USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > Sandy Spring > Annals of Sandy Spring history of a rural community in Maryland, Volume II > Part 19
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Tenth month, 17th. Albert Stabler and Lena, daughter of Bernard T. Janney, of Washington, were married at the home of the bride, in that city, by Friends' ceremony. They have gone to housekeeping in Washington.
Tenth month, 28th. Edward L. Gilpin, of Sandy Spring, was married by Methodist ceremony to M. Josephine Jones, of Norbeck. After a short trip the bride and groom returned to live in the old Gilpin homestead.
Beginning almost with the opening ceremonies in May, and lasting until the end of Otcober, our inhabi- tants had been, by twos and threes, up to parties of fifteen or twenty, visiting the Columbian exposition at Chicago. Each group of tourists enthused those who remained at home until the number, that finally made the long journey and enjoyed the wonderful sights of the most beautiful city ever built, exceeded all expectations. Samuel .P. and Elizabeth G.
T
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Thomas, and Edith D. Bentley, were the oldest per- sons, and Marion Farquhar and Morris Stabler, the youngest, who went from our midst. Those who did not go seemed doubly unfortunate in missing more than they could ever imagine, and in having to listen to the perpetual world's fair "talk," in season and out of season, of all who returned enraptured with the magnificent buildings, the "court of honor," the fairy- like illumination, the limitless exhibit, the marvelous detail of every department, making the perfection of the whole.
Dr. Francis Thomas went three times to the fair, and Eliza N. Moore, Mortimer O. Stabler, Charles E. Bond and Belle W. Hannum each enjoyed a second trip. One hundred and fifty persons in all are the happy possessors of untold treasures regarding the white city laid up in memory.
Very fine weather prevailed the last of the Tenth month, and many Friends attended Baltimore Yearly Meeting.
Eleventh month, 4th. Dr. Francis and Beulah L. Thomas celebrated their silver wedding, and despite a stormy evening, nearly one hundred relatives and friends, many from a distance, were present at this very pleasant affair, which was also graced by most of the bridesmaids and groomsmen of twenty-five years ago.
Eleventh month, 6th. M. Beatrix Tyson returned from a year's sojourn with her sister in England, and Emma T. Stabler from a six months' visit to Ireland.
Eleventh month. 9th. A large company assembled at Stanmore, invited by Caroline H. Miller, to sew
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for the South Carolina sufferers in response to an ap- peal for help from Miss Clara Barton. Many new garments were made, and old ones repaired. The sew- ยท ing-bee adjourned to meet at Clifton on the ISth, and continue the good work.
Eleventh month, 10th, Francis, son of Henry H. and Helen Gray Miller, was born.
Charles B. Magruder and Roger B. Farquhar, jr., entered the George school, near Philadelphia, where Charles M. Stabler has a professorship. Edward Far- quhar was made professor of higher English at the Columbian University, Washington. The sporting reports were now of special interest to many in our neighborhood.
George H. Brooke, after graduating at Swarth- more, entered the Pennsylvania University to take a special course of study, and to hold the illustrious position of full-back in their football team. He soon not only had his name, fame and portrait in most of the papers, but had "kicked" and "punted" himself into a national renown impossible to attain at any college, in these muscular days, except on the athletic field.
"Barney," a dog belonging to the Sandy Spring hunting club, traveled by express to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and won the first prize for the best all round foxhound, winning altogether five prizes against a field of hounds from all over the United States.
Eleventh month, 15th. After a rainy day and night it was a surprise in the early morning to find the ground white with the first snow of the season. .
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Eleventh month, 17th. Elizabeth Powell Bond. dean of Swarthmore college, lectured before the schol- ars and many invited guests of Sherwood Friends school. Her subject, "The Boyhood of William Lloyd Garrison and Ralph Waldo Emerson," was most agreeably treated.
George L. Stabler moved from Ashton to his new house on the Brighton road, and the cottage he had vacated was occupied by Walter H. Brooke and fam- ily, the latter renting his farm near Colesville to George Willson.
George Tatum, formerly of Howard county, ex- changed some New Jersey property with Mrs. Annie Tillum for the convenient house erected a few years ago, near Brighton, by the late Dr. Frank Tillum.
