USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > Sandy Spring > Annals of Sandy Spring history of a rural community in Maryland, Volume II > Part 18
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Almost from its organization a member and con- stant attender of Olney grange. he had supervised the construction of the hall. faithfully served the patrons in the distribution of goods, and at the meetings had extended to all the cheerful word, the cordial welcome and the helping hand. To many of us who were edu- cated at Fair Hill boarding-school, his unfailing kind-
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ness and genial nature are among the pleasantest recol- lections of our youthful days.
A very large number of persons attended his fun- eral on the afternoon of the 6th, and followed his re- mains to the meeting-house, where he was laid to rest.
Among other fitting tributes Henry E. Davis, of Washington, spoke feelingly of the cordial good- fellowship, the unfailing hospitality and tenderness of the deceased, those attributes that make the world better for having been, and that live in sweet remem- brance long after our friend has departed from our sight.
A fall of snow, accompanied by a fierce wind, Third month, 4th, had made the travel extremely uncomfort- able for numerous parties going to the inauguration in Washington, and still worse for viewing the page- ant after they arrived. but this was as nothing com- pared to the return trip at night, as the roads were blocked by immense drifts, dangerous to man and beast. For many years there has been no winter to compare with the one just past in blockaded high- ways. The pikes have all been shoveled or plowed out from three to five times, and at the present writ- ing, under sheltered banks the remains of these great drifts are still found.
Although our people may wander far and settle in distant states and cities, we still claim them for our own, and take a pardonable pride in their well-being and advancement. It is therefore pleasant to note that several of our young men in our St. Louis colony. Robert M. and J. Elgar Hallowell, Walter H. and Robert H. Brooke, have all been recently promoted to
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more lucrative positions, and that their employers ex- pressed a desire for twenty more just such boys, from Sandy Spring.
Out of consideration for our girls we protest against such wholesale robbery, even if our supply could equal the demand. -
The Rev. W. McK. Hammock, the Methodist minister at Ashton, removed to Elk Horn, W. Va., and was replaced by the Rev. William Harris, in the same pastoral charge.
On the morning of the Third month, 23d, Mary H. Chandlee, of Homewood, passed peacefully away, in her seventy-eighth year, after brief illness, surrounded by her devoted daughters, whose tender care she had been in her old age, and who could truly rise up and call her blessed. This lovely, gentle friend had gone through deep trials in early life, from which she had emerged clothed in that peace "which passeth under- standing."
After the death of her husband, Dr. Edward Chand- lee, many years ago, in Pennsylvania, she removed her young family of seven daughters to our neighbor- hood, and established herself at Homewood. Alone in her great responsibility of caring for so many little children, she was most judicious in her management, never issuing a command, but rather making a re- quest, which was sufficient to ensure obedience, and she struggled successfully to raise, educate and make them self-supporting. She was a remarkable example of the result to be obtained by a consistent life of recti- tude, industry and frugality,
Contentment and refinement, twin blessings, sur-
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rounded her, and her kind, unobtrusive manner en- deared her to all who entered her hospitable door. In the laying down of life's burdens, and the severing of closest ties, what can be better or more consoling than the thought that peace and serenity went hand in hand . with the loved one, through the portal we call death, into a brighter and higher existence.
Charles M. Stabler, principal of Sherwood Friends' school, sent in his resignation, to take effect in June, and Arabella Hannum, so long and favorably con- nected with this institution, is to become the success- or of the present incumbent, with Bessie P. M. Thom as assistant principal.
Charles G. Wilson moved from New Jersey to Dr. Francis Thomas' farm, Lucknow, which he will man- age. Some additions and improvements have been made to the house he will occupy.
There is nothing truer than the familiar couplet,
"A little nonsense now and then Is relished by the wisest men,"
and seldom, or never, have these walls resounded to such laughter and merriment as on the evening of the 30th. Henry W. Davis displayed his facile genius to the admiring throng, and proved to a packed audi- ence that to be able to pass from a Caucasian gentle- man to an Ethiopian buffoon; and to make a hundred laugh when only one had laughed before, is to be a public benefactor, and to possess an unusual gift. His "minstrels" assisted him as ably as if born to burnt cork rather than the purple, and entertained us delight- fully with instrumental music, dance and chorus, and
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those sweet, old-fashioned negro melodies, so full of pathos and memories of ante-bellum times, now hap- pily past and gone forever, but still lingering in the songs of a captive race. The proceeds of these festive . hours are to be devoted to the Sandy Spring and Grange libraries.
