USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > Sandy Spring > Annals of Sandy Spring history of a rural community in Maryland, Volume 1 > Part 16
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" Human degradation .- In casting the vote which de- feated the whipping-post bill in Kentucky, the Lieutenant Governor put his decision on the bread ground that humanity is already too much degraded, and that no amount of saving in criminal expenses would warrant the State in promoting human degradation."
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
With that golden extract, and another, that "Error is oftener the child of ignorance than of evil intent," let us "pass into the sunshine, out of the shade."
If our neighborhood is more distinguished for any ofie thing than another it must be for the number of its Associations. I. suppose it is also generally understood that all these had their origin in the old Farmers' Club. The discovery was then made that it is a pleasant thing to come together and discourse on subjects of common interest, enjoy a good supper and get home to our families in good time. Behold the programme containing all the essentials of a rational and successful rural association ; this being modified to suit circumstances (too much modified in the last particular), has formed the basis of all the successful efforts at social combinations. The benefits resulting from that first step toward co-operation can scarcely be told. Without the Club of '44, would there have been a Mutual Insurance Company of '48; a Lyceum of '58; a Turnpike of '60; a Savings Bank of Gs; and the whole host of delightful and profitable associ- ations of both sexes, which form a large part of our social existence? Certainly this is a triumphant illus- tration of a great historian's assertion that "progressive human civilization is the result of learning to act together for a common end."
There is so much of interest and instruction in the carcer of different societies, in observing the various features that distinguish them, their successes and occa- sional failures and the causes thereof. I am inclined fu offer the suggestion that cach permanent assortiog should have a historian for itself.
So much is lost because it is impossible for one person to discover what is said and done worthy of record in t !!
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
various assemblages. This view is confirmed by the "assistant historian," who suggests that it would be well to have the help of correspondents in different portions of the neighborhood to gather up interesting occurrences, so that nothing may be lost. With the aid actually fur- nished I am enabled to note down the following several particulars: The Quarterly Meeting held for the first time in the 5th month is described "as a very good one; we were highly favored in doors and outside too; the weather being very pleasant, and the country appeared beautiful, dressed in its early green." But it is added, "the attendance was much smaller than usual." The change of season for holding it not being satisfactory, the former date is to be restored in the 6th month.
There has been an omission hitherto in noticing the existence of a circulating library, known as "The Book Club." This addition to the reading material is said to be "in healthy condition, with twenty-eight members." The idea had got about that it was composed chiefly of works of fiction; but this could scarcely be the case, else the term " healthy " would not apply. There should be, of course, a fair admixture of instruction and enter- tainment in such libraries; but the success of this Book Club certainly confirms the view held and carried out by the founders of the old "Sandy Spring Library," to the effect that it was not necessary to include works of fiction, because a sufficient supply would be sure to find their way into this lively neighborhood.
From books to schools is a natural transition. Our Public School enjoyed for a while the valuable services of an excellent young man, George W. Israel ; although here for a short time, he seemed to drop very naturally into the social cirele. On the subject of schools there will prob-
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
ably be something further to record at the next annual meeting. In passing from it, I take pleasure in noticing a delightful little May party with which Lizzie Bond brightened up her youthful pupils, and their friends too. Oh, you school children of these days ! How is the path of learning bordered for you with flowers !- contrasted with the thorny road your predecessors had to pursue in old times, how thankful you ought to be ! Assuredly it is an improvement which cannot fail to be twice blessed ; first in the character of the child ; again, and for life, in that of the woman and the man.