Mrs. Sallie Ellicott and daughter, who had resided at the Tillum place for some time, moved to Balti- more temporarily. Dr. Francis Thomas and family went to Washington for the winter, Elizabeth Tyson to Florida, and Pattie T. Farquhar joined her hus- band, Granville, who had a position in Washington. where Benjamin H. Miller took an office, and engag- ed in the life insurance business.
Olney grange held its annual meeting for an elec- tion of officers on Twelfth month, 5th, with the fol- lowing result: John C. Bentley, master : George F. Nesbitt, jr., overseer: Rebecca T. Miller, lecturer : Dr. French Green, chaplain ; Elizabeth T. Stabler. sec- retary : Mortimer O. Stabler. treasurer; Grafton IT ?- land. steward ; Clarence L. Gilpin, assistant steward : Alleta Waters, lady assistant steward : Newton Stable :. gatekeeper ; Mrs. Catherine Janney, Ceres, Mrs. Cath-
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erine Beall, flora, and Mrs. Jeannie Mackall, Pomona.
Twelfth month, 6th, Edward, son of Frank and Fanny B. Snowden, was born.
Twelfth month, 13th. Dr. William I. Hull, of Swarthmore college, delivered, before the pupils of Sherwood school, a very interesting and instructive lecture on the "Stone Age."
Twelfth month, 20th, Robert, son of Washington, jr., and Eliza Hallowell Chichester, was born.
Beautiful weather, almost too warm for the season, made the Christmas gatherings doubly enjoyable for the many strangers who had ventured into the country.
First month, ist, '94. All persons who had visited the Columbian exposition were invited to call at Fall- ing Green on this day, between the hours of two and ten p. m. A large company gathered, and were greatly entertained by the appropriate mottos which adorned the walls, and by a book in which each one was invited to inscribe his or her name and what most impressed them in the beautiful" white city. The "Wellington catering company" was liberally pa- tronized by all. and the free lunch furnished was super- ior in every particular to its prototype in Chicago. All seemed to renew their enthusiasm about the fair. and a most unique and delightful entertainment was the result.
The "grippe" appeared about this time, and while not nearly so general and severe as in past years. it attacked many persons with the usual miserable sige of suffering and after-effects. Measles and whoop- ing-cough also swept through the community.
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At the annual meeting of the Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company, First month, Ist, all the officers were reelected, and Benjamin D. Palmer was appointed clerk.
First month, 2nd. The Rev. Frederic Power, of Washington, gave a very original lecture at the Ly- ceum on "Blockheads."
Edward P. Thomas established in Washington the "Belmont dairy," and E. Clifton Thomas and George B. Farquhar went there to take charge of it. Dr. Francis Thomas opened a coal-yard and feed store, and associated with him in this enterprise his son, William F. Thomas. Llewellyn Stabler secured a clerkship in Baltimore, with Edward Stabler, jr. Rus- sell Stabler, late soldier of U. S. Army, having passed a creditable civil service examination, received the ap- pointment of postal clerk.
First month, 17th. The woman suffrage association held its yearly meeting at the Lyceum, and balloting for officers resulted in the following election: Mary Bentley Thomas, president : Rebecca T. Miller, vice- president ; James P. Stabler, secretary ; Belle W. Han- num, treasurer. The meeting adjourned to Baltimore on the 13th of Second month, upon which ocasion Susan B. Anthony addressed a crowded house, and seventy new names were added to the roll.
. First month, 18th. A very enjoyable entertainment was given at the Lyceum for the benefit of the starv- ing and homeless people on the South Carolina coast. A large audience enjoyed some excellent singing from the Sandy Spring quartet, and a farce, "The Sleep- ing-Car," admirably rendered by Mrs. Charles F.
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Kirk, Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Davis, Mortimer O. Stabler, J. Janney Shoemaker, Llewellyn Stabler and Clarence Gilpin.
First month, 20th. Fifty persons assembled at Mt. Airy, and many old garments were mended and sev- eral dozen made for the same worthy object-the drowned-out sufferers on the southern coasts. This was a stirring day for Sandy Spring ; in addition to this large sewing, the three agricultural clubs met in the afternoon and 'Phrenaskeia" convened in the even- ing. It does not seem possible that many persons will die of inactivity, or be permitted to rust-out in this community.
First month, 23rd. A fine display of world's fair pictures, and a lucid explanation of them by an ama- teur photographer, Mr. Jackson, of Wilmington, Delaware, was given at the Lyceum to the delight of many who had enjoyed the original scenes.
