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CIL; T Y , E,STAISL9SHEE3 165E1 IISTORY TRAI Agriculture Building • 9811 Van Buren Lane • Cockeysville, MD 21030

Editors: ISSN 0889-6186 JOHN W. McGRAIN and WILLIAM HOLLIFIELD VOL. 32 AUTUMN-WINTER 1997 NUMBERS 1 & 2

e House the Mins Built Investigations into "Todd's eritance" on the Pata o Neck by Kathy Lee Erlandson Liston "Known as Todd's Inheritance - Settled in 1664 - Rebuilt 1816." So reads a recent real estate listing for the Todd House on North Point Road on the Patapsco Neck in southeastern Baltimore County. "[After the British burned the house] The Todd family . . . in 1816 built a brick house, traditionally reported to be in the foundations of the earlier home. . ." And the "rectangular two story, three bay wing [dates to] ca. 1919," states the inventory form for State Historic Sites Survey done in 1977. "After the British burned the first Todd house, a new one was built on the foundations of the original house . . . renamed Todd's Inheritance . . . the new house was brick" says a Todd family history prepared by a member of the family. The original house was built of brick brought from Todd House, 9000 North Point Road, in April 1990, England and rebuilt in 1816 with more English brick, minus the wide back porch on the side facing Shallow while the wooden portion is a later addition, contends Creek. Todd family tradition and local legend. But was the two-and-a-half-story brick house On April 19, 1669, when he purchased the 300-acre currently standing on North Point Road actually tract "North Point," Thomas Todd was described as built in 1816? Is the two-story frame portion really living on the Patapsco River, but where exactly on his 20th century? New research says no. vast holdings is unknown? In 1670 he added a 190- acre patent, "Denton," to his estate.3 Todd died The Todds Arrive in Maryland sometime after April 1, 1676; his will was probated in On August 17, 1664, Thomas Todd of Gloucester Maryland on May 30, 1677.4 On January 18, 1676/77, County, , purchased three properties from prior to her second marriage, to David Jones of Thomas Powell: "Roade River" (later known as "Old Baltimore County, widow Anne Todd executed a deed Road")-287 1/2 acres; "Richardson"-300 acres; and of gift conveying her interest in Todd's estate to her "Powell's Point"-100 acres. That same day Todd children with the provision that they make her a liberal conveyed the three properties to his sons, Robert and allowance for life.5 John.' This was the first of many land acquisitions in With this deed, Thomas Todd (II), eldest son of Maryland by the Todds, whose holdings on the Patapsco Thomas and Anne Todd, became sole owner of the Neck would eventually total over 1,000 acres. Patapsco Neck lands. Thomas (II) lived in Virginia, PAGE 2 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS AUTUM_N-WINTER 1997

