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Note: N168 This Indenture made this sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty six by and between Mary Shaaff of Georgetown in the District of Columbia Executrix William Marbury of the same town and district & Roger B. Taney of the city of Baltimore in the state of Maryland Executors of the last will and Testament of John T. Shaaff late of Georgetown aforesaid deceased of the one part & Johnt McPherson of Frederick County in the state of Maryland of the other part ; whereas the said John T. Shaaff by his last will & Testament duly proved and Recorded in the office of the Register of Wills in Washington County in the District of Columbia did authorize & empower his Executrix & Executors before named to sell & convey the whole or any part of the estate of him the said John T. Shaaff at any time when in their judgement they may think it to the interest & advantage of his children and whereas the said Executrix & Executors considering & judging that the sale at this time of the real estate of which the said John T. Shaaff died seized in Frederick County in the state of Maryland would promote the interest & advantage of the children of the said John T. Shaaff have bargained and sold the said real estate herein- after more particularly mentioned to the said John McPherson for the sum of twenty nine Thousand dollars current money. Now This Indenture witnessetht that the said Mary Shaaff Executrix, William Marbury & Roger B. Taney Executors of the last Will and Testament of John T. Shaaff in pursuance and by virtue of the trust & power to them confided by the said last Will and Testament & in consideration of the sum of twenty nine thousand dollars current money of the United States.
The unsealing and delivery of these present; the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted has gained and sold released & confirmed and by these present do grant bargain & sell release and confirm unto him the said John McPherson his heirs & assigns all those tracts or parts of tracks of land lying & being in Frederick County in the state of Maryland of which John T. Shaaff late of Georgetown in the District of Columbia died seized commonly called Areadin lying on both sides of the River Monoceasy & Supposed to contain six hundred and fifty six acres of land more or less & which were purchased by & conveyed to Authur Shaaff late deceased in part by James Marshall by his deed dated the ninth day of May in the year 1801 & recorded in Frederick County intLiber WR No. 21 folios 162, 163, 164 & 165 in part by Richard Richardson by his deed dated the first day of April in the year 1802 & recorded in Frederick County in Liber WR No. 22 folios 430, 431, 432 in part by Mary Richardson by her deed dated the Nineteenth day of August in the year 1802 & recorded in Frederick County in Liber WR No. 25 folios 318, 319 in part by Charles Caswell of Carralton by his deed dated the first day of May in the year 1802 and recorded in Frederick County in Liber WR No. 23 folios 1, 2 & 3 in part by Cloe Marshall by her deed dated the 28th day of August in the year 1806 & Recorded in Frederick County in Liber WR No. 29 folios 367, 368, 369 and in part by patent from the State of Maryland under the great seal issued to Authur Shaaff on the fourteenth day of October in the year 1811, together with all and singular the buildings & inprovements thereunto belonging or in any lease appertaining & all the reversions & remainders rents issues & profits thereof & all the estate right title or interest whatsoever of the said John T. Shaaff at the time of his death both at law & in equity of in to & out of the said land premises & every part & parcel theyof. To have & to hold the said land & premises as aforesaid described by whatever name the same or any part thereof may be called& known together with the buildings & appurtenances & all & singular the other premises hereby bargained and sold or intended so to be unto the said John McPherson his heirs & assigns forever & to & for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever. In witness whereas the said Mary Shaaff Executrix as aforesaid William Marbury & Roger B. Taney Executors as aforesaid have hereunto Respective by subscribed their names and affixed their Seals the day & year first herein before written .