The weather continued temperate and beautiful, and plows were constantly going in the fields, but this advantage to the farmer was counterbalanced by the dearth of ice. Only one freeze that was worth stor- ing at all, and but few secured this, hoping for better, which, however, did not come.
Second month, 3rd, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of R. Rowland and Margaret G. T. Moore, was born at Plainfield.
On Second month, 3rd, Louise, only daughter of Louisa P. and George F. Nesbitt, died suddenly in Washington, whither she had gone for medical treat- ment, in her twenty-seventh year. Her remains were brought to her home, Longwood, and from there in-
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terred in Woodside cemetery on the 7th. The follow- ing obituary was prepared by one of her young friends, who had known and loved her well :
"For a number of years this brave and lovable girl had been a great sufferer, but so cheerful was her dis- position, and so strong her determination to be well, that even those nearest to her were not prepared for the sudden end. She had the gentlest of natures, and a heart overflowing with love to all God's creatures. With such traits of character as daughter, sister, friend, she will be mourned by all who knew her, by all who felt her bright influence, and her short exist- ence ended leaves the memorial, 'A world made better by her life.' "
Among the many letters of sympathy received by her family, one fully describes the loving intimacy between mother and daughter in the poem :
A MESSAGE FROM PARADISE.
"What mean you by this trying To break my very heart? We both are in' Christ's keeping, And therefore cannot part. 4
"You there, I here, though severed, We still in heart are one, I, only just in sunshine, The shadows scarcely gone.
1
"What if the clouds surround you? ' You can the brighter see-
"Tis only just a little way That leads from you to me.
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"I was so very weary. Surely you could not mourn-
That I, a little sooner, Should lay my burden down.
"Then weep not, weep not, darling, God wipes away all tears, 'Tis only for a little while, Though you may call it years."
On Second month, 6th, the twenty-second annual convention of Montgomery county farmers met at the Lyceum. Visitors were present from Howard, Fred- erick and Prince George counties. Several profes- sors attended from the Maryland Agricultural Col- lege, and Director Robert H. Miller and others from the State Experiment Station. After the routine busi- ness was disposed of, reports of committees were in order. Robert H. Miller read a valuable paper on "Potato Culture," describing many interesting experi- ments made in planting and cultivating that important tuber. Public road legislation was discussed, and the various club reports read. Owing to the drought none of the crops had been quite up to the usual standard, and the potato crop almost a failure. Wheat had never been as low before, and it was presumed by some that when the great political party now in power had promised it should sell for a dollar, they had meant two bushels instead of one, for. that amount. The average yield of the different products were as follows: wheat, twenty-two bushels per acre ; corn, eight barrels per acre; oats, thirty-five bushels per acre ; potatoes, sixty-seven bushels per acre ; hay, one and one-quarter tons per acre.
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The dairy interest had assumed such proportions that we learn skim-milk no longer masquerades ax cream at the national capital, but is disposed of in quantities on its own merit. A large number of catt! and hogs had been sold, many of the latter assuming the guise of lard, sausage and scrapple. Hundreds of chickens had gone the way of all fowls, and countless eggs had been safely transported, and let us hope were as satisfactorily ticketed as those several lots the historian once saw in the Boston market, which bore respectively the legends: "Fresh eggs, twenty cents per doz ; good eggs, fifteen cents per doz .; eggs, five cents per doz."
Dr. Francis Thomas opened a discussion on the question : "In view of the depressed condition cf agriculture, can we find any more profitable way of farming ?"
Edward P. Thomas followed with an interesting paper on this subject. Allan Farquhar, Philip T. Stabler, William E. Mannakee, Tarlton B. Stabler and others took part. After an animated exchange of views the convention adjourned. B. D. Palmer had presided, and J. J. Shoemaker and Mortimer (). Stabler acted as secretaries.
Your historian has gathered a few items from the minutes of the senior club of 1844, the only one then existing in our neighborhood, as showing the differ- ence in the productiveness of practically the same land a half a century ago and now. It is an interest- ing and encouraging comparison to note the large in- crease in favor of 1804. The senior club of 1844, whose members were George E. Brooke, Richard T.
