[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 122 (Tuesday, August 23, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    BICENTENNIAL OF BROOKEVILLE, MD

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, today I would like to call to the 
attention of my colleagues, the bicentennial of Brookeville, MD, one of 
our State's most historic towns located in rural Montgomery County.
  To celebrate this occasion, the town has planned a weekend 
celebration that includes a reunion of previous residents and 
descendants, a parade, and a reenactment of President Madison's arrival 
in Brookeville. The event will also include food, music, and 
entertainment.
  Brookeville was founded in 1794 by Richard Thomas, on land inherited 
by his wife Deborah Brooke from her father Roger, son of James Brooke, 
an influential Quaker settler and the largest landholder in the county.
  The town was later created by an act of the legislature in 1808. Like 
many towns being established at the time, it was centered around a 
mill, had a general store, physician, and blacksmith. Brookeville 
continued to thrive into the early 19th century to include many houses, 
two mills, a tanning yard, stores, a post office, two schools, a 
constable, two physicians, two shoemakers, a seamstress, and a 
carpenter. During this time the town was a center of commerce and 
education, serving the surrounding, largely agricultural, area.
  Because of its agricultural roots, it is easy to understand how 
Brookeville served an important role in the development of agriculture. 
Many of its citizens were part of a noted network of progressive 
agronomists, like Thomas Moore, who initiated a number of improvements 
in farming methods that were practiced locally and nationally.
  It was in the home of one of these progressive farmers, Caleb 
Bentley, that President Madison and his staff sought refuge following 
the British invasion of Washington, DC, during the War of 1812. For 2 
days during the occupation of the Capital in 1814, the President 
conducted the business of the Federal Government from the Bentley home. 
Today Brookeville is known for being the U.S. Capital for a day.
  Following its historic role as the Nation's ``second capital,'' 
Brookeville continued to thrive until the advent of the automobile in 
the early 20th century. The car changed mobility patterns and led to 
the decline of the town's commercial businesses.
  Brookeville is unique in that it remains much as it was in the 18th 
and 19th centuries, retaining its small town charm. Also, descendents 
of many of the town's earliest settlers continue to live in the area 
and to enrich its history.
  I would like to congratulate the residents, past and present, and 
their families for planning this bicentennial celebration. The close-
knit community has joined together to make the event a truly memorable 
occasion which will add another dimension to this historic Maryland 
town.

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