USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > Sandy Spring > Annals of Sandy Spring history of a rural community in Maryland, Volume 1 > Part 15
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
. Lately while groping in that mine of wisdom, the Life of Benjamin Franklin, I was impressed with this idea of a new association such as I have just mentioned, and from his success in getting up a similar society in Philadel- phia, which has grown to be one of the most illustrious in the country, I drew the conviction that such a man, with the material he could find in this neighborhood, might organize an association that would overtop all others in usefulness and intellectual benefits.
Alas! we have no Benjamin Franklin. We shall have to wait until the hunger for knowledge-" the longing to know "-shall become so strong as to be irresistible.
In the meantime tho various associations which we at present possess are going on in their quiet way, doing their accustomed work ; a part of which doubtless is " to spread
171
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
peace and good will amongst men." Notwithstanding the eulogy just passed upon science, this tendency of the various societies kept alive so long among us is even better. Science is wholly an affair of the intellectual part : the other-the emotional part-the feelings, constituting at least three-fourths of our being, and a still larger pro- portion of our happiness, is consequently of greater im- portance. All of our varied societies, in different degrees. while promoting the culture of the intellect, have served also to animate and keep alive the principles upon which society mainly depends.
My loose sheets, like the evening hour, are running out so rapidly that I have not time or space to describe more particularly the meetings of the Societies, further than to say, in the language of the Discipline, "I believe they were all held, and attended by most of the members." Also to notice the pleasing arrangement by which they succeed one another. Last week the Debating Society for Centennial origin, which has not only kept up well. but has developed new and growing talent), held its last meeting for the season ; while the Horticultural. which slumbers through the winter, along with the flowers it cherishes, blooms again into life to-morrow evening, in that respect rather anticipating the birth of its sweet chil- dren. The Sociable too, in which no decline is admitted by its faithful members, soon comes to its annual pause. The Clubs engaged in agricultural pursuits have all be u faithful to their duty, the elder of the three maintaining its place at the head of the column. At least this claim appeared to be supported by the comparative exhibit o! principal crops made at the Annual Convention. T' . Farmers' Club" excelled in the return of wheat, corn and hogs; not descending to compete in respect of puta
172
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
toes, dairy products and other small matters, in which the other two went far ahead. Indeed, the original Society ac- knowledges, and with entire satisfaction, the greater enter- prise of the parties animated by younger blood, being well pleased to see our improvements carried on and exceeded by those who mast naturally take our place. No earthly prospect could be so gratifying as the assurance that our sons shall make as great improvement in the next thirty years as we have done in the last.
However it may be that the elder class of our farmers have still done their proper part in their respective fields of active usefulness through the summer season, they can show few results for the past winter-a season which ap- peared to exist alinost solely for the use of the young. Sleighing of nearly seven weeks' duration kept up and in- creased the whirl into which the Centennial had plunged the youthful mind. Louder and louder swelled the cry-
" Then top and maintop crowd the sail- Ilcave Care o'erside ! And large, before Enjoyment's gale, Let's tak' the tide !
"Oh ! Life-how pleasant is thy morning ! Young Fancy's rays the hills adorning, Cold, pausing Caution's lessons scorning, We frisk away, Like schoolboys at the expected warning To joy and play.
" We wander there, we wander here, We eye the rose upon the brier, Unmindful that the thorn is near Among the leaves ; Although the puny wound appear, Short while it grieves."
173
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
An observant young lady declared with meaning signi- ficance, " If that sleighing had lasted a little longer, some- thing dreadful would have happened !" Perhaps she re- ferred to the-used up condition of the horses, or the health of the young, or patience of the old. The sleighing cer- tainly lasted long enough to become historical.
And yet the year has but one wedding to commemorate. Eleventh month, 16th, 1876, John Thomas to Kate Vickers of Baltimore. Here we gain a sister without lesing a brother. Only one this time, but just wait till next year !
In the field of pleasure, as in the field of labor, the old and the young occupy a different and contrasted place, but our next leaf unites both, -- all ages, without distinc- tion, in the grave. No difference, no separation, there !