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Bentley, Samuel Elicott, William H. Farquhar, Ben- jamin Hallowell, Mahlon Kirk, Edward Lea, Robert R. Moore, Jos. Pierce, Caleb Stabler, Henry Stabler and William John Thomas, reported that they raised per acre, ten bushels of wheat; eighteen bushels of oats; nine bushels of buckwheat ; three-quarters of a ton of hay ; sixty-eight bushels of potatoes.
The only article that seems to approach the pres- ent is the potato, and the entire club planted but twelve and one-half acres at that date.
It is a matter of regret that the prices obtained at that time for farm products are not stated; and it would perhaps be well for the present clubs to note the yearly value, so their great-grandchildren might have the benefit of such statistics.
The following memorial of Edith D. Bentley was prepared by one who, though not in any way related, had always called her by the endearing name of mother :
"At the home of her brother, Edward M. Needles, 1501 Green street, Philadelphia, on the morning of Second month, Sth, 1894, Edith D. Bentley, widow of the late Richard T. Bentley. entered into rest in her seventy-seventh year. Her remains were brought to her home, Bloomfield, Sandy Spring, and from there interred on first day afternoon, the IIth inst., in the Friends' burial-ground. On this occasion an im- mense concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends were drawn hither by respect and affection never sur- passed. While the grief of eight sons and daughters, all having reached maturity, testified to a loss, which to them must ever remain irreparable.
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"The twenty-five grandchildren must feel that their; is the privilege to prove in the coming years that the mantle of a good, true ancestress falls upon worthy shoulders. A clear, wintry sun shone into this open grave, and after kind mother earth had hidden away from sight the loved form, living boughs were spread over the dreary mound, and among this green canopy. pure, white lilies were placed by loving granddaugh- ters as harbingers of the resurrection, and her safe entrance into that heaven where all is well.
The close of a noble life is so filled with food for reflection to those whose stream of destiny com- mingled with the lost one that to sit in shadow and look through the dark valley for a time seems the only occupation. The heart rebels at even the sug- gestion of hope, and the bright beyond, so sweetly offered by tender sympathy, and the kind word of comfort all seem a forgetting, we turn away from them with a shamed feeling of treachery. That 'thy sun has gone down' is the sad refrain that 'thy course is finished;' 'the familiar ways shall know thee no more' is the cheerless chant. the lengthening shad- ows pour around us; and far into the weary night the desolate heart sees only the grave and the sting of death.
"How in vain would have been life's daily round through the circling years of joy and sorrow to her should feelings such as these linger without balm in the hearts of the children of Edith D. Bentley! God's finger touched their tear-stained .eyes, and a flood of blissful recollection flashed with healing power be- fore them. The young mother, guarding the first
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steps of eager, restless, childhood, youth blessed by her smile of praise, and guided by her loving help. Manhood and childhood watched over by the stately grace of her maturity, and when she had climbed to serene old age, with all the garnered triumphs of a conscientious soul, pursuing the right path, she pass- ed into the open doorway of a world full of infinite possibilities and of vastly deeper meanings than mere repose. Her life had been embellished by gracious deeds of charity to all and of speaking no ill of any creature made in the likeness of the universal father ; of stooping in loving pity to the lowly, and of rising by the might of clear perception and rare intelligence to the level of the highest, and she had so used the sweet benefits of time as to clothe her age with angel- like perfection.
"Coming to Bloomfield, the ancestral home of her young husband, more than half a century ago, she brought to that sylvan nook, nestling amongst the trees, the active interests taught by the training of a busy city. The beautiful passing of her youth, the pure uprising of thought and power, as experience daily opened to her the way of truth and admonished her not to limit her horizon of usefulness to where her shadow fell.
"This is portrayed in a most precious collection of diaries kept by her from the first flush of maiden- hood through the years of her married life, full of the cares and anxieties, joys and sorrows inseparable from her position as the mistress of a congenial home, and the mother of a large family. One realizes after their perusal how to her
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" 'The honor of a home became its hospitality, The blessing of a home became its piety,
The ornament of a home became its cleanliness.'
"Full of the important issues of the present day it seemed her mission to help
" 'Every right that needed assistance, Every wrong that needed resistance,'
and all associations formed for higher advancement. every frail tendril of endeavor put forth to lift 'better up to best' found in her a devoted advocate and all assemblies for their interchange of thought were made wiser by her presence.