The historian of the neighborhood speaking in this ball cannot avoid giving due place in his truthful narrative to the affairs of the Lyceum itself. To leave that out were indeed " to play Hamlet with the part of Hamlet omitted." One of my assistants shows a proper anxiety (though speaking in rather an apologetic strain) that we should all be reminded of the various useful services rendered by this building during the past year. Although the hall was prevented from putting on the sweetest aspect of beauty which it ever wears, owing to the temporary suspension of the Horticultural Exhibition, yet we had the annual C'on- vention of the Farmers' Clubs, which showed no abate- ment of general interest. The Dairy Association con- tinned its quarterly meetings, and the Centennial Debating Society with unflagging spirit kept up their discussions in such manner and upon such questions as to extend the interest outside these walls. Its last meeting, to which the public were admitted, was well attended, and the do- cision arrived at that " England is wrong in mobili with the Turko-Russian affair," will be confirmed by the majority of the American people-though Earl Beacons. field sees the question in a different light. The President
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
of the Lyceum performed his part; he secured promises from able men to deliver lectures here, but wisely con- cluded not to expose them to the mortifying ordeal of empty benches. Our young folks seem really not to have time to attend lectures; other entertainments are more attractive now. The repetition of "Buck Fanshaw's Funer- al" brought crowds, but then a blind man was the speaker, and it is a duty to assist the blind. These sarcastic remarks are unprofitable ; facts are the historian's proper business, and to them I propose to confine myself. The Lyceum has latterly fallen off in accomplishing the pur- poses for which the building was mainly erected. These purposes are clearly set forth in the definition of the word. Worcester's Dictionary gives four definitions of "Lyceum," every one implying " an institution for literary or scientific instruction and improvement." While these objects were designed by the founders to be kept in the forefront, there was no thought of excluding the idea of entertainment. For those who believe that amusements occupy a rightful and important place in the education of human beings, it is only when they interfere with the improvement of the mind or with health of body, or with other duties, that any objec- tion can be properly made. In the case of our Lyceum no objection is made to anything done within its walls, but for what has not been done. It must be acknowledged that the advocates of amusing entertainments can make a very strong case in their favor. According to reports of the Treasurer, the finances of the Lyceum company had run to very low ebb. Obliged to borrow money to pay necessary expenses, it was relieved from this sad condition by the kind offices of the lively and flourishing society called the " Sociable," whose distinguished efforts not only relieved us from debt, but left us with a comfortable sur-
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
plus. From this it would appear that the efforts of the Lyceum to give instruction were rewarded with insolvency; amusements brought wealth and prosperity. Does it not remind you of the question lately stirred up through the State, relating to the Agricultural College? While endeavoring to teach agriculture, it fell "over head and. ears" in debt ; transferring its efforts to the preparation of boys for West Point and the Naval Academy, it now exults in entire freedom from debt, with triumphant success in all respects, excepting the one object for which it was built! Perhaps the parallel drawn between the Lyceum and the College is scarcely fair. The only complaint which can be made of the former is that spices and season- ing are being used in too great proportion to solid viands that afford nourishment essential to true life. So far from objecting to the late evening entertainment which thronged this hall up to if not beyond its utmost capacity. the judgment of your historian regards the influence of music, which formed a principal part of the novelty, as a favorable element introduced into our modern society. 1 . it is not apprehended that the cultivation of this one of the fine arts is likely to be carried to any great excess among us, let it be welcomed to its proper place. " The possession of a faculty is the divine warrant for its exer- cise," and the many of us who do not possess it have only not to try to exercise, nor to condemn.
One more suggestion regarding our Lyceum. In its early days a full attendance was secured by disposing of tickets to a lecture course, at the commencement of the season. Let us use the same method again. There is some- thing so divine in purely mental pursuits, it will :. . . do to slight their paramount claims. Direct the overtion - ing streams in the minds of the rising generation into worthy channels, and all will be well.
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
It is a natural transition to pass from moralizing to preaching ; and it seems entirely proper to refer to the discourses of two ministers, who favored us during the past year with no commonplace sermons. The first was a lady friend from West Chester, Pa .; her communication was remarkable for the beauty and propriety of its language, and for the earnestness with which she urged the duty of taking wise care of our bodily health, and of every good gift from the Heavenly Father which tends to promote the happiness of life.
The other discourse was by Sunderland Gardner, who expounded with great clearness the simple fundamental principles of our Society, impressing with deep conviction their full sufficiency, if properly maintained, not only as a guide through the paths of duty, but as a means of evolving and developing all the better powers of our nature, up to the highest perfection of which they are capable. The opportunity of listening to such teachers is one of the noteworthy events of the year.
Another occurrence, so agreeable to the present writer that he can in nowise refrain from recording it, was the meeting last 5th day at his house of the "Ladies Associ- ation for Mutual Improvement."
The allusion to these eighteen excellent women, all save three in the present possession of happy husbands, opens a clear way to congenial events next to be recorded. The predictions made a year ago, of the probable conse- quences -- at least sequences-of all that winter's sleighing, were to a certain extent verified-there being three marri- ages to record :
Fourth month, 10th, 1stt, Samuel Hopkins to Patty Smith. The blow was softened to her friends, in that the sweet bride was not taken entirely out of their social circle.