Signed , sealed and delivered in our presence who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses with the intent thereby to signify our consent to & concurrence in this deed or instrument of writing& this sale thereby made. Auther T. Shaaff M.J. Shaaff A.B. Shriver as
Mary Shaaff Executrix William Marbury R.B. Taney Executors
Respects B.B. Taney Which is thus endorsed Viz. Georgetown District of Columbia Towit The year eighteen hundred and twenty six personally appeared before me the subscribeder Mayor of Georgetown in the District of Columbia Mary Shaaff & William Marbury two of the grantors named in the aforegoing deed or instrument of writing.tCitizens and inhabitants of Georgetown aforesaid & Acknowledged the said deed a instrument of writing to betheir act & deed & the land & theirin mentioned to bet the right and estate of John McPherson the grantee therein mentioned his heirs & assigns. Int testimony of which I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the corporate and official seal of said town. John Cox Mayor Of Georgetown Frederick County towit- On this twenty seventh day of March eighteen hundred and twenty-six personally appeared Roger B. Taney one of the grantors named in the aforegoings instrument of writing or deed before me the subscriber one of the associate Judges of the Fifth Judicial district and acknowledged the said deed or instrument of writing tobe his act and deed and land andof premises therein mentioned and thereby or mentioned so to be the right and estate of the said John McPherson grantee therein named his heirs and assigns forever. A.F Shriver
Knowall MEN by these presents, That John McPherson of Frederick Town & State of Maryland and held and firmly bound unto David Grier & Janet his wife of York Town in the Sum oft Eighty three Pounds six shillings & eight pence lawful money of Pennsylvania to be paid to the said David Grier & Janet or their heirs certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns. To which payment well and truly to be made I bind myself my Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, and every of them firmly by these presents. Sealed with.Myt Seal.t Dated the Twenty Ninth Day of June in the Year of ourt LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eight nine
THE Condition of this Obligation is such, That if the above bounden John McPherson his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, or any of them shall and do well and truly pay, cause to be paid, unto the above named David Grier & Janet his wife or totheir certain Attorny, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns the just sum of Forty one pounds Thirteen Shillings & four pence as the decease of Agnes McPherson the elder widow & relict of Robert McPherson Esquire deceased who died intestate without any Fraud or further Delay, then thet above Obligation to be void, or else to be and remain in full Force and Virtue.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of Alexander Russell
W. McPherson John McPherson
KNOW all MEN by these presents, That I John McPherson Esquire of Frederick Town in the State of Maryland held and firmly bound unto Elizabeth McPherson of Cumberland Township York County in the Sum of Eight three pounds Six Shillings and eight pence Gold or Silver Money of Pennsylvania to be paid to the said Elizabeth McPherson or to her certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns. To which Payment well and truly to be made I Bind myself my Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, and every of them firmly by these presents. Sealed with. Mytt Seal.tt Dated the Twenty ninth Day of June in the Year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty nine
THE Condition of this Obligation is such, That if the above bounden John McPherson Esq. his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, or any of them, shall and do well and truly pay, cause to be paid, unto the above named Elizabeth McPherson or to her certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns the just sum of Eighty one pounds Thirteen Shillings and four pence at the decease of Agnes McPherson the elder relict and widow of Robert McPherson Esquire deceased who died intestate without any Fraud or further Delay, then the above Obliga- tion to be void, or else to be and remain in full Force and Virtue.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of John McPherson Alexander Russell
D Grier
Know all men by these presents that I John McPherson of Frederick Town in the State of Maryland am held and firmly bound unto Agnes McPherson senior of Cumberland Township in the County of York & State of Pennsylvania in the sum of three hundred & thirty three pounds six shillings & eight pence gold or silver money of Pennsylvania to be paid unto the said Agnes McPherson or to her certain attorney executors administrators or assigns for which payment well and truly to be made and done I bind myself my heirs executors administrators and every of them firmly by these presents sealed with my seal and dated this thirteenth day of June 1789.
The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bounden John McPherson his heirs executors or Administrators or any of them shall and do well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said Agnes McPherson the elder who is the relict and widow of Robert McPherson Esq. deceased on the first day of April in every year during her natural life the sum of twenty pounds like money afore said the first payment thereof to be made on the first day of April next ensuing agreeable to the reservation to her in a deed executed by the said Agnes & heirs to be paid John on the 29th instant then the above obligation to become void or else to be and remain in full force & virtue in law.
Witness Elizabeth McPherson Agnes McPherson John McPherson seal
Paid Twenty Dollars at different times L. 7.10. 0. 1791 June 6 From Mr. Cobean 4.16.9 Nov 21 from himself 13.10_-__ 25.16.9
Al McCellans & Bachoom 10.10 ___ Aug 13 Cash in full 23.13.3
as to April 1792 60.0.0
April 1st 1793 Received of Russell twenty pounds one yearly payment on the written bond commencing April 1792 & ending April present----------------------------
Agnes__X__ her mark McPherson L.20.0.0
The balance was settled in full up to her death as her administration account.
