USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > Sandy Spring > Annals of Sandy Spring history of a rural community in Maryland, Volume 1 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
12th month, 17th, died at the residence of Edward C. Gilpin, Elizabeth Feast. From want of acquaintance, I am not able to add anything to the simple announce- ment, which indeed suffices for the last page of mortal history for us all. On the same day died Roger Brooke Nesbitt, at Longwood, the residence of his grandparents, E. J. and Mary Hall.
While we have reason to be thankful for the general health of ourselves and our friends, it is proper to note that it has been a year of extraordinary mortality among our colored neighbors ; and their losses have been more in quality than in numbers. That energetic, useful and respected citizen (as my assistant justly terms him), William Bellows, would have been a loss in any com- munity; "like Robert Collyer, he kept a book by his anvil and studied as he toiled." Considered as a farmer, old Samuel Pumphrey was an example, and I miss him greatly. Thomas Marriott was one to be singled out amongst his people as an industrious, honest, thriving man. Such men are a serious loss to their employers, and to their own people who need the encouragement of good example.
During the year just past, the anniversary of two Golden Weddings came round, which my senior associate
143
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
refers to in beautiful terms, mentioning that feeble health prevented their celebration.
The parties were Benjamin and Margaret E. Hallowell and William H. and Eliza Stabler. She further remarks that in the last week of the year '74, "our young friend Charlie Kirk met with a very severe accident from the horns of an Alderney bull, that cast quite a gloom over our neighborhood."
Two social events from two extremes of life will close the present chapter. On New Year's day, a party came off at Stanmore, consisting of twenty guests, whose ages averaged 60 years. Whether called the "Old Folks Party" or "the Centennial," it was enjoyed with a gusto that might compare very favorably with younger gath- erings.
Again, a few evenings ago, the very juvenile scholars of a bright little school taught by Elizabeth Bond, gave a series of recitations and tableaux, which excited enthu- siastic praises of a numerous audience. In fact our schools are still looking up, all bright at Sandy Spring and Stan- more; a new duty is imposed upon them to follow the fashion now prevailing over the country, and to get up, with proper assistance from this whole audience, the amusing and improving entertainment, " A Spelling Bee."
141
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
CHAPTER XIII.
FROM FOURTH MONTH, 5TH, 1875, TO FOURTH MONTH, 3D, 1876.
Cause of grumbling among farmers-Changes going on in Sandy Spring -Connection with " The Centennial" -Proposals to bring out old china, &c. - Past, present and future - " All's well " if the farm is - Abundance better than scarcity, even if low prices seem to equalize them - Paris green is effectual against the potato bug - Use of oyster shell continues-A Dairy Association instituted - A reporter of the Sun appears at "The Farmers' Convention " - The wells continue dry -- Pairing of the societies-Centennial Debating Society -- Lec- tures fruitful, on London and on " Injustice " - Horticul- tural Fair- A blind performer well supported -Other per- formers were M. D. Conway, Francis Miller and Dr. J. Wilson Magruder- People more reckless about fires -Sandy Spring Railroad, " a sure thing " -The historian takes to moralizing - The three brothers - The deaths exceed aggregate of births and marriages- Marcus Nutting appears on the scene.
The 13th annual return of the day on which we open this book of history finds the neighborhood "with little to complain of, and much to be thankful for." This is said, notwithstanding the unusual prevalence of influ- enza and other catarrhal diseases, which bave in some cases been quite severe ; also without meaning to intimate that our farming community has given up its time- honored privileges (which truly were more honored in the breach than the observance) of complaining and grumb- ling. Having taken some pains to ascertain the origin of this chronic disposition of our fraternity, otherwise so sensible, I find it is because we are more than any other class of people brought into direct connection with a greater variety of things that will not go just the way which we would have them to go. Our prosperity is
-
145
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
dependent at every turn upon an infinite number of variable circumstances ; especially on that most conspicu- ous one, the weather. We can do nothing to change it, and we can not blame ourselves for the injuries that in consequence befall; so we think to take refuge in fretting. Now it is indeed a fact that we are touched in more tender places than other people; we are more dependent and therefore more helpless. At the same time if we would but look at the subject rightly, we might see that the continual contact at every point of our business with nature and her grand laws, ever varied yet ever the same, is the very thing that renders our position the most enviable of all upon earth.