,
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
Tenth month, 18th, 1877, Granville Farquhar and Patty Thomas. The hundred witnesses of the dignified and beautiful ceremony by which these two " took each other as loving and faithful companions for life, with mutual declarations of perfect equality, forming the truest founda- tion for permanent happiness," agreed that they had never seen this wedding surpassed.
First month, 10th, 1818, Alban Brooke and Sarah Pleasants. This number, three, for marriages, has never been exceeded in our neighborhood in the last 15 years. Only three births within the year; less than half the average number.
In writing the obituary notices which form an import- ant part of these records, it has been the aim of our his- torian to state a few leading traits of character known to him, which may serve to recall the deceased to your minds and to leave a pleasant and true impression of the departed : without illusive coloring, "to keep their memory green."
Fifth month, 23d, 1877. The first name on the mourn- ful death-roll is Mary Chalfant. Few children of br age among us had excited so warm an interest in life, and so much sincere grief in death. Tears from many. evli those not connected by near relationship, bedewed her grave. Yet sad as it was to lose her, it is a pleasure at 1 privilege to think of her, not as " lying under the daisies." but as a little fairy dropped down into the dull precinct; of the village, and brightening them up with a transient gleam.
Seventh month, 26th. How wide apart, how strangely distinguished are the marks on which death's arron : 1. succession fall ! Elizabeth Pleasants departed Ist. : a lingering and painful illness. Long afflicted and di -- tressed, she had been unable of late years to occupy th:
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place in general society which she once adorned. Only those whose acquaintance dated back to periods of the " far past," could fully appreciate her qualities of gentle- ness, lively wit and intelligence, delicacy of feeling and crystal purity, never exceeded in any person we ever met. While we live, the influence of her quiet spirit will not pass from earth; emotions of deep tenderness will ever rise at the mention of her name.
Ninth month, 7th, Benjamin Hallowell closed his long and useful life. If that picture, looking down on me with its benevolent expression as I write, could speak, I believe it would say, "Write no more; let that simple notice suffice !" But when we remember how closely this emi- nent man was identified with our neighborhood, it seems natural and proper to give his memory a fitting recogni- tion in the " Annals of Sandy Spring." It was here he brought the first fruits of his labors in the great cause of education ; and it was here, after that life-work, exerted for many years with all the strength of his powerful nature, and crowned with distinguished success, here he returned with the ripe fruits gathered, to continue while life should last, serving God and man as "truth opened the way." Here his remains rest under the overshadow- ing poplar, near those of his Margaret-his life companion -whom he had loved so long and so well.
A gifted son of genius, now resident in England, writes thuis of the impression made on his mind by the man whom he had learned to reverence long years before. It affords me much satisfaction to find a place for part of his letter in the present memorial. He writes from --
LONDON, October 220, 1877.
MY DEAR MIRS. MILLER :- J have just heard of your beloved and revered father's death, and cannot forbear
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
writing you to say how deeply I feel this event. All sorrow at the death of such a man as Benjamin Hallo- well is overarched with a bow of hope. He remains so immortal in our grateful hearts that we cannot think of his life as closed and ended ; he only rests from his labors, as we knew them ; and where our own weak wisdom valued him so much, we cannot think the Great Wisdom will value him less, but much more.
After long years of contact with sects and their dog- mas, I find that at last I have a creed-and it is written in such lines and hearts as your father's. The faith that can produce such men is the faith for mne. With one Benjamin Hallowell I will outweigh all the theologies ever written. Dear old Sandy Spring-how I love it!
I have over my table, in a frame, sent from India, one leaf of the "Holy Bo Tree "-the tree under which, it is said, Buddha sat down a Prince, and at last rose up a Prophet, an "Enlightened Teacher," 500 years before Christ. As I look at the leaf, it seems to be transformed to many-to an old oak grove with Sandy Spring Meeting House in the centre. There I sat down a Methodist preacher, and rose up with faith in " the Inward Light." We must all have our own Bo Tree before we can rever- ence that of another; and though I am not a prophet, nor very "enlightened," I can see the light, and as Pani says, "follow after."
[Signed] M. D. CONWAY.