Russell
John McPherson Bond to Agnes McPherson senior
John McPherson Bond to Agnes McPherson Sen
L. 20 annually for life
June 13th 1789
Frederick September 28th, 1797
His Excellency The Governor & Council Gentlemen
The enclosed statement I beg leave to lay before the Honble Board in hopes that the vacancies therein mentioned will be filled up with the names annexed & as Capt. Calentine brother intends applying for a Command in the militia ordered to be in readiness & will not be a candidate for the assembly. I hope his commission with the others will be granted & forwarded by post so as to reach this in time for the Regimental meeting which will be about the 15th of next month. With sentiments of respect am gentlemen Your obed & humb serv John McPherson I shall consider myself responsible to Mr. Pinkneyt for his fee on the commissions which may be forwarded.
J. McP
This Indenture made this 26th day of November seventeen hundred and ninety-five between Adam Keller of Frederick County of the one part and John McPherson of the same County of the other part . Whereas Adam Keller heretofore sold the premises hereinafter mentioned to a certain Jacob Holtz for five hundred and fifty Pounds current money and the said Jacob Holtz has since sold the said premises to the said John McPherson for one thousand pounds current money and it is agreed that the said Adam Keller convey the said premises to the said John McPherson now this indenture witnesseth that the said Adam Keller for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred and fifty pounds current money received of the said Jacob Holtz and the further sum of five shillings current money in hand paid by the said John McPherson the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained and sold conveyed released and confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell convey release and confirm unto the said John McPherson his heirs and assigns for ever all those parts or parcels of land lying in Frederick County being part of a tract of land called Rocky Creek beginning for the first part of said land at the end of three hundred and seventy seven perches on the third course of the whole tract called Rocky Creek it like wise being the endof seventy perches in the first course of three hundred acres part of the said Rocky Creek which was formerly given and conveyed by Susannah Beatty of Prince Georgeís County widow to her daughter Agnes Beatty afterward Agnes Kimbol late of Frederick County deceased and running from thence with the out lines of the said three hundred acres North and by East forty-three Perches. North fifty degrees West one hundred and fifty perches North twenty-seven degrees and one half East two hundred and twenty three Perches South twelve degrees two hundred and five perches South fifty five degrees East one Hundred and eighty seven perches then North fifty five degrees and three quarters West eighty eight perches then by a straight line to the beginning containing one hundred acres of land more or less and also two acres of land more or less which was conveyed by Mary Ritchie to the said Adam Keller on or about the seventeenth day of April Seventeen hundred and seventy nine it being also part of the aforesaid Rocky Creek together with all improvements advantages and appurtenances to the said two parts belonging and all the Estate right and interest of the said Adam Keller of in and to the premises and every part thereof to have and hold the said two parts of land with premises unto the said John McPherson his heirs and assigns forevertto the only proper use and behoof of the said John McPherson his heirs and assigns forever.t And the said Adam Keller for himself and his heirs forever doth hereby covenant that at all times hereafter at the reasonable request and court of the said John McPherson his heirs and assigns forever to make and execute any other conveyance for the more effectual grant of the premises in case this instrument is not sufficient and the said Adam Keller for himself and his heirs forever doth further convent that he the said Adam Keller and his heirs forever the Premises with the appurtenances unto the said John Mc Pherson his heirs and assigns for ever against him the said Adam Keller and all person or persons claiming by from or under him shall and will forever warrant and defend by these presents- In witness whereof the said Adam Keller hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year first above written-
Signed Sealed and Delivered In the presence of Jacob YoungtttAdam Kellerttt Seal Ben Jamison
ttttttttOn the 26th day of November 1795 came before the subscriber two of the Justices of the Peace for Frederick County Adam Keller and acknowledged the written instrument of writing to be his act and deed and the written Premises with the appurtenances to be the right title and Estate of the within John McPherson his heirs and assigns forever according to the true intent and meaning of the within instrument and the act of assembly in such case made and provided. ttttttttAt the same time came Catharine- wife of said Adam Keller and after being privately examined apart and out of hearing of her saidt husband voluntarily relinquished her right of dower in the premises with the appurtenances unto the said John McPherson his heirs and assigns forever and at the same time declared that she was not induced thereto by fear or through threats of ????? from her said husband or her fear of gaining his displeasure but that she freely and willingly made this relinquishment. - ttttttttttttttttttttttttttJacob Young Ben Jamisonttttttttttttttttttttttttt Adam KellertttttttttotttttttJohn McPherson Deed Recieved the 26th day ttttttttttttttttttttttttoft November 1795 ttttttttttttttttttttttttto be recorded same day ttttttttttttttttttttttttrecorded in liber ttttttttttttttttttttttttW. R. no13 fo 659, tttttttttttttttttttttttt660 0ne of the land ttttttttttttttttttttttttrecords of Frederick ttttttttttttttttttttttttcounty and exammaned ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttMr.Ritotni L.W.
