Daily Republican., 1882-08-25
THE sMARPLEss GATHERING.
Five Thousand Descendants OF one
Family Meet TOKcthcr-The BIAh.
Op Of FOurscOre Meets the Infant
Of SIX Month";

ElV0 hbo0C0mWAmt9 OF one
Family Meet TOKethor-The BIAh.
OPP Of FOuFscOre Meets the Infant
of SIX Months.
One of the most Interesting gather
ings that b as taken place In the Eastern
section of Pennsylvania, for long time,
was the reunion yesterday Of the
Sharpless family, near Wallingford
station, Delaware County. Nearly
5000 of the descendants of John Sharp
less, who two hundred years ago yes
terday landed within a few miles Of the
spot where the reunion was held, were
present, and enjoyed the day recountI
ing among themselves "reminiscences of
the family. The old mansion, which
was built by Joseph Sharpless the son
of John, was thrown open, and throngs
passed through 1t viewing the halls OF
their ancestors. For miles around ev-
erything wore holiday aspect, and
groups of people in the early morning
were seen making their way to the old
homestead. At the entrance to the
grounds was an arch of evergreens with
the word "Welcome," aud cn each
side were shields bearing the following /:
81. S. d., Our Parents" and 1882,
Our Brothers.
Nearly every one brought their pro-
visions with them and as some made
short stays there was coming and going
all day. Besides the tableauX photo.
sraphed and visits to the old house and
getting acquainted there was nothing
but the reading of the poems and pa
4 a n al Ia lf
the hill.
As the oldest descendant OF the fam-
lily present the Bishop was Immediately
surrounded by people anxious to take
his hand, and as the day proceeded he
was made acquainted with nearly every
one on the ground. Pointing to his
broad-brimmed hat he caid he felt al
most Quaker. Later pretty Incl
dent happened bet ween the Bishop and
baby, the infant daughter of Amelia
M. Hopes just six months old, and
therefore the youngest descendant al
the celebration. Looking at the old
rock and house over which two centu.
ries have passed peacefully and then at
the telegraph aud railroad, the venera-
ble Bishop, taking the child in his arms
kissed it and said "The past salutes
the present and the future-the pasE we
know, what may the future Re ?"
A. number of heir looms and relics Of
the family were displayed. The
merrymaKers repaired to the old rock
after the mansion and grounds had
been visited. Here the formal exercises
were held. Nathan Sharpless, of Gran
Vile. Chester county, presiding
Ezekiel Hum, Jr,, of Phila., del1V
cred an address. Ma han Sharpless
gave an account OF the Sharpless
family in America, which was follow
ed by poem composed by Johu Gle
men Sharpless, of West Chester. Chief
Engineer and Surveyor Smedley, Of
Phila., also made an interesting ad.
dress. The exercises closed with a vale.
dictory bv Hon. Washington Townsend
of W est Chester.
Amongst those present from this city
were DR.. Henry Garrett and family
Elwood Garrett and family, Eli Gar
rett and family, Thomas Garrett, Jr.,
and family, Margaret i. Bringhurst
Thomas Steward and family, Mrs,
Samuel Dixon, Thomas Ferris, friend
named Morgan, Lydia Reynolds,
4 ith aud Mary Harlan, Annie ant
Mollie Ferris, David Ferris, Deboral
Ferris, 6 9orge Sellars and family, Sa
rah Bancroft and N. P. Bancroft an,
family, Every person present was reg
istered and wore a red tag upon tn
breast with the name and number G
the wearer. DIR. Garrett Gays he doe
not think there were 5000 people presen
but he saw tax No. 2170 Hesbrough
home several relics of the great re.un
ion which will be highly Drized by th
family.