The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-05-11
HARTFORD 81 YEARS AGO.

| have been struck 10y the grear changes which
have taken place in % years in Hartford, my ma
i've county. lately passed by the old Forest
Meeting House, above ltaitt's Mill. How chang
ed the scenery as saw IL in olden times when
Samuel Mcconnell showed the way of life to his
congregation composed of Moores, Carriers. Vests
fuckers, Wcys, Hutfs and Amos Smith-thc lat
ter one of the most conscientious of men. |
could not find the place where any OF them was
laid away, but wherever their bodies lie they are
quietly awaiting the morning OF the resurrection
Another marked change is the railroad, which
has taken the place, as II mode OF travelling, of
the Old gigs, but little better than the cart of
to-day.
In passing Rock Spring Church had to stop
and recall the years gone by when the Rev J. H.
kecch pointed out the safe but narrow path To
an old and well remembered congregation oil
Ashtons, Streets. Whitakers, Lees, Moores
Aquia L. Moores, the father of John Moores -
He gave me my second lesson on temperance, 10
years ago | remember 1t we'll.
On my way TO the county town, Bel Air must
tell about the Catholic church at Hickory, wnere
Father smith so well and reverpntly filled the
place now occupied by Hev. Father Fowler
Father smith and his brother Samuel lived on
and owned tic farm where, think, James VI.
Cain now resides Samuel Smith was one ni the
most upright aud honorable men in the county
The congregation of worshippers at st. IgnatIus
was composed of the McAtees, Keans, Adys
Wheelers, BCarnans, Buffers. Qulnlans and a
host OF Others, whose descendants are still here
Few of my uld-time friends are left to talk with
me about the days OF yore and their fragrant
memories. TWO OF them. both ladies, are yet
alive, and we often talk of the rides 10 and from
church on two-horse sled Talk OF your modern
cutters with one IN besides yourself They are
not To be compared with the sled of olden times
with hall dozen pretty girls in 1t with you.
AnJthcr INK connecting the present with tie
past Is Mrs sarah Robinson, who although in her
one hundredth year. is an extremely lively old
lany. she was born in Baltimore city, February
40 l'Sy, and removed to Hartford county in lsUj
win her widowed mother, who settled near
Cooptown. In 1910 she married George Robin
son, Il native of Chestnut Level, Pa, and went to
ner husbands home near Chestnut Hill, where
she has continued to live ever since, in the same
house To which she was taken as a fair young
bride Is years ago. Her husband died in 1852.
mrs. Robinson was the mother OF thirteen
children, hvc sons and eight daughters, who
were Thomas, Joseph g., John X, William j.,
George W., Margaret, who married John Scarf
Ellza and Susanna, who married successfully
BenJanin Amos Mary Ann, who married Thee
coteWelch; FrancisJ., who married John John
son blanche, Sarah and Hannah. The survv-
ing children are Thomas, William j., Jno. X and
Hannah Roonson and Mrs. Susanna Amos. John
*. and Hannah live with and tenderly care for
their aged mother, who IS the object of yenera.
ton, love and respect of all her children. Mrs.
Robinson has living children, % grandchildren
and Al great grandchildren. Nearly all of her
descendants live within few miles of the old
live, being Thomas and William j.
The venerable old lady possesses her faculties
in remarkable degree. She Is active, bright and
cheerful and is interested in everything that is
going on about her. Her health is very good and
she bids fair 10 round out full century.
In 1876. when we had the cold summer, with
frost in every month and corn $3.50 a bushe
u
bright young woman, engaged in rearing her
family. / met her the other day-a venerable old
lady; peacefully awaiting, among her surviving
children ana grandchildren, the summons To
another and a iairCr world.
In passing Chestnut Hill recalled to memory
the Old Forest, the old COal-pit hearth that in
oldeu times was said To be haunted by the I'M
seen but subtle EVIL one. In place of the Forest
ana toli hearth village has sprung up, with
dwellings,. shops aud schools house. Among the
present residents OF this beautiful neghbor-
hood are Nathan Harl;ins, s. w. Harkins, VIM.
L. Clark and Others.
The Old church, in which the Parkers Bonds,
Pyles, lhomascs and others worshipped, has
gone and will meet them no more here below
In place of the old structure the congregation
have builta very neat and pretty church, on a
lot presented by Corbin Grafton. The pastor,
Rev. ). 7; Casscn. is the right man in the right
place, as his congregation can bear testimony to.
Last fall, year ago, 10 were added to the church
through his labors. a few of those of other days
are ar, John Barrow and wife Sister Pyle and her
daughter Ann, Poly smith aud others, who will
long be fomnmhcrcd as pillars of the NJ. p Church
al Deer Greek. know OF but three living who
attended this church in 1923. 1t then belonged
to the denomination called Christians. The
sunday School, when ] visited it, was under the
supetintcnGencc OF John II. Barrow. and never
saw more orderly or better managed school
The boys and girls nOw-a-days do not realize
the privileges they have. When | was n boy
hau 70 walk nearly three miles. and some OF the
scholars even farther, through mud. snow ana
rain To attend school
our county town. too, Is greatly changed since
| nrSt remember 1t, when Major William Rich
ardsJn. stephen Jones, John Nckenn"y and
Thomas y. and N. W. :. Hays were men Of note
there.
The only store was kept By the Messrs. Hays
ana afterwards by Lyle Whann. There are
now more merchants in Bel Air than were in tho
whole county o. years ago. OF the person. I knew
then the only one left is Capt. A. Liugan Jarrett
have heard il said Bel Air was finished wears
ago. Ths Is a mistake, for | now see a railroad
passing through 1t, II large steam flour mil, clc-
giant, cty-kc stores. a fine public school. good
sidewalks and paved streets, handsome resi-
Iehces, costly churchcS-cvcrything in fact
dcnotinE thrift, enterprise aud prog ress. K.