The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-05-27
AN HISTORIC EVENT.
Bi-Centennial Anniversary of the
Founding of North Sassafras
Parish,


services were observed on Thursday, in
St. Stephens Protestant Episcopal
Church, near Earleyile, in this county,
in commemoration of the two hundredth
anniversary OF the founding of North
Sassairas Parish. The day was all that
could be desired, and the tasty editice
was thronged by large congregations.
North Sassafras parish is distinguished
as being ono OF the oldest religious
organizations i'll tho United States, its
history beginning about sixty years after
the organization OF the province OF Mary
land. Ample Accommodations had been
provided by the ladies of the church, a
bounteous collation. being served for all
visitors, and which was tastefully spread
on the well shaded lawn of the rectory
adjoining the church, the success of the
entertainment as well as the other inter
Tor decorations, being due to the intelli-
gent management of Mrs. David Davis,
Mrs J. NJ. Beasten, Mrs. L. p. Lusby,
Mrs. Leuuette Ford, Mrs. I. G. CruIk-
shank, Mrs. A. I. Dushane, Mrs. Ii.
Duhamel, Mrs. I. V. Ward and their
willing assistants. The interior OF the
church was tastefully decorated with
floral designs. With several exceptions
the music was generally congregational,
the special music rendered By the
choir being excellent, and which con-
4 .NE. Ia,. ,,gcn a,,1n
| by quartette composed of Miss Queen
Dushane, soprano; Mrs. Harry Duhamel,
contrato; Mr.. Harry Duhamel, tenor;
and DR.. Taylor, basso; Mrs. Harry Du
hamel acting as organist.
The morning exercises began at ten
thirty o'clock, and with those of the
afternoon were conducted by the Rev.
Albert Ware, rector of North Kent
Parish, and the Rev. William Schouler.
| rector of Trinity Church, Ekton, a
chapter from Revelations being read by
| DR.. Grammer, of Baltimore. The services
opened with music. The rector Rev.
| Thos Duncan delivered hearty address
of welcome. He was followed by Duncan
Neazey, ESD, of Baltimore. one of the
speakers OF the morning, who in a felici-
tous address recounted the early history
of Maryland with reference to the Epis-
copal Church. 1t was philosophical
discussion, from political and religious
standpoint. bearing upon tle birth of the
church in the province of Maryland, and
the opening of the way toward the estab-
lishment OF North Sassafras Parish. Hon.
David p. Davis recounted in detail the
history of the parish from its founda ton
to tho close of its first century. His
remarks were highly interesting. A
pleasing poem written for the occasion
by Mrs. Jerome Hardcastle was read. The
closing address of the morning was then
delivered by the Right Rev. leighton
Coleman, bishop of Delaware, who feel
ingly spoke of his fathers relations with
the parish, as rector, and of his own
early associations with the church. He
treated upon our Christian heritage and
urged that our earnest efforts should be
directed towar UNFOLDING the Church
Bishop Coleman pronounced the bone.
diction.
In the afternoon the first speaker was
State Senator John S. Writ, who spoke
of his personal and his family's associa-
ton with the parish. His remarks were
felicitous and well chosen. He paid
10 l,ta ,EI, 7
and also spoke of the need of an enlarged
missionary spirit in the diocese and
the country at large.
The history of the parish in the second
century was then read by George Biddlo,
ESQ, which was followed by an eloquent
closing address by Dr.. Julius f. Gram
NOR, of Christ's Church, Baltimore, who
delivered feeling tribute to his oompan
ion of many years, DR.. Thomas Duncan,
the rector OF St. Stephens, and cmpha-
sized the need of Christian life in
forming a manly character, and which
was the true end sought by the church.
The exercises hero closed with the bene
dIction pronounced by DR.. Duncan.
HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND ST.
STEPHENS CHURCH.
The following history of the parish
and of ST. Stephens Church is of marked
interest.
Previous to June 9, 1892, the Leglsla-
ture of the province of Mary land passed
an act for the service of Almighty God
and the establishment of the Protestant
religion in the province, and on the 22d
of November following, Capt. Charles
Jones, Col. Casparus Herman, Humphrey
Tilton. William Ward, Henry Riggs,
John James and William Fins, in con.
junction with a number of the free
holders of the county in compliance with
the act. established two districts or
parishes. They were the parishes of
Worton and South SlssafrAs Hundred,
and Of North Sassafras, Bohemia and Elk
Hundreds, and were called North and
Sou l. Sassafras parishes. St. Stephens
Church dates its historic existencs since
the 10th day of January, 1893, the Rev.
Lawrence Eanderbush at that time
being installed as rector. The vestry
consisted of Casparus Herman, William
Ward. John Thompson, Edward Jones,
Henry Riggs, aud Matthias Vandaghuy
den. Tobacco was then the principal
medium of exchange aud in the following
year at meeting of the vestry it was
ordered that the IL, 400 pounds OF tobacco
collected during the year should be
disposed of in the following way; 5000
| pounds to the rector: go pounds to the
sheriff for receiving it; 500 pounds to
| Thomas Pearce, clerk; the remaining
| 3,01S pounds to be placed in the hands OF
| Edward Jones as the amount necessary
| to defray the expenses incurred IN I'M
| proving and repairing the meeting house
| (which we have procured for tho present
until God shall enable us to build a
church. The taxables at this period
were 321 representing the number of
persons assessed within the limits of the
county. In 1896 the vestry decided
that it was necessary erect church.
and they accordingly purchased one
hundred acres Of land in a convenient
location. from William Ward for 5000
pounds Of tobacco, and little later two
hundred acres more were added to the
| purchase. A contract was made with
| Casparus Herman to erect church OF
brick or stone twenty five by thirty feet,
the walls to be two feet thick at the
foundation and eighteen inches above,
| they to be twelve feat high, to have four