Page:Brunswick 100 Years of Memories.pdf/30

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1815. Tax rolls of 1798 show Turner paying property taxes, so we might guess he had built the house

by then. Apparently Beall's widow -and possibly part of his family - lived here until Mrs. Beall's death. On Septembr 29, 1855, her (and Theodore's) heirs signed to transfer the property to Jordan. Two transfers since then were to George M. Swank in 1888 and Lula McMurry in 1946. There were three short-lived transfers until 1972, when Henry Connor, Sr., and Virginia Connor acquired the property. The second floor of this two-story structure has seven-foot ceilings. The original section consisted of two rooms downstairs with enclosed turnaround stairway up to a landing walled by five beaded wooden doors; one opens to a closet at the head of the stairs and the other four doors lead to three bedrooms. These bedroom doors and the cellar door from the living room have original lift-latch locks. The bottom of the stairs was altered in the 1940's, replacing turnaround steps with a landing. However, the cellar stairs follows the same turn as the one above originally had. The late "Judge" Ayres stated on a tape that this was one of seven Brunswick houses built of logs. The "logs" may have been small-tree debris carried down the Potomac by high waters. The addition contains a kitchen, a pantry, a dining room, and enclosed porch at ground level; above are a bedroom, bathroom, and small room over the porch.

sidewalk and is supported by two metal supports. The house was built between 1828 and 1845, the first year the deed included "improveme nts." It has seen many changes that mislead the casual viewer about its age. It is now owned by Russell "Stump" and Virginia Brightwell. HYMES (HIMES) - HOGAN HOUSE

Mary V. Hymes Hogan was a grandmothe r to Kathryn Brown, now residing at the Frederick Health Care Center, and the late Audrey Hogan Harrington and Margaret Hogan Strailman. Mary Hymes was born in 1847 and died in 1930. A log cabin on the corner of North Virginia Avenue and "B" Street deeded to Joseph Smith went to Hymes in 1836 for $210, with two lots. The Titus Atlas of 1873 shows a structure here at 29 North Virginia Avenue; this must be the log house Mary Hymes' father built. The main house was built around the 1880's. The log house was joined with the large building. Mrs. Norma Jean Frye owns this property. W-MMM

FORMERLY PART OF THE AMERICA N LEGION HOME

This was once one of the oldest and most interesting structures in Brunswick. It was first a storyand-a-half farm house, the home of Joseph Waltman, who owned "Potomac Farm," which lay east of the creek to its rear, but it has been removed. Records indicate that there was a structure of some kind on this site, possibly as early as 1792, for a deed of conveyance in 1789 provided that a building be erected. Subsequent conveyance s bear out this fact. The original part was probably the rear section of the building that was a landmark until 1977. The stone chimney and framing indicate the back part to be much older than the front portion. The main front section was constructed sometime between the years 1841 and 1850, probably 1846. The selection of this particular year is the result of some interesting research. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was originally laid with wooden rails with a piece of strap iron attached to the top surface. Certain alterations made to the property years ago by Mr. W. Claude Lutman, a former owner, revealed that the framing of the front section was composed of the wooden portion of these rails.

VIRTS, CHARLES "PETEY" (I North Virginia Avenue)

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Virts' house has several features (lift latches, beaded wooden door) that betray its age despite the numerous changes that have occurred over a 200-year period. The October 20, 1787, purchase price paid by Charles Beagle to Leonard Smith was five pounds with a six pence annual ground rent, and the deed conveys "all buildings, profits, and advantages. " It was again sold in 1805 "with buildings." This small log structure was integrated into the present house. From 1919 until W. B. and Eleanor Wenner bought the property, it was owned by the Pythian Association of Brunswick. "JOHNNY BALL" HOUSE

This house literally stands out at 9 North Virginia Avenue. Its front porch extends over the

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