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Kemp Hall—Historic building still in useBy SUSAN C. NICOLMaryland is often referred to as the Free State.The decision to keep Maryland free was made fn April, 1861 during an “extra session” of the Maryland Legislature. This extra session, ordered by Governor Thomas H. Hicks, was held in Frederick because federal troops occupied Annapolis and threatened to disrupt the meeting.On the first day of the session,-April 26, 17 senators and 53 delegates met .at the Frederick Court House, as had been ordered by Hicks.However, the Senate and House of Delegates decided to hold their following sessions at Kemp Hall, located on the southeast corner of East Church Street at North Market Street. The building was owned by the German or High Dutch Reformed Christian Church and at the time was occupied by the Chippewa Tribe 19, Improved Order of Red 7;Ien.The feeling of the Legislature was so uneasy that no American flag flew atop Kenip Hall until June 7, and the flying of the flag was not approved by the Houseuntil July 31. The flag was raised, however, in advance of the action taken by the legislature supporting the Union.A resolution, sparked by the arrest of Baltimore City Delegate Ross Winans, favoring secession, was passed by the House of Delegates by a 41 to 8 vote and sent to the Senate. Winans had been arrested by federal troops while on the way home from a session in Frederick. He was held in custody at Annapolis and Fort McHenry by an order issued by the President of the United States.When the General Assembly adjourned on Aug. 7, 1861, other members were arrested, but it was decided to meet again in September.Just before commencement of the September session, Simon Cameron, secretary of war, wrote to Major' General George B. McClellan:“The passing of an act of secession by the Legislature of Maryland must be prevented If necessary, all or any part of the • members must be arrested, Exercise your own judgment as to the time and manner, but do the work effectively.”On Sept. 17, when the roll was taken,there was no quorum present and the House of Delegates decided to adjourn and meet the next day at 10 a.m. However, before that session had adjourned, Kemp Hall was invaded by the Union Army and all members who were thought to favor secession were arrested and sent to AnnapolisFrederick County Delegates William E Salmon, Andrew Kessler Jr., and Thomas J. Claggett were among those captured.The Senate, which met on the second floor of Kemp Hall, could not meet Sept. 17 because there were only three senators left and they were Unionists.According to Frederick historian C. Lease Bussard, a survey of secessionists in the two Houses showed 15 secessionists out of 22 members in the Senate, and 50 secessionists out of 73 in the House, indicating the possible outcome of the Sept. 17 meeting had it been held.Although the building where the General Assembly met in Frederick is known as Kemp Hall, it was never owned by the Kemp family The building was named by the consistory of theEvangelical Reformed Church of Christ in honor of Abraham Kemp, “to show appreciation for this many years of generosity of time and money,” after the church purchased the building in 1761 An original 17th century document owned by Elmer I Eshleman, agent for Kemp Hall, reads: “Stephen Ramsburg and Henry Shover for the use of the Reformed Congregation Acquired the Vi part of lotts 61 and 62 beginning at the North West Corner of the said lotts pointing toward the Court House and running from thence along the street that leads towards the Mincocy .(Monocacy) across said two lotts then with the line that runs on the East or South East side of said lott or lotts exactly one fourth part of the depth of said lott or lotts from thence to the westward by a straight line right across the said two lotts then with this line of the street to the beginning being one-fourth part of said two lotts.”Eshleman reported that a survey shows the deed described above to include 95 feet, nine inches facing North(Continued on page 13)
Newspaper Details
Frederick Foundations
Frederick, Maryland, US
Tue, Jun 10, 1975
Page 32
Full Page
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Diane W.
USA 05 Apr 2018
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