The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-07-03
MEMORIAL.
MISS ELIzABErH BRIsCoE.


ing by the announcement Of the death OF Miss
Elizabeth Brscoe, one of the oldest inhabitants Of
Cecil county, in her eighty ninth year. Had Miss
Briscoe's days been estimated by the love her
friends bore her. and whose heartsare now sorrow.
ing, she would have been the Oldest.
Miss Briscoe was born February eighteen hun.
dred and twenty, and was called to her heavenly
home June twenty eighth, nineteen hundred and
eight.
For over seventy-ive years she was identified
with the interests of Rising Sun neghborhood.
Mr. John Brscoe, her father, came to this locality
shortly after the war of eighteen hundred and
twelve, from Kent county, and soon became
identified socially as well as in a business way
with Reuben Reynolds. one of the wealthy land
owners of that time, residing in Rising Sun then
a village of less than a dozen houses. Reuben
Reynolds few years previous had married Miss
Henrietta Cromwell, whose father owned Success
Farm, in susquehanna Manor, situated on the
Susquehanna river and west of Octoraro creek,
now owned by the heirs of the late Andrew
Nickle.
Mr.. john Cromwell was direct descendant OF
"Old Noll," and died swearing allegiance to King
George. Reuben Reynolds died about eighteen
hundred and fourteen. leaving Mr. Briscoe
executor of his estate. Mr. Briscoe in time
married the "relict' of his friend. and Elizabeth,
the subject of our sketch was born in eighteen
hundred and twenty. Mr.. Briscoe, soon after his
marriage. bought the "Sidwel property" part of
the original thousand acre tract granted to Henry
Reynolds. where he carried his family consisting
of Mrs. Briscoe, five small Reynolds children and
his own daughter, Elizabeth. This is now known
as the Briscoe property. on which stands the
greater part OF Rising Sun town, and through it
runs the Baltimore and Philadelphia Railroad.
At the old home east Of the railroad known as
Goshen whose immense, aristocratic Lombardy
poplar trees served las stars to the sailors" for
miles and miles distant, five children were born.
Elizabeth. Benjamin, Sara, Alexander and the
late Henry j.. who was county Treasurer. trusted
and esteemed by all.
Miss Briscoe like many OF Maryland's citizens
prominent in church and state began her edu-
cational career in the Old Stone School House, ,
whose walls still echo to the teachings of repre-
sensations of Nottingham Academy, Princeton
and Lafayette Universities and other halls of like
line of honor. Later she accompanied her elder
sisters to Friends school in Hartford county,
conducted by AUNT Ann and "Uncle'' Josie
Trimble.
Those were days long before railroads were SO
common. consequently the barouche, with hair
trunks in the boot steps let down at the side, rens
in the hands of Lewis, Luce and Owney'' in the
harness. stood at the door once month to carry
the young ladies to the river, where all were
ferried over to the Hartford side and on to school,
these monthly visits home never failing Miss
Brscoe went then to Baltimore to pursue her
special studies. among them music and painting,
and she promised herself to be singer of mean
merit and one who heard her sing MARY OF
Argyle or "Steer My Barque to Erin Isle" would
never forget the pathos and sympathy of Miss
BriscOe's voice, On her return from school she
settled down to take care OF things general. the
scattered. womans part of the home. and care
of an elderly mother no longer strohg, having
developed upon Elizabeth. Bome duties did not
prevent her WORKING for her Master. Nottingham
Presbyterian Church whose shadows had sheltered
her during her life time. soon began to recognize
her adaptability and from the music of the church
which her father precentor had with his fiddle
! for years led, she stepped into the Sabbath
School, and Missionary work. having been elected
president of the first missionary society organized
in Nottingham church. and for years represented
her homo society in other points of New Castle
Presbyteiy. Miss Briscoe kept open house for the
sick and homeless, none ever been known to have
been turned away uncared for -"because she loved
the brethern," and when mistakes were made
they were of the head not the heart Long years
ago. the writer being visitor at the home u car
riage stopped at the door aud man voice asked
the privi eye OF remaining over night Investigation
proving the party to consist of minister, his
wife and little son. the LAD suffering from broken
leg The party was invited in. the little sufferer
lain on the couch in the living room, supper ar.
ranged, all made comfortable for the night, but
the first thing the following morning. DR. Stubbs
was summoned, the broken limb set and the hos
pitality of the home rendered till the boy was
able to travel. and ii still living George Hambright
must recall wildly the month spent In the hos
pitable home of the Bris coe's Miss Briscoe had
quiet fund of fun in her composition, and the
young folks at social functions glad to gather
around her and join in her Incorporating. Her
greatest delights were children and flowers, and
all loved her. but now, "she is not. for God has
taken her, and our house is left unto desolate'
We sorrow not without hope tor we echo the
sentiment expressed by hard working man upon
hearing Of her DEATH if Hiss Briscoe has not gone
to heaven, we may as we'll quit trying to get
there"
Miss Briscoe was in her usual health when she
fell and broke her hip. Patient but intensely
suffering she fingered ten days. Saturday the
day previous to her leave taking, she rallied and
DR.. G. 8. Dare the attending physician, who was
ndefatigable in his attention. and the friends felt
quite encouraged, but about two O'Clock D. m she
remarked, Its all over, give up now and at
once began sink. The bright sun rose Sabbath
morning, still she fingered, but as his glorious
winged Its fight and now after life's fitful fever
she sleeps we'll"
Life, we've been long together
In pleasant and in cloudy weather,
IT'S hard to part when friends are dear,
Perhaps t may cause sigh, a tear.
Then steal away. give little warning,
Say not good night, but in that fairer cline bid
me Good morning." j.,