Despite the cry that "farming seldom or never pays," and that the tiller of the soil works harder, and receives less compensation than any other laborer, our inhabitants have apparently, in our historical year, not rusted out at home for lack of means to go abroad. Ellen Farquhar and Rebecca T. Miller returned from an extensive tour through Europe and part of Africa. Alban G. Thomas and wife went to Denver and New Mexico; Robert H. Miller to New Orleans ; Warwick P. Miller and Corrie M. Brooke, to Minnesota ; M. Beatrix Tyson to England ; Joseph T. Moore and wife to the Catskills and Lake Mohonk; Isaac and Charles Hartshorne, and Mary Bentley Thomas, to Massachu- setts ; Benj. H. Miller to California, Oregon and Da- kota; Jos. T. Moore, jr., to New York and Niagara : Catherine Stabler returned from Missouri and other western states ; Mary and Emma Stabler went to New York and Malvinia Miles to Florida.
Besides these who are particularly mentioned. be- cause they have traveled many hundreds or thousands of miles, as the case may be, nearly everyone else has, either on business or pleasure bent. made shorter ex- cursions to neighboring states. cities and seaside re- sorts.
The art of narrative was to those who lived in the early dawn of history the only means of transmitting
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the facts on which the whole structure of our political and moral economy is now based, and in its light we realize that we are the same our fathers have been, run the same race, think the same thoughts, with only the modification of changed condition.
If I could happily spread before you a dissertation on ancient instead of contemporaneous history I might let imagination have full play, and offer you something "startlingly new under the sun," but each year I am handicapped by the knowledge that my rec- ords are entirely familiar to my audience. I can only hope, therefore, to renew the rippling laugh at joys tasted, or the sympathetic tear when one is mentioned, now treading the shores "where tideless sleeps the sea of time."
The every-day incidents of our little world, our glad outgoings, our sad incomings, our various interests and occupations-these are the unyielding facts I have endeavored to fittingly set to proper description. I can only hope to remind you of what you have done in the past and induce you to furnish me with all the items you can in the coming year, which will be the tenth, and should certainly be the last of my service in this office.
However short and simple the annals of each indi- vidual existence, it is of intense personal value, and goes to show the workings of providence, and to influence for good or ill the whole community. For the young who have all the untried possibilities of life before them, and, indeed. for all of us, how important it is to
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"Think truly-and thy thought Shall the world's famine feed; Speak truly, and thy word Shall be a fruitful seed; Live truly-and thy life shall be A great and noble creed."
CHAPTER XI.
From Fourth Month, 1893, to Fourth Month, 1894.
One hundred and forty persons from Sandy Spring visit the World's Fair, at Chicago-S. Stanley Brown and the Rev. J. T. Kieffer lectured-Extracts from min- utes of the Senior Club of 1844-Obituaries of Sallie Pleasants Brooke, Marcella Sullivan, Mary H. Brooke, Louise Tennant Miller, Elisha John Hall, Louise P. Nesbitt, Edith D. Bentley, Guion Miller, jr., and Mar- garet Miller.
At the annual meeting of the Lyceum Company Fourth month, 3rd, 1893, Charles E. Bond was elected president, Sarah T. Moore secretary, and the following board of directors: John Thomas, Frank M. Hallowell, Mary Bentley Thomas, Susannah L. Thomas, and Rebecca T. Miller.
Frances D. Stabler, after one year's trial and trib- ulation with the weather, and having submitted a most interesting report, declined to be meteorologist any longer. Charles A. Iddings was therefore ap- pointed in her place, with Harold Stabler as assistant.
Fourth month, 6th. The whist club was enter- tained at Norwood by Henry W. Davis and wife;
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and after a pleasant evening adjourned for the season.
Forest fires prevailed in many places ; smoke and the odor of burning brush filled the air. A sprinkle of rain on the 7th was welcome, and on the 10th a downpour, greatly needed, followed a hot Sabbath, when the mercury reached seventy-five, and the buds and leaves burst out on shrubs and trees.
Fourth month, 12th. The amateur minstrel troupe, led by Henry W. Davis, performed at Bright- on grange hall for the benefit of the rectory of St. John's church at Brookeville.