Deep into the history of the owners of Prospect Hall, one can find incredible mystery, intrigue, and scandal. The Dulaney family had been native Irishmen living in rural Ireland for centuries. However, Daniel Dulaney Sr., born a poor boy in Queen?s County Ireland, was destined to become one of the wealthiest men in England?s Thirteen Colonies of America. As a young man, Daniel immigrated to America along with his two older brothers. They did not have the money to pay for the trip, so they offered themselves as indentured servants to Col. George Plater. Dulaney was employed as a clerk in Col. Plater?s law office. As time passed, Dulaney managed to gain an incredible amount of land through a series of brilliant investments and shrewd business skills. In the fledgling colony, land was power. Since Dulaney owned more than 37,000 acres of land at one time, he was able to make larger investments, which ultimately brought more capital into his household. This monetary power also gave Dulaney political clout. He used this to further his political loyalties to the Crown pre-revolution. Daniel Dulaney was married three times. He had many children, most of which faded into history unfamed as they held no real political or monetary power. Daniel Dulaney died on December 5, 1753 a self-made man. He was buried at St. Anne?s Church in Annapolis. The main heir to Daniel Dulaney Sr.?s estate was Daniel Dulaney Jr. He was born of Dulaney Sr.?s second wife Rebecca on June 28, 1722. Unlike his father, Dulaney Jr. inherited incredible wealth. This did not blur the intuitive business sense that his father had given him, though. He not only continued to increase the family fortune, but he also made an astute family political move by marrying Rebecca, the daughter of Benjamin Tasker. Tasker was a very prominent and powerful landholder in the region. Rebecca was not his only love however, for he did have a brief pre-marital affair with a servant girl that ended in strife. It was an illegitimate affair between the servant girl and Dulaney; legend has it that the Dulany family employed a beautiful Irish girl (Agnes) and her mother as housekeepers. When the affair between Agnes and Daniel Jr. was discovered, Daniel was sent away to England, and Agnes was walled up into the east room of the mansion, alive. On midsummer nights when the cold winter wind blows, Agnes? spirit is said to haunt the dark halls of the mansion. ?A misty specter mourning her own doom.? The true historical accuracy of this story is dubious at best, but it is commonly believed by locals to be true. However, true or not, the story is part of the school?s history, and adds excitement and mystery to the lives of the students and faculty. Needless to say, the legitimate marriage of Daniel Dulaney Jr. to Rebecca Tasker greatly contributed to the influence of both families in the Frederick area. Daniel Dulaney Jr. died on March 17, 1797. He deeded 3,000 acres to his sons who later sold to the McPhersons. Colonel McPherson was one of the wealthiest and most prominent men of Western Maryland during his time. McPherson originally served as a Colonel during the Revolutionary War and had settled in Frederick at the end of the war. During his time in Frederick, McPherson would buy large estates, build a huge house on them, and then sell them to what he called "ready purchasers." McPherson originally bought tracts of land from George Schnertzell. The first purchase of land from Schnertzell was in 1797, when he bought a tract of 85 acres, which may or may not have been part of the property around Prospect Hall. However, Schnertzell probably had broken up the Dickson's Struggle tract after he had bought it from Hugh Young. This is do to the fact in 1811, McPherson bought another 163 1/2 acres from Schnertzell's executor which included parts of Dickson's Struggle as well as three other tracts named Liberty, The Three Partners Tract, and the Resurvey of Choice in which he paid forty dollars. In 1819, he bought another 51 acres that included other parts of Dickson's Struggle and The Three Partners for a total of $9,733.62. Even after Schnertzell was completely bought out, he continued to buy tracts of land around Dickson's Struggle. One tract did not mention the acreage while the other was called Rocky Creek and contained 155 acres. In 1825 and 1826, he purchased two more tracts of land. In 1825, he acquired 31 acres of both the Dickson's Struggle and Liberty tracts. And in 1826 he obtained yet another 11 acres of Dickson's Struggle. Colonel John McPherson was born in Adams County Pennsylvania and married