Page:History of Cumberland, Maryland 2.djvu/298

German Catholic. The School building was of brick, one story in height, and amongst the early Principals of the school were Profeseors Pierce and Benjamin Brown. The Academy was placed in charge of a board of visitors, who were given power to elect their own successors, and the organization is maintained to this day. The original board appointed by the act of 1798, consisted of John Lynn, Evan Gwynn, William McMahon, Joseph Cresap, David Lynn, Patrick Murdoch, Hanson Briscoe, John B. Beall and John C. Beatty, and the sum of $200 per year was granted them from the State Treasury.

The lack of data, either written or printed, renders it extremely di£Scult to procure a correct list of the people residing here at a date so early as 1800, especially since there are few persons living, old enough to remember distinctly such matters.

To designate the houses that are oldest is equally difficult. Certainly the most venerable of them was that known as " Washington's headquarters," which occupied the ground on which Mr. O. C. Gephart's residence now stands, and which is well re> membered by hundreds of citizens, as it was not removed until about the t year 1844. It was co- temporary with Fort

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Cumberland, and stood but a short distance from the parade ground. This old house was occupied at one time by Mrs. Bridenhart, a daughter of Michael Kershner, and she entertained