"Not abridging her womanliness she devotedly kept guard in those towers of expectancy when an eager sisterhood looks over the plains and sees the day-star of a fuller and purer life opening for them.
"The business meetings of her own beloved sect af- forded her scope for the right word fitly spoken, and her clear judgment, frequently appealed to, always to the edification of those in council. Her attendance at these weekly gatherings was not dependent on the state of the weather, for be it fair or darkening she rarely missed the chance for faithful meditation, im- bibing truths to correct and enlarge the heart should words be spoken, or if the silent hour prevailed close to the Father she pressed her human needs in silent prayer. The charm which clung to her even until the very last was the power to project herself into the in- terests of all those who came near to her. Her dark eyes would glow and scintillate joyfully when mirth- ful conversation filled the passing hour; would melt
.
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with sadness at a tale of woe, and beam with radiance when any persuasive love-chord was touched, and never can one forget the cordial greeting to the hos- pitable home, and the 'farewell' lingering like a bene- diction in the ears of the departing guest.
"Sprung from a people who had views and main- tained them, her father, John Needles, of Baltimore, lived to a green old age, his years filled with acts of true heroism in upholding opinions adverse to his surroundings. With a gentle insistance this noble daughter lived his creed, and engrafted on her devoted unselfish life that deep mysterious bond of trust and helpfulness, unconsciously widening and deepening and strengthening as time filled her arms with the blessed bonds of love and unity until her whole char- acter was rounded by the lovely traits of purity, hon- esty, sobriety and command of temper.
"Thus were all the mile-stones of life passed and gained an added grace at every step. The vital spark stole painlessly away with but little warning, and the glorified spirit crossed the bar into that heaven of bliss her perfect faith had trustfully and confidently felt must reward all who do the best they know, day by day, and who live in close communion with the 'inner light.' " D. E. V.
I. Stanley Brown, of Washington, delivered at the Lyceum an instructive illustrated lecture upon the seal fisheries of Alaska, on the evening of Second month, 14th.
Second month, 22nd, a beautiful fall.of snow cov- ered the earth and the farmers who had gathered
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scarcely any ice at all were busily engaged scraping up the snow and packing it away.
On Second month, 19th, Guion, only son of Guion and Annie Tyler Miller, died, and on the 26th Mar- garet, aged four, only daughter of these already be- reaved parents, passed away to join the baby brother to whom she had been singularly attached for so young a child.
Friends and neighbors were truly sympathetic in this great sorrow which had fallen so suddenly on 2 happy home, one week full of childish prattle and en dearments and beautiful possibilities in the unfolding lives, and the next with memories instead of hopes. filling these empty rooms. As has been already sail in this case,
"No one who has not known what it is to have these dear little human tendrils entwine themselves about his heart can appreciate the agony of having them torn away forever, and still no one but a loving father or mother can feel that blessed peace that comes after the agony, when it is remembered that the loved ones are in the best of all homes and with the best of all fathers."
Second month, 26th. There was a sale of farming implements and household effects at Thomas J. Lea's. preparatory to his moving to Baltimore county to take charge of the farm of I. M. Parr. That same evening at the Lyceum a little play, called "The Spirit of '76." was most agreeably rendered.
Second month, 28th. Sarah H., daughter of Cat !!- erine and the late Samuel Janney, was married by Episcopal service at her home, "Riverton," to Ernest
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Adams, of Howard county, The young couple have taken up their residence near Clarksville.
Dr. W. French Green, who has been for nine years pleasantly associated with Dr. William E. Magruder, and with our neighborhood, moved to Brookeville, and opened an office there. Although that village is rather outside the limits of our historical "preserves" " this record is sometimes conveniently elastic, and pro- poses still to chronicle any item of interest he may furnish.
While the past year has been almost unprecedented in financial disaster, in depreciation of values, and in vast numbers of workmen out of employment, it is worthy of note that this monetary stringency has not overwhelmed our section as it has many others in our fair land, as shown in the encouraging report sub- mitted Third month, 8th, to the board of directors of the Sandy Spring Savings Institution, by Joseph T. Moore, treasurer. This useful institution was found to be in excellent condition. On the other hand the fire insurance company had never had such extensive and wide-spread losses, far exceeding income. Every pos- sible mode of catching fire and burning up seems to prevail, from spontaneous combustion to lightning.
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