CALVERT COUNTY, Md. — One of Calvert County’s most unique historical stories comes from an 1859 book by James Hungerford titled “The Old Plantation and What I Gathered There in an Autumn Month“.
The book is a collection of stories and experiences gathered while Hungerford was staying in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. One of its most memorable tales involves Colonel William Fitzhugh of Rousby Hall.
Colonel Fitzhugh was born about 1722. In 1752, he married Ann Frisby, the widow of John Rousby. Through that marriage, Fitzhugh came to Maryland and into the remarkable plantation house built around 1685, today known as Rousby Hall.
Fitzhugh had served in the British army and had distinguished himself during the French and Indian War. By the time of the American Revolution, he was receiving a pension from the British government. Even so, he supported American independence. Though too old to serve himself, two of his sons served in the Continental Army. One was even an aide to General George Washington, whom Fitzhugh knew personally.
Fitzhugh also supported the war effort from home. He converted many of the fields around Rousby Hall to grain production, milled the grain on his property, and supplied the Continental Army with as much as he could produce.
In 1780, British vessels arrived in the Patuxent River and anchored off Rousby Hall. They sent a delegation ashore requesting fresh provisions, promising to do no harm if supplied. Colonel Fitzhugh refused.
The British opened fire on the house and sent men ashore to burn it. In 1781, there was a second incident in which more of his property was destroyed. Fitzhugh and his family moved to a much smaller house on Mill Creek while Rousby Hall was rebuilt.
But one of the strangest stories connected to Colonel Fitzhugh came after the war.
The new United States had been formed, but the country was immediately divided by political conflict. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, favored a stronger national government. The Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, favored stronger state governments.
Colonel Fitzhugh supported the Democratic-Republicans, but he maintained friendships across political lines. During one political campaign, a close Federalist friend was supposed to speak but could not attend. Fitzhugh rose in his place and gave a thoughtful speech in favor of Federalism, making clear that he did not personally hold those views, but was presenting the argument his friend would have made.
Some admired the act as one of friendship and civility. Others were outraged.
One passionate Democratic-Republican, a Mr. Brougham, was so offended that he challenged Colonel Fitzhugh to a duel.
Dueling was already fading and was illegal in Maryland, but it still happened. Fitzhugh considered the practice barbaric and foolish. Still, when pressed, he accepted, but only on the condition that the traditional rules be followed. Since Fitzhugh was the challenged party, he had the right to choose the time, place, and weapons.
He chose the Spout.
The Spout is a beautiful property on St. Leonard Creek, near the old Sollers Wharf. Long before the Sollers family, the Spout was known as a freshwater supply stop, named for a spring that provided clean drinking water to merchant ships and warships alike.
One of Mr. Brougham’s companions had complained about meeting in Maryland, fearing arrest since dueling was illegal. Colonel Fitzhugh reportedly replied:
“I should suppose, my dear sir, that Mr. Brougham, in calling a meeting of this kind, has it not in view to avoid danger of any description. If I am willing to face the peril of the laws, I do not see why your friend should be so scrupulous.”
On the appointed day, Mr. Brougham arrived at the shore of St. Leonard Creek. There he found Colonel Fitzhugh and a gathering of men standing around a fire. Over the fire hung a large pot of bean soup.
Then one of Colonel Fitzhugh’s friends stepped forward and explained the weapons that had been selected for the duel.
Pointing to the steaming pot, he announced:
“This pot is filled with beans, which are now, I should say, to speak moderately, rather hot.”
He then produced two pea shooters and continued:
“Here are the weapons. The antagonists will place themselves on each side of the pot, and by means of these instruments shoot the hot bean soup and beans at each other until one of them shall express himself satisfied. The party making the acknowledgement will be considered as defeated, and thus will the affair terminate.”
Mr. Brougham was not amused.
He protested that pea shooters were not real weapons. The gathering, however, agreed that pea guns were indeed a form of gun and therefore a perfectly acceptable choice under the agreed rules.
Disgusted, Mr. Brougham turned away and headed for his horse. As he departed, Colonel Fitzhugh called after him:
“You decline then, you decline to fight me on my own terms?”
The only reply anyone could make out was an angry mutter beginning with: “Go to the…”
And with that, the duel came to an end before a single bean was fired. Mr. Brougham was mocked without mercy for the rest of his life over the affair.
And according to Hungerford, dueling in that part of the country was never attempted again.
Today, Rousby Hall and Spout Farm remain beautiful reminders of Calvert County history. Some of that history is tragic, some of it is comical, but all of it is fascinating.
Both properties are privately owned. The people who care for them have done a remarkable job preserving the land, protecting the history, and leaving their own mark on the story of Southern Maryland.
To discover more local legends, maritime history and fascinating tales from the region’s past, visit Spooky Solomons Tours at SpookySolomons.com
About The BayNet Expert Series
This article is part of The BayNet Expert Series, which highlights local professionals, historians, nonprofits and community leaders who share their knowledge and expertise with Southern Maryland readers.
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