Last on the list of the valued dead of the year is Sarah T. Brooke, who closed a blameless life, of nearly 83 years. on the let of the 10th month, 1877. She was throughout life a good woman, who tried by example and precept in do what she thought was right. Failing health confined
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
her to the house some time before her death. She had always lived in her native place.
In closing up such a document as the foregoing, there are sure to be left some loose ends to gather up, of inter- esting facts, omitted in their proper place. One that comes up now is a very recent enterprise-a printing press of A. G. Thomas, which already exhibits such neat work as to deserve the encouragement which it can scarcely fail to receive.
The word with us still is Onward !
As the "Nutting," alias "Montgomery County Tich- borne case," was noticed in a previous Chapter, as an element of threatened disturbance, it is gratifying to state that it ended as all such cases ought to terminate-in smoke.
Another striking feature of the past summer and fall was the revival of athletic exercises in the most intense form of base ball.
STATISTICS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
Marriages.
Births.
Deaths.
1874
0
9
2
1875
3
8
2
1876
1
5
6
1877
1
8
1878
3
3
4
--
-
Total last 5
8
33
21
Total last 15
33
112
61
Average per year
23
1+
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
CHAPTER XVI.
FROM FOURTH MONTH, 1ST, 1878, TO FOURTH MONTH, 7TH, 1879. Census of the Neighborhood - Prosperity and adversity - The great hailstorm - A cold May - Failure of fruit -Stanmore board- ing school removed to Rockland - Base ball vigorously renew- ed - Celebration of Eliza Kirk's birthday - Pleasure tours in new directions - The five crops abundant - Relief to yellow fever sufferers - A new party - Fears for the corn needless - A bad sport -Establishment of the " Benevolent Aid Society " - Election at Mechanicsville - Bible readings resumed - The Oysterman, a welcome arrival - Bad conduct at "Sharp St." - Fire-crackers banished from the stores at Christmas - Big fires, kindliest assistance.
Census of " Our Neighborhood," (Sandy Spring,) taken April 1st, 1879.
Families. No. of Persons. Families.
No. of Persons.
1 Charles H. Brooke, 6
25 James Holland,
4
2 James Stabler, ?
26 Amos Holland,
3 Roger B. Farquhar, 27 G. W. C. Beal!, 4
4 William S. Brooke, 4
28 George E. Brooke, 4
5 Roger Brooke, 6
20 James P. Stabler,
6 Sallie Brooke, 3
30 Mary G. Tyson,
Alban G. Brooke, 4
31 Bernard Gilpin, 3
8 Mahlon Kirk, 6
32 William H. Farquhar, 4
9 Sarah B. Farquhar, 4
33 Alban Gilpin, 3
10 Richard S. Kirk, 5
34 Clara Chalfant,
4
11 Granville Farquhar, 3 35
W'm. H. Stabler,
5
12 Dr. Wm. E. Magruder, 8
36 Edward Stabler, 4
13 Henry C. Hallowell, 9
37 Arthur Stabler,
14 Francis Miller. 6
38 Richard T. Bentley.
5
15 Joseph Wetherald, 5
39 B. Rush Roberts,
16 Robert S. Moore,
7
40 Charles G. Porter,
4
17 Samuel Bond,
5
41 Benjamin H. Miller,
5
18 James H. Stone,
2
42 Philip T. Stabler,
3
19 Joseph T. Moore,
9
433 Willam Schofield,
6
20 Win. W. Moore,
5
John Smith,
5
21 Robert R. Moore,
3
45 sally Lea,
22 Caroline B. Seott,
46 Mary Chandiec,
3
23 Benjamin D. Palmer, 3
47 Edward Lea.
4
24 Penuel Palmer,
43 Elizabeth E. Tyson,
1
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
Families. No. of Persons. Families.
No. of Persons.