Sarah Smith. He was judge of the orphan's court in Frederick and was involved in the iron industry of Western Maryland. McPherson is said to have been the one to complete the building of Prospect Hall sometime during the 1790's. McPherson also shared ownership in the Anita Iron Works with John Brien. Brien also was part owner of the Catoctin Iron Furnace and married one of McPherson's daughters. McPherson's son, Colonel John McPherson Jr. was also involved in the iron industry, owning the Catoctin Furnace for quite a few years. William S. McPherson Jr. who was the grandson of Colonel McPherson Sr. lived at the mansion built by earlier owners of the Catoctin Furnace, where descendants of the McPherson family still live today. In 1824, Marquis De Lafayette actually stayed with Colonel McPherson for a few days while he was in town. Lafayette, however, did not stay at Prospect Hall; he actually stayed at McPherson's home on Record Street in Frederick. Colonel McPherson was one of Western Maryland's wealthiest and most prominent men. When he died, in his deed, he gave each of his six children a large colonial estate. However, Dr. William S. McPherson was the son who received the land upon which Prospect Hall is now standing. His son William S. McPherson Jr. was born at Prospect Hall in 1823. In 1836 he had the land surveyed and named Prospect Hall. The total estate was 475 acres at that time. And later, the Roman Family would own the property. Prospect Hall became the property of the Romans because of the outstanding debt accumulated over the years by McPherson. James Dixon Roman was one of McPherson?s main creditors, so McPherson was forced to convey his ownership of Prospect Hall and it?s surrounding land to Roman in 1844. Roman was forced to sell all of the properties in order to liquidate McPherson?s debts. Roman only owned Prospect Hall for part of a year. James Dixon Roman was a Maryland State Senator, who later ran for Congress in the Whig Party. He was part of the thirtieth Congress of the United States. Other than these few basic facts, not much is known about James Roman.
Luke Mancini, Greg Carpentier, John O'Donaghue, Chris Eyler
Despite a great deal of controversy surrounding Prospect Hall, due to inaccurate records, the history proves to be very interesting. Known as the second owner of Prospect Hall Daniel Dulaney II, who bought the property for 230 pounds from James Dickson and owned it from 1765 to 1772. Daniel Dulaney is the hub of much folklore surrounding the mansion. Dulaney was a respected Annapolis lawyer, referred to as one of the most learned lawyers in the new world, and was a part of the colonial proprietary government of Maryland. He was a big activist for the German settlers in Frederick County. He proposed a Naturalization Bill for the German settlers. He was certainly a wealthy and respected man. Collectively, he owned 8,000 acres of land around Frederick, including where Frederick City now lies. He is thought to have been the one who built the mansion. According to Williams, a historian, he mapped out 1,000 acres on Red Hill, where his intended to make his home and in 1777 the mansion was completed, but Williams went further with an embellished story about as Daniel watched the construction of the mansion, he saw approaching horsemen coming to arrest for him for Tory sentiments. Contrary to the myth, Daniel Dulaney II was a passive loyalist that remained neutral during the revolutionary war. He galloped away and did not turn up for several years after the war. The Dulaney Family was known to be one of the friends of George Washington and gave George Washington his horse, Blueskin to ride during the Revolution. There are stories that Blueskin is buried somewhere on this property. Another myth surrounding the mansion is that it was confiscated in 1781 because of Daniel Dulaney's loyalist ideals and was later bought by James Smith, whose daughter, Sarah Smith, married Colonel John McPherson. This story explains how Colonel McPherson came to own the hall. According to other sources, Daniel Dulaney had given his son, Benjamin, in 1772 the mansion, consequently making Benjamin the owner during the 1781 confiscatio n. Since Benjamin had supported the patriot cause, his lands had not been taken. Benjamin was the third owner of "Dickson's Struggle" or Prospect Hall. Benjamin was a county clerk, who lived in Frederick with his wife Elizabeth French. Benjamin had a friendly relationship with George Washington and often visited Mount Vernon. In 1778, Benjamin Tasker Dulaney, sold Prospect Hall for 1687 pounds.