With this merited encomium upon country pursuits and country pleasures, which every passing year more strongly confirms in my mind, I turn to the survey of the one just closed. The general impression left in looking over it is one of life and activity. This quality has been heretofore claimed as one of the leading characteristics of our neighborhood, and I cannot see that it has lost any- thing in this trait. It seems to me we have been quit. active, of course in different degrees, our young people especially, as should always be the case. Another im- pression of no slight import comes in casting the eve of the mind over the neighborhood, viewed as a whole, is that Sandy Spring is growing less and less homogencon .. "Whether this be for good or whether for ill, it is not mine to say," but I am convinced of this fact: in order that there be reason and propriety in undertaking to sketch the history of a community, it is necessary the. should exist a considerable degree of similarity among at. people, besides strong common interests, and decided characteristics that distinguish it from other contiguous
18
146
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
districts. Such, it is believed, has been the case with our own. General, though not universal agreement in the important particulars of religion, politics and social customs has marked the community, and set it off as possessing that separate individuality which gives a sort of distinct existence, admitting of being made the subject of real history. Now it is the impression of your his- torian, that even within the period of his official super- vision, there can be perceived a notable change in several of these particulars. In the first place, the family groups constituting the community of Sandy Spring have con- siderably increased in number, and are more widely sepa- rated in space. New associations have been formed ; new interests developed; in some parts the ties have been drawn more closely, in others they have been loosened ; while in a conspicuous degree, the dividing lines that separated our own from contiguous communities are less strongly marked, or even measurably erased; so that it seems not unlikely the time will come, perhaps already is, when "Sandy Spring " shall fail to comprise the com- munity to which we have been accustomed to attach the name. Let the railroad be once made, and the influences tending to change will be so increased that we may scarcely know ourselves to be the same people. Perhaps we may be better -- there is still room for that-richer, doubtless, but not quite the same. However, it is going beyond my duty as historian to express an opinion as to. the question whether these changes make us better or worse; it suffices to note the fact. While these metamor- phoses widen the field of this sketch, they also confuse and dim it : thus removing some of the justification of its continuance.
Our narrative, like almost every other proceeding of
-
147
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
the present year, naturally connects itself with the great Centennial Anniversary, so full of historical associa- tions of the most interesting character. We are drawn to look back to the condition of our neighborhood at the epoch toward which so many views are now strained, and would fain recall the situation one hundred years ago. What would we not give for a true picture of people and things belonging to that period! So grad- ually do the generations of men melt one into another, as they come successively up the scene, it is only by taking a long retrospect that we can realize the wonderful change. I can think of nothing that would be so in- teresting as a life-like view of the men and women, the youths and maidens, the boys and girls of '76 presented to us now, unless it were such a view of the future reali- ties of 1976. A suggestion has been made to attempt a celebration at the Lyceum with the aim of restoring the times of '76, in some faint degree, by a collection of old china and other such genuine ancient articles belonging to the period, of which a few fine specimens still remain. chiefly among the Thomas family. By recalling also from such sources as are within our reach, stories of inci- dents then occurring, with sketches of individuals living in the olden time within our region, not omitting old co .:- tumes and all such. So many persons throughout our land are now manifesting an interest in these reminis- cences, it must surely be a natural and not unworthy im- pulse that leads to sympathize with them. On the Con- trary we may readily believe it is our better nature that is stirred by reviving the memory of old times, especial's "the times that tried men's souls," that brought out some of the finest characters in history, and created the nation to which we belong. We ought to feel grateful
148
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
to those who have interested themselves in this Centen- nial work, and be willing to take a little trouble to assist. It is all very well to say, "Let the dead past bury its dead," --. " Act, act in the living present," and so on ; these ideas are good in their place; but it is also true there is a time for all things. The present is not all; it requires past, present and future, all three, to fill the mind and soul of man and satisfy his infinite cravings. They who attend exclusively to either of the three divisions of time, lose at least a fraction of life, real life, well worth the living. Let the old revive the memories of days gone by, and of incidents related by their fathers; and let the young listen to the narratives, and extend their scope in reading books that tell of the period; it will not be lost time, but quite the contrary. It is at least safe to say that people can afford to do all this once in a hundred years. Those who live at the Bi-Centennial will thank us for making a permanent record of what we are doing now. Even this history, should it be preserved, may afford some amusement to the antiquarian of those futuro days, who shall hunt among the rubbish of the long, long ago. How strange are the fancies that cross the mind given up to such meditations !