R. Rowland Moore removed his family to West- moreland county, Virginia, to spend several months in primitive fashion near the great woods that he is rapidly reducing to railroad ties.
All the schools gave half-holiday on Arbor day, but owing to inclement weather fewer trees than usual were planted.
It would seem as if this important yearly duty should be zealously performed, as the great ad- vantage of adding to the shade along our roads and byways becomes more apparent to the practical mind, and the poet has beautifully transcribed the blessings that descend on the planting of trees :
"What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants the friend of sun and sky, He plants the flag of breezes free, The shaft of beauty towering high. He plants a home to heaven anigh, The song and mother croon of bird,
In hushed and happy twilight heard, The treble of heaven's harmony- These things he plants who plants a tree.
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"What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants cool shade and tender rain, Ard seed and bud of days to be, And years that flush and fade again. He plants the glory of the plain, He plants the forest heritage, The harvest of a coming age,
The joy that unborn eyes shall see-
These things he plants who plants a tree.
"What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants the leaf and sap and wood, In love of home and loyalty,
And far cast thought of civic good.
His blessing on the neighborhood, Who in the hollow of his hand
Holds all the growth of all the land;
A nation's growth from sea to sea. Stirs in his heart who plants a tree."
The surveyors of the electric road between Balti- more and Washington, via Clarksville and Ashton, completed their labors on the 13th; this time leav- ing the latter metropolis out in the cold, as the route runs through the valley beyond, cutting in twain the farms of A. G. Thomas and Robert H. Miller.
Dr. Francis Thomas and wife returned from Wash- ington where they had spent the winter, and on the evening of the 24th gave a large reception to their son, William F., and his bride, Pearle Shepherd Cooke, to whom he had been married Third month, 29th, in Norfolk, Virginia.
Fourth month 27th, Sallie Pleasants, widow of the late Roger Brooke, jr., of Willow Grove, died in her seventy-ninth year, at Oak Hill, the home of her son-
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in-law and daughter Frederick and Martha R. Stab- ler. On an afternoon of exquisite spring verdure and mingled light and shadow, she was borne from thence to the old burying-ground at the meeting- house.
In this simple record there will be recalled to all the pleasant memory of one of the best, most tender- hearted, whole-souled wife, mother and friend in our whole community. Coming from her native state, Virginia, a young bride, to the home of her husband many years ago, her entire life was spent, with but short visits passed elsewhere, in our midst. The de- voted mother of a large family, the mistress of a hospitable home, her cares were many and varied, but her helpfulness, her kindly nature, was never strained beyond the unselfish word and deed, ever her gift to all with whom she came in contact. Her active, intelligent mind was cultivated by a constant feast of good reading, and while living closely in her home, and for its inmates, she gathered from the out- side those stores of general information that often make the busy wife and mother the most delightful and congenial companion for all ages. After her children had reached maturity, and most of them settled in their own homes, she went about among them for longer or shorter periods, as the case might be, but returned to that old rooftree which had ever been the happiest spot of earth to her, until seized by her last illness, which was of short duration.
Not only could her own descendants rise up and call her blessed, but the orphan children of her brother whom she had taken into her large house-
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hold and reared as her own, were equally indebted to her tender care. At her funeral one of her sons and several sympathizing friends paid beautiful tri- butes to her many excellent traits of heart and char- acter.
I cannot, perhaps, more fittingly close this than by some extracts from a little poem written, in loving remembrance of her, by one of her grandsons.
"The years rolled by like the river, And the days and months came fast, When she, like the flowers of autumn, Met death, and is one of the past.
"As she lay in her coffin sleeping, A sleep that would wake no more-
The voice of our father whispered, She has gone to the beautiful shore.
"She was kind and dear to her children, And taught them as she knew best, To do as she said and directed, And leave to Goa the rest.
"May those who now come after, Follow the life she led, And think sometimes of her dear sweet face, Who looked to God as its head."
Fifth month, 14th, John J. Cornell attended Friends' meeting and spoke to a large and apprecia- tive gathering.
Heavy rains, chilly days, weather uncertain, cov and hard to realize that it was the last spring month, continued, while fires and winter clothing were still in order to keep comfortable.
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Pattie R. Stabler and Mary P. Brooke sold to Ho- bart Hutton their farm which lies upon both sides of Rock Creek about two miles from Rockville.