49 Charles A .. Iddings, 5
68 William S. Bond, G
50 Harry T. Lea, 3
69 William Kinnaird, 4
51 Edward C. Gilpin, 6
20 Gideon Gilpin,
7
52 Thomas J. Lea,
5
71 Francis Thomas, 4
53 Isaac Hartshorne, 6
72 John Thomas,
1
54 Harry Stabler, 4
73 William John Thomas, 2
55 George D. Stabler,
6
74 Edward P. Thomas,
t-
56 Edward Pierce,
5
75 Samuel P. Thomas, 3
57 Sam'l A. Janney,
8
76 Charles Stabler, 6
58 Heury Chandice,
2
77 Mary P. Thomas,
3
59 Mahlon Chandlee,
3
78 Hetty Stabler,
6
€0 Samuel Ellicott,
4
79 Dr. Edward Iddings,
6
61 James 3. Hallowell,
62 E. J. Hall,
81 Llewellyn Massey,
5
63 Frederick Stabler,
5
82 Henrietta Snowden,
5
61 Robert M. Stabler,
8
83 Walter H. Brooke,
6
65 Asa M. Stabler,
81 Samuel Hopkins, 3
66 Warwick P. Miller,
11
85 Thomas Lea,
3
67 William Lea,
5
Families 85.
No. of Persons 407.
An important part of the history of a people is contained in information of a statistical character.
In order that statistics should be of proper value, they must possess definiteness and precision. It may be justly claimed that a considerable degree of care has been exer- cised in drawing up the statements made in this volume . of the births, marriages and deaths, with other statistical matter pertaining to "our neighborhood "; still there has prevailed all the time a slight degree of indefiniteness in regard to the exact names and number of the individuals of whom "our neighborhood " is really composed.
In accordance therefore with the spirit of progress which we claim, it has been thought by your historians advisable to prepare a regular census of the people referred to all along in our Sketches of Sandy Spring. The lines that include them are lines neither of seet nor party, of latitude nor longitude, extending from Charles H. Brooke on the west, to Samuel Hopkins on the east ( but
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80 Alban G. Thomas,
5
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
not taking in all between), the boundaries being of a social character, rather spiritual than material.
The work of this census was not without its difficulties, such as are always experienced in drawing lines of this nature. In general, it was thought better to avoid the ex- treme of exclusiveness. Of course the performance is imperfect ; but from long experience in census-taking (as you know), your historian ventures to express the opinion that it is not any fuller of errors than are most other cen- suses.
The observation was made to me lately that I would find a great deal in this year to recount, as there was an idea prevailing that the current of neighborhood activity was running with more than usual force and life ; perhaps this is the case, in some directions it certainly has been so. Prosperity was mingled with a full proportion of adversity. Within a month from the beginning of our " record year " a most disastrous hailstorm crushed into the ground the reasonable hopes of some of our best farmers, and a month before the end the still greater calamity of fire struck on . the farmer's tenderest spot-the noble horse and the capa- cious stored barn. The year belongs to the category of those that are not soon forgotten. Its ample blessings showered down in liberal abundance shall have their place inga subsequent part of the story.
We know that time is not measured by months nearly as practically or impressively as by events; " Fifty Years of Europe are worth a cycle of Cathay." Substitute "Sandy Spring" for " Europe," remembering that hetv- ing is more promotive of progress than the fu !! !! it, we can make out a very fair exhibit for the year j. : closed. The neighborhood, has certainly been alire, and life is activity. Whether it has always been of a bencicial.
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ANNALS OF SANDY SPRING.
sort is a circumstance yet to be developed. However that may appear, the truth still remains, that all pleasures which promote neither vigor of body nor elevation of mind are a waste of that energy by which alone progress is pro- moted. Your historian must again repeat that he set out in the beginning to make his record consist ahnost wholly in relating the essential progress of our beloved neighborhood. Other circumstances were scarce worth the pains to record.
It affords me real pleasure to follow the good example of my senior assistant in taking up the story of each month in succession, as the rolling year brings one after another into view, into (we may say) the materials of our life ; for so it is made up.
I begin these notices by copying the first minute made by the junior assistant, whose mind excels in portraying the beautiful, as well as in registering with precision the actual dates and events of the record. She writes : " On the morning of the 14th of the 4th month, I saw, be- tween the hours of 5 and 6 o'clock, a very beautiful and perfect rainbow, a rare event in the morning. The arch was without a fault. I would have liked all my friends to see it." Thus you see we begin with that most beautiful of nature's displays, beautiful indeed, but oh, so tran- sient ! Still a lovely omen, this bow of promise, for what the year was to evolve, promise for some, while soon for others
" A transient form, Evanishing amid the storm."
On the 28th of this same month of April, 1878, occurred the great hailstorm, which is certainly entitled to have its memory preserved by the following description made freshly at the time. The account is from the pen of our junior historian, who might truly say, if she indulges in Latin, "magna pars fui."
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