Smyrna times., 1857-07-15
Correspondence Of the Smyrna Times.
Towns and Things on the Eastern Shore

Towns and Things on the Eastern Shore
Church Hill is a place of churches, as its
name indicates, there being four in the place
and soon will be the fifth. And you ask how
village of only hundred or two inhabitants
can stand uE under such pressure of churches,
| will leave you to answer your own query
But these are the days of improvement and
steam power, aud we ought not to be surprised At
anything taking place. The town looks rather
ancient, many of the buildings being very old
and some shattered. The morals of the place,
at times, have not been very high, but they are
now rising. Agriculture is looking up. 1t has
trade and travel advantages from Chester river
sloop landing at about two miles, and two
steamboat landings at about four or FIVE miles
distant
Chester River is a great stream. 1t rises
near the Delaware line, not far from Mllington.
Its general direction is southwest, and it divides
Kent and Queen Anne's counties. AS it des,
cends it soon becomes deep enough for naviga-
tion, and at Crumpton moors the brave little
steamer, "The Arrow" A few miles further,
Chestertown, the capital of Kent county, stands
upon the right bank. The stream is here bold,
and the luxuriant grain-covered shores, the ex-
cellent farm-houses, the light sail of the plea
sure boat or laden schooner, and the noble
steamer Champion, give life to the view Four
miles further, on the Queen Ann shore, is the
fine farm and excellent landing of Col. Samuel
L. Harrison. Onward still the stream becomes
bolder, and our eye is charmed with the varie-
Island, about sixty miles from the rivers source,
it flows into the Chesapeake.
Harrison's Landing is about four miles from
Chestertown and thirty-6ye from the bay. The
shore here is very fine, and right near, over
looking the river and surrounding country, is a
pleasant little hill shaded over with trees
This is a charming spot to retire to in the heat
of harvest days, or in the stiffness of summer
eve. And the lover of natu:e will not fail to
have his heart delighted, as he looks down upon
the rivers wave passing around the point neal
and flowing down southwest for miles, then
around upon the fields, crossed this way and
that by lines of fence, dividing the flowing
grain from the dark green corn or pasture land;
dotted over here and there with happy homes
peeping from behind clustering shade-trees
more appropriate spot for a Sabbath School
celebration | never saw. There are trees
enough to bear off the hot sun-rays, but none
to obstruct the breezes. And in accordance
with custom, the Sabbath Schools of Church
Hill! and the Union "a chapel near resolved to
spend the glorious fourth of July here. Per-
mission was very kindly granted by Col. H +,
and preparations were made. The day came,
but it was most unlikely one. Clouds had
been hanging above oil the week, and still they
threatened to drench the land. We thought
| not many would be willing to spend the damp
day there; but we were gladly Disappointed
The spot at ten o'clock was thronged, and
childhood, youth, manhood and old age mingled,
greeting each other upon our nations birthday.
And we began to think that the spirit that ami
mated the American heart in '76, 1912, and
| 45, was still here, and those little ones whose
minds are just opening, will catch the echo of
freedoms voice, and send it rolling through
future generations. And he who objects to
these celebrations should think of this, and see
here prop to our national pcrpetuity.
At ii o'clock, the exercises commenced,
which proceeded thus: Hymn, aer.. .u
| "Before Jehovah's awful throne," &C.,
sung by choir to " Old Hundred" Prayer, by
Rev. Mr.. Shippers, of Cenireville. Declaration
Of Independence read and remarked upon, by
Col. Harrison Refreshments, saluting steam
er, dining, singing national airs by choir, walk
ing and conversing. filed up the time till three
o'clock. Addresses, by Rev. Mr.. Cooper, on
the present occasion; Rev. DIR. Walton, oi
sIudlersyllc. on our national prosperity and its
ferpetuation and Rev. Mr. Shippers, on the
advantages guaranteed our nations children.
Ode on Washngton's Grave, sung by Messrs
luimby and Stewart. of Millington. AL this
} was interspersed with excellent music by the
choir, who, with their leader, Mr.. Quimby, de-
serve much credit for the services they render.
ed in making the occasion more interesting.
4 The day 10 now gone, and it was pleasant