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→Third Courthouse at Leonardtown
In the ceremonies accompanying the cornerstone laying of the new building, it was said that "the Seat of Justice of St. Mary's County accidentally took fire and notwithstanding the presence of a large concourse of Citizens the flames had progressed too far to be arrested, and the building with many of its land and other records was entirely consumed." The Levy Court appointed commissioners to build a new courthouse immediately. These gentlemen borrowed $8,510 for the purpose from Robert Gilmor of Baltimore. The architect was William F. Small of that city and the builder, Ignatius Mudd of Washington, D. C. On August 6, 1831, the cornerstone was laid by Captain George Dent, a veteran of the Revolution, and the oration was delivered by Henry G. S. Key. Among the items deposited in the cornerstone was the motto "May the arrow of death quiver in the hearts of those who attempt to stifle the pure ermine of Justice within these walls."<ref>This information is from Chronicles of St. Mary's, I, No, 1. Leonardtown, St. Mary's County Historical Society, June 1953.</ref>
Such was the impressive beginning of the handsome Italian Renaissance structure created by William Small.<ref>For other examples of his work see Richard H. Howland and Eleanor P. Spencer, The Architecture of Baltimore, Balti-moreBaltimore, 1953, pp. 59-60.</ref> Legislative authorization for the project was forthcoming at the next session of the General Assembly<ref>Ch. 51, Acts of 1881.</ref> and the county seems to have taken possession shortly thereafter.
== Additions to the Courthouse at Leonardtown ==
