USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > Sandy Spring > Annals of Sandy Spring history of a rural community in Maryland, Volume 1 > Part 18
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There are many trees still standing in our neighborhood which were growing when the first white settlers made
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their way gradually and cautiously along what is now called the Laurel road, leading then, as now, from the lower counties where settlement began. The chestnut tree standing nearly in front of Cherry Grove, largest tree in this part of the country, being thirty feet in girth at the ground, and twenty-two and a half feet at five feet higher up the trunk, probably did not attract the atten- tion of the adventurous travellers nearly two centuries ago, unless indeed a panther was hanging to an upper bough, or a bear was hugging the trunk with arms which might then readily enclose it.
The appearance now presented by these remains of the ancient forest differs greatly from that which it bore when first viewed by the eyes of our forefathers, who, neverthe- less, failed to perceive the changes as they proceeded from one year to another. The full life of a tree far exceeds that of a man; yet even in his case, the change annually produced in the man, although really greater than in the forest, is scarcely perceptible, or at least is apt to be denied by him, and by the friend who good-naturedly compli- ments him with the assurance that " he is looking just the same as he did years ago." This may safely be called : pleasing delusion on one side, and perhaps an innocent fraud on the other. For all the time, alike in the man as in the tree, continual, eternal change is remorselessly proceeding onward, with results -- not now to be described -the time inevitably comes when neither self-delusion nor friendly compliments can hide the unwelcome fact. Such is the law with every individual thing that has life. Some writers say the same law prevails with nadons: asking of " Assyria, Greece, Rome, Carthag . ... .. they ?" Modern scientists agreeing with Scripture at least on one point, claim to have settled it beyond doubt,
لاسادة
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that the whole universe is passing and bound to pass through the same career ; that the time must come when " the Sun himself shall grow dim with age, all Nature sink in years"; but here the bard and prophet, inspired from a higher source than material science, come in, assur- ing us there is that "which shall flourish in immortal youth,
Unhurt amidst the war of elements,
The wreck of matter and the crush of worlds."
In plain simple prose, there are two distinct realities which the mind has to keep in view, if it would arrive at truth; one, obvious to the senses, consisting of things changeable and perishing ; the other, relating to something just as real as the former, but requiring the use of a different part of our nature to comprehend and appreciate. The individual tree dies, but the principle of life remains. The individual men and women who composed the nations of Greece and Rome are not to be found there now ; but if it is asked " Where is the spirit, the essential part that constituted those nations ?" the true answer comes-" It is here, around and within us, in our books and our lives, diffused over the civilized world in the things that make it refined and beautiful, as well as in the law and order cs- sential to its government." This order and beauty, like all essential principles, belong to the spiritual, that does not perish. Every real existence is endowed with it. There- fore, as was shown on a former page of this history ( see Chapter VII ), that this neighborhood is such a real entity, an existing thing, our object should be to get at its essential. its spiritual part, which includes the life of the place, and on which depends the problem of its present condition and future destiny.
It may now be perceived that in selecting material for
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our Annals, the principal effort is to describe such events as appear to have closest connection with permanence of condition and character ; not slighting, however, everyday incidents, such perhaps
" As have no slight or trivial influence On that best portion of a good man's life, -- Ilis little, nameless, unremembered acts Of kindness and of love."
Preliminary remarks being at last disposed of we come to the events of the rushing year. A year of action and life it has been; one sharing, too, in the prosperity of the country. True, it has not passed without visitations from the "pale messenger," but in each case it was the "ripe fruit that was shaken from the tree."
This general activity was shown in a shape which is perhaps the most striking. New buildings are exception- ally numerous and fair to look upon. Three large barns, which naturally come first, seem to claim, from the high position on which they are erected, that degree of respect always accorded to them by a farming community. The year boasts also of two fine new dwellings; one, a neat and comfortable addition to the aspiring village of Ashton; the other exhibiting, near the shore of Rock Creek, a specimen of ornamental architecture such as was not previously attained in our section.
