The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-05-08
Death Of Samuel M. Janney.

Mr. Samuel NJ. Janney the eminent Friend
referred to in the following article, which
we clip from Baltimore paper, was Il rela-
tive of the Jenney's of this county, who are
the descendants of Randall Janney, who
took mp one of the Nottingham lots, near the
Brick Meeting House early in the last cen
fury:
Mr.. Samuel NJ. Janney, whose death ut
Lincoln, Loudon county, VA, was briefly
announced Saturday, was perhaps, the
ablest exponent Of the principles OF the So
ciety of Friends in America. He was in his
S0th year ut his death, and for over half Il
century had been an active minister i'll the
society. He was born and had always lived
in Loudon county, where he was recognized
as II man of great prohity of character and
rs Il fearless upholier of the principles of
his society. \ strong aboitonist, and max
ing no efforts to conceal his sentiments, he
incurred the enmity of the slave-hoding
population of his county before the war, and
was once brought into court to answer for
his opinions. 1t had happened that il South
ern clergyman had delivered three lectures
at I.ceSbufg, the county town, uphOlding
slavery as Il divine institution. Mr.. Janney
wrote three answers to these lectures and
sent them to Il newspaper which agreed to
publish them. As soon as the first appeared
although no name was 81 gned to il. There
was no doubt of its authorship, and Mr..
,Janney was indicted on tie charge of incen-
diary utterances having tendency to incite
the negroes to Il revolt. When the time came
for trial Mr. ,Janney appeared in court un-
attended. The judges asked him if he had
auy counsel. and he answered that he had
none but added that before the trial WAS
over he might have Il few words TO say. The
trial proceeded, and ut the proper time Mr..
Janney calmly arose in his place, before the
court, and opening copy of the Constitu
ton of the United States, directed the Judges
to that portion relating to the freedom Of
speech and of the press, and submitted his
case without further argument. The judges
who expected something entirely different
were taken aback ut his quiet dcmeaner
which gave evidence of his strong force OF
character, and released him from custody,
dlsmissng the charge against him.
During the war he was 4 strong | union
man. and upon one occasion, when Gen.
Hill commanded the Confederate forces i'll
that locality, he had the holiness to come to
Baltimore to the Friends Yearly Meeting
without asking consent of the military au
thority. On his return he was arrested
partly for this action and partly for his
Union sentiment, bat again lie pleaded his
own case, and the military court was com
PEELED to relsase him. He was u pioneer of
the society in the matter OF schools for both
sexes, and such Il school he started in Lou
don county and conducted it with great
success for many years. 1t was known is
the Spring Dale Boarding School, and PROV
ed to the society that co-e,ucation Of the
sexes could, under good management. he
attended with excellent results. Through
ont all America Mr.. Ianney was known as
an author, and his works wore always re-
cognized and adopted as the standards of
the Society of Friends. Probably the best
known of his works are the life of William
Penn" and his History of Friends" in
four volumes. Among his other works
were: A Teachers Gift, " Last of the
Lenapc," and other poems: " Conversations
on Religious Subjects" y Historical
Sketch of the Christian Church." &C., Life
of George Fox g Peace Principles EXein-
plihed;" ana numerous essays and contri
buttons TO the press for many years.
Mr. Jannty was one OF those who intro
ducei the peace policy with the Indians
under the presidency of General Grant
working in connection with the late Hen.a-
min Hallowell. He was the first supern-
dent OF the Northern SUPPLEMENTARY of The
Indians. in which capacity he served Two
years. lie then resigned, ara. since that
time has been Il member of the Indian Com
nlittee of the Baltimore \ early Meeting. Al
most his last work minister was at the open
ing of the new meeting house in Washington
Il few weeks ago, where he preached several
sermons with great force and clearnesS.
His presence ut that time was of special in
tereSt ;tS ii had i.tt i.eeG G1ECStet. that he
would be able to attend, and several minis
tiers who had been expected had failed to ar
rive Upon his return home he preached
several times, but soon after his vital powers
began to give way, and he died quietly and
nencefully ut twoo'c k on Friday afternoon.