From here the mansion trades hands several times before reaching Colonel John McPherson. There is much speculation about when and by whom the mansion was built. The records mostly point to Colonel. McPherson because he was the owner during the suggested construction period. Colonel. McPherson only bought 163 acres from the previous owner, Schnertzell, which included parts of Dickson's Struggle, but also other adjacent lots. Colonel John McPherson continued to increase his estate by buying bits and pieces. He participated in the Revolutionary War and settled in Frederick after the war. He worked as a judge in the orphan's court and was co-owner of the Antietam Iron Furnace. By this time, Colonel John McPherson was the largest owner of real estate in Western Maryland. Colonel John McPherson, Jr. was Colonel John McPherson grandson, who continued to stay mansion. Both Colonel. McPherson Sr. and McPherson Jr. were influential figures in the development of Maryland. Sadly, Colonel John McPherson passed away in 1829, leaving the expansive lands to his son, William McPherson. William paid $100 to his brother, Horatio McPherson to clear up any discrepancies about the ownership. William McPherson practiced medicine in Frederick County and was the president of Frederick Savings Bank and a board member of Central National Bank. He also served in the army during the Battle of North Point during the war of 1812. He eventually moved in town to provide his sons with a better education. However in 1844, in feeble health, he owned over $10,000 to various people in dept, one of those people being James Dixon Roman. William McPherson sold Prospect Hall and the surrounding lands to cover his dept. Mr. Roman sold some parts to cover his expenses. James Dixon Roman was a prominent Maryland State Senator and United States Congressman. Along with those titles, he also was a delegate to the Peace Convention of 1861 in Washington D.C. James Dixon Roman proceeded to sell Prospect Hall to Jacob Baltzell, which there was no biographical information found. Over a span of eighty years, the mansion and the lands changed hands over a dozen times. There is still disagreement about who the original owner was, who built the building that stands there now, and the many myths and stories surrounding the home.
In our search for the genealogy of the Dulaney, the McPerson, and the Roman families, we were able to find our information, with some difficulty. When we were working on the internet during school it was somewhat a hit-or-miss type search. All the web sites we tried had a lot on the general history of Maryland, but very little on the early specific families. We went to the Maryland Room at the Frederick County Public Library on Saturday to see if there were any records. The librarian working there was very helpful, and we did find a some information, mostly on jobs, marriages and the deaths of certain individuals, but the information was sparse. Apparently there is a vertical file in the Maryland Room that is all about the history of Prospect Hall, but the librarian never mentioned it. She did help us locate many v aluable resources. Rachel and Aline found the binder from the St. John's library to be a very valuable source. It contained folklore about Prospect, property dates, and history of the owners and the families. There were other sources that we were trying to contact at the Frederick County Historical Society, but due to long waiting lists, it was not successful. Most of the places we went to required some searching, but it did pay off in the end. All and our entire search for information about the early owners of Prospect Hall was successful. Allie Giordano, Aline Anflor, Rachel Marsteller
Deep into the history of the owners of Prospect Hall, one can find incredible mystery, intrigue, and scandal. The Dulaney family had been native Irishmen living in rural Ireland for centuries. However, Daniel Dulaney Sr., born a poor boy in Queen's County Ireland, was destined to become one of the wealthiest men in England. Thirteen Colonies of America. As a young man, Daniel immigrated to America along with his two older brothers. They did not have the money to pay for the trip, so they offered themselves as indentured servants to Col. George Plater. Dulaney was employed as a clerk in Col. Plater's law office. As time passed, Dulaney managed to gain an