“In the year 1800, I commenced my engagements in the store of Ellicott’s Mills, where my first acquaintance with Benjamin Banneker began.  He often came to the store to purchase articles for his own use; and, after hearing him converse, I was always anxious to wait upon him.  After making his purchases, he usually went to the part of the store where George Ellicott was in the habit of sitting to converse with him about the affairs of our Government and other matters.  He was very precise in conversation and exhibited deep reflection.  His deportment whenever I saw him, appeared to be perfectly upright and correct, and he seemed to be acquainted with every thing of importance that was passing in the country.

“I recollect to have seen his Almanacs in my father’s house, and believe they were the only ones used in the neighborhood at the time.  He was a large man inclined to be fleshy, and was far advanced in years, when I first saw him, I remember being once at his house, but do not recollect any thing about the comforts of his establishment, nor of the old clock, about which you enquired.  He was fond of, and well qualified, to work out abstruse questions in arithmetic.  I remember, he brought to the store, one which he had composed himself, and presented to George Ellicott for solution.  I had a copy which I have since lost; but the character and deportment of the man being so wholly different from any thing I had ever seen from one of his color, his question made so deep an impression on my mind I have ever since retained a perfect recollection of it, except two lines, which do not alter the sense.  I remember that George Ellicott, was engaged in making out the answer, and cannot now say that he succeeded, but have no doubt he did.  I have thus, briefly given you my recollections of Benjamin Banneker.  I was young when he died, and doubtless many incidents respecting him, have, from the time which has since elapsed, passed from my recollection: 

“CHARLES W. DORSEY, of Elkridge.”

After the death of his mother, Banneker dwelt alone until the day of his death, having never married, his manners were gentle and engaging, his benevolence proverbial.  His home became a place of great interest to visitors, whom he always received cordially, and treated hospitably all who called.

“We found the venerable star-gazer,” says the author of the Memoir of Susanna Mason, “under a wide spreading pear tree, leaden with delicious fruit; he came forward to meet us, and bade us welcome to his lowly dwelling.  It was built of logs, one story in height, and was surrounded by an orchard.  In one corner of the room, was suspended a clock of his own construction, which was a true hearald of departing hours.  He was careful in the little affairs of life as well as in the great matters.  He kept record of all his business transactions, literary and domestic.  The following extracts from his Account Book exhibit his love for detail.

     “’Sold on the 2nd of April, 1795, to Buttler, Edwards &
     Kiddy, the right of an Almanac, for the year 1796, for the
     sum of 80 dollars, equal to L30.