Smyrna times., 1880-12-29
For the Smyrna Times.
"reminiscences of Smyrna 80 Years
Ago.
BY ONE WHO LIVED THERE
(CoNTINUED.)

son hastily took from his pocket Janknote
tore it in half, ramroded one part down on
the charge of powder and the other follow
ed the shot, just in time to bloW away his
money, but did not bring down single bird
thought it was the fault of the ,oad. John
R. and Thomas Reese succeeded Patterson
and VIM. Temple succeeded the Reeses.
On the opposite IS. E.) corner, was the
store of Mr.. Walker l think, though !
have not much recollection of him; but
have a very pleasant recollection of Mrs.
Walker and her daughters, one of whom |
married Thomas w. Eliason, of Chestertown,
a successful retired merchant and one of |
the wealthy men of Kent county, Md. |
He received his mercantile training in |
Smyrna.
Simon Spearman afterwards did business
It this stand. lie had much to do with a
Mr.. Roberts, of the Brick Store Landing,
but do not know that they were connect.
I'd in business
Next to this store following the South
side of the street, was the dwelling Of Mrs.
Parks; she was q Quakeress, and largely
entertained the "Friends' who came to
Smyrna to attend meeting.
Next was a carpenter shop. don't re-
| member whose it was, the building was
afterwards occupied as a printing office
don't know that newspaper was ever
issued from that press. Perhaps there
was.
Next was one story, one room house.
in which Miss Parsons "taught the young
idea how to shoot" she was my first school
marn,, and was real fond Of her, though
kept in mortal fear of her mode of punish
ment. She did not use the rod, but had sew
raj blocks such as the Milliners then used,
and the offending scholar was required to
sit on one of these, in the middle of the
room, and wear a paper 'dunce cap" 1t
he is living, make her my best bow and
assurance OF high esteem.
Next was large brick house with wings.
The West wing, was the office of DR.. Collins,
l think he afterward removed to his farm
in the ALLEY" The main building was
occupied by Mrs. Lockwood, who kept a
first class boarding house. Perhaps prior
to that she kept the Hotel, and was sue
ceeded by that Prince of country Landlords,
Thomas L. Temple. Mrs. Lockwood had two
sons, David and William. Among her
boarders remember Capt. Alice, an "Old
Sea dog" jovial, goodhearted and generous
| e L. ;a1 al nh lad
of intelligence and culture, and this hal py
pair were general favorites in the town.
Next we're a row Of houses called thu
Barracks" In one of these Mr.. Lurini
kept boys school. Between this schoo
and the academy of which Mr.. Priestly wa
the Principle, there existed much bad feel
ing and frequent combats occurred, eacl
school INDUCED in doggeral songs agains
the other. Let me give some specimen
that will be recalled by some of the reader
who were pupils in the one or the other Q
these institutions Of learning.
"Priestlys hogs are in their pen
They will get out, God knows when.
But when they get out, they run about
For fear of Lurings gentlemen"
VS.
"Lurings hounds are always hunting.
But never find the game they are wanting
At sight of Priestlys men. they run to kennels,
Sinking away like whipped spaniels"
Next to the Barracks" was the Engi'
house. Two fire companies excited an
rallied under the names Of Friendship
and Delaware" 1t was rare fun to tn
boys to see these engines "Squirt." The
history was much the same as that of mo
country town fire companies and need n
be detailed.
The Friends or Quakers were qui
numerous and their grounds and meetir
house, were kept in good order and he
regular worship on Saturdays. | oft'
went with Friend Pennington" and wo
dered what they were thinking about, {
frequently not word would be spoke
until the meeting broke up and a gener
Misunderstanding ensued. They were got
people and good citizens. l have SCI
persons, who were 10th to confess ther
selves, Roman Catholics, Churchman, Met
odist and Presbyterian &C. &C., but | ha
never yet met with "Friend" who W
ashamed OF his church connection.
Between the Friends ground and Wa
ping, now the property of A. Stockley, W
the residence of Pner Mansfield. He W
Watch maker, Jeweler and Dentist. D
Mansfield was much and deservedly estee
ed. He was a Local Preacher, at that d
the Methodist preachers denounced Rom
Catholicism, Church Ritualism and su
amussments as theaters, horse racing, carr
dancing, novel reading, DC. A staI
theme with them was dress. The weari
Of good apparel, artificial flowers, fsa
ers, wells, &C., were an abouiination.
often stood in front Of the shop windows
Mr.. Mansfield and Of Ephriana Jeffersc
who was also O Local Preacher and one
the best msn ever knew, and wonder
how it was, that they kept, gold rim
chains, seals, pins, ear.bobs, DC, for sale !
was wrong for people to wear them. As
had never heard Parson Robinson or 7
gott, Protestant Episcopal clsrgymen prea
against wearing such articles, concluc
IL was wrong for Methodist only, and d
IL was right for Mr.. NJ. and j. 10 seIl th
TO anybody else. How things have chang
methodist meeting houses" then were