Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-08-25
BIG FAMILY's REUNION. fa
Tho AMBUSH 0aahering OF Psaosfua .soh
6hnrpless' Descendants.

"Sharpless Rock, one and half nifiesy
North OF Chester, In Delaware County, l
where, for two weeks in 1882, Quaker |
John Sharpless sheltered his wife and six |
children, exiles from intoierapt England,
and against which he built rude hut
that they called "home" for twenty
years, was scene of festfFity and re-
miniscent enjoyment yesterday. From 81
O'Clock In the morning until the shades
of evening fell the beautiful hillside was q
meeting place of kinsmen, many of whom
never see each other except at the an
nual meetings, and some of whom had
never met-bound together by .the blood
of John Sharpless, which flows In the
veins OF them all.
South of the "Rock" stands the home
stead, vine-covered stone mansion,
built abaut 1900 and inhabited successive.
| ly by the descendants of the line, now oc-
cupied by the widow OF Daniel Sharp
less and her daughters, Sallie and Annie.
"How far back can The line be tracedP'
was asked of one.
"wc have records back to ADAM" he
ireplied with twinkle in his eye. "The
first Sharples known to history was Adam
de Sbarples, who lived in 400 "
or the 10000 in the country who bear
land James, sons of John About 100 re-
newed ancestral ties yesterday, the ma
jority OF them being Friends. On the
trees were suspended William Penn land
deed of 1852 with John Shsrpless; picture
of the Sharpless Manor in Lancashire
near Bolton, which passed out of the
family into the hands of the Marquis d.
Rothwell in 1915; the Wybunbary chapel
Iwhere the founder of the line worshippet
until he came under the teachings of Fox
marriage certificates, indentures ant
i family documents which the old meI
seemed never to tire ip examining.
The missing face OF John Sharpless, o
Neither Providence, the former presiden
: of the association, who was shockingl
D murdered last December, cast gloon
9 lover the otherwise happy assembly.
d After picnic dinner the association
q gathered in a circle On the hill top, AM
d lsecretary j. Clewson Sharpess was re
) Ielected to his position. Sylvester Garret
was chosen president. Gilbert Cope,
n lawyer of West Chester, reported the pre-
. gress of the genealogy which he is com
,, lpiling.
I'll The memorial address ON John sharI
a Hess, by the Hon. John NJ Broomall, c
(. Media, was brief owing to the wishes G
Itnc 1amlly. ne was near anu ueo
a friend for half century," said Judg
!. Broomall, ."and we all miss him to day
a. He was the president of our association
:. and deeply Interested in its welfare. W
~ lall remember his quiet dignity. the kin,
\ ly look of his face and the care he SCENE
- to feel for each one Mt our meetings. Ii
Twas born January 25, 1924, six gener'
~ tions after his namesake, the emigran
81 and was typical Friend in appearant
y and character. He married Susan L
SO Pratt, November s, 1856, who survive
a. him. His murder was singular instan'
II of depravity and ingratitude. Robhei
must have been the motive, although
ie may never he known why it was not ca
n, ried out Men of John Sharpless' tyI
n arc good men to have in n community
10 Secretary Sharpless followed with e
re logistic remarks and the formal meetil
r adjourned.
Among those present from Philade
TO phia were: Mr. Thomas Sharpless, NJ
ii. Charles 8. sharpless, Mr.. Caspar S. Ga
th rett, Mr. William sharpless, Samuel
10 Webster, Edward G. Jones and Cal
IN Webster.