The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-29
A BIG FAMILY.
A Remarkable Story Of a Family Life Told
BY Bill Arp.

| Breath can make theln-aS a Dreatu lids
made,
But a bold peasantrv-our country's pride
| When once destroyed can never be suppled,
1 thought of this at Warren, for
there stood before us 100 unpretendlng
honest people all from one family. The
fair had offered premium Of a large
and beautiful family Bible to the head
of the largest family thai assembled
upon the grounds. Mr.. Benjamin H..
Parnell and his good wife were there
with ninety-eight living descendants.
Did you ever see 100 people in flock =?
Just think Of military company Of
eighty men and you can imagine what
a show 100 people make. 1t was a rare
and novel spectacle. The old patriarch
was clean-shaven, active, erect man,
with ruddy, honest face, and his wife
modest, well-preserved woman, who
looked as though she would rather be
at home, and had doubts about the
propriety Of exhibiting herself to the
curious gaze of so many wondering
people. She was good-looking ma
tron without the usual signs Of decay.
Her hair was silvered over, but there
were no wrinkles or crows feet or
sunken cheeks. She had her husbands
arm in the good old way, and it was
with timid shyness that she occasion
ally raised her eyes to look upon the
speaker who was introducing her and
her offspring in the multitude. Thegood
DR.. Martin said /: my friends, here is
a man and woman who are the heads
Of family of ninety-eight living de-
scendants. Seven girls and six boys
were born to them, and there has never
been a death under their roof. Their
children are all happily married. This
couple have lived together in loving
and peaceful relation for forty-seven
years. They and their children have
given the public no trouble. They
have been diligent in business and
eaten honest bread. Young men, We
commend to you their good example.
20 thou and do likewise, and let US
abolish the migration bureau"
Their Bible was made to order, and
had plenty of blank leaves to register
the names and marriages and deaths
in their order. 1t was a remarkable
scene. Some of the mothers and faith
ers had infants in their arms, and all
had children gathered around them in
separate focks, and all were dressed in
clean and comfortable clothes. It was
pleasure to me to be introduced to
them, and, of course, I had to quote
some scripture and tell what David
said:
Children are an heritage OF the Lord
AS arrows IN the hand Of mighty nan so are
children OF the youth.
Happy is the man VINO hath his quiverfuli.
They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak
with enemies in the gate"
That is, they shall be the ambassa-
dors to make treaties for peace. A
man with numerous children and
grandchildren has more at stake and
feels more concern for good govern
ment. He ought to be the man to
speak with the enemy. If 1 live to see
another war impending I shall speak a
little myself.
And recited David's prayer, "That
our sons may be as plants grown up in
their youth. And our daughters be as
corner stones polished after the simili-
tude of a palace.
THAT our garners may be full and
our oxen strong, and there be no COM
planning in our streets.
Happy is that people that is in such
case. Yea, happy is that people
whose God is the Lord"
That is splendid-isn't it.
Well, I had a pleasant talk with the
old gentleman. He is quick of appre-
hension and said: "You may put down |
that there is nothing against me nor
my people. None of US have ever been |
accused of anything wrong or brought |
into court. Me and my wife have be-
longed to the Baptist church for nigh
onto fifty years, and I have voted the |
Democratic ticket all that time. I
moved here before there was any rail-
road in this country and the people
were powerful scattering. 1 have made
a good, fair living and am doing it yet.
The Lord has been good to US and
blessed US. Not coffin has ever been
brought to my house."
There is a record of good citizenship.
No jails or courthouses for that family.
They have served on the jury and
worked the public roads, and been
kind to their nabors and have stood by
their state and their country. Their
industry has earned something for
es@E aes2setos live upon every year.
e ssseseS sss s51 s'':s
ask that good mother how many pairs
of socks and stockings she has knit in
the years gone by; how many quilts
coverlets she and her girls had made.