In the 1750s the Protestants in Maryland were afraid that the Catholics
were planning a take over of the Maryland government, and were worried
that the Catholic clergy was holding church services [which was agaisnt
the Law] and that Catholic priests were infiltrating Maryland. The
Elected officials of Anne Arundel, Frederick and Prince Georges County
were worried enought to employ citizens to spy on the Catholics. This
is a deposition by Henry Cassell, given to the Maryland Assemblyl on May
30th, 1751. concerning the activities of the Roman Catholics in his
area.
Maryland Assembly Proceedings June3-23 1752
All of which we humbly conceive to be great Greviances, introducing of
dangerous evils, and tend to alientate the affections of his Majesty's
Protestant Subjects of Maryland from his Lordship's good Rule and
Goveernment; but is humbly submitted to the Considerarion of your
Honorable House.
Henry Cassell, of Frederick County, who was born of German Parents, and
says he understands the German language well, makes Oath on the
Evangelists, that he knew Mr. Wapler, the German Jesuit or Priest, or
who stood in the Priests Place; and he, this Deponent, heard him preach
as such in the German language, and who now is, he supposes, in Germany;
but this Deponent understood the said Wapler had stayed his Time here,
and another was to come in his Room: That he has a plantation at
Connwago, called Waplers Place, and a Settlement thereon: That lately
there was at Connawago, at Waplers place, another German or English
Jesuit or priest, who had his Meeting there, and at which were several
English as well as Germans; That many of the Germans are Roman
Catholics; and , he believes, many of the Enlgish or Irish up that w ay
about Pipe Creek: That most of the German Roman Catholics, that this
Deponent knows live up towards the Mountains; and that he has been
informed the said Wapler has preached several tmes at Mr. John Diggs:
And further saith not.
Sworn the 30th Day of May, in the Year of our Lord God 1751; before me,
Robert Jenckins Henry