The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-12-14


IL THE PRESENCE OF THE ASHES OF HIS
ANCESTORS.
On my arrival in New York with my
for both Sir Archibald and Lady Flea
nor, telegraphing my father what was
about, and that the caskets were to be
supposed to come from England.
AS may well be imagined, there was a
grand social upheaval in Pasonagessit
when my father made known the con-
tents of my London letter and an
nounced that was about to sail from
England in charge of the remains of his
great at-grandfather and great -grandmoth-
er. Sir Archibald and Lady Eleanor
Johnson. Nothing else was talked of
in the village. AT first few venerable
danes callcd to talk over the great fam
lily event with my mother. Then the
Bradfords began to call, and soon there
was a grand rush of both young and old.
Pasonagessit precipitated itself upon the
johnson mansion.
All this time my father was busy He
had found what he had long needcd--an
occupation-and was in his element. He
at once bought a large plat Of ground in
the Pasouagessit cemetery and an-
nouneed that he intended to remove to
1t the remains of his father, mother
grandfather, grandmother and all his
ancestors, whose tOmhs were scattered
through New England in several distant
and neglected graveyards. He became
SO interested and SO thoroughly in ear
nest in this work that he almost convinced
himself that the remains about to ar
rive from England were really those of
his great grandfather and great-grand-
mother
IIo Immediately gave orders for the
disinternent aud removal to Pasonases-
sit of the remains of his father, mother
and other ancestors whose graves We're
in New England, a work he would never
have thought Of had it not been for his
having first undertaken the great enter
prise Of bringing over from England his
Sreat-grandparents
The event was naturally pleasing TO the
pride of my mother and sisters. There
fore when they saw my father wholly
absorbed in the new undertaking and
sparing neither pains nor expense in car
rying ont his plans their enthusiasm be-
came almost boundess. Nearly every
day they We're out to where he was en-
gagged in experimenting the work of lay
ing out his burial lot. The county survey
or was employed, and tine sites OF all the
proposed tUinbs were traced and perma-
nently marked Rev. Nantucket Sperm,
Captain Shrimp and all the church Off
GERS were led out to the churrhyard
and solemnly consulted.
In explaining his plans my father was
in his glory. Here would bo the tombs
of Sir Archibald and Lady Eleanor; ad-
joining would be those of my great
grandfather and great-grandnather, and
SO on down. Indeed, from quite an ac-
cidental beginning. my family We're in
the thick of what might be termed
grand sepulchral boom. Others, too.
caught the infection, and there was
general oyerhanlinS Of tombs aud bright
ening up Of the paspnagessit graveyard.
Soon it had been So beauiitied that all in
the village were proud of it.
When my father was informed If my
arrival in New York. he at once dropped
all bis work and Joined me. Never be-
fore had | seen the old gentleman so
thoroughly in earnest and so filed to
saturation with any hobby or undartak-
ing.
When took him TO the undertaker's
and showed him tho splendid and costly
caskets in which reposlrl The remains Of
Sir Archibald and Lady Eleanor, he was
much affected. then pointed out the
family arms on the coffin plates and ex-
hibited to him a number of the silver
gilt buttons Of my great-great grand
father.
To my astonishment, while was glib
ly running on about these things, tho
old gentleman suddenly broke dorm.
Leaning ms mead upon my shoulder, ne
said, Il can't Eelp it. my son!" and he
sobbed aloud.
This exhibition OF feeling on tho part
of my good father brought tears TO my
eyes, and we wept together.
The undertaken, who Of course knew
how very ancient the remains were. was
quite surprised at such an outburst of
grief. Addressing my father, he said.
My dear sir, your excellent relative de.
parted for the better land Il very long
time ago. You could not have had the
plshsnre of personal acquaintance with
him."
Il cannot help but weep" said my ia.
ther He was, you must know, sir, my
great t-grandtather-one to whom | am
indebted for my very existence. CaaI
stand In the presence of his remains, sir,
and not be moved? No. sir; owe to his |
ashes the trihuta of a fa,,, &c.. -