Evening journal., 1892-10-10
END OF A USEFUL LIFE.
Words of Praise for the Old
Campmeeting Man.
HE WAS NINETY-FIvE YEARS OLD.

A Brief sketch of Rev. Samuel Hance's
Career-He wished Little said About
His Past Life-He Was the Founder of
Brandywine summit Camp.
The Chester News Of Saturday last
says Of Rev Samuel (Father) Hance. of
Sloan, Delaware county. Pa, whose
death was announced in the EVENING
JOURNAL Saturday:
Father Hance had often expressed n
desire that he would not be delirious
with fever when his last moments came
and this desire was realized. Though
weak In body his mi'd was clear and ex-
pressions of calm trust and exuberent
JOY escaped his lips as he lay breathing
slower and slower as his life ebbed away.
He said he was going home and he bade
an aifectionate farewell TO his wife and
friends, bidding them join him on the
other shore, then smile, almost
seraphic in its heavenly peace, came over
his face and the aged soldier Of the Lord
passed away TO receive the reward OF
life we'll spent.
His dying words were: "Do not say too
much good about me when | am gone.
have lived many years but they have not
all been good
1--WE have no fear about what people
will say about you, said friend with
smile
Samuel Hance was born April ii, 1898.
and was therefore in his 05th year at his
death The greater part of his life was
spent In Delaware county, his boyhood
days being passed with Joseph Hannum,
a Concord township farmer, and the
father Of the Hannum family, now SO
numerous In this county.
AT the age of %, Mr.. Hance married
| Miss Margaret Johnson, sister TO Dr.
| w. w. Johnson, of Second and franklin
streets, Chester. The children by this
union were Thomas, Robert A. Mary j.,
Samuel, Harriet, Margaret, George w.
and Anna Il. -Four are still living
Robert residing in this city; Mrs Har-
riett Larkin, Concord; George W., and
Mrs. Anna f. Hinkson, Wilmington
They lived happily for forty years. Her
body lies at Sloan M. 4. church. His
second wife survives him and is over 80
years Of age.
Mr. Hance preferred Delaware county
TO Delaware state, so when the opp0r-
tunity offered he bought farm in Con-
cord township and lived there upwards
of thirty years. In the meantime he
subsequently moved and where he lived
the remainder Of his life
Mr.. Hance became Christian when
young man and was a most enthusiastic
worker for his Master. He was an old
member of Bethel NJ f. church and
when the split in the church came over a
choir difficulty, he went with the old
members and organized Sloan church.
He donated two and half acres Of
ground and the same amount was given
by Samuel Handy uncle Of Lewis Handy,
of this city, and on this the church was
built. more ground being added subse-
quently 10 increase the burial ground.
To Father Hance more than any single
man in the country is the spread of
Methodi 'm in Delaware county due. He
worked all day at his shoemaker's bench,
working rapidly and II he was not dis
cussing scriptural truths with visitors
3 in his shop he was thinking out sermons
for the coming Sunday, or possibly for a
, revival service for that evening, for he
was almost continually engaged in bis
work.
, He was the originator of the Brandy.
wine Summit campmeeting. began only
as a woods service ON account of the
heat in the church, and he preached the
opening sermon at every camp meeting
there, except the last. He was royal
entertainer and his house was often
called the Preachers Home for they
h had the freedom Of the place with free
L, accommodations for themselves and
o horses.
- Mr.. Hance will be buried at Sloan
e and according to arrangement mad,
j. while he was living Rev John Thomp
s son and Rev j. S. Lame will conduct the
i funeral services.