Justices: H.M. Drach 162, Jesse Brown 149, John Lamotte 62, R. Harris 137; Constables: J.G. Gittinger 175, Jerome Ebaugh 134; Road Supervisor: Leonard Belt 179, Henry Stansbury 130.
1861.—For Justices: W.S. Wooden 209, Jacob Miller 194, Jesse Brown 116, Richard Harris 131; Constables: Elisha Bromwell 216, Alfred Ruby 108; Road Supervisor: William Houck 199, Leonard Belt 132.
The reputation of Hampstead District for good order has been uniformly excellent, and there has seldom happened anything of an exciting character to arouse the feelings of the inhabitants. On the night of Feb. 12, 1870, however, at a place known as Houck & Hoffman’s fulling-mill, and about one mile from the store of D.W. Houck, Edward Woolman, a German, stabbed Samuel P. Linkinhofer to the heart with a shoemaker’s knife, killing him instantly. At the subsequent investigation Woolman was discharged from custody, it having been shown that the homicide was committed in self-defense.
History of Western Maryland by Louis H. Everts, 1882, Chapter 39A, p. 830-.
Transcribed by Carol E. Eddleman.