It may be safely said that the fellow who is supposed in those last lines to have got hold of this 13th Chapter will be puzzled to conjecture the subject to which it forms the preface. I have never thought it necessary to apologize for want of system in the arrangement of these sketches ; perhaps the less systematic they are the more like the life they are intended to portray. Country life, however charming, cannot boast of much system; in fact it would not be hurt by a little more. Still it was always designed to start the narrative with an account of what
149
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
the year has done for the agricultural interest; knowing if a good exhibit can be made of this department, we can adopt the cry " All's well !"
The season was marked with more variety than usual. While the unprecedentedly large corn crop, due to the copious rains of August (82 inches), forms a leading feature in the list of productions, the severe drought of May and June cut the grass very short and almost destroyed the young clover. Wheat came out pretty well on an average, taking yield and price both into consideration. If the profits of the potato crop disappointed expectation. neither the season nor the bug can be blamed. Over production is sometimes as bad for pecuniary results as is partial failure. Still abundance is to be preferred to scarcity when we take an intelligent view of their effects. Although 7% barrels of corn at $4 seems as good as ten barrels at $3, every farmer knows that it is not so. As regards the potato bug, the bugaboo of '74, though it appeared again in June of '75, in large numbers and with undiminished voracity, the free use of Paris green is
found to be so effectual that the ugly little monster is viewed comparatively with contempt. It must be due to other causes than fear of the bug that the Farmers' Club diminished the field of planting from forty-nine acres last year and eighty-nine the year before, to thirty acres only the coming season. If the course pursued by those pru- dent old farmers is assumed as an indication of the action in this respect over the whole country, somebody will make a good thing of potatoes next fall.
Among the bountiful products of the season the great jach crop must not be forgotten. The growers of t ... most delicious of our fruits suffered from the same dis- advantage as the potato planters; the very abundance of
150
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
production seriously depressed prices; but that was not nearly so bad as a failure of crops. This is about all we have to say on the most important subject in which our community is concerned; except that if our farmers are "carrying" as much wheat (to borrow a phrase from our brothers of the mercantile profession) as of corn and potatoes, at the date we now are, it is even a little better with them than merely " well." As one of my associates says, it is pleasant here to notice that two farms in our neighborhood have recently been purchased by gentlemen from Baltimore, who intend to reside with us at least half of each year. This is not only complimentary to our agricultural and social advantages, but also a welcome acquisition to us in respect of the latter feature at least.
The younger class, upon whose shoulders have already fallen " the burden and heat of the day," appear to have sustained their character for enterprise and the spirit of improvement, which is a sure pledge that the agricul- tural reputation of Sandy Spring neighborhood is in no danger of going backward. The use of oyster shell lime continues. (It is much to be desired that your historian should be able to report the quantity of lime and other fertilizers which have been applied during the past, year. There ought to be another assistant, if this history is worthy to be continued.)
