USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > Sandy Spring > Annals of Sandy Spring history of a rural community in Maryland, Volume II > Part 9
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Another picture showed the boy with a stout chain passed around his body, and the other end of it fas- tened to the stove. This was highly recommended for making boys feel attached to the farm.
Still another, represented the boy placed in an easy reclining position, and a considerable pile of stones heaped on his legs. The writer clearly demon- strated that there was nothing which had a greater tendency to make a boy "cling to the old home- stead." Now this author may have written some- what in a spirit of levity, and while his plans are novel in theory, they do not seem entirely practical, and I
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have never heard of any of them being put to actual use in our neighborhood.
Still, it is becoming a subject of serious import to your historian, while she is compelled to chronicle each year the departure of young men from our midst, and yet, parents and guardians seem to have no difficulty in keeping their girls at home.
It would be too harrowing to count up the number of those "gone, but not forgotten," in the past, and I will confine myself to this year's report. .
George B. Farquhar joined our Sandy Spring Colo- ny in Roanoke, Va.
Joseph Gilpin went to Baltimore to live, William Iddings to Doylestown, Penna., and Douglass Miller to Hampstead, Carroll County. But with all these de- partures, we have had some arrivals.
Dr. Augustus Stabler and family returned from Laurence, Mass., to live at Roslyn, and the Doctor has resumed the practice of medicine at his old home. Seventh month, 31st. Mary Lea, wife of Henry Stabler, of Roslyn, died in her sixty-sixth year.
She had been for a long period a confirmed invalid and sufferer .. Although confined to her room, her great energy enabled her to superintend her house- hold affairs, and to interest herself in all matters per- taining to the garden and farm. Her mind was bright and active to the last. She was buried at Woodside cemetery.
Elma Paxon, an inmate of Homewood, also died on Seventh month. 31st, aged seventy-four years, while visiting relatives near Philadelphia.
Her father was a member of the Pennsylvania Legis-
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lature for many years, and she doubtless inherited from him her marked literary and political tastes. One of the last efforts of her active mind was to write an essay on the Constitution of the United States.
This cheerful, entertaining old lady was greatly missed in the quiet domestic circle, which her presence brightened.
Eighth month, 5th. John H. Strain, a native of Tennessee, but for a number of years a prominent farmer, and highly esteemed citizen, died at his resi- . dence near Brookeville, in his seventy-sixth year.
His polished manners, and generous impulses, won for him the respect and confidence of the entire com- munity, and his excellent business qualifications led to his election as a trustee of the Brookeville Academy, and a director in the Sandy Spring Savings Institution. Trusts which he discharged with fidelity and satisfac- tion. He was also a member of the Senior Agricul- tural Club of our neighborhood.
Eighth month, 16th. A fine musical entertainment was given at the. Lyceum, conducted by Miss Alice Riddle, of Washington, followed by a farce in which native and foreign talent divided the honors.
A number of our young ladies camped, as they did last year, in the unoccupied house, near the junction of the Hawling's and Patuxent rivers. With numerous callers, fancy work, music, and books, and incongru- ous meals, at any hour, determined not by the sun. but by the pangs of hunger. they had a free and happy rest from conventional life, and probably appreciated the regular routine of ordinary existence when they returned to it.
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In addition to the never-failing and ever-prevalent summer visitor, in August, not for many years have "boarders" been so numerous ; they came early in the season and remained late, and pervaded the high- ways and byways with an air of leisure enjoyment pleasant to contemplate.
Before, or about this time, a number of little "carts" made their appearance in our midst. They had but two wheels and a limited seat. They were nearly in' possible to get into, and wonderfully easy to fall out of.
If the dignity of my office did not forbid, I might draw some conclusions from the advent of this "just room enough for two" vehicle, and the many engage- ments that are rumored, or I might touch lightly, and with careful discretion on the fact that IS88 was Leap Year, and on that Law enacted by the Parliament of Scotland as far back as 1288, just 600 years ago, which says in old English, "It is statut and ordaint, that dur- ing the reine of her Maist Blissed Majestee ilk fourth year, known as Leap Year, ilk maiden ladye of baith high and low estate, shall hae liberty to bespeak ye man she likes albeit ; gif he refuses to take her to be his wife he shall be mulcted in ye summe of one dundis or less as his estate moit be, except and awiss gif he can mak it appear that he is bethrothit to one ither woman. that he then shall go free."
