42 EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT

contained in them. It also affords additional space in the crowded vault of
the Orphans* Court. No objection to this plan has been voiced as yet, and
we are now negotiating a similar transfer in another county.

A large collection of records of the Corporation of Annapolis was added
to those already in our stacks. We believe that we now have all existing Pro-
ceedings of the Mayor and Aldermen, from 1720 to 1921. The Assessment
Books, dating from 1819 to about 1935, should prove very useful to persons
tracing the more recent history of the houses of Annapolis. Also of interest
are the Poll Books, 1799-1885, which list the names of residents eligible to
vote, and in the case of the early elections, indicate how each individual
voted.

Students of early nineteenth century county government will be
especially interested in the records received from the County Commis-
sioners of Prince George's County. The Assessment Books show the sources
of revenue and the Levy Lists tell how the money was spent.

As usual, we received several valuable items from private sources.
Because the early parish registers are the only important source of
vital records for the pre-Revolutionary period, we were particularly
pleased to receive the Register of St. Luke's Parish in Church Hill. The
Vestry Minutes contain much information about the early history of the
Church and Parish.

All the existing records of the South River Club have now been
deposited in our care. This ancient social group, which was organized at least
as early as 1742, has continued to meet to this day.

The depositions received from the estate of Mrs. Maud Louise Hall
mention the burning of about fifteen houses near the Maryland-Delaware
border, allegedly by Marylanders, who also threatened to attack New Castle.
Also of interest is the photostatic copy of a bill and receipt for making flags,
signed by Mary Pickersgill. It was she who made the flag flying over Fort
McHenry which inspired Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem.

Our collection of photographs was enriched by the acquisition of
the Hayman collection. It was purchased from the Annapolis photographer
of that name and it contains in addition to his own works many pictures
taken by the former owners of bis business.