5th month, Sth, 1876, the remains of Anna Stabler were brought from Philadelphia and laid in Leawood C'eme- tery. The deceased deserves more than a passing mention. Iler energy in the performance of duty was remarkable through life, and the conscientious care which she took of her motherless nieces and nephews will long be gratefully remembered by them. Among her active enterprises the cause of education obtained the most earnest efforts; and while engaged in the labors of a boarding school, it is worthy of memorizing that the first stage run from this neighborhood to Laurel was started by her about the year 184 -. It made weekly trips, and was justly acknowl- edged to be a great accommodation. In the latter part of her life her health gave way and her mind was clouded.
7th month, 18th, Howard Stabler, after a sad and dis- tressing disease, died before reaching the middle point of life.
8th month, 5th, Samuel Miller, of Alexandria, died at
174
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
the house of his nephew, Warwick P. Miller, and was buried in the stone-walled enclosure of his family burying ground. In a quiet way he had led an active life for more than the full span of man; his friends many, his enemies few or none.
9th month, 2d, Caroline B. Scott's mother died at her house, after a short illness, having come to live with her daughter.
10th month, 29th, Harriet Iddings departed this life at a very advanced age, surrounded by all her children. A blameless life and conscience void of offence were hers. The first obituary record of this history is of the death of her husband.
12th month, 27th, Anna Holland passed away very sud- denly, to the spirit land. Her death was a great shock to her family and friends.
. 2d month, 20th, 1877, "The dear little infant," its grandmother writes, "closed its eyes in dreamless sleep, at Norwood, after a few hours' illness."
Second month, 21st, 1877. The same pen writes, "Deborah Paxson, sister of Charles Iddings, died at his house, struck down in a few days by a strange, severe ill- ness. She had lived with her husband many years in California, and they were spending the winter at Riverside. She was a very lovely and attractive woman, and much respected by all who knew her, following her aged mother after a short interval to the same spirit land,"-the " Beautiful Land " (friend Moore well expresses it), for she was certainly one of those who make this earth beautiful, even when lying wrapt in her shroud. strewn with white flowers, fit emblems of the purity and loveliness of the form they covered and the soul gone up to heaven.
Third month, 21st, at Oak Grove, Hannah Birdsall, in the
175
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
seventy-fourth year of her age. 'The present writer rement- bers forty-five years ago, when first he began to be interested in looking at such groups of human beings, that the three sisters Sarah, Hannah, and Lydia resided at Mount Airy, assisting in dispensing the known hospitality of their father, Bernard Gilpin. The sisters, as is the destiny of women, were widely separated for many years; Hannah returned to her old neighborhood and the society of her elder sister, sharing with her the dutiful attentions and tender cares of near relatives and friends.
The number of deaths this year is unusually large; of whom seven only belong to the statistical record of this neighborhood. Number of births, S.
Some miscellaneous contributions from one of my associ- ates are very properly annexed to the foregoing, as per- taining to the annals of the Centennial year.
On alternate First-Day evenings, meetings are now held in rotation at the houses of several friends, and attended by a large and appreciative class, coming to listen to Bible readings and expositions, chiefly by Edward J. Farquhar. This outcome of the First-Day school appears to have been kept up with a spirit and interest characteristic of a revival. Collections are being made for repairs io the Meeting House, not before they are wanted.
We conclude with a list of persons visiting the "Con- tennial " from our neighborhood, prepared by Mary B. Thomas. Of these visiting friends the Stabler family fur- nished 36; the Miller, 18; Hallowell, 15; Thomas, 15; the Brooke family, 14; Moore, 13: Farquhar, 12: Iva, 11 : Gilpin, 10: Bond, 9; Schofield, 2; Bentley, 0: Kirk. 6; Janney, 5; Iddings, 5; Ellicott, 4; Roberts, Porter, Hopkins, Stone, Scott, Chandlee, Hall, Holland, each ?: Magruder, Snowden, Hartshorne, cach 3; Leggett, Jack-
176
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
son, Taylor, each 1; comprising in all, 215; with many colored persons.
Enthusiasts consider this a record of honor.