serving as justice of the peace for Gloucester County from 1698 to 1702.6 At some point prior to 1715, he turned the Baltimore County properties over to his oldest son, Thomas (III). Thomas Todd (III) lived on the Neck until his death in 1715. Shortly before his death, the first Presbyterian services in Baltimore County were held at his house.? In his will, probated on June 2, 1715, he left his Patapsco Neck land to his eldest son, Thomas (IV) with the provision that if he (Thomas IV) died without male issue, the property would pass to his brothers, and so on, through the male line.8 Thomas (IV) lived on the Neck until his death in late 1738 or early 1739. His estates passed to his only son, yet another Thomas (V), born shortly before his father's death, offspring of a second marriage.9 In 1763, Thomas (V) petitioned the court for a warrant to resurvey his Patapsco River holdings. He believed his property, which then consisted of "Old View of Todd House from the family cemetery. The Road," "North Point," and "Denton," totaled over 1,000 water-side porch was removed for repairs, April 1990. acres.'° However, the resurvey revealed it to contain only 5681/2 acres. The court granted him an additional 810, say 808, acres good land with a full proportion of 56 1/2 acres of vacant land to make up for such a great valuable timber. There is an old barn 30 x 24 with discrepancy and on June 11, 1765, Thomas Todd was stable and cattle sheds. Wood granary 20 x 12—On granted a patent for 624 3/4 acres, now to be known Todd's Range are two small log tenement 16 x 12 each." collectively as `Todd's Inheritance."'" The value of the property was placed at $4,873. Taxed Thomas Todd (V) died intestate on September 1, separately was the two-acre dwelling area with its 1798.12 That same autumn, the 1798 Federal direct buildings described as follows: "A two-story framed tax assessment list for the Lower Patapsco Hundred dwelling 36 x 30, old frame kitchen 1 story - 18 x 12, listed Thomas Todd's heirs as owners of the property meat house 12 x 12, outhouses 4 viz. 20 x 20, 12 x 10, 12 and Captain William Todd as occupant. The 1798 tax x 10, 12 x 10—Buildings all going to ruin = $500.00." list gives us a detailed description of the estate and its The Todd heirs were also taxed on 30 slaves, 17 between improvements. The property taxed consisted of "Todd's the ages of 12 and 50.13 Inheritance 640 acres, Todd's Range-170 acres; is The Todd heirs, sons William, Christopher, Bernard, George W, and Thomas, settled the division of property amicably, and on January 13, 1800, signed a deed of partition legalizing the division.14 By this deed Christopher and Bernard recognized that they were to receive the lion's share of real estate and agreed to pay their three brothers the difference in cash. Christopher received a small tract called "Todd's Neighbor" and the southern portion of "Todd's Inheritance," which included the old "North Point" tract, totaling 343 acres. Bernard received the northern half of "Todd's Inheritance," which included parts of "Old Road" and "Denton," totaling 271 acres. Bernard's portion included the dwelling farm described in the 1798 tax list. The Todd family still own a survey plat drawn by surveyor Jehu Bouldin on December 29, 1799, showing this division of "Todd's Inheritance" and the location of the house just inside the southern boundary of Bernard's property." North Point Road facade of the Todd House, July 1977. The 1804 assessment for the 4th District listed AUTUMN-WINTER 1997 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS PAGE 3

including the Sollers farm on the Patapsco side of the peninsula and the Goodwin (Ridgely) house, Sportsman's Hall, whose cupola provided a superior view of the bay as well as an excellent point from which to fly a signal flag. General Smith took full advantage of this, asking the Committee of Public Supplies onApril 15, 1813, to "dispatch the Barge belonging to the Merchants as low down the river as will enable her to see . . . the top of Ridgely's house on North Point and observ[e] a signal from the steeple .. ."20 Bernard Todd, serving in the militia as a private in Captain Stansbury's company ofthe 6th Cavalry Regiment, was often posted as a look-out in his own home.2' On Sunday, September 11, 1814, the British squadron was sighted off the Patapsco. General Smith ordered Brigadier General John Stricker and the Third Brigade of militia to the Patapsco Neck. Stricker marched his men to the Methodist Meeting House Cross-gable of the heavily Victorianized Todd house, (about six miles from the city), where they camped for April 1990. the night. Although the Gorsuch house was now headquarters for the videttes, the Todd house was still Bernard Todd as owner of 275 acres "p[ar]t of Todd's one of the posts. For this reason, three members of Inheritance," 12 slaves, assorted livestock, and Captain James Sterett's company of the First Baltimore household property, for a total of $1,106.50? Hussars, Corporal Eli Simpkins and privates Gaspar In the 1813 assessment, Bernard Todd was listed Prince and Robert Benson, were ordered to the Todd as owner of "p[ar]t Old Road & p[ar]t Denton 275 1/4 house as piquet guards.22 acres." He was taxed on 11 slaves, assorted livestock, At dawn on the morning of September 12, the household goods and plate, and $300 worth of British disembarked and advanced up the North Point improvements. These improvements were his house Road. Private Benson was ordered from the Todd and outbuildings—the same improvements that were house to the rear to give warning of the advance. He valued at $500 in 1798.'7 was followed shortly by Simpkins and Prince who reported "that the house in which we were was set on The Battle of North Point fire by the enemy . . ."" Thomas S. Jones, a member The War of 1812 was a costly event for the nation of Captain Tobias Stansbury, Jr.'s, horse troop, later and especially so for the Todd family. Throughout 1813 testified that he arrived at the site shortly after the and 1814, a British squadron under Admiral George British retreat on September 14 and found the house Cockburn sailed the Chesapeake Bay raiding and burning small towns at will. Knowing the city would be a rich prize, the citizens of Baltimore lived in constant expectation of an enemy attack. Major General Samuel Smith, appointed to command the militia in defense of the city, ordered earthworks begun from the harbor northward across Hampstead Hill to Belair Road. Fort McHenry, guarding the entrance to the harbor, was strengthened and gun batteries established nearby to support the fort. A string of old hulks was sunk across the harbor entrance. Later, entrenchments were also begun across the lower part of the Patapsco Neck near Humphrey Creek? The militia was put on alert and cavalry ordered to patrol the Neck. In 1813, Smith ordered Lieutenant Colonel William McDonald to post troops on the Neck to prevent "the landing of marauding parties."19 McDonald established his headquarters at Water-side facade of Todd House, July 1977, showing the Todd house and posted troops at several houses the back porch intact. PAGE 4 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS AUTUMN-WINTER 1997