A Dairy Association has been recently instituted that indicates the extent to which this important branch of agricultural industry has attained in our community. The object is so worthy as to entitle the new association at once to a distinguished place amongst the neighborhood societies that bloom (and bear fruit) in such abundance.
The Annual Convention of Farmers' Clubs held its fourth annual meeting in January, and was successful as
151
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
heretofore in drawing a goodly number of the " bone and sinew " class, who manifest a fair degree of interest in its proceedings. A new feature in the scene showed that the interest extended beyond our boundaries. When the President, Henry C. Hallowell, entered the room (and here I feel called upon to mention a name closely con- nected with this, and that other distinguished institution, the Horticultural Fair), he, the president, was agree- ably surprised to find a regular reporter of the Baltimore Sun, with paper and pencil, on the spot. We were also again favored with the presence of the editor of the American Farmer, which seemed to be a very proper and natural part of the proceedings; but that other evidence of fame was something new. Distinguished characters must pay the penalty of renown. Well, I reckon ure can stand it-if our admirers can ; having had enough of that sort of thing to get used to it.
As my associate observes, the subject of the weather has passed into other hands ; still she cannot avoid mentioning as a remarkable fact that no thunderstorm occurred in May. But July made up for the deficiency; on the loth of that month the lightning struck Ashton store and several trees in the neighborhood, cutting up some very queer antics, as it often does. It is also a circumstance worthy of record here, that while the stress of drought ceased after midsummer, so far as the surface of the ground was concerned, its effects on the streams and wells con- tinued to be felt in places for months afterward. The veins of water that supply some of our wells must have been lower than at any previous period for forty years.
It was observed in last year's record that the (iran" holds a place connecting agricultural and social interests. After the experience of another year, I must still view it
152
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
in that light. As it cannot be considered a special insti- tution of our neighborhood, and as it has the domestic character of reserving its best things for the home circle (like all well-regulated families), it is not necessary here to devote to this subject the wide space it might otherwise justly claim. I am required, however, to state the fact that the Grange at Ashton, which belonged peculiarly to Sandy Spring, withdrew from that location, translating its truly valuable membership to a more ample sphere at Olney. The sentinel at the "outer gate" declares that so far " All's well."
From these friendly borders we come out to dwell with undiminished interest upon the rich and ample field occu- pied by the various associations with which we are all familiar. It is the remark of a wise man, that when a people are prosperous, all their affairs proceeding in a healthy and satisfactory manner, the history of the country becomes barren for want of subjects. I suppose it must be so with descriptions of our numerous societies ; all going on pleas- antly, harmoniously, improvingly, with nothing special to record. Yet I do not like to let them off so, forming as they do, the most distinguishing feature of the neighbor- hood, without counting them over to see if I have them all. For convenience sake, and because it sounds more affection- ate, let us pair them thus :
1. Farmers' Club with 2. Ladies' Association.
3. Enterprise Club
1. The Home Interests.
5. Montgomery Club 6. The Sociable.
7. The Horticultural 6: 8. Dairy Association.
There were the same number of associations recorded in 1872, and with the same titles, except that the Dairy has taken the place of the Innocents. Shall this be regarded
153
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
as evidence of that progress which we all so earnestly and above all things desire ? Let us suppose so. (But a mys- terions whisper has reached me, of the rise of still another society ; its name and purpose have not fully developed. )
There remains another and a decidedly meritorious association. As we have none to pair this with, its meni- bers being safely left to attend to that themselves, it is proper to describe further. The name was well chosen- " Centennial Debating Society." It seems to have adopted a judicious plan in selecting as topics for discussion such subjects as have a direct and present interest, instead of old, unpractical, abstract questions. Having had the pleasure of attending their closing meeting for the season. I can readily testify that the debate was more than usually interesting. Only one public meeting was allowed ; why not more? Why not give the ladies opportunities to enlighten and improve their minds too ?
