USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > Sandy Spring > Annals of Sandy Spring history of a rural community in Maryland, Volume 1 > Part 2
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originally Catholics; but ancestor James had left the ancient faith for the simple tenets of the Quaker; being induced thereto (as is believed) by that influence which converted so many heathen kings to Christianity-namely, the gentle power of woman's faith and love. He married Deborah, daughter of Richard Snowden, in the year 1725, and "went to housekeeping " soon afterward; as stands recorded in his own handwriting in a little ancient book belonging to the Brooke family. Thus settled comfortably at "Charley Forrest," James Brooke continued making large acquisitions of land property, securing near 20,000 acres in one tract, which he called " Addition to Brooke Grove." This patent reaches from the beginning, a high stone still standing in Samuel Elliott's lane, to Seneca Creek, distant some ten or twelve miles.
The Friends Meeting being thus organized principally by the Brooke and Thomas families, to which were joined other sympathizing friends, these energetic colonists pro- ceeded with the serious business of subduing the wilder- ness. They cleared the forest, planted corn and tobacco, and built comfortable dwellings. It was said by William Darby, the highest geographical authority ever domiciled among us, that when the house still standing on "Charley Forrest"(though considerably altered now) was first erected, it was the only framed building between here and Canada, on this meridian. Another legend (perhaps as doubtful) relates to the brick house of Philip Thomas-now the dwelling of William John Thomas-which is declared to have had the bricks brought from England. It is certain that the building of the largest number of that substan- tial sort of houses within Sandy Spring is due to the Thomas family.
Among these pioneers a more exciting occupation was
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found in hunting the wild beasts ; and many a severe con- flict was required before their farms were cleared of these fierce enemies. The wolf and the bear ate their young swine and lambs; and the panther made the lonely paths through the woods perilous to them and their children .* The story was told me of an animated conflict which took place between old James Brooke and a panther, that has still a lively interest. A war was then prevailing (it must have been the French War of 1755), which had produced a scarcity of ammunition among the settlers. The oft-mentioned J. B. was out hunting with six dogs, when he came, in the deep recesses of a forest, upon a huge specimen of this North American tiger. The ferocious beast attacked the dogs, and in the twinkling of an eye they were laid out, with his enormous paws, sprawling on every side. At this juncture the old man came up and fired, but ineffectually, on the enraged animal, which now turned upon him. Ile endeavored rapidly to reload, but found he had shot away his last bullet. The situation was a serious one, but the men of those days were trained for all such emergencies. Cutting off one of the metal buttons of his coat, he dropped it down the capacious mouth of his old musket and blazed away at the panther, striking him right between those cruel eyes and putting an end to the beast. (I fancy there was no scolding at home that evening from his Deborah on account of the missing button!) How different is a nocturnal walk
* The curious reader who had examined Scharf's "History of Western Maryland " might be struck with the coincidence fewwenn columns of that work, page 778-6, and the above recitals and others that follow. The latter was collected by me, and furnish: 1 by request to Mr. Scharf's agent ; this was all right-but, perhaps, it would have been as well to acknowledge the source. W. II. F.
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through our woods now, from what it was in those days! Many stories are related, some quite humorous and others very frightfal, of adventures with wolves, bears, and panthers. The following may be depended upon, coming down as it does through such channels. A carpenter, who had been at work through the day at the first attempt to build a house in the village of Brookeville, was making his way to his own hut in a dark night though the dense forest. Suddenly he was startled at the sight of two shining eyes in the path before him. He had no gun, but the axe was in his hand; lifting it he flung it with all his force at the horrid object, and then ran with all his might. On the following morning the axe was found stuck fast in the cloven skull of a young panther.
Tracks in the snow were inspected in those days with painful interest by the children ; thus learning the value of an art now too much neglected-the grand art of observation.
Then, the most valuable of all animals, without ex- ception, was the sagacious and faithful dog. Without his efficient services it would have been almost impossible to subdue and settle the wilderness. No wonder he is still held in such esteem, especially by the descendants of the old pioneers, if only for the good he has done. Yet it does seem, in the progress of civilization, that some of the very things most essential at the beginning became wholly unneces- sary, and to be regarded as-an ornament or -- a nuisance. Strange, but true! Well, they say "every dog has his day." May not the same he said of the gun, at least of the pistol? - an instrument invented in evil ingenuity, used only in barbarism, and now in wickedness-properly to be banished from the face of the earth.