CHAPTER XV.
FROM FOURTH MONTH, 2D, 1877, TO FOURTH MONTH, 1ST, 1878.
Progress of the History - The story of the world - Repairs of the Meeting House - Its great influence - Increase in wheat crop - " Dear Old Fogy " - Favors of the season - Former remark- able seasons-Our Bank - Telephone instead of telegraph -- Steam at Brooke Grove Mill - Improved roads -- Immigration of Baltimoreans -" Human degradation " - First step to co- operation - Fifth Month Quarterly Meeting -- The Book Club - Improvements in schools - The Lyceum again - Agricul- tural College -- Preachers - Sweet marriage ceremonies-Char- acter of the obituaries in this History.
The suggestion made by Francis Miller at our Annual Meeting fifteen years ago, that a "Historian should be appointed to make a record of neighborhood events," scemed at the time to some of us a mere fancy; but it was regularly carried out, the yearly record growing by degrees, from nine pages up to twenty ; sometimes written on loose, detached leaves, and never in a condition adapted for preservation. Several members of the Lyceum, among whom B. Gilpin Stabler is remembered as most active, became dissatisfied with the situation ; and it was resolved a yearago that these sketches contained matters of permanent interest to the families of Sandy Spring neighborhood. In accordance with that resolution, a handsome and durable bound volume has been procured from Cushings & Bailey, containing 400 pages, of which the previous sketches occupy
177
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
just 200, leaving the same number to be filled with future history. The back and sides of the book, which is now your property, bear the inscription, suggested by II. ( .. Hallowell, in letters of gold, " Annals of Sandy Spring."
Thus raised to new dignity, the work of your historian demands increased care and pains. Just consider the situation ! it is certainly a novel one. The writer has now to address an audience, many of whom in the early days of the History were too young to understand the signifi- cance of the word. They have grown up under the influ- ences of a period fuller of change than any other since the world began : new views of life, its objects and pursuits, and especially of its pleasures, are naturally theirs; while the lessons of experience which comprise the chief prac- tical benefits of history, are less likely than ever to secure their proper authority in the youthful mind. When told as it might be, and sometimes is, history is by no means wanting in entertainment, which, however, is never its chief purpose ; and those who take it up with such view are very apt soon to lay it down. "I don't want to study history," said a bright boy of ten years old to his aged parent; "tell me about the things that happened when you were young ! " " All right," replied the father, "that will be History; the most important and interesting events of common life make up the best part of that grand study ; the best and most instructive." I will close this preface with a short, solemn extract :
" The story of the world has yet to be written. Pray you that have children, not that they be strong, or clever, or comely, or ambitions, or wealthy ; but that they have sense to know how to live "'
This is the science of sciences; all studies should be auxiliary to that.
178
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
The first event noted in the minutes kept by the his- torian refers to the central point of the neighborhood and to the repairs made there. The roof of the meeting house, which had sheltered it for sixty years, was replaced with new shingles, and the ceiling of the interior made sound and safe with fresh plastering where required in consequence of injury sustained from the leaky roof. Who of those here present will see that the next roof is put on in proper time? The moral of this event seems to be-and you all know your historian is nothing if not allowed to moralize-that we who sit reflecting below that roof may remind ourselves that things which are old are not always venerable.
As was stated, this year's narrative begins at the centre ; yes-for it is simply a historical fact that yon building, now of brick, formerly of timber, is originally and essentially the central point of this peculiar neighbor- hood. Withont it-I mean without the influences which erected and sustained it, and which have been sustained by the administration of its proper office-there would have been, doubtless, a community in this part of Mont- gomery County, but one different from this. . Sandy Spring, with the peculiar features that mark its char- acter, would never have existed. The efforts and sacrifices made to advance toward a higher life, an in- provement infinitely more valuable than houses and land, are due to the high social, moral and religious principles of the founders. Whatsoever advantages are now possessed were built upon that only sure foundation; and whatso- ever hope can be justly entertained of their continuance and progress depends upon the degree in which those principles shall be substantially maintained. Principles, I say, not forms that necessarily vary with the passing
179
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
years ; changes in them are essential to growth, and there- fore to life; but life and growth depend upon the sound heart.