been unsuccessful, abandoned the plan and retreated to North Point on September 14, embarking without risking a further land attack. According to Todd family tradition, after the destruction of their farm the family lived for two years in a granary (possibly the one listed on the 1798 tax list) before building the existing brick house on the foundations of the destroyed house in 1816. Unfortunately, neither the architecture of the house nor the archival record support this claim, although it is possible that some sort of dwelling was built somewhere on the property. Starting Over On September 13, 1816, Bernard Todd died, leaving Gable peak on water-side facade of Todd House, July a widow, Mary Green Todd, and six children ranging in 1977. age from three to eleven. He left his estate to his wife- 275 acres and personal property valued at $4,798.50, and outhouses "burnt to the ground" and "the sills including 20 slaves.27 Ten months later, on July 28, of the dwelling house still burning, which was all that 1817, his widow married Richard Shaw. remained . . 4 Many years later the Todd family would The 1818 assessment record for District 4 listed present a claim to the Congress for Richard Shaw as owning part of "Old Road" [275 acres] property destroyed by the British. Records concerning and several other tracts, for a total of 598 acres. this claim, recently discovered and published by this Improvements were valued at $150.28 An examination author in the Journal of the War of 1812 and the Era of the records for these other tracts, which include 1800 to 1840 (Fall 1997),25 contain affidavits giving "Arden's Adventure" and "Sampson's Addition," details of the events which took place at the rIbdd house inherited from his uncle, William Shaw, reveal no during the British invasion_ Affidavits from Corporal improvements on those properties, so the buildings Simpkins and privates Benson and Prince stated that must have been on "Old Road." However, these $150 the house was burned because American troops had worth of improvements would have included domestic been stationed there. Also included were depositions outbuildings (e.g., meathouse, kitchen) and shelters for that described the property that was destroyed as the 10 slaves, 6 horses, 10 black cattle, 22 hogs, and 42 follows: a two-story, frame dwelling house, measuring sheep Shaw was also taxed on, as well as a dwelling 35 by 40 feet (repaired the year before); a one-and-one- house. half-story frame kitchen, 25 by 30; a two- story frame The assessor's fieldbook, 4th District, for 1819 listed barn, 40 by 43; a one-and-one-half-story frame stable, the same real property and improvements." The 30 by 60; sheds for 60 cattle attached to the stable; and fieldbooks were the actual workbooks carried into the four log houses for workshop, carriage, and poultry, each field on a day-to-day basis by the assessment officer. one-story, 20 foot square. Total value was estimated The data was later transcribed into the official tax from $6,005 to $6,732.28 assessment record. The fieldbook for 1823 records "part The British advance suffered a setback when Major Old Road 275 acres" and "partArden's Adventure, part General Robert Ross was fatally wounded in a skirmish Sampson's Addition, 150 acres," owned by Richard soon after noon. Nevertheless, new commander Colonel Shaw. There was an increase in the number of slaves Arthur Brooke continued the advance and that he owned (20), but the value of the improvements afternoon met Stricker's main force just south of the decreased to $130." By the time the value was entered Methodist Meeting House. The Battle of North Point into the official assessment record for 1823, it had been was fought there. After an hour and a half of heavy decreased still further to $87.8' fighting, the Americans withdrew towards Baltimore Richard Shaw died in 1831, leaving his wife, Mary and the British occupied the ground theAmericans had Todd Shaw, and family, which now included two slept on the night before. On the following morning, additional children, William and Rachel, and property the British advanced within view of the American valued at over $4,300, including 20 slaves.32 earthworks. Colonel Brooke contemplated a night Baltimore County transfer books, which record attack but, after learning that the 23-hour changes in assessed values between official bombardment of Ft. McHenry by the Royal Navy had assessments, including transfers of property (real and AUTLTMN-VVINTER 1997 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS PAGE 5

