One-Time Slave Resided in Ritchie County Cabin
Ritchie County was for many years the home of a former slave from the State of Maryland, it was reported recently to the Ritchie Gazette editor.
He was Thornton (Thornt) Washington, born at Frostburg, Md., possible [sic] in 1824.
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"Thornt" Washington |
Mr. Washington came to Ritchie County shortly after the close of the Civil War, and he lived with or near the Jackson family at Cisco, until his death in 1928.
At the Jacksons Mr. Washington met a women whose name was "Susan," (last name unknown) whom he married. The couple resided at the old "Inn" (the chimney of which is reported still to be standing about 1000 feet east of the bridge at Cisco) until Susan's death. The former slave then made his home with the Jackson families the remainder of his life.
The cabin in which he lived alongside the old Stuanton Turnpnke [sic] is said to have been located on the north end of the (now removed) covered bridge crossing the North Fork of the Hughes River at Cisco.
In a conversation with Harry V. Maze of Beatrice, we were told "Many times, while fishing on weekends in that vicinity, I had interesting chats with this fine old gentleman, and on one occasion he told me that he was not positive about his age and could not give any positive date, however, he did nknow that he was a very young man--possible [sic] 21 years old, when the Honorable Jame K. Polk was elected President of the United States, which of course, was the year 1844. However, he said that he was driving a yoke of oxen on that election day."
Thus, assuming that he was 21 years old at that time, he would be 104 at the time of death--1928.
Mr Washington was well and favorable [sic] known by many people in this vicinity as "Uncle Thornt."
He was buried in the Pribble Graveyard near Cisco.