Eighth month, 24th. The barn and outbuildings were burned on Edward P. Thomas' farm, and it was only by the utmost exertion of the neighbors that the house, which was on fire many times, was saved.
The direct cause of this disastrous fire was the too intimate relation between å very small descendant of
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Ham and the dangerous ever-ready-to-iginite parlor match. In less than three months on Eleventh month 5th, a fine new barn was raised at Belmont, and the destroyed outbuildings soon after replaced by more convenient and commodious ones. In view of all the toil and moil, and army to feed, that this conflagration and reconstruction entailed, the ladies of the Belmont family could hardly be censured if they had inscribed over their new buildings, a line the traveler tells us is often seen, cut in the stone doorways of ancient dwell- ings in Saxony, "Pray, Lord, save my house, and set those of others on fire."
Eighth month, 26th. Sarah B. Farquhar died in her eighty-third year.
The distress and anxiety of her family through her long illness had been shared by the entire neighbor- hood, and in her death the whole community lost a dear and honored friend.
She was the eldest daughter of the late Roger Brooke, of Brooke Grove, and married early in life, Dr. Charles Farquhar, brother of our late historian William H. Farquhar.
Bereft, while still young, by the death of her hus- band, she was left with a family of small children de- pendent on her, but she assumed courageously the added responsibilities her widowhood entailed, and with great industry and strict economy, kept her little family together, educated them well, and was all in all to them ; their guide, philosopher and friend.
Pleasant in manner and conversation, hospitable in her home, conscientious in religious and social duties, she was greatly beloved and esteemed for all those ad-
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mirable qualities that make up a self-sustained, and well-rounded womanly character.
She was very successful as gardener and florist, and at the meetings of the horticultural society she was one of the most interested and valuable members for many years.
She had passed beyond the allotted period of life, but she was so useful, so happy, so active in her home duties, it seemed she might live many more years to bless her family and friends.
She had, in a marked degree, that rarest of all come- liness, the beauty of old age. Time had effaced, rather than deepened, the lines that care and sorrow im- printed on the face, and had left on her serene brow and clear eyes all that was true, good and spiritual The purity of her heart and life irradiated her coun- tenance with a lovely expression of inward peace.
Her funeral was largely attended, and she was laid to rest in the old burying-ground, Eighth month, twenty-eighth.
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Ninth month, 13th. The annual exhibition of the horticultural society was held at the Lyceum.
After the long-continued rain the day seemed charming, although too cold to stand or sit down out doors. The attendance was large, and the various ad- dresses more edifying than usual.
Henry C. Hallowell, who has been President of the society for twenty-five consecutive years, made a hap- py reference to past results and future expectations of the organization, and spoke feelingly of valued mem- bers who had so recently entered the unknown country.
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The Rev. Mr. Sutton, of Beltsville, Mr. E. C. Peter and Mr. Veirs Bouic, junior, of Rockville, made per- tinent and humorous speeches.
All the departments of exhibit were well filled with perhaps, the exception of the floral, repeated rains having destroyed many flowers.
In this month, Edith B. Thomas, having received part of her education in Massachusetts, returned there to take charge of a small school.
Sarah Scofield was appointed teacher of the public school at Sandy Spring.
George B. Miller returned from St. Louis to as- sume the duties of principal of Sherwood school, and with the able assistance of Miss Belle Hannum, of Pennsylvania, successfully conducted the school to the satisfaction of patrons and pupils.
By the severe illness of Henry C. Hallowell a full school at Rockland was deprived of his services for many months, but the routine of studies was neverthe- less maintained through the efficient aid of a former graduate, Elizabeth T. Stabler.
In the early part of the Ninth month, and later in our historical year, there were a number of sales of property.
John C. Bentley bought Sherwood farm, and moved his family from Cloverly to its more commodious house.
Dr. Samuel Scott bought the homestead on which he was raised.
Chares G. Porter bought Dr. C. E. Iddings' place. Miss Bringhurst, of Wilmington, Del., bought and
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presented to Mrs. Sophia Robison the house she oc- cupies.