It is proper to mention, as connected with the Meeting House, the purchase for a hundred dollars of a piece of land adjoining it. Our careful managers have shown a proper foresight in this matter, and our people were reasonably quick to respond with the necessary supply of funds-being more prompt than in the case of the roof. Thus one improvement suggests another; it is only necessary to make a good beginning.
It is usual to make carly reference to the experience of the past year in regard to farming operations, as being the chief interest of a material character. Beyond question that interest centred this year on wheat. It began a year ago. A mischievous speculation took the price up last April above the point where it could be sustained. A few profited by it, while the chief mischief was stored away in the farmers' minds by inducing very many to dreline a fair price in the fall, hoping that a rise would occur again this spring. At the present writing the appearance of such good fortune is not near so bright as the appearance of the growing wheat and the almost un- precedented show which it makes for a good crop. Owing to carly sowing, and the wonderful mildness of the season (up to a very recent date), we have now in the wheat fields a growth of stem and leaf which may, perhaps, be considered superfluous. It looks very beautiful now ; whether the harvest shall be in proportion must be left to the next chapter to relate. Experience is said to b. against it ; but experience is sometimes an old . . though, in the long run, a very dear old fogy. For some reason which has not been satisfactorily assigned, the
---
180
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
wheat crop of last year was large in almost all parts of the country ; the same may be said of most other crops, the single failure being in apples. And notwithstanding some disappointments in the matter of price, the agri- cultural outlook has been, and is, brighter than usual. Health generally good-weather never finer-and spirits (if you look at the younger and more numerous class) higher than ever before in this part of the world. This fact is the more remarkable as there was no sleighing to speak of; a merciful dispensation, doubtless, for the pre- servation of health and horses.
Although the subject of weather has been fully treated statistically, it may be interesting to record that the season is a very forward one, and to make some comparison with former seasons, I copy here a few records from my diary of the year 1842.
" January 1st. We have had by far the finest weather through this month that I ever knew. February 28th. I must repeat of the winter just gone, that never in my recollection have we been favored with so much fine weather. March 3d. A most beautiful Spring day ; the robins sing lively ; grass getting quite green ; lilacs show- ing considerable leaf. March 4th. Thermometer nearly . 80°. March 10th. A little peach tree in front yard, with south exposure, has full bloom on it. Apricot is in bloom. March 20th. Damson and cherry come out very full. Anemone in bloom. For nearly a week in the early part of this ( March ) month we sat without fire." So far the mild climate was unprecedented, but on "the 29th of March, thermometer fell to 29º. Peach blossoms killed in many places. On the 31st the wind blew lion- like. April 16th. The season has made very little pro- gress in the past two weeks." But on May 1st (still in
181
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
1842 ) I write: " Nature wears to-day such a dress as would accord with the poet's prettiest fancies about May-Day. The locust is coming out in bloom." The presumption that people must be interested in a theme which they talk so much, is my excuse for dwelling on the subject of the weather so long. Certainly it passes through strange modifications, as will be proved by records carefully kept.
I believe that in great business centres people look to the banks as an index of the situation, showing the rise and fall of the general prosperity. It can scarcely be claimed that our Savings Institution has acquired as yet all the high powers and functions of banks. Being only 10 years old ( the first meeting to organize it was held on od of February, 1868) and not meddling with the critical business of discounts, its influence is of course limited, but so far as it has gone the indications of success are favorable. The amount due depositors increased during the past year, in round numbers, from $70,000 to $80,000. Notwithstanding the distressing failures everywhere of savings banks, and our lowering of interest from 6 to 5 per cent,, the amount withdrawn during the past month indicates not the least diminution of confidence among the people. The Bank is on a solid foundation : its Directors have learned useful lessons in finance in the past ten years, and to say that its officers are honest men is only to say what everybody knows. Nothing is required but a continuance of confidence to establish this Insti- Intion on a basis of permanent usefulness, widening grad . nally every year, and striking its roots deeper as it grows.
