Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1895-07-30
THE "LHuEET SOUTH RIVER CLUB. "
Some Interesting "Reminiscences of
It's Early History.

It's Early History.
1t is with more than usual gratii-
cation, that the writer has learned of
the meeting Of this ancient club, on the
fourth day OF this present month. 1895.
when it was reorganized after suspen-
sion for number of years.
Again has this venerable institution
entered into new existence, and by the
election or nine new members, given
earnest of continuance for many years,
ia perpetudm it is earnestly hoped. AT
the time of its reorganization only four
members survived, to wit: Hon. Alex.
b. HagDer, Henry III. Brngdon, William
Donaldson Stewart and Richard Parran
Sellman.
The history of this club goes back
nearly two hundred years, and is believ-
ed to be the Oldest surviving club in this
country, or Great Britain. Ii is true its
records date only from llth day of Feb
ruary, 1742, fOl all of its eailiest records
persisted when its Club House WAS burn
ed prior To that date and which WAS the
date it occupied for the first time, its
new Club House, in which the meetings
have been held ever since. Its holding
is uuder deed from Mr.. John Gassaway,
then member of the Club. There are,
however, evidences of the existence of
this Club, many years prior TO this date
and in an entry in the diary of MIR.
Thomas St0ckett he mentions serving
as stewart after returning from Eng
land, which could not have been later
than 1887.
In the issue of the Maryland Gazette
of 18th of July, lT46, notice is published
that the "Ancient South River Club"
would, on the following Thursday, hold
grand entertainment to give expires
sion to their qualification, for the great
victory at Culloden, of the Duke of Cum
berland over the Pretender. An age at
that time of hardly less than fftg years,
would have merited or obtained the des-
ignation of Ancient South River Club. y
The writer knows from statements of
the members who were old in his youth,
that they firmly believed this Club to
have been in existence from about 100.
The list of the members, made by direc-
tion of the Society up to the l1th OF Feb
ruary, 1742, and recorded in its Book OF
Records, shows thirty-Beven names
many of whom, as the writer has the
means of knowing, were quite old men
at that time-so that it may safely be
assumed that this Association WIS entl-
tied from its age to he designated as the
"Ancient.o
As well as from its great age as for its
many great lamentations, it should
be source of pride on the part of the
community, and cherished rs a social
institution, CARRYING us back by its rules
and customs to the early days of the
Colony. Through all this time its MEM
bers have teen selected from nearly every
representative family in that portion OF
the county, as well AS from the City OF
Annapolis and other portions of the
State, as its rolls testify. The writer
greatly regrets, that by reason of sick
ness. he was precluded from participate
ing in the happy festivities attending its
reorganization, ,at the old gathering place,
where he had spent so many happy DAYS,
and of which club quorum par fUi,
ssfor some years." the nth in regular
descent. The writer recollects when
this club had diminished to only three
members, MIR. William Stewart, DIR.
William Brogdon and Mr. Joseph Noble
Stockett. 1t was very seldom that either
DIR. Brogdon or Mr.. Stewart was able
to attend, the first by reason of sickness
and the latter by the intirInitics of old
age-but each served regularly in his
turn, and Mr.. Stockett regularly and
IcllRlouSly dIJcHucuf anu Will Olu Ian
iel Watkins, the Ganymede, brewed the
toddy and partook of the dinner, and
rs old Daniel phrased the closing exer-
cises ''held Glass; and closed the busi-
ness entries. Occasionally neighbOr
or visitor would join in the very teme-
rate iollity, which the occasion gave rise
| to. This continued from January, 1892
until some time i'll 1885, when a number
of new members were added and the
Club again became animated with new
life. That it's existence has been preserv-
ed through all the upheavals of thesocie-
| ty in that section is a marvel--and fOT
its happy continuance the wishes of the
best citizens may be relied upon.
#. ii. s.