Albert Stabler bought the Van Horn farm near Lav Hili.
Robert Miller bought of William Lea, junior, his farm laying opposite Cherry Grove.
William D. Hartshorne, now of Lawrence, Mass., bought Brighton Store.
Mary Ellicott Thomas purchased the homestead of her father, the late Samuel Ellicott.
Anna G. Lea bought a portion of Springdale farm.
Ninth month, 23rd. Our esteemed friend, William S Bond, died after a long and painful illness.
Many years ago he established and carried on suc- cessfully the fertilizer business, and his reputation for honest and upright dealing was unimpeachable.
He was one of the originators, and an active mem- ber of the Enterprise Club, and belonged to the "Home Interest."
His judgment was good, and he had a thorough knowledge of many practical things useful in every- day life.
He was a devoted husband and father, and a kind neighbor.
His funeral on the 20th was largely attended, many strangers being present.
The weather towards the last of Ninth month was unusually cold and disagreeable ; we felt like putting up stoves and getting into warmer' quarters, while shivering in summer raiment.
Tenth month, 17th. Edith D., daughter of John C. and Cornelia H. Bentley, was born.
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Tenth month, 23rd. Bessie Porter Miller was mar- ried at her home, Mt. Airy, by Friends' ceremony, to Prof. William Taylor Thom, of Roanoke, Virginia, where they will reside.
Besides relatives and friends from the neighborhood, many strangers attended this pleasant wedding.
The sunny, charming days, and rich foliage of Octo- ber, seemed to atone in a measure, for all the rains and clouds of September. As the Poet says,
"Here's a song for gay October, She's a lassie far from sober,
Lover of the woody vine,
Wreathed with foliage fair and fine;
Grapes of amethystine cluster,
With a rare and burnished lustre,
Fall within her eager grasp, As a jewel might unclasp;
All the fruitage of the year Meets its consummation here; Apples rosy, russet, yellow, Come within this season mellow,
Corn and wheat are stored away, Safe against a later day.
"O the sunrise and the dew! O the moon's enchanted blue! But the golden afternoon Softens into shadows soon;
There's a mist upon the hills, There's a vapor on the rills, There's a whisper in the woods- (Solemn sylvan solitudes!) . Say they all with portent sober. Say good-bye to sweet October!
What she brings she takes away- Soon November will hold sway.
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Kneel upon the verdant sod, Pluck the nodding golden rod; Fill your arms with brilliant leaves, Praise the tints the frost-elf weaves, Then with saddened looks and sober, Bid farewell to bright October."
A new industry was developed in these autumn months, by the hewing of hundreds of thousands of hickory spokes from the forests of Sandy Spring.
A score of strangers, known by the generic name of the "Hickory Men," accomplishing this result with a total disregard of that pathetic old song,
"Woodman spare that tree, Touch not a single bough."
Many fine walnut trees were also felled and sold profitably.
It has been sharply said by an able writer, that "hu- manity signalized its sudden leap of material progress in the nineteenth century by springing, ax in hand at the throats of the forests throughout the globe."
Judging from the number of fine trees that came crashing to earth about this time, we must have made "material progress" very fast. Many acres were cleared in different sections. The stately growth of centuries laid low, views extended and the topography of the country comparatively changed.
The senior Roger Brooke, of Brookegrove, in his walks over his farm, used to carry walnuts in his pock- ets, and making holes with his cane, drop them in. Many of these seed are now quite large trees and it would be well if every one could remember to be as
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thoughtful about planting, as they are often careless in destroying
In the Eleventh month, the various societies were in full tide, and in addition to the eighteen already flourishing in our neighborhood, four others were in- augurated.
A woman suffrage society, with Caroline H. Miller as chairman and James P. Stabler as secretary, was started with a smaller membership than the well- known feminine independence of Sandy Spring would1 lead one to suppose possible.
Our very young ladies and gentlemen formed a lit- erary circle, which meets once in three weeks, called "Phrenaskeia." Judging from the length of time it took some of the parents and guardians, and even the members, to learn how to spell and pronounce this Greek title, it would appear that its English meaning. "Mind improver," might have served its purpose.