Henry H. Miller resigned the office of postmaster at Sandy Spring and Samuel B. Wetherald, who had acted as deputy for a number of years, was appointed to the position.
Anna M. Farquhar attended for some months the school of design in Baltimore and Emma T. Stabler of Edgewood went to Ireland with friends who re- side there part of each year.
Fifth month, 31st, Marcella, widow of the late Rob- ert Sullivan and daughter of Lydia G. and the late Edward Thomas, died at the home of her son Mil- ton, in Camden, New Jersey. Her remains were brought to her home, and the funeral services were held at the M. E. Church, Ashton, on the afternoon of Sixth month, 2nd. She was in her fifty-ninth year and had been a consistent member of the Methodist section for some time previous to her sudden death.
Sixth month, 5th. The mercury sprang up into the nineties and, as if only waiting for sufficient heat to begin, the baseballers had an exciting game at Sherwood, where the little fellows carried off the honors from their elders and instructors.
At Norwood Sixth month, 8th, Milton H. Bancroft, of Massachusetts, and Margaret Corlies, daughter of Joseph T. and the late Anna L. Moore, were mar- ried by Friends' ceremony.
A large company of relatives and friends graced this occasion, memorable for the profusion of roses and other flowers which made the house a bower of
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bloom and perfume. The young couple went to Philadelphia to reside.
Sixth month, rith. Sandy Spring quarterly meet- ing was held. John J. Cornell, Lydia Price, Allan Flitcraft and wife, all ministers, were present. The business meeting on the twelfth was unusually long, but interesting.
Sixth month, 19th. Beatrix Tyson, daughter of Jos. T., jr., and Estella Tyson Moore, was born.
Seventh month, 4th. Mary Hallowell, daughter of William S. and the late Mary Hallowell Brooke, died at her home, near Gaithersburg, Maryland, in her twenty-ninth year. Her remains were brought to Sandy Spring and buried at the meeting-house on the 6th inst. Her life had been full of suffering and one long battle with disease; it seemed as if this journey must end in "welcome to the weary," and in the peace that follows after conflicts patiently borne.
This brief mention of one whose sojourn on earth was such a baptism of pain would be incomplete with- out reference to the untiring devotion of an elder sister, and of one who so lovingly and conscientiously filled the place vacated by the young mother when Mary was almost an infant.
Severe rain-storms the last of the Sixth month made harvest a weariness to the flesh, did much dam- age to the crops, and wheat, destined to be sold at sixty cents or less a bushel, brought the unfortunate farmer in debt.
. Seventh month, 14th, Frederick, son of Tarleton B. and Rebecca T. Stabler, was born.
George L. Stabler purchased from Hallie I. Lea
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five acres of land, just beyond Eldon, and erected thereon a comfortable house for his own occupation.
Seventh month, 24th, John Hall, son of John H. and Sallie Randolph Janney, was born.
Eighth month, 5th, at Stanmore, Louise Tennant, infant daughter of George B. and Zaidie T. Miller, died, aged three months, and was buried on the morn- ing of the 7th, in the Sandy Spring meeting-house ground. These afflicted parents had much sympathy in the loss of their sweet baby, and the sad termina- tion of a visit to its grandmother, Caroline H. Miller, they had so joyfully anticipated.
Anna M. Stabler, a visitor from New York, spoke on "Theosophy," at Alloway, to an eager audience. Immediately afterwards she sailed for England to take the position of secretary to the theosophical so- ciety during the absence of Mrs. Annie Besant in America, whose duties she performed acceptably for seven months.
Eighth month, 22nd. A tennis. tournament was held at Alloway. One hundred and fifty people as- sembled, and about one-third participated in the games. Mary Shoemaker, of Germantown, won the prize for "ladies' singles," and George H. Brooke car- ried off the honors for men. Dr. S. I. Scott, Samuel Wetherald and Henry H. Lizear won nearly all the prizes at Sea Girt in the shooting match, and were reported to have left the range behind, and not much else.
These, outdoor sports were all-pervading, and as long as Sandy Spring was on the winning side were
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viewed by our people with a self-complacency diffi- cult to match and impossible to exceed.
Eighth month, 24th. A fair was held and concert given at Olney grange hall under the auspices of members of St. John's Episcopal Church. Several of our neighborhood people, as well as the boarders within our gates, kindly assisted.