incredible amount of land through a series of brilliant investments and shrewd business skills. In the fledgling colony, land was power. Since Dulaney owned more than 37,000 acres of land at one time, he was able to make larger investments, which ultimately brought more capital into his household. This monetary power also gave Dulaney political clout. He used this to further his political loyalties to the Crown pre-revolution. Daniel Dulaney was married three times. He had many children, most of which faded into history unfamed as they held no real political or monetary power. Daniel Dulaney died on December 5, 1753 a self-made man. He was buried at St. Anne's Church in Annapolis. The main heir to Daniel Dulaney Sr.'s estate was Daniel Dulaney Jr. He was born of Dulaney Sr.'s second wife Rebecca on June 28, 1722. Unlike his father, Dulaney Jr. inherited incredible wealth. This did not blur the intuitive business sense that his father had given him, though. He not only continued to increase the family fortune, but he also made an astute family political move by marrying Rebecca, the daughter of Benjamin Tasker. Tasker was a very prominent and powerful landholder in the region. Rebecca was not his only love however, for he did have a brief pre-marital affair with a servant girl that ended in strife. It was an illegitimate affair between the servant girl and Dulaney; legend has it that the Dulany family employed a beautiful Irish girl (Agnes) and her mother as housekeepers. When the affair between Agnes and Daniel Jr. was discovered, Daniel was sent away to England, and Agnes was walled up into the east room of the mansion, alive. On midsummer nights when the cold winter wind blows, Agnes' spirit is said to haunt the dark halls of the mansion. A misty specter mourning her own doom. The true historical accuracy of this story is dubious at best, but it is commonly believed by locals to be true. However, true or not, the story is part of the school's history, and adds excitement and mystery to the lives of the students and faculty. Needless to say, the legitimate marriage of Daniel Dulaney Jr. to Rebecca Tasker greatly contributed to the influence of both families in the Frederick area. Daniel Dulaney Jr. died on March 17, 1797. He deeded 3,000 acres to his sons who later sold to the McPhersons. Colonel McPherson was one of the wealthiest and most prominent men of Western Maryland during his time. McPherson originally served as a Colonel during the Revolutionary War and had settled in Frederick at the end of the war. During his time in Frederick, McPherson would buy large estates, build a huge house on them, and then sell them to what he called "ready purchasers." McPherson originally bought tracts of land from George Schnertzell. The first purchase of land from Schnertzell was in 1797, when he bought a tract of 85 acres, which may or may not have been part of the property around Prospect Hall. However, Schnertzell probably had broken up the Dickson's Struggle tract after he had bought it from Hugh Young. This is do to the fact in 1811, McPherson bought another 163 1/2 acres from Schnertzell's executor which included parts of Dickson's Struggle as well as three other tracts named Liberty, The Three Partners Tract, and the Resurvey of Choice in which he paid forty dollars. In 1819, he bought another 51 acres that included other parts of Dickson's Struggle and The Three Partners for a total of $9,733.62. Even after Schnertzell was completely bought out, he continued to buy tracts of land around Dickson's Struggle. One tract did not mention the acreage while the other was called Rocky Creek and contained 155 acres. In 1825 and 1826, he purchased two more tracts of land. In 1825, he acquired 31 acres of both the Dickson's Struggle and Liberty tracts. And in 1826 he obtained yet another 11 acres of Dickson's Struggle. Colonel John McPherson was born in Adams County Pennsylvania and married Sarah Smith. He was judge of the orphan's court in Frederick and was involved in the iron industry of Western Maryland. McPherson is said to have been the one to complete the building of Prospect Hall sometime during the 1790's. McPherson also shared ownership in the Anita Iron Works with John Brien. Brien also was part owner of the Catoctin Iron Furnace and married one of McPherson's daughters. McPherson's son, Colonel John McPherson Jr. was also