As the erection of good houses and barns is one of the most important evidences of improvement in a country, it is a fact worthy of record, to state that within the period embraced in this historical sketch (a space of 16 years, or since the war), We may count up, among build- ings either wholly new, or so much repaired as properly to be reckoned among the new ones-of houses 30 (not
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counting a number of tenant-houses); of barns 22 (beside 25 stables, wagon-houses, shops and such). These are the property of our 85 families. There are at least 20 new additional houses within the circle bounding our neighborhood.
Taking the months in regular course, we note in regard to April (a very important month to farmers; once let " Time's forelock " out of your hands during this precious month and you will have trouble enough to catch up with the old fellow-but this is a digression). Last April was steadily cool, and not so favorable to the rapid ad- vance of vegetation as it was to plowing and building. The youthful class enjoyed themselves in practising on old amusements and in organizing new ones. The Sociable closed for the season. The Horticultural made a bright commencement at Norwood. Fruit was full of promising bloom. But while this month was full of ani- mation to others, it was made very sad to our elder histo- rian, by the death of an only sister and brother. Nearly the same loss fell during the year upon him who writes this.
May. The month came in cool, and continued so rather steadily, the thermometer on the 3d being at 37º. Instead of raising a May-pole, our young men spent May- day in raising a big barn for William Lea. The new style of making barns, 20 to 25 feet to the square, and the in- troduction of new machinery, render this old business somewhat different from what barn-raising used to be. Still the crowd assemble in numbers of 100 or more, and partake the abundant entertainment, very much as they did in the olden time. Everything went on satis- factorily, to the great relief of many who looked anxiously on. .
The same proceeding with nearly the same method, and nearly the same favorable results, was repeated on
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the 14th of the month, in raising the barn of Wm. H. Farquhar, on the site of the conflagration described in this story a year ago. A cheerful, vigorous crowd, over 70 in number, lent their willing hands; and though much was said about the folly of using such a superfluity of men to accomplish a work that is done in some places with one-tenth of the number here employed, the im- pression produced on my mind was very favorable to the scene before me. There was so much of the hearty hilarity and social feeling described as belonging to the "good old times" we read of. Nor must it be forgotten that some 30 to 40 of the gentler sex brightened the scene by their presence, doubtless imparting vigor to the muscles whose activity was needed.
To this month belongs another scene, of very different order, in which that sex bore the most conspicuous part. As a memento to be handed down to future generations (it would have astonished the former), the programme is hereto appended. See
A LYSTE OF YE PSALMS AND WORLDLIE SONGES. 1st PARTE. 2nd PARTE.
1. Auld Lang Syne, by ye whole 1. Home Again, by All ye Syngers. Companic.
2. Dost Thou Love Me? by Sister Ruth and Brother Simon.
3. Hail Columbia, by all ye Syngers.
4. Ye Bloom is on ye Rye, by 4. Auld Robin Gray, by Phone Brother Caleb. Mayflower.
5. Ye Dearest Spot, by Every One 5. Cousin Judediah, by All Ye of se Syngers.
6. Within a Mile of Edinboro Town, 6. Old Folks at Home, by je whole by Phoebe Mayflower.
Companie.
7. Yankee Doodle, by ye Mankind 7. John Anderson my Jo, by Ross Syngers.
". Coming through the Rye, Rosa 8. Marseilles Hyinn, by every one Belinda.
of ye Syngers.
Sister CAROLINE POUNDKEYS, from ye village of Baltimore, will sounde on ye Spinet for yo Syngers.
19
2. Ye Old Sexton, by Brother Zacha- riah.
3. AMERICA, by ye whole Com- . panie.
Syngers.
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Lively and innocent amusement was made the means of filling up the empty coffers of the Lyceum.
June. "A very pleasant and good Quarterly Meeting," is the first record of this month; attended with none of those objectionable disturbances which have sometimes been made by rude visitors from town. This month, though decidedly cool for awhile, was distinguished by its favoring weather, there being just enough rain in the early part and becoming dry toward the close, so as to make a good time for harvest. Wheat ripened fast, of a quality and quantity not to be complained of; and the grass crop came out all right. "The boys," besides doing full duty at their respective harvests, rendered acceptable help to one who was sick; making with the aid and presence of the "girls," a choice frolic.
July. As usual, many boarders and strangers came to the neighborhood ; of whom nothing remarkable is related. There was about the average of summer travel by our people; a number were to be seen paddling in the ocean deeps (or rather "shallows"), while others with alpen- stock in hand, climbed Mount Mitchell, mightiest peak of the Alleghany range, returning with such glowing accounts as to turn the attention of tourists in a new direction.
At an early period in the month the now familiar sound of the steam whistle began to be heard, token that thresh- ing was begun. This music, very animating if not melodious, was rendered still more exciting by prospects of the increased price of wheat. Those who sold gained no great advantage by their haste, but had the satisfaction of superior energy in being chead. They will be very apt to do the same next year, and probably make a suc- cessful hit. The hay crop came out much better than
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was anticipated, proving a source of profit to those who did not make engagements too hastily.
And now, the " labors of the harvest being ended," our young men who had stood up so faithfully to their work, " bearing the burden and heat of the day," are quite ready for recreation-for recreation that will recreate most effectually. Dropping the old game of base ball, whether the relish for it was outgrown, or because the old ground had been plowed up, where should they turn ? In this age of progress it could only be to seek for com- rades in sport of a higher order; comrades, who formerly were merely spectators, now to be indeed comrades in the game! But in order to do justice to the subject, it is absolutely requisite that I should "drop into poetry." The subject demands it; your historian's known æsthetic predilections must not be stifled. What shall it be? Nothing appropriate occurs but these lines :
" Forth from the pass, in tumult driven, Like chaff before the wind of heaven, The Archery appear ! For life, for life, their race they ply- While shriek and shout and battle-cry, And plaids and bonnets waving high,
. . And targets flashing to the sky. Are maddening in their rear."
The only excuse that can be made for introducing such inappropriate verse as the foregoing, is the fact that the lines would keep running a race in my head. Could any- thing be less appropriate to describe the archery meetings of last summer ?
A green lawn; gayly colored target, with circular divi- sions pleasing to the eye ; long bows, curved in the line of beauty; fancifully decked arrows; lively maidens,
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bending with native grace the bow which impels the arrow against-no vital part; sport " that owes no pleas- ure to another's pain "; all these, in the fresh air and under the blue sky-how could a young farmer find a recreation more delicate, more refining, more innocent ?
And yet ancient faith requires a glance at the other side. So powerful is the influence of amusements on the tone of society ; their quality is regarded by historians as such an indication of the rise and progress, or the decline and fall of a community, that new ways are not to be passed over. In reference to the sports of archery, there are some observing critics who view them as out of keep- ing with rural life; affording a measure of exercise to a class not specially in need of it ; involving expensive prep- arations; communicating no new ideas of value; and being severe on delicate fingers. Since pleasure is some- thing not to be measured by rules of science, the true worth and nature of archery as a farmer's game must be left to the parties most nearly concerned, who are not entirely oblivious to the comfort of others outside.
The weather of July was somewhat peculiar, and ex- tremely variable. About the 25th there fell some heavy rains, following distressing drought, which completely changed the face of the great corn crop; a dearth had threatened, but the deliverer came, leaving some disagree- able mementoes, in deep scratches in plowed fields.
August came in hot and growing. Rain fell in exces- sive abundance. This being comparatively a leisure month with farmers, the tourist feeling took possession of a number. Amusements grew more and more lively- archery fairly boomed. Sport of a more doubtful char- acter began to exhibit a degree of excitement among some of the young ladies, which elicited from an okl
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bachelor (of course) the sharp remark that "the sex, grown weary of being hunted, would now a-hunting go." On the other hand, a new Bible Class was formed in this month ; so various and multitudinous are the ways of this neighborhood getting to be. .
In this month William Henry Gilpin died-a happy re- lease for him-his life was a sad one; deprived from early years of the faculties which alone render persons respon- sible for their actions.
It is proper here to record that at the close of the month many of us were saddened to hear of the very sudden death of Gerard HI. Reese, in Baltimore, who had been closely knit by ties of friendship and kin to a large circle at Sandy Spring.
September. This is the month of Fairs, and our people bore a full part in the two that most concern them. They swept numerous premiums at Rockville; and at our Lyceum they made the Horticultural Fair a complete suc- cess, as regards the chief purposes for which it is designed, viz. the assemblage of a friendly crowd, and the unequalled exhibition of flowers and fruits, with the no less æsthetic triumphs of culinary art.
On the 3d of September, 1879, occurred one of those tremendous sports of our atmosphere, which are fortun- ately exceeding rare in any one place. The first Cyclone mentioned in the history of the neighborhood passed ser- eral miles through what may be called its western interior, or very nearly its centre, with a varying width of thirty to seventy yards. Coming down (for that seems to suit the course that cyclones take) between the land of Stephen Holland and that of the oll Cashell family, it struck and twisted in cyclone fashion the limbs of a cherry tree, and went on scattering heaps of manure in the adjoining field.
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then into the quiet abode of the ancient dead, where the heavy tombstones of wife and husband were flung, one to the east and one to the west,-passing on through a gap in the cornfield (made by itself), at the edge of which it dug up some potatoes, and even the weeds of the patch ; after this low freak, its course was ascending, for a few hundred yards merely brushing the tops of the forest trees. Again dropping into a field of Augustus Cashell, it lifted three or four stones out of their bed ; for a space of half a mile its track was barely discernible, then skirting the land of Penuel Palmer, it struck with tremendous force into the woods of Frederick Stabler, prostrating the largest trees ; next, after an interval; it passed into the woodland of Joseph T. Moore, playing havoc there (perhaps the most destructive on the whole route), then into William W. Moore's cornfield, scraping the very earth, and close by a tenant-house which escaped serious injury. Still on, pre- serving very nearly the same direction of north by east, it came to James Powell's, where it moved the corn-house from its foundation so gently as scarcely to spill any grains from an open barrel of wheat which it carried along. James H. Stone and William H. Farquhar were the next victims of the tornado, suffering just alike in the orchard and the front yard. The last named lost a half dozen of his most valuable apple trees, and had the symmetry of his ornamental trees sadly and lastingly impaired. After leaving this place the cyclone made one more tremendous dig into some large trees on the public road west of " Charley Forest," taking down an apple tree or two of Si. Bowen's; its further track could be just followed, un- til near the field of Mahlon Chandlee. not far from hix dwelling, the whirlwind went up into the higher regions whence it fell. This rising and falling of the cyclone
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was a very peculiar feature; viewed from the hills, the double cones meeting in hour-glass shape, the numerous inner whirls partially detached,-the wind rushing in at the edges of the track,-all these features of a real cy- clone-ours had them all! Yet the damage to property was very small to what it might have been with a little bend in its course; the injuries to person none.
Something new occurred in the quiet sphere of the Monthly Meeting in making an alteration of one of the answers to the Queries. It was to the effect that too many of the younger portion of the Society passed in their pur- suit of pleasure beyond the line of moderation, in which alone lies safety. For moderation is the key to true pleas- ure-" a key to the plan of God." There is no question as to the fact that our young people are becoming more devoted to the pursuit of pleasure, than they were in former times. It does not follow they are growing worse : only more excited. A whirl not so destructive as the cyclone, but like it, rushing, booming, pushing, has got hold of them; forward is the word; but not always onward and upward! Like the cyclone, it tends to uncover the roots. Hunting the bear and the deer in the glens of the Alleghanies, as was done successfully last fall by some of our young men, who gained health and vigor there, is doubtless gallant sport; but of that other-the bag fox business-the least said the soonest mended.
A wise philosopher declares that the fault most prolific of evil among the vices is sloth. Philosophers are liable to make mistakes, but it appears to me there is truth in that doctrine. Does not virtue consist in doing? All progress certainly does. Now herein lies the excellence of Sandy Spring-such as it is; and in its exemption from sloth consists the freedom from vice-so far as that is wanting.
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It is due to facts touching these ethical subjects, that the following record should be made: there came to certain households a visitation of sore disease, attended with deepest affliction. Then were the same young men and maidens who had been foremost in the pursuits of pleas- ure, now among the first to proffer their kindly services at the bed of pain. While of the manly youth, not one even of those who are most given to sport and fun is ever accused of the excesses that have been the ruin of many flourishing communities.
Scanning impartially the actual condition of our neigh- borhood, it seems as if the sanitary question was now of chief importance. Physical health has so much in- fluence on future prosperity as well as on present comfort that it claims the earnest attention of all who love their race. The best way to get an answer in this concern, to the significant question-" Watchman, what of the night?" is to refer to facts bearing directly upon the situation. Individual cases must here be regarded as impersonal ; that is, as concerning us all equally.
The cases mentioned must be taken, as the lawyers use them, to establish their object by employing a supposi- tious case. They naturally include those belonging to the more delicate half of the race, whose health is undeniably of even more importance to the general welfare than that of the other and more robust half. Inquiring of a mother whose daughter is at present from home, whether the latter would not return to stay during the next year, the reply was-one to be noted-"the social dissipation (using that word in mildest form) prevailing at Sandy Spring is such that I think it would be better for my daughter not to be exposed to the influence, till her health is more consolidated." The next case relates to a
--
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young lady whose health has latterly not been so good as the many friends who love her would ardently desire ; having lengthened out & recent visit beyond the appointed period, she gave the reason for it quite seriously, that "she believed it would be better for her health to rest awhile from our neighborhood visiting, especially the being out so much and so late at night."
It is difficult to judge how these simple statements will impress those who listen to them; but my feelings in writing them down are something more than serious- they are awful! I will spare you further reflections of my own; but entreat most earnestly that you will give the subject the reflection it deserves. You, young men, who must be mainly (not wholly) responsible. for the growth of such a social condition as is indicated in cases like the foregoing, your more robust constitutions do not experience so quickly the inevitable results of excess in social pleasures ; yet you are, if possible, more interested in the health of those whose soundness of health is to be of such vital consequence to your own welfare and happiness. It is not too much to say that a large portion of the neighborhood's future welfare, growth and pros- perity depends on a reform which will bring about the moderation demanded alike by good feeling and good sense. Let me here refer to a little book, just published by Dr. Henry Hartshorne, entitled " Home." It contains the counsels of an able physician, and a well-known, highly-esteemed friend.
October was very dry and warm, making the farmers uneasy about their wheat.
November possessed several interesting claims oh our attention, as that month usually does. First came the election of our State officers and representatives; in
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the result of which we were disappointed. Better luck, we hope, next. November !
The various Associations flourish. The Benevolent Aid Society holds its Second Annual Meeting, and begins its winter career ; the winter proved so extraordinarily mild that the need was small for its charitable minis- trations. A general regret was expressed, that the failing health of the President, Caroline H. Miller, compelled her to resign a position which, it is no idle compliment to say, she adorned.
On the 27th of the month a very large gathering of neighbors and friends was received by Roger B. and Caroline M. Farquhar in their new dwelling (before described) near the shores of Rock Creek. It was "Thanksgiving Day," appropriately chosen for the pleas- ing, ancient ceremony of "House-warming." To the good taste shown in the construction of this fine building was added a greater charm, the good feeling that collected so large and so varied a company, filling the house with the warmth of social enjoyment. Chief Judge R. J. Bowie was introduced by his own request to Thomas C. Groomes, the successful architect of the building; and all came away at a seasonable hour, thinking rather better of themselves and of one another.
December was in part enlivened by a wedding on the 16th; followed on the 18th by another entertainment at the Lyceum-the joint production of the Sociable and the Musicale. This mingled aesthetic and useful performance was deserving of the highest praise; being projected and accomplished by the ladies, without any assistance from the other side. It was a full success in all the arrange- ments, even allowing the audience to get home at a respectable hour of the night. This triumph may be
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