personal) and new construction between assessments, 11,1835, her heirs, Thomas J. Todd, Nathanel G. Todd, recorded no changes on the property between 1814 and Richard M. Todd, Sarah Anne Todd, James and early 1833.33 (There is also no record of the Tbdds' ever Elizabeth (Todd) Porter, and William and Rachel Shaw having requested a reduction of assessment due to the (minors) petitioned the Chancery Court to partition the destruction of their property in 1814, although other estate of Mary Shaw—"Todd's Inheritance" and a lot such claims were recorded in the transfer books.) on Gough Street in Baltimore.35 The court's decision In 1833, the next year for which an assessment gave eldest son Todd sole title to record or fieldbook exists, three events took place: first, "Todd's Inheritance" after he paid the other heirs $542 in the April term, Mary Todd Shaw was authorized by each with interest. (The lot on Gough Street was sold the Orphan's Court to sell 20 slaves; second, on April and the money divided evenly.) The transfer of property 18, her eldest son, Thomas Jefferson Todd, married from Mary Shaw, widow (deceased) to Thomas J. Todd Mary Trotten; and, finally, Mary Shaw, widow, was was recorded in the Baltimore County transfer book in assessed for 275 acres, part of "Old Road," and $400 1836.36 It included 275 acres, part of "Old Road," $400 worth of im provements.34 This author believes this was in improvements, eight cattle, and seven slaves (seven most likely when the wooden portion of the current additional slaves were transferred to other people). house was constructed. The architectural framing of From 1837 to 1840 there was no reference to the this building appears to be consistent with a date in property in the transfer books, although other Todd the 1820s-1830s. The wooden structure sits on a transactions were noted. foundation that is later still, and which will be discussed The 1841 assessor's fieldbook, 12th District (old later. 4th district), recorded Thomas J. Todd, "Old Road," In April 1835, Mary Shaw died intestate. On July 274 acres, 11 slaves, and $1,000 in improvements .37

1 ,1

FRE.ERICK ROAD

FEDERAL HILL Ci Scow &Woe

AMERICAN UNBOATS

*t... Goodwin (Ridgely)

ffo ItinnIntritnind of dd Hous Sort i i lienrg September 13 and 14, 1814 Adapted from THE BATTLE OF BALTIMORE by load and Sea . . By B.E.Leo Russell Landing n General Ross With speeid nenniesion of the Author

Places involved in the British invasion of September 12, 1814. PAGE 6 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS AUTUMN-WINTER 1997

