Worthington House at the Monocacy Battlefield

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June 5, 1999, Frederick, Maryland.

A dream of Judge Glenn Howard Worthington (1858-1934) preserving a historical site on the Monocacy National Battlefield, just south of Frederick, Maryland came true. The community, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, The Friends of Monocacy, and other individuals worked to preserve the Farm House where the Battle of Monocacy took place on July 9, 1864. Glenn Worthington, who wrote, "Fighting for Time, the Battle that Saved Washington and Mayhap the Union"¹ is the 4th Great-Grandson of Captain John Worthington (1650-1701) of Anne Arundel Co., Maryland.

The guest of honor, Mr. David Reed, a grandson of Glenn H. Worthington, provided some remarks on his grandfather and assisted in cutting the ribbon opening the Hiking Trails that start at the Worthington House. David is pictured with Rangers Gloria Baker and Cathy Beeler, Chief Park Ranger at Monocacy.

The Worthington House is a mid-19th century, ell-shaped brick farmhouse. The National Park Service acquired the 282 acre Worthington property in 1982. The back of the house is where a story is told about John T. Worthington, Glenn Worthington's father, and his encounter with General John C. Breckinridge.

"A Minor Detached Incident
During the engagement, Gen. John C. Breckinridge, who was in command of two divisions of the Confederate Army, that of Gordon and Echols, and who gave orders to Gordon to take his division across the river and drive the Federals, who crossed the Monocacy and went forward as far as the Worthington house to watch the progress of the fighting and to be near enough to give council and advise in case it should be needed. After a very determined resistance the Federals were finally dislodged from their positions and routed. As the firing subsided Mr. John T. Worthington (a non-combatant), who had been, during the heat of the engagement, in the cellar of his house with his family and a few slaves, went outside in the backyard where he saw General Breckinridge; a very distinguished person in his day and generation, for he had been Vice-President of the United States, a candidate for the Presidency, and a United States Senator from Kentucky. Now a famous general in the Confederate Army. Mr. Worthington went forward to greet the general, who dismounted from his horse and extended his hand. As the two stood there facing each other shaking hands, a cane which Mr. Worthington carried in his left hand, at the moment, the end of which rested on the ground between then, was struck by a flying bullet and knocked out of his hand.
Whereupon General Breckinridge said: "Mr. Worthington, it is not safe for you to be here, bullets are still flying and you might be seriously hurt."
To which Mr. Worthington replied: "It is just as dangerous for you, General."
"Yes, I know," replied the famous man, "but it is my duty to be here and not yours."
Whereupon Mr. Worthington retreated to the cellar and remained until the firing had entirely ceased."
[From Fighting for Time, The Battle of Monocacy, written by Glenn H. Worthington]

The back of this house may not be as shown in the picture but is the location of where this story took place. There is a door on the right of this picture, where Worthington emerged. It is thought that the Worthington family, Glenn specifically, watched the battle from this corner of the basement. Pictured is David Reed and Ranger Susan Trailer (National Park Service).

The Friends of Monocacy and the National Park Service have stabilized this structure until funds are available for restoration. The louvers on the windows were installed to preserve the interior. There had been a porch on the front of the building which has been stored in the basement to the left of the picture shown on the link above. There was also a porch on the rear of the house based on the markings on the back of the house. Congress has recently appropriated $1 million for the restoration of the Worthington home on the battlefield. David Reed has placed a number of pieces of family furniture, now in the Historical Society, at the disposal of the National Park Service for return to the house upon completion of the renovation.

David Reed and his companion "Puck" were not the only Worthington at this event. Through the Internet, several Worthington descendants and researchers joined their "e-mail friend," David, in the festivities. The furthest was Fred and Charlene Murphy from Florida. From Ohio, Michelle Blankenship and Harrison Dorsey Worthington III. A little more local to the area Wanda Slothower (Wanda is on the left, pictured with Elizabeth Lively and Susanne Flowers) joined in the celebration. Susanne is the President of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Not pictured was Patti Lane and Russ Worthington. However, my daughter Carrie was captured with Dorsey, her 8th cousin.

Following the Ribbon cutting, we were allowed to view the interior of the house and the work that is ahead for the Friends of Monocacy and the National Park Service.

The "group" then traveled a short distance to the home where John T. Worthington lived before the farm at Monocacy. The Worthington House now serves as the 19th tee at the Worthington Manor golf course. The rear deck is a beautiful place to cool off and to overlook the barn just beyond the putting green. Then it was off to lunch in the town of Thurmont, Maryland.

The next stop for this group, David arranged for us to visit Auburn, a family home in nearby Thurmont. Auburn was owned by Baker and Catherine Worthington Johnson. Catherine was the Great-Granddaughter of Captain John Worthington. Pictures of Baker and Catherine were in the center hall of this wonderful house. Clem Gardner and his wife Harriet provided us with a tour of the house.

Following a brief break, the group gathered at the very lovely home of Virginia McLaughlin in Frederick, to share stories and partake in refreshments prepared, in part, by our David.

Due to technical difficulties, a Group Picture was not taken. We did, however, capture a picture of David Reed and a photo of his grandfather, Glenn H. Worthington. Can you see the resemblance?

A list of the participants is available by request.

Links to pictures of the current All Saints Episcopal Church and the Headstone of Glenn Howard Worthington are here.

Thank you, David, for your efforts and encouragement in this gathering of Internet Cousins.

[Photos by Carrie and Russ Worthington]

^1.Reprint of 1932 Edition, Revised by Brian C. Pohanka, ISBN 0-942597-71-0, Burd Press.