The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-02-05
Recoflections OF the OIden Time
NUMBER THREE.
the Editor, ra,c Ems e Intertio.ncer :

what might have seemed indicate haste to
speak of myself and my juvenile observations
and enjoyments, failed to refer to as many
of the men of the Olden Time as was my pur-
pose and desire. Hence l hesitatingly ask
you to allow me another letter, and perhaps
another still. say "hesitatingly," not that
YOU have not already shown more courtesy
and forbearance than had right to expect,
or my uppretending reflections merited, but
because feel that your space could be much
more proftably occupied, and your readers
much more agreeably entertained.
1t is my purpose, with your permission, to
| go little farther back in this letter-indeed
| to my earliest recollection-to the period
near the close of and Immediately succeeding
the war of 1812-in other words, to the time
of the burning of Havre de Grace by Admi-
raj Cockburn. was a small child then-not
big enough for "breeches with pockets in em"
but my recollections are quite vivid of some
of the men and incidents of the time-more
perhaps, from hearing than from sight.
You have doubtless read-for history has
recorded-the heroism of John O'Neil and
his daughter Jennie, on tina; fearful and try
ing occasion. l cannot say that / was an
eyewitness, but was there, saw the confa-
grafton, and often heard variations of the in
cidents, both from Mr.. O'Neil and others who
! participated in the events of that dark and
gloomy hour Mr.. O'Neil, like others of his
day and nation, Che was an Irishman)
thought he could fight feet or surround
an army, loaded his firelock and repaired
to the old red warehouse on the shore of
the river, Immediately in rear of the bank,
and but short distance above the point
where the railroad came to the river in 1851
the last time | passed through that part of
| the world. AS the bargcs from the fleet an
preached The shore, laden down with Britain's
veterans, Mr.. ONeil fired upon them as rap
idly as be could load, his daughter Jennie,
then little girl, standing by his side. He
| thus continued until the soldiers actually
| sprang upon the shore. wrenched the gun
from his grasp and captured him A British
officer was heard to remark at the time that
they would have killed him upon the spot
but for the pleasure it would afford them to
hang him, as he was claimed as subject of
| George the Third, and therefore traitor
He was taken to the fleet off the mouth of
the river, tried, condemned to be run up to
the yard arm, and preparations were actual
ly making to execute him, when small boat
was seen approaching the fleet from the shore,
with white flag floating on the morning
breeze. The boat contained Mr.. Abram
jarrett, Gather of A. l.. Jarrett,) and the wife,
or some of the family, of Mr. Neil. Mr..
Jarrett undertook the mission at the risk of
his own life or liberty, but by his address and
courage he succeeded in procuring the release
Of the gallant old man, though not without a
great deal of difficulty, who was again restor-
ed TO his family. Mr.. O'Neil was nailor,
and many a time in after years have stood
by his forge rs he worked and smoked his
| pipe, and heard him relate his feelings and
purposes, as he stood alone and confronted
the British Lion. Jennie grew up to be a
| bon
relate the adventures of gallant grandfather
to housefull of jewels.
relate this incident, not because it NAV
be new or interesting to your elder readers,
but because the History of the Late War"
in which it is recorded, may be out of print,
and the circumstances may not be familiar
to your younger readers. / shall never for
]. get them. 1t occurred in the early morning.
and the rays of the rising sun were dancing
upon the surface of the broad and TRANQUIL
waters, as that dark fleet of barges rode upon
their bosom, and brought dismay and de.
struction to the peaceable and quiet inhabi-
tants. Most ofthe citizens-many of them
as they sprang from bed-fed to the woods
and coverts, and from thence watched the
volume of flame as it wrapped and dashed
their dwellings, and left them a village of
smouldering ashes. l could relate other in
cidents connected with this event, but must
| hasten on.
There was wealthy old gentleman who
lived in the vicinity of Havre de Grace at this
time, by the name of Pringle. He was yery
thrifty man, owned large boundary of land,
a great many slaves, and was noted for an
economy which, by some means, acquired
the soubriquet of parsimony 1t was said
that he allowed his negroes but one herring
at meal, and his oVerseer, expostulating
with him, remarked that the hands could not
labor upon such light diet, when the old gen
tleman scratching his head as if in deep and
perplexed reflection, and stamping his foot
exc 5i gee them herring and a
hat, and let them bust and be d--dP'
Havre de Grace then, as now, seemed to be
the headquarters of all the shad and herrings
in the Chesapeake, consequently there were
a number OF fisheries, and frequent muses.
among the proprietors. In one of these
difficulties where great bitterness had grown
out of rival claims the Editor of the Bond
Of Union, who had keen relish for the ludi-
crous, reconciled the parties to each other, but
drew their fire upon himself, by the following
humorous lines:
Doodle said to Noodle, I'll have all the fish;
| Noodle said to Doodle, I'll be in the dish
| Doodle said TO Noodle, I'll give no fish to Won:
| Noodle said to Doodle, Oh Doodle, Doodle do"
had, at this time, some relations living in
Havre de Grace, among whom were very
old gentleman by the name of Skipwith
Coale, and his nephew, Edwin Coale, the lat
ter of whom was not remarkable for brillian-
cy of intellect, as he would fish all dav with
q pin hook without bait, and then some forty
years old. They were almost inseparable.-
The older gentleman was somewhat skeptical
in religious matters. and in due course of ma
ture was called to try the realities of the un-
known world. Some years after this, there
was revival meeting at the house of Brother
Levy, who was local preacher, at which
Edwin, Though not morally or mentally re-
sponsibleO was present. In talking to sinners.
Mr.. Levy approached, and asked him if he
didn't want to 60 to heaven. II don't know
about it, Mr.. Levy" said he, "Uncle Skippy
was the best friend had in the world and
everybody says he's gone to the bad world
If he has, believe I'll 60 there to-"
All your older readers will remember old
Billy Allen, good Methodist, who lived and
sold goods in Abingdon many years. He
was an Irishman, and besides the brogue,
lisped in his speech. He was very anxious
to catch humming Bird and on one occa-
sion, his friend Monk on the opposite corner,
seeing very large bee dive down into hol-
lyhock, called his friend over, told him there
was humming- bird in the flower, and that
he would get bottle to put it in while Mr..
Allen should catch it in his hand Mr.. Allen
grabbed it. when the bee of course popped
its sting into his hand. He held on, however.
determined not to let his prize escape, but