At length the wild beasts disappeared before the hunter
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with his dog and gun. The last bear shot in this neigh- borhood was brought down from the forks of a chestnut tree, a little way north of "Sharon"; this was in 1780. The wolf and deer were exterminated a short time afterward.
Their first severe hardship past, the early settlers, whom I have partially described, began evidently to prosper in their agricultural pursuits, chiefly by the culture of the great staple, tobacco. So profitable was the cultivation of their precious weed, that in the fear of seeing more essential crops neglected, the Legislative Assembly inter- posed with a law requiring every planter to put in two acres of corn for each member of the family engaged in working tobacco. The fact is mentioned that Richard Snowden bad 24 tobacco houses standing in a row on one tract of land.
Although prosperous in their affairs, the forefathers of our neighborhood maintained great simplicity in manners, food and costume; having great contempt at the intro- duction of what they regarded as Inxuries, of which some are now considered necessaries of life. An instance of this simplicity is shown in the fact, that there was for a time, indeed for quite a number of years, only one pair of boots in the settlement. This rare article was in posses- sion of the head of the Thomas family; and was loaned out, in the true spirit of the olden time, to any of the neighbors about to undertake the serious enterprise of a journey to Annapolis ! It is also well established that a single great-coat served the purposes of the community on similar occasions. Another incident, coming from an authentic source, gives a strong impression of the tough- hees and hardihood of body possessed by these old patri- archs. For a number of years they had no fire in the Meeting House: it is to be supposed that zeal kept them
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warm even in winter. At length some efficient members prevailed in getting a stove placed in the centre of the house. Great opposition had been manifested; and one of the hardy elders, determined to show his indifference, on entering the meeting pulled off his coat at the door and flung it on the stove. It happened to be moderate weather and no fire was kindled on that day, so nothing remarkable occurred; but the next time he came the weather was colder and a fire was kindled in the stove. Determined to set a proper example to the weakly ones, the good man walked firmly up the aisle, and exclaiming "Oh, the dumb idol!" he again threw his coat across the stove, and took his place in the gallery. A slight com- motion was roused among the younger members (very slight, for the boys were order itself in those days). Surprised at so extraordinary a manifestation he lifted his eyes and beheld his outer garment enveloped in smoke from its own substance. After this he never mentioned the "dumb idol" again. Connecting this incident with the rule in those days relating to bed-covers-to make use of one blanket only until Christmas, and never more than two afterwards-we can form an idea of the degree of bodily hardiness possessed by the early settlers-so different from the present customs.
Thus lived and flourished in peace and growing plenty the "rugged forefathers of the hamlet," when that great event occurred which put a new face on the history of the world, extending its influence to the dwellers in the " backwoods" of Sandy Spring. I refer, of course, to the American Revolution. The Friends, by profession and practice, were men of peace. Oving to that love of established order, united to a dread of innovation, which has ever rendered them the most conservative of sects, the
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Friends in general took no active part in the great contest. Some exceptions there were. One of the Brooke family joined the army and became a colonel, for which and some other breaches of the peaceful customs of his people he was condemned (according to the superstitions of the times) still to make nightly visits up and down the stairs of the fair mansion on the hill, built by him and claimed as his own. Courage and fortitude of another sort were manifested in those "times that tried men's souls," by Evan Thomas, whose son Philip E. has been called the father of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This excel- lent man resided in the old brick house near Colesville, and attended regularly the Sandy Spring Meeting, of which he was a solid and faithful minister. Born in this county in 1738, he made numerous friends and ac- quaintances as he grew up, and entered freely into social circles. When the troubles of the Revolution came on he joined the patriots, and was elected a member of the Con- vention at Annapolis. Though fully impressed with the truth of Friends' principles, he at first saw nothing in- consistent with them in the bold " Declaration of the Rights of the People" that emanated from the Convention. "The true Quaker," Bancroft says, "is always a brave man, and a true Republican." Evan Thomas was re- elected; but the conviction was soon forced upon his mind that those patriotic resolutions meant war. He turned away from the path into which events were hur- rying him, and came back to the strait and narrow path of his convictions of truth. A thorny way it proved to him; for years to come he had to suffer severely in person and goods, for conscience sake. By one of the intolerant laws of the period no person was allowed to preach unk's duly allowed by secular authority. But Evan Thomas'a
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warrant to preach came from a higher Power, and he was careful to obey only its behests. Oftentimes he was forcibly dragged from the gallery when he stood up to speak; he was fined and imprisoned ; but on the next meeting-day after his release he was there again, pleading for heaven's mercy to his oppressors.
