The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-18

the present Daniel Hand, i've generations
intervene, among whom one is represented
in the Revolution in the person of Capt.
Daniel Hand, who with his company Of
East Guiliorders joined Washington's
army in the firstcampaign on Long Island.
The writer OF this article had recently in
his possession an autograph letter written
by this Capt. Hand to his wife, dated,
Camp near Fort Washington, October
the 10, l776," in which occurs the follow
ing quaint item OF news respecting the
military situation: Yesterday three ships
passed by Fort Washington, which caused
great noise Of cannon. Many balls went
just over our heads, but nobody hurt on
our side"
BY early and later intermarriages be-
tween the Hand and Meigs families of
Hammonassett (Madison), Mr.. Hand is
allied with the family OF the early Ohio
Governor and Postmaster-General, Return
J. Meigs, and the present venerable Quar-
termaster.G General, Montgomery q. Meigs
At the age OF seventeen lin 1879, the
present Daniel Hand went to Augusta,
Ca, in charge of his uncle, Daniel Meigs,
an old Augusta merchant, whom he sue
ceeded in business, Mr.. Hand lived in
Augusta continuously till about the begin
ming OF the civil war, in 1861, always,
however, keeping up close relations with
his early Connecticut home, and spending
a portion OF nearly every summer there.
Some fifteen years before the breaking out
Of the civil war, Mr.. Hand had associated
with him in his Augusta business George
w. Williams, native Georgian, who had
previously been in his employ as clerk for
some years. 1t is in regard TO the rela-
tons OF Mr.. Hand and Mr.. Williams that
the newspapers have "muddled' matters
unnecessarily. Some years befor, the war,
Mr.. Williams had established a branch OF
the Augusta business in Charles on, under
the firm name OF Hand. Williams & Will
cox Mr.. Wilcox, the junior partner, be-
ing the present Daniel Hand Wilcox, OF
New Haven, nephew OF Daniel Hand).
When the war came on, Mr.. Hands
capital was largely employed in the
Charleston business, Mr.. Wilcox having
succeeded to the Augusta business and
Withdrawn from the Charleston firm. Mr..
Williams, as a Southern man, continued
the Charleston business during the war,
having the use OF MIR. Hands capital,
which the Confederate Government vainly
endeavored TO coniiscate by legal pro-
ceedings against Mr.. Hard, rs Northern
man OF pronounced anti-slavery senu-
ments.
Mr.. Hand, meantime. after passing the
ordeal OF this inQuisition, quietly retired
10 the mountains OF North Carolina (being
even then an elderly mani, and passed
his time in reading and waiting for the
Northern armies TO work out dcliverance
for himself and other beleaguered COM
patriots. After the war Mr.. Hand came
North and left II to his old partner, VIII
liams, 10 adjust the business and make up
accounts, voluntarily allowing him
almost indefinite and unlimited time
for doing So When this was accomplished
Mr.. Williams quietly came North and paid
over TO Mr.. Hand his portion OF the long
invested capital and lis accumulations, as
an honest and honorable merchant and
trusted partner should do-simply this and
nothing more.
In his youth Mr.. Hand married his
cousin, Elizabeth Ward, daughter OF DIR.
Levi Ward, Of Rochester, n. Y, who was
also Of early Hamonassett stock. and, with
his wife, Mehitable Hand, was among the
pioneer settlers OF the city OF Rochester.
Two Of the other Ward sisters married re-
spectively Samuel l.. Seldcn, late Judge OF
the Court Of Appeals OF New York, and
Freeman Clarke, Congressman and Comp.
troiler Of the Treasury during President
Grnnt's Administration. Mr. Hands wife
and Young children dying ut an early date,
he has remained widower for upward OF
tiity years.
In personal characteristics Mr.. Hand.
although bred a merchant, has always
had the qualities and appearance Of III.
eriry or professional man. OF a striking
pcrsonal appearance. marked in its intel
leclual type and indicative Of strong
mind and strong convictions, his CONVEX.
sation, instead Of treating upon markets,
trade and prices has been Of men and
principles in their larger scope and range
for which his extensive reading OF solid
books aud broad observation furnished
ample material. Intensely practical and
earnest In his mode OF thought, IL Is prob.
able that no work OF mere fiction ever ~
much as attracted his passing notice. On
the other hand, the smallest item OF gcnu.
inc and true human interest Is not beneath
his concern, Wealth. az such, has never
been his aim or ambition, either for ID,
iuxurics or power: and il has como TO him
almost uns0ught while In the simple per
fofmanoe Of ordinary liie.worh and duty
These qualities, coupled with inexpensive
and simple habits, have been tde source
Of his fortune. without any apparent aim ioi
or thought Of large accumulation.
The writer OF this recalls e remark mad,
30 him by Mr.. Hand at time when, a
all appearance, the entire bulk Of hil
Southern fortune wns ia imminent jrOp
ardy OF total lors by reason Of The unioriun
ate cotton spcculations in which Mr.. Will
inms became involved and when creditor
aud suits were pressing him on every side
Mr. Hand, who WIS much the largcs
creditor anil was fully entitled 90 prefer
cncc, stood alooi from any stop toward
pressing OF securing bis claim, and quietly
! remarked. III Mr.. Williams lives be- vii
| pay his debts ! am not at all concerned
about H.
Such being The man. itlsa natural ~
qucnoe that he should consider bis i0riunl
a trust conferred upon him for fomt
greater good than 90 enrich oilheT himscl
or his family connections, aud that u,
should pafs u over almost entirely 60 worl
ont a bcnclconcc Tor q branch OF ia,
human race which be considers most IN
need Of hclpi us upward struggle ioWar'
civilization.
II only remains 10 add that although
Mr.. Hand has been for some ycafs past
resident OF 0uillord, he j. Ia all rcspccu
Madison man by birth. ancestry, lamil!
belongings aud lifelong association ani
sympathy. one Of his previous gifts 10 th
public being that OF the academy bearinl
his name 10 bis native town 81 Madison
Hence 10 this lattcr place and not 4
Gulliord should be given In fall the 70
fcclcd credit Of this latest addition TO la
let OF American philanilropisiA
The nIs-i-sippi synod.