involved in the iron industry, owning the Catoctin Furnace for quite a few years. William S. McPherson Jr. who was the grandson of Colonel McPherson Sr. lived at the mansion built by earlier owners of the Catoctin Furnace, where descendants of the McPherson family still live today. In 1824, Marquis De Lafayette actually stayed with Colonel McPherson for a few days while he was in town. Lafayette, however, did not stay at Prospect Hall; he actually stayed at McPherson's home on Record Street in Frederick. Colonel McPherson was one of Western Maryland's wealthiest and most prominent men. When he died, in his deed, he gave each of his six children a large colonial estate. However, Dr. William S. McPherson was the son who received the land upon which Prospect Hall is now standing. His son William S. McPherson Jr. was born at Prospect Hall in 1823. In 1836 he had the land surveyed and named Prospect Hall. The total estate was 475 acres at that time. And later, the Roman Family would own the property. Prospect Hall became the property of the Romans because of the outstanding debt accumulated over the years by McPherson. James Dixon Roman was one of McPherson's main creditors, so McPherson was forced to convey his ownership of Prospect Hall and it?s surrounding land to Roman in 1844. Roman was forced to sell all of the properties in order to liquidate McPherson's debts. Roman only owned Prospect Hall for part of a year. James Dixon Roman was a Maryland State Senator, who later ran for Congress in the Whig Party. He was part of the thirtieth Congress of the United States. Other than these few basic facts, not much is known about James Roman.
John McPHERSON d/ 5 Dec 1829 (will 12 Jan 1827; 7 Jan 1830)
- To son James, no share and he is to repay all expenses paid for him from his father's ledger. - To the children of Robert G. McPHERSON the farm on which Robert lived which lay next to lands of Lewis NEILL, John HOUCK and on the turnpike road and also a mountain tract of 100 acres purchased from Charles BEATTY; also an adjoining tract "Wefellys Tract" which had been occupied by Robert G. RUSSELL. The widow of these three children to have use and proceeds of land for maintenance and education of the children; but if the children should die, it should revert to John's three sons, William L., John Jr. and Horatio on payment of $2,000 to the widow Maria McPHERSON should either of the children die. - To 3rd son William L. McPHERSON, he devised all the lands purchased from George BALTZELL representing the interest of the heirs of George SNERTZELL, Charles HUMRICKHOUSE, Robert HENDERSON's heirs, John BAER's heirs; land laying between the turnpike and Harpers Ferry Road which is now occupied by William L. McPHERSON. - To 4th son, John Jr., all the land adjoing "Araby" which was purchased from William MARSHALL, John GRAHAM and Robert VANCE with all stocks and NEGROES, etc, and the house where John Sr. lived, adjoing Mr. BRIEN's house; also Sr.'s watch and land he purchased from William SCHLEY, esquire, as trustee for SPRIGG's estate which he is to apply to his brother, Edward B. McPHERSON's support and upon Edward's death, to revert back to John Jr.'s children. - To the children of Alexander McPHERSON, $10,000 to be divided equally when they become of age. - To Doctor William S. McPHERSON, tract of land from Thomas PATTERSON, now in tenure of Jacob GETZANDANNER, with profit to be applied to the support and maintenance of his brother, James L. McPHERSON. - To John, eldest s/o William S. McPHERSON, tract where Jacob GETZANDANNER lives (after death of James L.) and mountain tract "Cary's Mountain", 150 acres, with all his NEGROES and stock attached to land - To son-in-law, John BRIEN, esquire, $20,000 dollars, deducting $8,866.66 for which there is receipt of his wife's portion. - To sister, Mrs. RUSSELL, support in her hands. Also, Ante Eatam Estate and Linganore Mills be carried on as usual until there is an entire discharge of all claims against his estate. - to son, Horatio McPHERSON and grandson, John McPherson BRIEN - the residue of estate.
Executors were John BRIEN, esquire; William L. McPHERSON, John McPHERSON Jr., and Horatio McPHERSON. Witnesses: J. DIXON, James RAYMOND, Benjamin PRICE.
John DELAPLANE first applied for insolvency in 1805. On 27 Jan 1831, title was granted as per will.
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