The persecutions ceased with the war. A fair share of worldly success was the reward of his faithfulness to principle ; and he was enabled to rear a prosperous family, whose education was duly attended to, and who gained highly respectable positions in life. I have dwelt the longer upon this individual biography because it is of representative character ; a type of the sort of moral strength requisite to carry a community safely over diffi- culties, and to build up durable individual characters. Many other worthies, as well among the women as the men of Sandy Spring in those carly times, might be described as progenitors of the bone and sinew, brain and heart, that aided to give the neighborhood the reputation and influence which it acquired; but now we pass on down the stream of time.
It is here requisite to relate a grand historical event, which has exercised so efficient an influence over the . character and fortunes of the people of Sandy Spring that no faithful narrator could fail to give it due place.
A little while before the commencement of the Revo- lutionary War, about the year 1722, "the Yearly Meeting of Friends in Baltimore," (I quote the words of the ancient minutes) "recommended to the subordinate Quart- erly Meetings to keep under the weight of a concern which had arisen in the society some time ago, in regard to men- bers holding slaves." The following year a committee reported that " some appear concerned to discharge their
INTRODUCTION.
slaves; divers are convinced of the injustice of the practice, while too many make excuses," &c. It is evident that great tenderness, patience and deliberation marked every step taken by our society in this weighty matter. Time was afforded to all to examine the subject for themselves. No outside pressure was employed. Appeal was made only to the sense of right in the minds of those immedi- ately concerned. At length the society, impressed by their own convictions, took up "the testimony against slavery," and hold it ever since. Under its operation large families of slaves were discharged from compulsory service, who became. the progenitors of the useful, and comparatively prosperous " free-colored working people " of the neighborhood. Lives there a man who would deny that a blessing rested on us for this sacrifice made by our forefathers, in compliance with this call of duty?
In the life of neighborhoods, as well as of individuals and nations, there are eras or stages that mark their progress. I note three such periods in the history of our community. The first period includes the settlement of the country, and the formation of the institutions which were to mould and stamp its future condition and char- acter. Without affecting any close precision of dates, that first portion may be said to extend nearly to the clore of the third quarter of the last century: this would in- clude a period of about fifty years, bringing us up to the establishment of free labor. To this succeeded a period of comparative quiet, which, toward the latter portion or second era, threatened to become stagnation.
'The cultivation of tobacco, which formed the chief wealth of the early soffers, grew to be unprofitable. 0a soil, resting as it does on the solid foundation of the primitive rocks, was soon exhausted of some essential
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constituents upon which that odious weed draws so largely. Agriculture began to languish; old fields, abandoned to broom sedge, became the most striking feature of the rural landscape; and this to an extent that our young farmers can now scarcely realize. Toward the end of this second period, and for the first and last time, a small emigration to the West began to exhibit itself. Yet it does not seem that onr people were seriously retrograding. There were at least two enterprises belong- ing to the quiet period which serve to redeem it from stagnation. One of these enterprises was the building in 1817 of our large brick Meeting House. The erection of so expensive a building (it being, when I took the census in 1850, the largest religious structure in the county), manifested the existence of the old spirit in our people, assisted, however, from abroad. It is told that Philip E. Thomas, son of Evan, as before mentioned, con- tributed $500 toward the valuable improvement.