The author believes this was when the brick portion of into a bill authorizing the payment of $4,315 to the the house was built adjacent to the wooden structure of heirs. The Todd family reportedly has in their possession about 1833, most likely from bricks made on the an account showing that, after certain deductions were property or, at most, brought from Baltimore, which made, each of six heirs (in some cases the children of had a thriving brick industry. the original claimants) received $511.98. These heirs Originally constructed with end gables only, the 2 included Mary Trotten Todd, widow of Thomas Jefferson 1/2-story structure sits on mill sawn sills atop a brick Todd who died in 1843. Todd family tradition again foundation, both of which are continuous under the holds that it was this Mary Todd who added the center frame portion. In the cellars of both portions are remains gables to the brick house before the Civil War. Perhaps of stone foundations unrelated to the existing structures. she used the money received from Congress for the On the east cellar wall of the brick portion, the present alterations.38 brick double chimney stacks rest on stone shelves that Mary Trotten Todd held the estate until 1868 when appear to have supported an earlier single-end chimney. she, with the approval of other children, divided the Under the frame section, a portion of the stone property between her oldest son, Thomas Bernard, and foundation makes a right angle and ends. Part of the her youngest, George W The 271 acres deeded to frame section rests on bricks that were placed on top Thomas included the brick and wood house.39 and in front of another section of the older, smaller (at In 1923, Thomas Bernard Todd, Sr., died in his 90th that end) stone foundation. year. His obituary stated that he died in the house in Todd family tradition holds that the house was which he was born, and he did—the wooden house rebuilt on the foundation of the original The current having been built shortly before his birth in 1834. structure measures 28.5 by 30 feet on the brick portion, Later, the majority of the Todd land was sold to while the frame halfis 30 by 16 feet. As noted previously, Bethlehem Steel to settle the estate of Thomas B Todd, the dimensions given at the time the house was burned Jr., who died in 1952. The family retained only the were 35 by 40 feet, with a separate kitchen, 25 by 30 house and about five acres. feet. It would appear that the stone foundations are We'll leave the Todd family at this point, although the remains of either the earlier house or outkitchen, they continued to own the house until they sold it to almost certainly built in the 18th century, and that the Elmer H. Cook, Jr., in the late 1970s. Mr. Cook died in "new" houses were constructed above but not on them. 1996, and the Department of Natural Resources is (It is extremely unlikely that a two-story frame house currently negotiating to purchase the house from his with a stone foundation as described in the 1798 tax heirs. While the proposed construction dates of about list would have been built in the 17th century when log 1833 for the wooden half and about 1841 for the brick earth-fast structures were the norm. This raises the half would appear to be supported by both the archival question of where the original 17th century Thdd house and architectural , the author, as an was.) The brick foundations are at a higher elevation archaeologist, would like to see an in-depth than the stone, possibly to help alleviate flooding in the archaeological investigation done on the property to cellar caused by the proximity of Shallow Creek (a problem which still occurs). One puzzling feature is the continuity of the brick foundation from the brick house under the wooden portion without a break. Also, the earlier wooden house sits on wooden sills contemporary with those under the brick house. One explanation is that at the time the brick house was constructed (about 1841) the wooden section was elevated and the sills replaced. The brick foundation was then wrapped around the base to unite it with the brick house, giving a more solid facade. Unfortunately, a request by the author for access to the building to investigate this and other questions was declined by the representing the current owner because of safety concerns. As mentioned above, in 1846 the heirs of Bernard Todd filed a private relief claim for destruction of their property by the British in 1814. This claim was finally settled in 1853 when President Millard Fillmore signed South end of Todd House in July 1977. AUTUMN-WINTER 1997 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS PAGE 7

