Smyrna times., 1880-12-22

ner gratitude presented me a game cock
and hen of which was very proud.
Between the town and Capt. Dorothy's
was Mapping" SO named suppose from
thesuburb of London. This place was chief.
~ occupied by negroes, one of whom "Old
simon" was famous huckster of fish,
oysters and vegetables in season. The
most prominent resident was a Mr.. for
Doctorl Lovegrove; be was Druggist, Gun.
smith, &c. He had passion for frogs, and
used to give me a .fppenny bit lit has been a
long time since have seen that coin) per
head for big green frogs. His wife hated the
sight OF them and would not cook them.
30 the old gentleman used to get me to
assist in preparing the hind legs and to assist
IN eating them, They were delicious. He
mad brother James, who was a respectable
merchant in Baltimore and a noted fireman
In the days of the volunteer fire companies
in that city.
Next to Mapping, on the North side was
the residence of Edward Price Wilmer.
he was from Kent county Nd, married
Rachel, daughter Of Hon. George Wilson.
who resided at the Bank house when he
purchased that property, the house had
the reputation of being haunted. The
ghost was most troubled on stormy nights
and when the wind blew furiouslv. it
groaned and moaned most dstres>insly.
One night Mr.. w. traced the sounds TO an
end room in the garrett. The next morn.
ing he went out at the trap door, on to the
root OF the house and discovered that the
under side of a limb of large willow tree
that stood near the house, was barked and
the shingles of the roof much rubbed in places.
III had the limb sawed off and the ghost
departed. Many ghost stories have been
exploded by like Investigations. After his
death bis widow resided there for many
years and was well and favorably known.
She was lady of culture, refinement and
christian graces. She was Methodist mot
by educatlnn) hut from conviction and
choice and Was devoted influential mem
Der of that church. Her house was the
home OF the ltinerant, and many still live
who cherish her memory and call her
blessed; she lies buried in the Cummins
Enclosure at the Old Church Cemetery,
near Duck Creek, and though dead she yet
speaketh. Requiescat in pace
Next to Mrs. Winners was a one story
brick house, one part of which was used as
a lock up and the other occupied by a
colored teamster Of Mr.. Cummins. His
wife was a shouting Methodist and not uu.
frequently startled both preacher and peo
pie, by screaming A-menl at inappropriate
periods of the sermon.
Miss Ann Wilson, afterward Mrs. Nehe
miah Stockley, staunch church woman.
but who attended Methodist meeting, las it
was then called) when there was no service
at the Academy, then used as a place for
worship, was often annoyed by this woman
the whites and negroes then worshiped
together, the whites occupied the lower
floor and the blacks the gallery.
Miss Wilson promised this old woman
dollar if she would never again say Amen,
oNSSPb ~ enS ptOpSK tlhS'
The next Sunday, the Rev. Henry G.
King preached one of his exciting dis.
courses. The thermometer of religious
feeling rose rapidly, Old Aunty GRAINED her
handkerchief into her mouth, soon re.
sponses and EXPLANATIONS became frequent
on the part Of the members. Aunty could
repress no longer and shrieked out GA
men at venture Miss Ann"
Next was the residence of DR.. Jamison,
who had two beautiful daughters. Before
removing 10 Smyrna, he resided on farm
on the Dover road.
Next was the Slaughter house, and then
the dwelling of Jacob Pennington. His
slaughter house was an attractive place
for boys. In his yard stood a pear tree
that used to be a subject of much cogita.
ton by me. One half bore large round
pears and the other half small sweet pears.
They told me the tree had been grated. but
it was beyond my childish comprehension
and for years continued to be great
MYSTERY to my mind. He was think one
of the " Moderators" of the " Friends meet
ing" and was most upright and estimable
citizen.
Adjoining Friend Pennington, resided
one Of his married daughters, then several
dwellings the names of the occupants not
remembered, then the father or uncle i
don't remember which, Of Richard c.
johnson. On the night Of che Presidential
election Of 1928, this house was illuminated
and an entertainment given to the mem
bers Of a musical band from New Jersey,
that had been employed to play on election
day. That was the Jackson and Adams con-
test. Many old Federalsts became Jack.
son men. "0ld Hickory" won. At that
time cast my first Presidential vote--at
the Boys ElectOn-I was an antiJackson
boy, have ever since been anti Democrat.
The next house was occupied by Esquire
Hoover. One day the Justice had before
him tramp, who not being able to give
satisfactory account of himself, was about
being committed to Jail. The squire asked
for his full name and commenced writing |
as the fellow gave Yorrick Derrick John |
George shadrick William Van DoEnborn.