The second historical event was the location here of the Fair Hill Boarding School, a year or two after the Meeting House was built. The selection of this neigh- borhood by the Yearly Meeting of Baltimore as its edu- cational centre, may fairly be regarded an indication of the character for intelligence which Sandy Spring had acquired. Schools have never been neglected by the Society of Friends. From an early period " useful learn- ing" was inscribed on their book of discipline as one of their religious obligations. And so the rullication of the mind was still persevered in, after the time came when the culture of the soil yielded mneagre results. The price of land, once much inflated, fell off heavily, reaching its lowest point about 1835, when the second era or period of our neighborhood's history may be said to close. A farm
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in the central part sold for $6, and one at the eastern edge for $2.05, per acre.
It was time for a revival: and it came. The third period then began. A way must be found to improve the land. The first experiment was made with lime. In the year '38, nineteen lime kilns could be counted within the sweep of a short radius, the stone being brought from five to ten miles. It is still subject of dispute as to the actual fruits of that lime experiment; but there is no doubt as to the fruits of the spirit that dictated it. It showed the will ; and that is bound in all such cases to find the way.
The "way" which was found in the next year, '39, to bring about the real improvement which was to come, appears now very strange, almost a craze. "Thereby hangs a tale," which had perhaps be better left in oblivion. Yet one of the uses of history is to teach how to avoid the errors of the past; and if mankind ever did take warning from the blunders of their predecessors, it might be well to dilate upon Sandy Spring experience with "Morus multicaulis !"
The only thing worth telling about that affair is the very valuable discovery which it led to, in the use of bone dust. A few trials of this article soon showed that we had found what we had been looking for, viz. a fertilizer that was attainable, and that could be trusted in. A few years later, in 1844, that miracle of agriculture- "Guano"-was brought amongst us in appreciable quan- tities, and-you know the rest.
Radical improvement had begun of the sort sure to go ON. Our young people found there was no need now to Emigrate to newer, richer soils. Notwithstanding the adhesiveness that has bound them more closely to their
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birthplace than, perhaps, has been exhibited in any other part of the State, who can believe that one-third of those young men who constitute our junior clubs, and who are now using "Cooley Creamers," "digging Silos," and such, would have been content to remain even at Sandy Spring, if bone and guano had never been intro- duced among us ?
It may be said, without using any extravagant ex- pressions, that from the time these powerful fertilizers came into general use, the march of improvement was steadily onward. Energy and industry, thus encouraged by the certainty almost of securing their reward, were not found wanting; and a fair increase of outward pros- perity followed. But the discovery and use of bone and . guano may be considered as accidental circumstances. The question arises, are we sure there was enough of spirit and power within to control and mould circum- stances, and to make proper use of the opportunities which the more prosperous times afforded? Before enumer- ating the multitudinous improvements which began to come to light, it is due to a right understanding of these results that we acknowledge the great benefits, along with some drawbacks, which Sandy Spring neighborhood received from the immigration of valuable persons coming from outside its borders. Although these newcomers have been jestingly styled "carpet-baggers" by a few belonging to the original settlers, rather famous for loving a joke, truth requires the statement that these strangers could not have well been spared. "Carpet-baggers" or not, they have mixed with the natives, and continue mixing together beauti- fully. When we name Hallowells. Farquhars, Moores, Millers, we have made only a beginning of real additions to the worthy folks who happened to come here first. With-
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out the arrival, at a still carlier period, of a certain group entitled "the Stablers," there is good reason to believe that our banks, insurance companies, and other advan- tages too numerous to mention, might present a less flattering condition.
Belonging, to the new era there is another important fact not to be omitted. The rapid increase of the communication between town and country, which com- menced in force with the third era, and has gone on with accelerating ratio ever since, has unquestionably exercised considerable influence. Though we may find much fault with the city, and quote the saying that "great cities are great sores," it is undeniable that civilization, with its fruits of refinement and livelier activity, originated there. And it is by the happy action and mutual reaction of town and country that activity of mind is stimulated and brought into the most fruitful operation. Still it is also true that the life and growth of cities are kept up only by fresh importations from the country. Also along with the valuable importations received into the country, there come various customs and fashions which were better left out of the invoice. The city fashion of turning night into day and day into night does not suit country life at all. Self-respect should bar the entrance.
