The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-07-06
1na.pepaenee p.y i ma HisrlolS.-:

For a number of years past there has beel
no general celebration in this county o
Americas Natal Day. In this, the closing
year of the century, however, e united efror
was put forth to have such an Observance al
would render July 4 1900, memorable one
The leading feature was the unvei ing q tab
let, which marks the spot upou which one
hundred and twenty-five years ago ur sturdy
forefathers manifested their patriotism by de-
claring In unmistskable language that indie,
pendsnce which was proclaimed to the world
In 1176.
The tablet which Is OF granite bears the
following inscription in brasf: -,
This tablet marks the site VI the building
in which were held the courts Of 'Harf9rd
county from Its organization, In March, l77s,
until March, 11s3. Iu this hvLss the com
mittee OF Hartford county held its meetings
before and during the early years of The
Revolution. Here. at meeting held on tie
22l day Of March, l115. the following men,
bers of the committee passed and signed a
formal declaration pledging their lives and
fortunes to the cause which, year later, re-
suited in the Declaration of Independence -
The uncertainty and general inclemency Of
the weather In March, upon the 22d day of
which, the paper was passed and sigued, caus-
ed the Revolutionary Society 10 postpone
their celebration until Wednesday, season
when Dame Nature lends her effort to render
the world worth living In; when everything
which has fife is at its best and every fibre OF
animal life rsjoices.
1t was confidently expected that the citi-
zens Of Hartford would respond TO the call for
their assemblage upon the historic ground
and the promoters of the movement were not
disappointed. as the attendance fully came
up to their expectation and despite the In
tense heat, the dust and other discomforts,
there was nothing to mar the proceedings
The ceremonies commenced about eleven
O'Clock, the stand, which was appropriately
decorated, being erected in q grove = short
distance from the spot upon which the tablet
was erected. The programme was as follows:
Prayer by Rev. E. d. Finney, pastor emeri-
tus OF the Bel Air Presbyterian Church, after
which an address Of welcome was delivered
by General Herman Stump, the president of
the Revolutionary Society. He referred par
ticularly to the important event which was
celebrated, and related the connection OF
Maryland with the Revolution.
At the conclusion Of General Stump's ad-
dress, procession WAS formed with Mr..
James c. Young, as Chief Marshal and Ids
aids, Lewis Williams, Malcolm Worthington,
Harry Watts, Henry D. Muuuikhuysen, WIN.
J. Shanahan and Clyde Spencer, The wilma
Band followed with Company d, First Rsg1-
meut l. NJ. y. e., Captain Thomas u. For
wood commanding, Mt. Ararat aud Aberde n
lodges, A. F. and A. N. and Jr. o. U. A. N.
The stone was laid with Masonic Ger, mon-
les and at their conclusion the tab ct was un-
yelled by thirteen bright young misses in
charge of Miss Daisy Archer. They were
Helen Reckord, Elsie Reckord, Mary. Bruins,
Elizabe b Hopkins, Roberta Csslleman, Mary
Maulsby Nelson, Rebecca Dallam. Hazel
Dean. Caroline Harlan, Elizabeth Bradford,
Marguerite Heuer, Fannie Shelter and
Eleanor Heuer. They were dressed 10 white
and wore blue caps adorned with white stars.
AS the American flag with which the stone
was covered was slowly hoisted, The Star
Spangled Banner" was sung. ....
Luncheon was then psrtaken of and at two
O'Clock the regular exercises began. Letters
OF regret were read from Gen. Nelson A.
Miles, Justice Harlan, of the United States
Supreme Court, Mayor Thomas G. Hayes and
others. Master Irving jerome sullivan, N
nine ear-old son of Mr.. d. r. Sullivan, Of
VanBibber, recited 1.-The Liberty Bell' in q
most creditabe manner. The Declaration Of
Independence was read BY MIR. Walter W.
Preston.
The orator Of the day was Mr.. Thomas R.
Clendimen. He was followed by e1-Judge
Geo. Y.Maynsdier, who gave an account of
the old curt house. Col. William II. Love, of
Baltimore, and Mr.. Samuel w. Bradford, the
indefAtigable secretary OF the Association.
DR.. George W. Archer read an account Of
the early uoings In Hsrford county and the
ceremonies closed with prayer by Rev. d..
Leakip OF Baltimore, -