The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-05-15
miscellaneous.
HISTORY OF ST. GEORGES PARISH.
BY DIR. G.. w. ARCHER.
No. TX

NO. TX.
The total permanent fund of the parish on
1st Oct, 1916, was f1202.13.3, being probably
the money received for the glebe, with ac-
cruing interest. On that day "the vestry
were met by quorum of the vestry of HaVre
de Grace parish: Messrs. Samuel Hughes,
Abraham Jarrett, William b. Stokes and
Paca Smith, to choose Rector for both
parishes. Rev. Daniel Stephens and Rev. j..
Armstrong were candidates, and the former
was unanimously chosen for one year, his
salary to be $500, of which St. Georges is TO
pay $500 and Havre de Grace $780," Mr..
Armstrong, the unsuccessful candidate, had
been rector of st. Johns from 1905 to 1903.
Among the Hall papers are copies of
several subscription lists made out at various
times during Mr.. Stephens incumbency.-
They were left by Edward Hall, (of Aquilla,)
who at this time was register and treasurer
of the parish One dated only few weeks
after Mr.. Stephens election, runs as follows:
"ST. GEORGES PARISH, Hartford county.
1--WE the subscribers do hereby bind our
selves to pay to the vestry of st. Georges
Parish, for the support of the officiating Rec
tor of our Parish who may be employed by our
vestry annually, the several sums annexed to
our names, reserving, nevertheless, to our
selves the right of withdrawing our said
subscriptions by giving to our vestry or any
three of them three months notice of our in
teptions, before the expiration OF the year, in
writing. Nov 16, 1876"
There are sixty-flve names to this paper,
the whole amount subscribed being $4l0, OF
which sum 1929 remain unpaid up to some
subsequent date not given. Eight OF the sub
scribers gave $50 each, one SO, eleven $40
each, thirty EIGHT $5 each, and the remainder
from 81 to So each. To the $40, paid and
unpaid, is added the interest ($192) on the
gebe money, making in all 5000 for the rec
TORS salary-though how much OF the $229
remained ultimately unpaid is not known.
On the 9th May. 1916, "Mr. Stephens begs
an increase of 5000, his salary being made
quite to support his family. This was &C
corded, and this vestry agree to give $500"
OF course Havre de Grace parish was ex-
pected to contribute the remainder OF the
promised increase. Meanwhile was circulat-
ed the following document, found among the
Hall papers:
ST.. GEORGES PARISH, May 10, 1916.
1--WE the Subscribers do hereby bind our
selves to pay to the vestry OF st. Georges
Parish the several sums annexed to our
names, for the purpose ofrepairing our Parish
Church, now in state of shameful and ruin-
GUS decay
The whole amount subscribed by the forty
five signers of this paper is $614.3O, OF which
sum Nathan Hall subscribes $65, James Bacon
$50, Edward Hall, Edward Griffith and
Samuel Jay $50 each /; five gave $40 each, six
gave $40 each, and the remainder from 81 to
Is. Among the sums set down is the fol-
lowing "Cash in the hands of Edward
Griffith for the sufferers of Havre de Grace,
not applied" On the fiendish destruction OF
Havre de Grace by the British in 1913, funds
were raised at various points for the relief OF
the sufferers. In Baltimore, for example,
public meeting was held, at which
liberal sum was contributed. And there is
no reason to doubt that the generous people
nearer the scene of these inhuman acts did
their part nobly and that the above amount
was the surplus remaining after relief was
afforded.
withstanding, 1.-THE state Of shameful
and ruinous decay" into which the church
had fallen, as represented in the above paper,
nothing seems to have been done to mend
matters until fifteen years later. 1t is, how
ever, possible that some temporary repairs
were made which are not recorded In the
vestry book.
On the 25th Oct, 1919, "the vestry finding
there is no legal vestry tor Havre de Grace
parish, inform Mr.. Stephens that the two
parishes can make up but $780," How there
came to be no legal vestry in the neighbor-
ing parish we are not informed. Moreover,
the logic of the sentence is, to say the least,
obscure.
Whether or not during the three interven-
ing years the rector had received the promis
ed increase of salary, we are not informed.
But be that as it may, in the following
January, "Mr. Stephens declines accepting
the offer, and the parish is declared vacant"
Among the Hall papers is letter from
Mr.. Stephens which gives all have been
able to learn of his future career:
"STAUNToN (Va.,) Feb. 23d, 1891.
edward HALL, Eso.-Dear Sir: Mr..
Edward Griffith wrote me some time ago that
YOU were now treasurer and could let
me have some money, if you knew where to
deposit it. have requested Bishop Kemp,
of BALTIC. to receive what money you may COL
lect, and he will send it TO me by merchants
going from Staunton with an order from me.
am in need of money. ! borrowed $500
from Bishop Kemp to move my family to
Virginia, and my rent here is high and will
be due the 1st of April. l have not received
a cent from Havre de Grace, and MIR. Smith
writes me that he cannot collect cent
owe good deal of money there also.
write me soon, and give me all the news
of the county, and particularly ofthe Church
things as expected, the times being SO hard,
but nv Church seems 10 flourish. We have
all pretty good health and our family is likely
to increase. Make my respects to all inquiring
friends, of whom have many in your circle
of acquaintance.
81 do not see so many tears flow under my
preaching in Virginia as in Maryland
hope some of those briny tears which I often
saw trickle down your cheeks will terminate
in sincere repentance, and terminate by the
grace of God in your preparation for heaven
where may the Lord grant us all to meet at
last, where parting shall be no more!
Your most affectionate Friend
and humble Serv't,
DANIEL STEPHENS.
Mr.. Stephens had meanwhile been made a
Doctor of Divinity, as appears from letter
of Bishop Kemp to Mr.. Hall, offering to "con-
vey to DIR. Stephens the money due him from
your Parish :" and the letter just quoted is
endorsed, in Mr.. Halls handwriting, Letter
from Rev. DR.. Stephens There is copy
of Mr.. Halls reply to the Bishops letter
which holds forth hopes of soon being able to
make the remittance asked for, though he
says, sit is about impossible at present to
collect old parish subscriptions" He adds,
we had negotiated loan at the Havre de
Grace Bank some time since for $500, of
Wnlcn MT. Dr.I stephens naQ nOIlce, Win
authority to draw for it, but which he neg
lected. The bank has since come to a reso-
luton to wind up its affairs, so that the
money cannot now be obtained" On DR..
Stephens, therefore, and not on the parish,
must rest the blame of non-payment.
In the spring following Mr.. Stephens
resignation, Rev. William jackson officiated
in Spesutia Church, and he seems, from the
very first, to have enlisted the ladies warmly
in his favor. There is letter signed by q
half dozen of the fair Pensioners and ad-