During the past year we have to note a serious In. . in the theilities of intercourse with the outside world. Th .. Western Union has removed the telegraph, which so often served our purposes of business convenience, and the more
16
--
182
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
precious object of keeping up instant communication with dear and distant friends. Now this losing advantages is something we do not like at all. It seems like "going back," which does not belong, and never has belonged, to the neighborhood of Sandy Spring, whose honest pride and stirring aspirations point naturally forward. It is some comfort to know that the privatiou, however much to be regretted, is not from any weakening on our part. We are no more responsible for the undoing by the 'Tele- graph Company than for the not doing by the B. & O. R. R. Company of what they often promised should be done. The Railroad has fallen into troubles never anticipated, so we must let it off for awhile, trusting that a way will be found to supply the longed-for communication.
But we rejoice to learn that a cheering exhibition of an enterprising spirit has been afforded recently in a similar direction to that we have lost ; an affair wholly got up by our Sandy Spring boys. The Telegraph set up by people from outside is taken away; the Telephone, which is to the Telegraph as Raphael to a house-painter, has been erected, actually placing in closest and tenderest connec- tion the two historical mansions, Sharon and Brooke Grove.
Happy is the man or the neighborhood that never looks to another to do what can be done by the energies at home. It were something worthy the reputation of Sandy Spring to produce a telephone connecting with the nearest tele- graph station of the B. & O. Railroad, provided that such an enterprise should be found, after making a prudent estimate of cost, to be within our reach.
In close vicinity to the operating telephone another ru- cent exhibition of energy is puffing away in rather louder tones. The junior partirer of Brooke Grove Mill has
183
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
added a steam engine to the water power. We entertain a lively recollection of repeated floods in that stream the past season, causing such destruction as to induce the neighbors, who could not afford to dispense with the use of that mill, to turn out and make a frolic of repairing the dam. Those floods of the autumn of '77 left their mark on many a wheat field and comnon road.
The statement has often been repeated that nothing shows a better spirit at work for the benefit of a farming community than the improvement of its roads. In this respect, more than usual has been done the present year. The Ashton turnpike is kept in excellent condition, while individual contributions have been made toward other roads. A peculiar act of benevolence was manifested by a private gentleman who placed a thousand dollars in the hands of another private gentleman, for the improvement mainly of the Laurel road, being extended also to the centre of the neighborhood. The donor of the benefaction was John S. Miller, not long a resident, who put it into the right hands when he gave it to Caleb Stabler. This affair well deserves a place in the history of a rural com- munity, reflecting as it does nearly equal honor on both gentlemen.
Before leaving the narrative of improvements (among which must not be forgotten a fine barn on the "manor." whose building was compared to the blossoming of " Jonah's gourd "), it is pleasant to mention an addition to the neighborhood of another sort-one to which Sandy Sprin has often been greatly indebted for the estimation in which its social qualities are held. The family of late Henry Tyson, who was closely connected with our people, have come among us, whether for permanent settlement or not it is too soon to determine.
181
ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
Those additions and improvements constitute what may be termed the bright or "day-side" of the history. Unfortunately, there is always a dark or night-side too; and as truth forms its whole value and highest quality, the latter cannot be wholly omitted. You must not fall into the natural error of supposing that the " night- side " here meant is intended to apply to the turning of night into day (or day into night, which ?) by young folks in pursuit of pleasure; that belongs to another concern. What is now meant refers to the doings of tramps, and of native pilferers, worse than tramps, whose nightly performances almost keep up with honest business. In'the early part of the year some steps were taken toward forming an association for the suppression of these nuisances. But that remains, as it has always been, a most difficult undertaking to accomplish. It would seem that the progress in science, morals and humanity, in all that most elevates a community, only serves to widen the chasm that separates between the vicious and the virtuous classes, rendering it more dif- ficult to devise effective means of redress, such as will not shock the higher principles of Christianity. The Con- vention which met in Baltimore last winter to consider these questions failed to present any sort of acceptable legislation ; indeed, the remedies proposed were worse than the disease. I append an extract which contains a sentiment that ought certainly to go down to posterity as being the principles of Sandy Spring :
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.