The historian would be better able to describe the "inner consciousness" of this society had she ever been admitted to its sacred and mysterious precincts. As far as an outsider can judge, it is well conducted, and much interest is displayed in discussing questions and searching for information on useful topics.
A mission school for the colored children was es- tablished under the direction of Mary E. Moore, which meets every 7th day afternoon, at Sharp Street, with often an attendance of sixty or seventy children.
Still another society confined principally to the Sharon family, and presided over by its youngest member. This is called the "Curious Club."
In the bewildering maze of all these twenty-two
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clubs, granges, lodges, societies and associations, would it not be well for our excellent and highly es- teemed medical corps, and older doctors, who have given us so much advice, and so many doses; our younger practitioners who have given us all they have : had time to-would it not be well for these guardians of our mental and physical health, to establish still another society, and call it the "Stay At Home And Rest Cub," setting apart the longest day by the al- manac in each month, when all the inhabitants of San- dy Spring shall refrain from going to any organiza- tion whatsoever, when they shall all cease from phy- sical exertions in the way of feasts, club-suppers, asso- ciation dinners, and horticultural teas ?
When all the harrassed brains shall write no "min- utes," prepare no literary exercises, struggle over no religious essays, gather no statistics, search for no obscure quotations, evolve no "history," and above all indite no papers on "why farming does not pay."
Perhaps this enforced rest of mind and body, this sweetness of doing nothing and thinking less, might lead to the gradual revival of a lost art in Sandy Spring, the delightful art of social visiting.
Some of us remember with a tender regret, for the vanished habits of those good old days, when we were children, how the neighbors used to drop in to dinner and tea unexpectedly ; how they always came soon after breakfast to dine with us and directly after dinner if they meant to stay to tea. They brought their knit- ting and their work, and swiftly and pleasantly the so- cial hours sped by until early candle light, when they returned home in old-fashioned farming style. But if
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we started out now, intent on this friendly and inform- . al intercourse, how many organizations might we not run against in this society-tossed and club-harassed community !
Eleventh month, 17th. Marjorie, daughter of Frank and Fanny Snowden, was born.
Eleventh month, 23rd. A very creditable entertain- ment was given at the Lyceum. It seems almost in- vidious to mention one of the amateur troops more than another, "Snowed In" was so well acted; but I cannot refrain from calling to mind the somewhat rheumatic, but still active, old "beau" of the play, and the slow-moving, though tireless, "Joe."
Twelfth month, Ist. Mary Randolph, daughter of Samuel and Pattie S. Hopkins, was born.
Twelfth month, 12th. William, jr., son of R. Rowland and Margaret G. T. Moore, was born.
Twelfth month, 17th. Ray S., daughter of Guion and Annie T. Miller, was born.
Rebecca Russell died on the 21st of Twelfth month, within three days of her hundredth and second birth- day.
She was the daughter of Hugh and Margaret Rus- sell, of New Garden Township. Chester County, Pa., was adopted by her maternal uncle, Joseph Shallcross, of Wilmington, Del., with whom she lived the re- mainder of his life, thirty years, and after a number of removals, from one place to another, in all of which her services were important and highly appreciated, she was called to Sandy Spring to nurse the failing father of the Lea family at Walnut Hill. After the death of Thomas Lea, the head of that house, by his
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request, she remained an inmate of the home to aid in keeping the members together, until the marriage of Mary Lea to Henry Stabler, when she took up her abode with the young couple at Roslyn, where she lived, beloved, valued and honored for forty-four years. Despite her age, she was always busy, cheer- ful and helpful, and interested in the welfare of all around her. Her hearing became somewhat impaired, but for many years she enjoyed her second sight, read- ing without glasses.
For a long period she remained quietly at home, constantly employed, and filled with a sweet content- ment most rare in the restless turmoil of modern life.
She was full of interesting anecdotes of the past, and her conversation was charming and instructive. A few hours before she passed painlessly away, she said she felt so "happy and peaceful." Her skin was soft and fair, her face did not show her great age, and on it was an expression of Heavenly rest.
Her funeral Ist day afternoon, Twelfth month, 23rd, was very large, and she was laid to rest in Woodside cemetery.
Twelfth month, 26th. Richard I. Lea and Annie, daughter of Frederick Brown, were married at St. Luke's church, by Episcopal ceremony. The bride and groom started immediately for Doylestown, Pa., their future home.
