Rockville in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Christ Episcopal Church
Vestrymen Arrested
| | Gettysburg Campaign | |
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 7, 2007
1. Close Up View of Marker
Early Sunday morning, June 28, 1863, 5,000 of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalrymen rode into Rockville and arrested Union supporters. They sought merchant John H. Higgins at his home, but he had already left for Christ Episcopal Church (across the street). Dora, his wife, ran to the church to warn him, fellow vestrymen Judge Richard Johns Bowie, enrollment officer Lawrence Dawson, and enrollment clerk Richard Williams to remain in the vestry room. On her way home, Dora Higgins also warned the Presbyterian minister, John DeSellum, and Capt. John Vinson, but was too late to save provost marshall Mortimer Moulden and postmaster Thomas Bailey.
Prisoners captured along the way or arrested in town were held in the courthouse a block away. Dora Higgins wrote that "at six [p.m.] ... they carried their prisoners off, compelling Capt. Vinson, tho' too ill to stand alone, to mount a horse, at the point of their sabers, and go with them."
After Stuart left, Dora Higgins returned to the church to inform the vestrymen it was safe. A Confederate rear guard followed her, however, and arrested them. When local secessionists told her that they had taken no role in the arrests, she replied, "I know positively that not one of you could have any influence today, as Gen. Stuart had a written list of all the Union men's names.
this page online
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 28, 1866.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 4.94′ N, 77° 9.177′ W. Marker was in Rockville, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It was on South Washington Street near Vinson Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 109 South Washington Street, Rockville MD 20850, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Christ Episcopal Church (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Christ Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. James Anderson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lamar House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Adam Robb's Tavern (about 300 feet away); Rockville (about 400 feet away); Hungerford Tavern / Susan Russell House
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 7, 2007
2. The Marker is Located Across the Street from the Sanctuary
Other markers no longer nearby. Christ Episcopal Church (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named Dr. James Anderson House (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Hungerford Tavern (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1803 Plan of Rockville and Boundary Stone (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. In the lower section of the marker are three portraits:
Arrested by Stuart, Judge Richard Johns Bowie was the most respected public figure in 19th-century Rockville. Courtesy of the Montgomery County Historical Society.
William Veirs Bouic, Sr., town commissioner, lawyer, state's attorney, and leader of secessionist movement in Montgomery County. Courtesy of Peerless Rockville.
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Dawson, wife of arrested lawyer Lawrence Dawson. Courtesy of the Dawson Family, Peerless Rockville.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 14, 2006
3. Today's Christ Episcopal Church
Also see . . .
1. The Civil War in Rockville. Peerless Rockville website entry (Submitted on January 16, 2006.)
2. History of Christ Church. Church website entry (Submitted on January 16, 2006.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,322 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on July 6, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on July 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on July 7, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 18, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
