fetich, the candles must be extinguished at ten o'clock. She
had her way, even if guests were present--they were put out. She went to
bed--they were relit. One night after her death, a young son of the
house, about thirteen or so, was put to sleep in her room; at ten
o'clock the candle just went out. Every night it happened; they hunted
for drafts. No drafts could be located; the candles just always ceased
to burn when the clocks reached the hour of ten.

In this block about 1820 Mrs. Mary Billings, an Englishwoman, opened a
school where she started to teach both colored and white children
together, but a great deal of prejudice arising on the subject, she
devoted herself entirely to the colored race and continued to do so for
a number of years until she moved over to the city. Later, Mr. Street's
school for boys stood here. It was just opposite the old McKenney house
with a yard running down almost to High Street.

The Methodist Episcopal Church on this block was formerly located on
Montgomery (28th) Street. It had its beginning there in 1800. The church
on the present site, which has a modern facade, was used as a Federal
hospital during the Civil War, Dr. Peter being in charge of it as well
as the Seminary.

[Illustration: ST. JOHN'S CHURCH]

On the other side of High Street stands St. John's Episcopal Church, the
lot for which was given in 1796 by the Deakins' family. Reverend Walter
Addison of Prince Georges County, Maryland, had visited George Town in
1794 and 1795 and held occasional services, so a movement was started to
build a church. Among the subscribers were Thomas Jefferson and Dr.
Balch. The first rector was Reverend Mr. Sayrs of Port Tobacco in 1804.
Five years later he died and was immortalized in an epitaph in the
church, written by Francis Scott Key:

JOB: J. SAYRS

HU: EEL

RECTOR PRIMUS

HIC

(QUO CHRISTI SERVUS FIDELITES MINUS TRAVIT)

SEP: JAO

OB: 6 JAN. A. D. MDCCIX

AET XXXV

HERE ONCE STOOD FORTH A MAN, WHO FROM THE WORLD
THOUGH BRIGHT ITS ASPECT TO THE YOUTHFUL EYE,
TURNED WITH AFFECTION ARDENT TO HIS GOD,
AND LIV'D AND DIED AN HUMBLE MINISTER
OF HIS BENIGNANT PURPOSES TO MAN.

HERE LIES HE NOW--YET GRIEVE NOT THEN FOR HIM
READER! HE TRUSTED IN THAT LOVE WHERE NONE
HAVE VAINLY TRUSTED--RATHER LET
HIS MARBLE SPEAK TO THEE, AND SHOULDST THOU FEEL,
THE RISING OF A NEW AND SOLEMN THOUGHT
WAK'D BY TH