12. Chancery Papers MdHR 17,898-662, MSA 512-689. 13. 1798 Federal Direct Tax, Patapsco Lower Hundred. 14. Baltimore County Land Records WG 62:418. 15. Hettie L. Ballweber, Cultural Resources Survey of the Black Marsh Area, Baltimore County, Maryland (Maryland Geological Survey, Division ofArche-ology, File Report 23, 1988), p.18. 16. Baltimore County Commissioners of Tax, 1804 Assessment Record, Patapsco Lower Hundred, MdHR 8259, MSA C277-2. 17. 1813 Assessment Record, District 4, MdFIR 12,502, MSA C277-4. 18. Frank A. Cassell, Merchant Congressman in the Young Republic (Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press, 1971), pp. 184-186, 188-191, 196-197. Small garden shed just beyond the family burying 19. House Report 255 (30-1)525, Exhibit L, American ground, July 1977. State Papers 15th-34th Congresses, 1789-1857. 20. J. Thomas Scharf, The Chronicles of Baltimore add to the data. Short of finding an actual date carved (Baltimore: Turnbull Brothers, 1874), p. 344. on a corner stone or a dated bill for construction, all 21. William M. Marine, The British Invasion of construction dates for buildings can only be extrapolated Maryland 1812-1815 (Baltimore, 1913; from the data that exists. Based on the evidence republished by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., currently in hand, which was compiled during extensive Baltimore, 1977), p. 462. research, the author stands by the dates given. If new 22. House Report 255 (30-1)525, Exhibit H. evidence appears later, she stands ready to reassess 23. Ibid. the data. The author also realizes this leaves 24. House Report 255 (30-1)525, Exhibit 0. unaccounted for the almost 19 years between the 25. Kathy Lee Erlandson Liston, "After the British burning of the 18th century house and the construction Fire-Baltimore County War of 1812 Damage of the wooden house. It is entirely possible, and even Claims: The Todd and Sollers Families and the U.S. probable, that another small structure was built on the Congress," The Journal of theWar 1812 (Baltimore, site prior to the wooden house being built about 1833, Vol.II, No.4, Fan 1997):14. and then razed. The assessment records for 1818, 1819, 26. House Report 255 (30-1)525, Exhibits A-F. and 1823 do show improvements of some sort on the 27. Baltimore County Wills 10:221; Baltimore County property. Archaeology might be of benefit in Inventories 30:422; Orphans Court Proceedings determining if this occurred. It is also possible that the 10:201. Todds lived elsewhere on the farm or even with 28. 1818 Assessment Record, District 4, MdHR 8267, neighbors, some of whom were also relatives. We will MSA C277-11. probably never know for sure. 29. Baltimore County Commissioners of Tax, 1819 Assessor's Fieldbook, District 4, MdHR 16,927, Notes MSA C280-3. 1. Baltimore County Land Records IR#PP:65 and 66. 30. 1823 Assessor's Fieldbook, District 4, MdHR 2. Baltimore County Land Records IR#PP:71. 8240,MSA C280-6. 3. Patents 12:311. 31. 1823 Assessment Record, District 4, MdHR 8278, 4. Baltimore County Wills 1:1. MSA C278-3. 5. Baltimore County Land Records IS#IK:57. 32. Baltimore County Inventories 40:71. 6. Robert W. Barnes et al., Todd's Farm at North Point 33. Baltimore County Commissioners of Tax, Transfer (published privately, October 1990), p. 42. Book 1814-1823, MdHR 8355, MSA C431-1; Transfer 7. Baltimore County Court Proceeding IS#B:608-609. Book 1828-1833 MdHR 8356, MSA C432-1. 8. Baltimore County Wills 1:227. 34. Baltimore County Orphans Court Proceedings 9. Baltimore County Wills 1:304. 16:138; 1833 Assessment Record, District 4, MdHR 10. Patents BC & GS 25:308. 8278, MSA C278-3. 11. Patents BC & GS 27:545. 35. Chancery Papers, Partition of Mary Shaw Estate, PAGE 8 BALTIMORE COUNTY HISTORY TRAILS AUTUMN-WINTER 1997