On the afternoon of Eighth month, 25th, Eliza N. Moore, on her fiftieth birthday, gave a children's party at Norwood, to Estelle Tyson Moore, jr., who had that day attained her third year. Out of seventy- nine children invited seventy-five were present, rang- ing in age from two months to twelve years. Seventy- one grown persons, from the young mother with her first babe, to the great-grandfather of eighty-one. looked on at this beautiful sight.
After an early tea on the lawn the coming genera- tion departed, leaving with their host and hostess the recollection of a most charming scene that will not fade while memory lasts.
On the evening of the 28th and through the night, a furious wind-storm prevailed, and the long-delayed rain was upon us. The morning light disclosed the havoc the gale had wrought. Noble trees were prone, branches torn and twisted, the ground covered with leaves and debris. Apples and pears lay in heaps, bruised and useless; corn was laid low and greatly damaged. The large and beautiful willow that shad- ed the southeast end of Norwood house was uproot- ed and measured its great length on the ground. But it was destined later to a useful end, as the sound logs were purchased by parties from Washington to
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be made into artificial legs and arms, proving in this unexpected disposal of the fine old tree the truth of the adage that "It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good."
Four dances, one german, one straw-ride, and two baseball games during the last week of the Eighth month attested the determination of youthful Sandy. Spring to have amusement at any cost.
On Ninth month, 10th, Elisha John Hall died at his residence, near Brookeville, after long suffering from acute disease. He was born at Greenvale, near Bal- timore, and came to this county in 1832, as assistant teacher in Brookeville Academy. After remaining one year he entered college, but was called to the office of principal, in 1836, upon the resignation of Dr. N. C. Brooke. In 1851 Mr. Hall resigned to take charge of Longwood farm, on the outskirts of Brookeville, but was again induced to hold the school together until E. B. Prettyman was elected principal in 1853.
Mr. Hall then became a member of the board of trustees, and as chairman of the building committee of the present handsome structure, he rendered valu- able service.
In 1869 he became president of the board, succeed- ing the late Allan Bowie Davis, and held this office without missing a meeting or a single examination until his fatal illness. He was a member of St. John's parish, and afterwards of St. Luke's, the oldest church organization in that section of the country. He rep- resented this district in the legislature .before the war, and during the war he held a federal office under the
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Hon. Montgomery Blair, postmaster-general in Lin- coln's cabinet.
In 1876-7 he was elected president of the agricul- tural society. He was identified with the senior farm- ers' club, organized in 1844, and also with the horti- cultural society, being an interested and valuable member of each. In all educational work he was ever in the front rank, and many of our leading citizens re- ceived their first and only training from his masterly mind. He married Mary, daughter of the venerable Roger Brooke, of Brooke Grove, who died several years ago.
The funeral services were conducted on the morn- ing of the 13th at Longwood, and the remains interred in Woodside cemetery.
The various private and public schools punctually resumed their sessions. Emily T. Brooke again took charge of the public school at Brookeville, and Sallie P. Brooke was appointed to a similar position at Emory. Emma Schirer, of Rockville, was made teacher of the public school at Sandy Spring, and Rose Henderson resumed her duties at Oakley. Sher- ivood Friends' school reopened with forty-four schol- ars in attendance ; Belle W. Hannum and Elizab. th P. M. Thom as principals, with Sarah B. Farquhar assistant, and Augusta N. Thomas and Edna V. Thomas pupil teachers.
Ninth month, 29th. Frederick. son of Ernest an ! Minnie Rust Iddings, was born at Riverside.
Tenth month, 3rd. Mahlon Kirk, son of Mal! ยป. jr., and May Woodward Kirk, was born, the fourth in direct line to bear this name.
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Marion Haviland and Dr. William Tatum were masried on Tenth month, 9th, at Ashton meeting- house by Friends' ceremony. They will reside near her parents at Leawood Mills.
On the evening of Tenth month, 11th, Clarence Lea Gilpin and Rose M., daughter of Frederick and Mar- tha R. Stabler, were married by Friends' ceremony, at Oak Hill, the residence of the bride's parents. The house, as is customary here, was beautifully decorated with flowers. The young couple went immediately to the old Chandlee place, which had been somewhat remodeled and rechristened "Della Brooke," for their occupation.
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