No one can say that the Lyceum has not been well need this year. Let us recall some of the work done therein. The "Spelling Bee" recommended at the close of last year's sketch canie off' with success a short time afterward. The prize was carried off by one of our married ladies who happens to reside just now in an adjoining county. About a month later (in May), a lecture was delivered for the benefit of the Horticultural Society, the subject being the " Largest City" and the "Finest Gardens in the World." The contribution thus brought to the funds of the society was rather meagre; although the lecture was by a member who had recently crossed the seas.
The next scene at the Lyceum was of more lively charac- ter, being a dramatic entertainment given by the "so jabh." It is a deserved compliment to say that there was real talent developed on that occasion ; and the inquiry arises
154
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
(addressed to the more rigid members of our society), "For what is a faculty given that promotes enjoyment, unless it . be used ? "
Passing over the summer months, during which this Hall usually has vacation (although the presence of many strangers in the neighborhood would probably secure an audience for any species of lively entertainment that our young folks might devise, as summer boarders don't want anything very solid), we come to the 21st of September, the day of the Horticultural Fair, when the Hall puts on its gayest aspect, and an audience or band of spectators of varied fashion assembles to enjoy and encourage a dis- play of rare interest. Much more might be said of this institution lately grown up among us, which finds its parallel in very few country places, but deserves to be cherished with increasing satisfaction. The effort made by the president to place the Fair on a broader footing was partially successful. So far as related to relieving the financial condition, and enlisting a wider circle of co-operating officials, the plan was excellent; but your historian knows that he has your unanimous voices in favor of a protest, absolute and irrepealable, against making any change in the presiding officer : all of us are "third termers" in this case, which means an extension to three times three.
The regular winter course of lectures began rather later than usual. This was through no omission on the part of the President of the Lyceum, who was unwearied in his efforts to gratify the somewhat jaded literary taste of the Sandy Spring audience, by securing the services of distinguished lecturers from abroad. The course was opened in December, by a discourse of Dr. John Wilson Magruder, who gave a spicy and successful lecture on
155
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
"Injustice." There was a good audience, who highly enjoyed his telling hits at the faults of the day, including their own.
On the last evening of the old year and the first of the new, a large crowd collected here to view the wild scenery of California and the Rocky Mountains, exhibited by Jonathan K. Taylor, of Wilmington. People of all ages de- light to see pictures, and this display afforded ample gratification.
Two more evening entertainments, also very successful in their results, followed in the 2d month of the year, consisting chiefly of dramatic recitations; the blind per- former attracted much sympathy and regard from the neighborhood, which were evidently reciprocated by himself.
February 25th, Moncure D. Conway gave us a lecture on London, which is too fresh in our recollections to re- quire comment. The same may be said of Francis Miller's ('entennial Address, closing up the course. When we come to think over all these demonstrations, we must admit the considerable value of the Lyceum.
Now let us look at some business concerns, of a general character of course ; private or individual business belongs not to history, but to a special department, sometimes confounded with it, called gossip. And what is a better index of the general prosperity than that afforded by the condition of the Savings Institution ? Measured by this criterion, we were never more prosperous. The antici- pation expressed in last year's sketch of reaching by another year the amount of $50.000 deposits, is more than fulfilled ; approaching to $60,000. You will find in tile Annual Report some details worth reading; they show a healthy condition. Since it has been unanimously
156
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
agreed by the Directors to make loans upon the solid security of land, up to one-fourth of our deposits, the objection heretofore made against our mode of operation, as tending to drain all the surplus money away from the country to the city, is no longer justified. The Mutual Fire Insurance Company, whose headquarters are with us, while its operations embrace nearly the whole State, is not adding to its ready money, though the actual capital is continually swelling, the premium notes now in excess of $800,000. Recent experience goes to confirm the un- pleasant statement that the general liability to burn, of the houses in this State, is greater than formerly. People are more reckless.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.