February 1743, Maryland

Emmitsburg, MD Panorama from US-15 Rest Area (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

February 1, 1743- My fifth great granduncle, William Elder, son of William Elder & Elizabeth Finch, marries my fourth great grandaunt, Jacoba Clementina Livers, daughter of Arnold Livers & Helen Gordon, in Frederick County, Maryland.
Their daughter Elizabeth is born shortly thereafter.
It is William's second marriage, his first wife Ann Wheeler died in 1739.
Jacoba was the daughter of his neighbor Arnold Livers. She was named Jacoba Clementina after James, the "Old Pretender" to the English throne, and his wife Clementina.
Jacoba's father, Arnold Livers,  had registered a vow that his first child, whether a boy or a girl, should, be called James. The good priest to whom the child was presented for baptism found no difficulty in complying with the father’s wishes and so the babe was christened Jacoba Clementina. Livers in his flight from England carried this child with him.
William is attributed with being the first white settler and establishing the first home for the Catholic faith in the region. Mount Saint Mary's College was founded on what was originally William Elder's property and bears the name he gave the area.    William owned several farms including "Ogle's Good Will" & "Elder's Choice" in Frederick County. After their marriage, they resided in Emmitsburg. Their home was known as Elder Station and one room was reserved as a chapel for their family and the Catholics of the area. Sometimes Mass was celebrated by her brother Reverend Arnold Livers. A boatman's shell is on display at Mount St Mary's College library, donated by Archbishop Elder, which bears the inscription: "Used in calling the faithful to Mass at the home of William Elder about 1743." During the colonial period of American history, Catholics were not allowed to build churches or chapels. The few Jesuit priests that ministered to their scattered flock throughout Maryland and parts of Pennsylvania did so on horseback. When the priest arrived monthly the Cathlics gathered for Mass, instruction, and the receiving of Sacraments. William Elder's home served for over fifty years as the "priest station".
William Elder had five small children by his previous marriage. Jacoba mothered the children, aged five to thirteen years.

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