Evening journal., 1896-10-12
NOTABLE SOCIAL OCCASION.

NOl ADl4E OOAlAl4 O00AOlOANs
Special Correspondence Evening Journal
SMYRNA. Oct. 12.-Under the most
delightful circumstances and attended
by the most impressive exercises, Eliza
beth Cook Chapter, Daughters OF the
American Revolution, was formally or
ganized on Saturday, the anniversary
OF the birth Of the one for whom the
chapter was named. The organization
was held at Belmont Hail. the hand
meand antiquated home oftheregent
Mrs. G. o. G. Peterson-Speakman
AS a social affair this gathering
stands unequaled by any other occas-
ion yet held this season I'm this vicinity,
while its effect OF kindlng within the
heart the deepest love and admiration
for the noble defenders OF the coun-
try, will long be felt by those who, Sat
urday. sat beneath the portals of "Old
Belmont Hall, sacred to the memory
of the country's dead.
The old parlor OF a century ago was
tastefully embellished with decora-
tions, while the grand old staircase was
encircled by the national colors from
the lower hall TO the parapet upon the
house-top.
The afternoons exercises were OPEN
ed with prayer after which Mrs. Eliza
beth Clark Churchman, of Claymont,
state regent OF Delaware, delivered the
opening address In her usual interest
ing and pleasing manner. This was
followed by the address OF welcome ~
Mrs. c. E. c. Peterson Speakman, in
which she extended the heartiest well
come to those present, and said that
heredity had ever kept alive the parti-
otic fire kindled in her heart in her
early youth, and to-day witnessed the
realization OF many earnest longings to
show in some way the veneration she
felt for the previous legacy which was
hers. Mrs. Peterson-Speakman brought
into her remarks an original stanza Of
poetry
Elizabeth Cook did well her part
In trying times of old.
Well praise her name
On the page OF fame
And write il in letters of GOLD"
The address OF welcome was follow
ed by that Of the historian, Miss Anna
Cunningham, whose talk was OF such
a character as to be interesting to Del
awareans at large. Perhaps in no other
spot In Delaware do the lingering
memories OF revolutionary days cluster
more than they do within the shadows
of "Old Belmont Hall" IL was built in
1876, the bricks OF its walls having
been brought from England, and was
formerly owned by Governor Thomas
Collins, one of the early governors OF
Delaware. 1t was sold by DR.. William
Collins, the governors son, 10 John
Cloak, January g. 1927, the father OF
the present owner Mrs. Caroline Eliza
beth Cloak Peterson-Speakman In the
observatory, upon the top OF the man
sion, Governor Collins placed a senu-
mel TO watch the British who swarmed
in the neighborhood; but one night the
poor fellow was shot to death by a hos
tile scout. In trying to reach the room
below, where he died, the wounded
sentinel left the stains of his life
blood on several places. where they
remain to be seen to this day In The
room where the soldier breathed his
last there rung for a long time an auto.
graph letter of George Washington tC
General Collins. ordering him TO re
port with his brigade at Morristowr
for service. This has been lost. II
the parlor one will find the Old WorlC
fire place, with the blue and white tiles
of the time Of William and Mary, 4
front of which Governor Collins and hi
officers planned their campaign
against the British.
In this old hall the Legislature of tn,
state met at one time, during the yea
Of 1777, two OF the old-fashioned arm
chairs used by that body still remain
ing. John Cook. the father of the on
for whom this now is named and grea
grandfather Of Mrs Peterson-Speak
man. was. at different periods, sheriff
of Kent county; member of the Gen
eral Assembly; one of the committee
consisting Of Mexican, Cook, Robinson
Sykes and Vandyke. 10 devise the grea
seal of state; justice OF the Suprem
Court, private in Company 4, Captai
Peter Jacket; purchaser Of the army
and later speaker of the legislativ
council, and as such became actin
governor upon the resignation of Gov
ernor Dickinson.
Ebenezer Cloak, husband Of Eliza
beth Cook, and grandfather Of the pres
ent owner OF Belmont Hall, fitted OF
a privateer at his own expense [
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