The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-08-24
MI is Q ellane O III q.
For tile AgiS d. MtelRgenc0.
"Reminiscences of Darlington.

can barely remember Aaron Hurford,
who kept store in Darlington nearly fifty
years ago. Edward MARYLAND succeeded
him, and think his store was DESTROYED
by fire about 1928. The stone store house
built by Thomas G. Stump was built on
the old site. This building was first oc-
cupied by Brown & Haines, in the spring
of 1850, the firm consisting of Slater
Brown, jeremiah B. Haines and Lewis
Haines. The latter was the active
business manager of the firm, was very
popular and did large trade. |
remember seeing the first article sold
| by them. 1t was q water spigot to
Henry O'Neil, the landlord across the way
Brown & Haincs removed their store to
Quarryville, Lancaster county, Pa, in the
fall of 1888. They were succeeded by
Richard |. Jackson. After Mr.. Jackson
| built his new buildings below Darlington
he removed his business there. 1t was
during this time that he rebuilt Deer
Creek Iron Works. Mr.. jackson was one
of the most enterprising citizens Darlington
ever had.
The "IVilson Mill" how well remem.
Der it, Many grist of corn have taken
to it. 1t was customary in those days for
the boys who took grists to the mill to
wait until it was ground. Sometimes hall
a dozen boys would be waiting for their
grst. 1t was pretty hard for that number
of boys to get together without having q
little fun. But our fun was frequently
checked by the old miller, Joshua Smith,
who was not of very amiable disposition
of best. This in connection with his having
two boys of his own in the mill, who were
also fond of play, kept him constantly on the
watch for catching us in mischief, and
woe betide US if he did. We all had a
wholesome dread ofhim. The old man died
very suddenly in Bel Air during court
time, from poisoning by eating crabs boiled
in copper kettle. A number of others
made narrow escape from death at the same
time. Mr.. William Wilson, the proprietor
OF this mill was very clever gentleman.
His sons David aud William, and his daugh-
er Ruth Eliza attended the Waring School
when we did.
Ephraim Hopkins was one OF the old cit
izen of that neighborhood. Living near
his place when a very small boy, we were
frequently at his house. He was very fond
of children, and frequently in pass ng our
house on horseback would take me up be-
hind him. His wife M oily was a very
large woman. Her sister Peggy Morgan,
a widow lady, lived with them. They had
but two children, DR.. Wakeman Hopkins,
who married Hannah, the eldest daughter
of William Worthington, and Margaret,
who married Edward Chew. Mr. Hopkins
survived both of his children. / remem-
Der of calling to SEQ him few years pre-
vious to his death. He was then very
aged and infirm, and spoke fhis approach
ing dissolution, expressing the wish to
Join his wife and children who had pre-
coded him to the spirit world. He was
kind warm hearted geniel old gentleman,
for whom we entertained high regard.
Aquilla Massey, another old resident
we esteemed very high. His sons John w.
and Isaac are, we believe, still living in the
neighborhood, but the-old homestead has
passed out of the hands of the family. 1t
was beautiful situation, the house stand
ing on gentle knoll, surrounded by few
grand old forest trees. Ny recollection of
old Mr.. Massey, in his old home, and his
housekeeper Cassandra Willett, or "Oousin