It remains only to set down together the names of the social, literary, and business institutions which have sprung up within a few years, following the beginning of a new era, and proving that such an era had come. The annual records of this book have kept a fair account of these associations, as they were formed within the last IS or 20 years ; and it is proper now only to enumerate some which preceded and formed the basis of a social systemn which is assuredly the distinguishing feature of Sandy
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Spring. In 1842 an encouraging step was taken when Richard T. Bentley (according to my recollection) pro- posed that Sandy Spring should have a library of its own. The neighboring village of Brookeville has the credit of starting one some years precedent. Thus an excelsior wheel was set in motion the right way. In the beginning of the year 1844 the "Farmers Club" was instituted with general approbation. This book would scarce contain an account of all the beneficial results that fol- lowed the successful effort at co-operation by farmers. Four years more were required to put in successful operation that great enterprise, now well known over the whole State, namely, "The Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany of Montgomery County." Two several attempts had been previously made to organize such an institution by a number of persons, amongst whom the most active were* Dr. Charles Farquhar, Benjamin Hallowell, E. J. HIall, A. B. Davis and Joshua Peirce. A pamphlet was printed; but the plan was not ripe, nor was it satis- factorily adjusted. In 1847-S Edward Stabler took up the subject; and, after procuring the willing subscrip- tions of his neighbors, he travelled through his own and the adjoining county of Carroll, where William Shepherd gave him ready support; a company was formed, the charter was obtained, and on the 1st of June, 1848, the greatest public achievement of Sandy Spring went into operation. Several circumstances favored the successful beginning of this institution ; but none has been of such importance as was the procuring of an accomplished secretary, Robert R. Moore, who continues to fill the office to the present time.
* Refer to the letter of Hon. A. B. Davis in Appendix, p. 281.
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The following statement would exhibit the condition of the Company at the end of the first year :
Total amount of property insured. $193,695 00
Amount of premium notes in force. 10,722 95
Amount of expenses from commencement,
June 1st, 1848, to date. 2-15 25
ASSETS ON HAND.
Certificate of Baltimore City Stock $205 66
Cash
39 93
--- 245 59
. LIABILITIES.
Due State for tax on policies. 35 00
$210 59
Wy. H. FARQUHAR,
GEO. E. BROOKE, Com. Board Directors.
RICH'D T. BENTLEY, )
Next in dignity and consequence, the "Savings Insti- tution," started just 20 years after the insurance com- pany, occupies a place in which it has been able to diffuse real benefits over a wide extent of country.
In the meantime several other improvements sprung out of the spirit of association, which, being turned into action, is but another name for co-operation. The Lyceum Building, the Sandy Spring turnpikes, were valuable re- sults from the latter.
Equally important, indeed essential to true progress, must be mentioned the co-operation of the ladies, com- mencing in 1857 with the pure, high-toned " Association for Mutual Improvement," that has set such a healthtid example to the sex: multiplying, ramifying, diverging in more ways than can be here described.
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Thus it is claimed that under the influences of social co-operation, certain interesting and beneficial results have been obtained in this little section, called Sandy Spring, of which we are willing to transfer some of the benefits to others. Whence did these advantages come ? The foundation was laid somewhere and somehow ; and gen- uine good material has been used in carrying on the building. On a previous page I ventured to write that " George Fox founded Sandy Spring." Not in person, of course. What I meant was that the Spirit to which he truly assigned all proper moving influences continued to overshadow his people. Without claiming merit to the Quakers for which they are not entitled, no sound and well-informed mind can deny that a power has dwelt with them strong enough to influence nations-Bancroft says "to move the world." Now, if this be so, we have the right to attribute the successful career of our neighbor- hood to the moral, invisible influences, accompanying fidelity to principle, possessed and partially handed down by our forefathers. Principle it was, and is, and shall be, not forms. As regards them, little or no account need be taken now. Old notions of innocent amusements, being contrary to the natural laws, need a complete revision. The same may be said of that narrow view of " building a hedge around our children in order to keep them from contact with the world": it is to be hoped that all such forms are of the past. Only principles are eternal.
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