July 11, 1835, recorded in Land Records TK this lot began at a point on the harbor line and ran up 289:535. the mouth of Spa Creek. 36. Transfer Book 1834-1840, MdHR 8358, MSAC432- His first American patent was taken out in Eliza- 3. beth City county, Virginia, in 1647. 37. Baltimore County Board of Commissioners, 1841 Ever since the purchase, in 1664, of the property on Assessor's Fieldbook, District 12 [old District 4], the Patapsco, the Todd family has been resident there, MciFIR 8253, MSA C281-11. and with but one break the land has been held by suc- 38. Morris J. Todd, "The Todd Estate," unpublished cessive generations of Thomas Todds. manuscript (1989). That the Indians had been attracted by his water 39. Baltimore County Land Records EHA 58:572-577. front and high land has been made evident by large —o— finds of arrow heads and other stone implements, un- Kathy Erlandson is an archaeologist who has covered in one of the fields, amid a lot of oyster shells, conducted excavations on the North Point battlefield and fully two feet under the surface. In the library in Mr. an advisor to the Journal of the War of 1812 and the Todd's home this very interesting collection of arrow Era 1800 to 1840. She is also an 1812-era re-enactor heads may be seen. —o— Shortly after his purchase of the property from Tho- Photographs by John W. McGrain mas Thomas and William Battin, Mr. Todd built a resi- dence, which stood until the war of 1812, when it was burned by the British. The present house was built on Old M 1 d Farms and F es the site of the first one and, with the exception of a few on Patapsco Neck minor changes, remains the same as when first con- structed, nearly 100 years ago. by John H. K Shannahan Thomas Todd died in 1676 on the ship Virginia, while . . . . When one thinks of the oldest inhabitants or en route to England. A letter dated April 1 of that year, settlers of Patapsco Neck (distinguishing between grant- written on shipboard, shows that he knew he was near ees and settlers) one involuntarily thinks of the Todds, death's door, for it is addressed as follows: "This is for Gorsuches, Joneses, Stansburys and Lynches. my son, Thomas lbdd, at his home on the North river, All of these families have been identified with Pa- Gloucester county, Virginia, with all speed." tapsco Neck for many generations. Unfortunately, the His will was proved in 1677. Ann Gorsuch, his wife, records of some of them have been lost and it is difficult was a sister of Charles, Lovelace and Richard Gorsuch, to establish the exact dates of their first coming. of the Eastern Shore. The records of the Todd and Jones families, how- Following the custom of the period, the Todds had a ever, are practically intact and present a very interest- family burying ground near the house. This, like other ing series of facts. The Todd family antedated the Jones burying grounds of the early settlers, is of considerable family on the river by more than 100 years. interest, though the oldest stone is now hardly deci- Just when the Gorsuches came no one knows. When pherable. It is rather strange, and the fact has not been I approached a member of the family with the direct satisfactorily explained, that there are no graves of the question, "Can you tell me when your family first settled Todd family bearing an eighteenth century date. in this region, were they here when the Todds came or The oldest stone is over the grave of Elizabeth Coon did the Todds come first?" I met with the reply that he and her child. She was the wife of Hugh Coon, a minis- didn't know; the Todds were here when he came. A ter, who is held to have been a native of England and rather humorous answer, but hardly satisfying. had settled in Baltimore county. The wife took her in- Thomas Todd, a resident of Gloucester county, Vir- fant on a trip to England and on the return voyage, ginia, in 1664 bought of Thomas Thomas and William when nearing home, both died and were buried here. Battin the land which they had named "Old Road." This The name of Coon is not a common one in our Thomas Todd was evidently the first of his name in records, and there are no evidences of others of the America, and at the time of this purchase was the holder family having been in the vicinity. . . . Other stones of land in Anne Arundel county, which was surveyed record the death of Bernard Todd, in 1816, and other July 8, 1651, and is now embraced in the present city of members of the family at later dates. Annapolis. "For Thomas Todd on ye South Side of Severn River," so the record reads. The water front of —Baltimore Sun, January 10, 1909