First month, Ist. 1889. That large class of people who grow gloomy towards the end of the year, and who make any reference to time an occasion for giv- ing their speech a solemn cast, might study with profit the entries which are found at the close of the differ-
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ent years in the journals of George Eliot; and Long- fellow, the American poet, has a heartiness and cheer- fulness in his record, which we should expect from one who always looked on the bright side, while the English novelist, although a constant victim of ill- health, was fully as successful in drawing pleasant and helpful lessons from the fleeting years.
"I have been helped," she says, "in looking back to compare former with actual dates of despondency, from bad health and other apparent causes ; in this way a past despondency has turned to present hopefulness."
She is fond of writing of the dear old years, and of noting what work she has done during the twelve months.
"The year is gone," she says, "with all its struggling and striving ; yet, not gone either, for what I have suf- fered and enjoyed in it remains to me an everlasting possession."
As to the poet, he never tires of apostrophizing the dying year. "So closes the year," he writes, "peace to his ashes, peace to the embers of burnt-out things of years, anxieties, doubts, all gone. Not many hopes deceived, not many anticipations disappointed, but love fulfilled, the heart comforted, the soul enriched with affection."
And again, he exclaims, as another year passes by, "shake hands, old friend, I have learned much from thee and sung thy spring in prose and thy autumn in song, and now farewell!".
The power of a strong mind to triumph over sick- ress and trouble is one of the great lessons of George Eliot's life, and is nowhere seen to better advantage
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than in the last records which she makes as the Dec- embers go quickly by.
"I enjoy a more and more even cheerfulness, and continually increasing power in dwelling on the good that is given to me, and dismissing the thought of small evils," is the entry with which she closed her record.
Would it not be well to try the plan of the great novelist for the coming twelve months, and instead of being worried by the "small evils" of life, dwell on the good that is given us? Such a plan faithfully carried out, would result in making 1889 a far happier year for us, than would any number of good resolutions, easily made and soon forgotten."
First month, 7th, 1889. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors of The Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Montgomery County took place. Al- though the losses in 1888 by fire had been more than ever before, exceeding $68,000, the company had been able to meet all indebtedness promptly, and to keep a surplus on hand.
First month, 15th. The farmers' seventeenth annual convention was held at the Lyceum. In the absence of the president, Henry C. Hallowell, Benjamin D. Palmer, the vice-president, presided.
In his excellent address he said, "From these meet- ings each member returns to his home enriched by the example and combined experience of others. These conventions send as delegates not lawyers and politi- cians, but practical farmers. A long stride could be made in educating farmers, not only how to raise larger crops on less land and at less cost, and how to co- operate in selling crops and buying supplies, but
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how to find out what legislation they want, and how to get it."
Many interesting topics were discussed through the day.
Mr. J. B. Ayres read a paper on the advisability of forming Farmers' Institutes throughout the State. Prof. Alvord, of the Agricultural College, made an address. Henry Stabler, Samuel Hopkins, Dr. Thomas, E. C. Gilpin, and others, discussed the canning busi- ness, draining lands, stock, creameries, and other farm topics.
First month, 18th. The Lyceum overflowed with an audience, who enjoyed a delightful treat in a lecture on the "Mountaineers of the Caucasus," by the dis- tinguished traveller and author, George Kennan, of Washington.
Apart from his vivid and charming description of strange scenes and barbaric people, it was worth a great deal to see this gentleman in the native dress of the wild mountaineers, and to have an opportunity of examining their firearms, dirks, etc., which each man made in his own smithy, all of the finest workmanship, and inlaid with precious metals.
First month, 20th. Sydney Buchanan, a son, was born to Ulric and Mary Janney Hutton.
This month was exceptional, as regards weather, which was clear and delightful, with few storms.
Farmers were everywhere plowing, violets bloom- ing outdoors, trees and shrubs making hasty prepara- tions to bud and blossom before their time.
Despite a moderate temperature, and no severe cold, old and young were alike the victims of various ail-
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ments, and there were more serious and long-con- tinued cases of illness among our people than for many years. Several painful accidents also befell.
In January, Arthur and Anna Stabler started on a long journey to California, going thither by New Or- leans, and the southern route.
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