Rose Hill Site Honored

Rose Hill Site Honored

This past Sunday, July 6, 2008, at 10:00 am, the Preservation Society of Allegany County and the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Association unveiled a plaque at the site of "Rose Hill", the Cumberland estate of Captain David Lynn II (1758-1835). The ceremony was attended by friends and members of the sponsoring societies and by citizens of Cumberland. Mr. and Mrs. David R. Lynn and Mrs. Lynn's parents were the honored guests.

After an invocation and speeches, a flag covering the plaque was lifted by Mr. David R. Lynn, a direct descendant of Captain David Lynn II. Mr. Lynn offered remarks on his distinguished ancestor, and the audience was able to view the very handsome plaque, which includes a miniature portrait of Captain Lynn.

The plaque is mounted on a pillar at Allegany Street and Averitt Avenue. Two pillars are all that remains of the magnificent Rose Hill estate, which was demolished to make way for a highway.

The unveiling of the plaque was followed by refreshments, including punch and a large sheet cake. Those attending then proceeded to rose Hill Cemetery, where an invocation was again given and a wreath was laid at the grave of Captain David Lynn II. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the family viewed the many family graves in Rose Hill Cemetery, including that of Mary Galloway Lynn, Captain Lynn's wife, who is buried next to him.

Article & Pictures by Catherine Ball, Judge Lynn Chapter, DAR.)

American Revolutionary War

Capt. David Lynn

May God Have Mercy on the Holy Souls of all men that fought & died in our nation's first war of independence. We honor these great heroes for their sacrifice in history. God bless the United States of America. Amen.

This stone column, a lone survivor of progress, marks the entrance to one of Cumberland's most historic estates. In 1801, Capt. David Lynn II, an outstanding officer of the Md. Regulars, built a home, and called it "Rose Hill". Capt. Lynn served in the Continental Army under Gen. Washington & was discharged in 1783. Capt. Lynn married Mary Galloway in 1795.

Mary Galloway Lynn donated the first four acres of land to Emmanuel Episcopal Church to be used as a cemetery. She requested that it be called "Rose Hill' after her beloved home. Capt. Lynn died at his Rose Hill estate on April 11, 1835. He was re-interred and buried next to his wife in the rose Hill Cemetery.

Capt. Lynn's son, John Galloway Lynn and his wife, Rebecca Singleton had three sons. During the Civil War 1861-65 all three sons jumped into the Potomac and swam across to join the Confederate Army of Northern Va. Son David Lynn served on the 18th Va. Cal., the Partisan Rangers and the 19 Va. Cal. Sons John Lynn II & Sprigg Lynn served with Jesse McNeil's Rangers. In Feb. 1865, Union Generals Crook & Kelley were captured and kidnapped by the rangers. At the end of the Civil War, Gen. Lew Wallace kept Md. under Marshall Law & would not allow Confederate soldiers bank into Md.

In 1904, Rose Hill was purchased by Col. John W. Avirett. The Aviretts held a reception to honor the WWI hero, Gen. John J. "BlackJack" Pershing in 1921. As one entered the old mansion, on the wall in the entrance hall hung an autographed picture of Robert E. Lee which came to "Rose Hill" by the Rev. James B. Avirett, father of Col. Avirett. Rev Averitt served as a Chaplain in Lee's Army under Stonewall Jackson. He spent his last days at "Rose Hill". Rose Hill was demolished in 1968 to make way for the Md. Interstate Highway.

This plaque is presented on July 6, AD 2008 by Preservation Society of Allegany Co. founded in 1970, and Cumberland Historic Cemetery Org. founded in 1983. The two non-profit historical organizations are dedicated to protecting and preservation of the true US history, landmarks, gravesites, western culture, and the principles of Americas Founding Fathers for future generations. All with private funding. The gravesite of Capt. David Lynn is a protected & designated site of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization.