USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > Sandy Spring > Annals of Sandy Spring history of a rural community in Maryland, Volume 1 > Part 19
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useful in taking down the vanity of the other sex, who, in youth, are apt to think nothing can be done without their help.
In the article forwarded by my younger assistant, full of appropriate material for our history, there is no notice of the "Dickens Calendar" for 1880, a work which has assisted to spread the literary fame of Sandy Spring over a considerable section of the country, and has been ac- knowledged in England, as something which will be looked for in '81. It was prepared by Mary B. Thor gas, with assistance in the ornamental part from Harriet I. Lea.
The year 1880 came in with the remarkable weather which has signalized our Annals. The consequence was a great failure of the now indispensable ice-crop. Not a total failure ; some have filled their houses ; a number have partly filled ; others say they mean to have ice some way. Those who have none are encouraged by the old saying, "a warm winter makes a cool summer."
A lady from the north, Amanda Deyo, made a deep im- pression in the latter part of the winter by her eloquent lectures. The language of Mary B. Thomas is the unvar- nished truth, who writes, " If the visit of Mrs. A. Deyo to this community does not bear good fruit in the coming years, it will be the fault of us, who having ears to hear, hear not. Her soul-stirring appeals in favor of peace, of temperance, and of woman suffrage, will long be remem- bered by those who had the rare pleasure of listening to this truly eloquent and gifted woman. She also delivered several sermons of great power and pathos; and her course of lectures to ladies upon physiology was well attended." Her lecture on woman suffrage was the it -t able of the four. It may be truly said, the strongest argu- ment presented by Mrs. Deyo in favor of woman's capacity to vote, was the lady herself.
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The revival of interest felt in religious questions was not originated by friend Deyo, although well seconded by her eloquent discourses. Several causes were at work. Other ladies from a distance helped to stir up the new life, which gained fresh animation from influences coming from an opposite direction ; opposite as to modes and forms, and ideas of mediators; the same, as looking to the source, centre and end. An indication of new life was shown by numerous meetings of the members of Friends' Society, held for the purpose of revising the Discipline. The changes proposed exhibit a liberal and enlightened senti- ment, and if met in other quarters by the same spirit may prove a durable point of reference, perhaps "a new de- parture," in the progress of the Society.
The allotted space to which the annals of a year are limited, renders it impossible to do justice to the various associations, whose number and quality defy descrip- tion. Sufficient to say, they have all lived and flourished in lively manner. (The Debating Society was exalted to fame bestowed by the newspaper.) At least two new Societies have entered into existence, if indeed the " Tem- perance Society " can be termed a new one. Youngest of all is the "Peace Society," which begins already to call for Amanda Deyo ; it furnishes however a pleasing, ap- propriate motto: "Let us have peace!"
As we are nothing with all our societies and lectures if we fail in giving to agriculture the first place in our interests, it would never do to pass without notice the Annual Convention of the Clubs, held now in the 1st month for 7 years (with S meetings). The last one exhibited the same lively interest in the great cause as did all the preceding. Farmers coming from a distance formed an acceptable part of the meeting; for, despite
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the accusation of conceit against Sandy Spring (at which none laugh more heartily than ourselves) we are more than willing to acknowledge our obligations to other farmers, and to own with pleasure the great improvements going on all around. A lively picture of this is given by Mary B. Thomas, one of our historians.
In connection with farming incidents, I note a change made by the venerable "Farmers' Club of Sandy Spring" -the father of all the clubs; having made a new de- parture in the time of their meetings, so as to have the benefit of moonshine in returning home. The .iea was borrowed from the practice of the younger clubs, who must feel great satisfaction in the instruction which they gave their elders.
This year of '79-'80 has been distinguished by the general revival of business over our country. The best evidence which we can offer is found in the annual state- ment of our Savings Institution. On March 1st, 1880, the amount on hand was $103,088.14, the gain for the year being $14,772.10. The deposits made during the single month of March exceeded in amount the aggre- gated deposits of any quarter since the Institution was organized. While these results afford a just cause for satisfaction, they impose on our directors a deep sense of .responsibility on account of the increased load laid upon them, and a solenm duty to make safety the polar star in guiding their future proceedings.
Our other great institution, holding a much higher rank in the business transactions of Sandy Spring, namely "The Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Montgomery County," has had the opportunity which it has Hey; delayed to embrace, of paying promptly a heavy amount of losses by fire. Yet it is a remarkable circumstance
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that the losses for the first quarter of the present year, usually running up to about $10,000, have fallen short of $500, owing to the extraordinarily mild winter.
The record showing the three important events of human life alone remains to be put in place. It will be recollected that, in making these statistics, the reference is exclusively to the 85 families-407 individuals hereto- fore named. Still the interest felt in other neighbors, ac- quaintances and friends, is too strong to allow an entire omission of events nearly concerning them.
Of marriages are reckoned three.
October 21st, 1879, Charles F. Brooke and Cornelia S. Miller, by the beautiful and dignified ceremony of Friends' Society.
December 16, 1879, Benjamin D. Palmer and Miss Mollie Mackall.
January 15th, 1880, Allan Farquhar and Charlotte H. Pleasants; this marriage being recorded in the clerk's office at Rockville, and the first in the county per- formed by Friends' ceremony where neither party was a member.
Of deaths there have been but two, within the limit of our neighborhood census.
Ninth month, 15th, 1879. Ann M. Stabler, wife of Caleb Stabler, after a short illness, in the SOth year of her age; a kind and loving spirit, respected by all who knew her, young and old. Her peaceful death was the natural close of a peaceful life. She was laid to rest in the family burying ground at Alloway, in a perfect autumn evening, which seemed typical of her ripe years of usefulness, followed to the grave by children and grandchildren- such as constitute the best " mother's monument."
'Twelfth month, 26th. Phebe Farquhar, after a long
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and most distressing illness, having nearly reached her 75th year. No children followed her to the tomb; but weeping brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces and sorrowing friends, testified to the high esteem and respect with which she had been long regarded. From her very birth it had been her lot to suffer with complaints of a nervous character; but these, while making life a scene of much distress, had no power to dim the brightness of extraordinary intellect, nor to lower the tone of high, pure moral conduct. Deep thought, strong feelings, yet reserved, and intense admiration of the noble and beau- tiful in nature and character, were her most impressive qualities.
A wider view taken by our friend Hadassah leads to mention the death of Jonathan D. Barnsley, who died very suddenly by a stroke of apoplexy, on the 20th of January, 1880. And of John Osborne, whose remains were brought from Baltimore to our burying ground ; and of Sally Keith, a very meritorious woman.
First month, 23d, 1880. At Philadelphia, in the 524 year of her age, Alice Bentley Stabler. This lovely and lovable woman came in the summer of 1848 from Ohio. where she was born, and resided in the neighborhood of Sandy Spring for a number of years, during which she gained many warm friends. Their interest and affection were manifested in paying the last tribute to her remains when brought back for interment in the private cemetery of Thomas P. Stabler.
Our Statistical Report stands for this year, births 5 (+ boys and 1 girl) ; marriages 3; deaths 2.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
FROM FOURTH MONTH, 5TH, 1880, TO FOURTH MONTH, 4TH, 1881.
Changes, which way ? - Historian's proper business - Evolution - Darwinism - Subjective and Objective - Real Value - (Ther- mometer 32° on 4th Month, 8th, once 88º) - Peach buds de- stroyed - Library for Grange-" Local Option Campaign " - Census of Friends-Dr. Scott in Europe - Binders, first em- ployed -Sad, sudden death of Dr. J. W. Magruder, and others - The Farmer's vacation - Improvements at Ashton and else- where - Premiums at Rockville Fair -Orthodox Meeting House finished - Gold Mining roused again-" Glorious Victory of Local Option " - Afternoon First-Day Meeting -"Oh, the long and dreary Winter!"-Fast Driving -Farmers' Con- vention collects 200- Mrs. Mullan's letter-Judge Bowie's death -S. Ellicott's, Jas. Stone and B. R. Roberts.
The individual who looks back over periods of his past life must recognize the fact that a change has been going on in his inner self; although he may perhaps be unable to satisfy his own mind as to what direction it may have moved. Was it forward or backward, upward or down- ward? that is the question which the reflecting person naturally asks himself. It must have been one way or the other ; and it is scarcely necessary to add that it is a right important matter-which was the way?
The interest I have felt in this historical sketch for these last seventeen years has mainly proceeded from the comparison which my mind has been carrying on between the life of the neighborhood and the life of the individual. The conviction has grown and strengthened that there is a close resemblance ; and I have thought that some profit- able reflections might be gathered therefrom.
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The proper business of the historian is no doubt chiefly concerned with describing actions and events ; what may be called outward facts : so that history is properly ob- jective. But in a degree it is also subjective; for it penetrates into the causes of things; it looks within, to examine the motives from which actions spring.
But human life, whether of the individual or the com- munity, would be imperfectly described if the inquiry be . confined either to actions or motives-one or both. Not what w > are or have been, but what we are becoming, that is, coming to be, is the great point. To use the more scientific modern expression, the question to be examined by us is, how does the evolution of the neighborhood proceed ?
After having used already the rather hard words " ob- jective and subjective," it may seem severe upon my audience to introduce this formidable term; but there is no advantage in trying to shun such expressions now, especially in a place enjoying the reputation of Sandy Spring for keeping up even with the advanced literati. Evolution must be regarded as an established fact. Not necessarily in the way that Darwin speaks of it. As to his theory, which undertakes to describe the beginning and transmigration of all things in the universe, especially of human beings, we may still fairly claim to apply the Scotch verdict -- "not proven !"
Still there is no denying the fact, fully established by modern science, that every thing and person, all the faculties of body and mind that go to make up the human being, are always and all the time undergoing the evolving process ; and, like " poor Joe," compelled irresistibly " to move on !" This decree of the Creator is established by no Scotch verdict, but the Almighty mind.
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Now, just as the individual, be he young or old or of middle age, has been " going on," or "evolving" (which is a better word, because the process is "from within, out- ward "), so has it been with this neighborhood, viewed as a whole, constantly going through the universal scheme of evolution, ever since it first began to be an organized community by building the meeting house down yonder. It is interesting and not unprofitable, certainly not untrue, to regard that spot, with its change of structure, as the centra. point where " began, continues, and (may we not say ?) will end the life of this Sandy Spring."
My work is now to trace, with the help received from our two valuable auxiliaries, the course of events, and especially such as have most directly contributed to the evolution that has taken place in the neighborhood since the last Annual Record. Of course we shall adhere to the objective mainly, since innermost motives, although the real source of outward actions, are generally too secret and sacred for our pens to intrude. Before commencing the Monthly Records, it seems proper to make the general statement that our people have fairly and fully shared in the obvious acknowledged prosperity of the United States. Yet in setting this claim forward I am forcibly reminded to put the question, What constitutes prosperity ? Where the heart is recently torn by grief for the loss of friends who were so near and dear, how insignificant, so far as human happiness is concerned, appear those large crops, big barns, inflated bank investments, and all worldly gains! When some of its best inhabitants are taken away by death, the neighborhood learns to estimate what it is that constitutes real value.
April, 1880. The first event chronicled this month was a fire that occurred near the Patuxent river, among
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the Johnson family. It was not a large house, but the loss was felt very severely by the sufferers. Such lively efforts were made by our people, living in the vicinity, to provide clothing and other necessaries for their relief, that a portion of the supplies sent from a distance was returned. First came fire, then frost; the latter did the most damage. On the Sth of the month the ther- mometer sunk to 32° (on the same day of the same month, years ago, it rose to 88º). Of course, apprehensions on account of the fruit were generally excited, which were proved by the results to be only too true. . Peach buds were destroyed, occasioning serious loss to persons who have been increasing their stock of trees; the few who escaped the damage received corresponding ad- vantage.
The first meeting of the Horticultural Society for the year was held in this month at Olney on the 16th, and was admitted by the large company that attended to be a very interesting affair; but none could tell Charles Far- quhar how to save his peaches.
The lovers of amusement, reinforced by a visitor from New York, commenced in this month to gratify their love of sport, by the practice of what is called " Ball Shoot- ing." It is described as an exhibition of wonderful skill ; and is certainly very innocent.
An entertainment of quite another sort was had at Olney Grange Hall; it was packed with an animated crowd, that came to enjoy a fine concert and each other's company. The benediction was in the object; the col- lection of 225 persons producing a considerable sum, to be devoted for the benefit of a library for the use of the members of that worthy Order; and, perhaps, for a number outside.
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May. The most important minute of the month's pro- ceedings is found in this notice-"Now begins the Local Option Campaign." The weather was warm last month ; but toward the end of this the heat, with the drought. became excessive. The census taken on the first day of this month, of the members of Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting, shows a total of 247-divided as follows: adult males, 76-females, 84-male minors, 45-female minors, 42. This preponderance of boys occasioned some surprise ; but it is probably owing to the fact that one party remains under the denomination of minor till he reaches the age of 21, while the girls cease to be so after 18. A singular fact relating to the census is that in each of 20 families there are just 3 children.
June. The first day of this beautiful month was sig- nalized by a large Local Option meeting in the court house at Rockville. A plan of organization was adopted, which worked splendidly, and led to a success beyond the expectations of the most sanguine advocates of the great cause.
Considerable interest was manifested at times during this month and the last, in "cables" from the other side of the Atlantic, telling of feats of skill in shooting at long range, performed by our fellow-neighbor, Dr. Samuel I. Scott. Some pride in the success obtained in the far foreign land by one of our "Sandy Spring boys," was very natural; even for those who prefer to admire the skill manifested in his immediate profession. Still "nothing succeeds in the world like success."
The appointment of our Lyceum President, Benjamin HI. Miller, as one of the Maryland delegates to the Presi- dential Convention in Chicago, was of local interest; his last vote being generally approved.
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A matter of equal or superior interest, namely the harvest, approached with rapid strides. None earlier is remembered. Considerable excitement was roused in the use of binders, now first successfully employed amongst · us. Uncertainty in regard to the yield of the wheat crop continued longer than usual. The correct verdict probably was " somewhat above the average, on the whole, yet varying very much in individual cases." Threshing actually began in this month.
I cannot forbear recording, as a matter of general interest, the return of Eliza N. Bentley to her old home ; bringing another charming attraction, beside herself, in books and pictures.
A tragical death occurred on the 14th, caused by kerosene-Mabel Peirce the victim.
July, 1880. Another very sad and sudden death oc- curred near the Bone Mill; Jane Cuff falling in the night into a well.
It is a time of tragical deaths. In the afternoon of the 13th of this month a large company held the usual monthly meeting of the Olney Grange; and while all were enjoying the entertainment, at which no one assisted so agreeably as Dr. John Willson Magruder, he suddenly dropped on the floor, and by the coming of dawn next morning, his bright, bold spirit had left its splendid earthly tenement a mass of lifeless clay. A void was left there, never since filled.
In this same month occurred, near Rockville, a horrible tragedy, not to be named or described.
An extraordinary rainfall happened on the fifth. which measured five inches, though lasting scarcely two hours. Harvest closed as it began, very early; oats being cut the 4th.
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A young officer, Thomas L. Moore, took his place in the " M. F. I. O"-whose services and deportment therein have been wholly satisfactory to those concerned.
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In this month, invalids and others not much sick, sought the springs, the mountains, and the ocean shore. I know one who brought out of the water a grievous trouble that lasted years. It is a pleasing task to close the record of an awful month with the announcement that the 15th was chosen as their wedding day by Edward N. Bentley and Hallie Chandlee.
August. The farmers' comparatively leisure month- which they are certainly entitled to, for the recreation that best suits them, whether it be travel abroad or enjoyments at home. Tours were taken by Caleb Stabler, B. Rush Roberts, Henry C. Hallowell and others, whose years and character gave assurance that they were not likely to get into mischief, though the line of travel carried some of them near a thousand miles away.
In relation to amusements of the more youthful portion, the remark was made some time in July that it had been so far "a quiet season." It continued so; although the archery games were resumed with lively spirit. Your historian, having a better opportunity of making obser- vations, at a meeting held before his own door, by the large group now constituting the Archery Club, can testify that the players and the game form an animated picture very pleasing to the eye. At the same time, he perceived that there were more and stronger impulses stirred up amongst the players than he had been aware of. All pleasant so far, no doubt; but capable of being carried far enough to lead to mischief ; " human nature will exert itself.
Improvements must be noted, as usual, in several
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places : buildings at Ashton ; a fire-proof at Sandy Spring ; the free use of field beans as a fertilizing material ; their introduction into this neighborhood being due, I am told, to the enterprising spirit of Henry H. Miller. Corn begins to promise a heavy yield.
September, 1880. This month developed rapidly through its early stages, the assurance that the corn crop was going to be very fine, especially for those who had followed the fashion of late planting ; the success of a doubtful practice, owing, as seems to me, to unusual amount of rain. The Horticultural Fair held at the Lyceum, near the beginning of the month, was very well attended, but, to use the mild expression of my worthy colleague, " the various articles were not quite as numer- ous as at some other exhibitions." Not quite, indeed. A more profitable Fair was looming in the near future; and contributors preferred "to put their productions where they would do the most good." Which they did.
The Fair of the Agricultural Society, at Rockville, again suffered severely from disastrous weather. Great pains had been taken to insure a success, and liberal premiums profusely offered; but no exertions of the worthy President could make up for heavy rain. Con- tributors from Sandy Spring had not much to complain of; securing over $250 to their portion, out of near $950 offered to the whole county, not including allowance for the races. No doubt those who profited most by the Fair, having merited all they received, will be found ready to assist liberally in relieving the sore need of the Society. Since faith in equinoctials as a reason for changing the time of meeting was not successful, shall we depend on Vennor next time to fix the date?
The wheat seeding began in the latter part of September
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more extensively than usual, and the present appearance would favor the practice. A Local Option meeting was held on the 26th, and attended by a large throng. Eloquent speakers, especially Mr. Nye and Dr. Magruder, addressed the meeting, and a boom for Temperance was excited, which will tell at the polls.
The Orthodox Meeting House, built in a very convenient location on a half acre of land, bought of B. Rush Roberts, was finished this month; the first meeting being held and quite numerously attended, in the 11th Month. This being one of the subjects affecting the interests of the neighborhood, a few remarks may not be out of place here. I think the general impression is one favorable to the influence of the new church. Some stir was produced among us at first, and that may do good in a community for the most part so well satisfied and comfortable as to be in some danger of growing too indifferent and quiet. The moderate degree of excitement thus awakened being controlled by the spirit of charity, which, I verily believe, prevails throughout this section, can only tend to freshen up the interest of our members in the principles inherited from a long line of faithful ancestors; while it must con- firm their regard for the old spot where the forefathers began to assemble a century and a half ago, and where their remains rest in peace.
October, 1880. A month dry and very dry, but drilling in the wheat goes on lively. Gold mining, or rather the spirit of it, is roused again near the old spot, at Brooke Meadow. Digging has also been done in the land of James S. Hallowell, but so far without practical result. Many wells have given out that failed to be restored until far into the winter. My colleague writes that she has nothing to note during the month. The politicians
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would not agree with her. One thing does deserve to be noted, for it was indeed "a thing of beauty," namely, the more than usual brilliancy of the autumn foliage.
November. No scarcity of subjects now. The great event of the second being the election of the President, for whom the larger number of us voted, attended with the still finer victory of "Local Option"; these taken to- gether produced more pleasing excitement than I ever knew at any previous election. The best part of the triumph is the moral one: every district in our county giving a majority, in all amounting to 1530, against "free liquor." The coming May will see it put into action, unless those who won the victory shall suffer its fruits to be lost.
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