Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-03-24
SOME REFLECTIONS.

SOME REFLECTIONS.
Editor Register-The passing away
Of Mrs. Phillips, the last of the Chap
that once formed such a distinguished
coterie in the Established Church of
old Virginia, brings the sad reminder
ihat those names, Ece, Marshall, But
Ter, Morgan, Shepherd, are disappear
ing, and their lands are now held by
others; and the beautiful stone church
around whose altar they formerly gath
cred now stands a lonely, melancholy
monument to their memory.
This suggests a contrast between the
former century and our own, and
cannot but agree with DR.. Knott that
there was commanding personality
a dignity OF demeanor, about the OLD
landed proprietors that we do not find
today in our broader area of COM
mercialism. The old landlord, sur
rounded by all manner of life and SER
vice, by his experience grew into a
nobler, more independent style Of man
hood than the trader or even the great
financier, sitting upon his money bags:
and the former as the centre Of family
and a farm community had a wider,
more humane knowledge than the
specialized acumen Of the banker in
counting cent per cent. Hereupon the
question presents itself: "Was not
the era OF the rule Of landlordism. with
Washington at its front, far superior
In wiSoom TO our present government,
swayed in financial and industrial con-
hict' There is but one answer; but
alas, we cannot return to the former
days and can only console ourselves
Tor their loss in the greater con-
veniences and pleasures afforded us
by modern science and its discoveries
yet even these cannot atone for the
absence of dignity and character.
The Chapline family had a largo
farm up in Terrapin Neck, and a mum
Der OF slaves. During the apple
season Chapline's darkies were the
chief purveyors of that fruit TO the
town, when they might be seen on
Saturday nights perambulating with
oagS OF apples on their shoulders, and
WISHING the houses for purchasers.
uncle Fred, the last of these. who by
the way chung to Mrs. Phillips still as
slave to a master, passed away only a
Joseph Chapline. the eldest son. and
iather OF Mrs. Phillips (or Pink Chap
line as she was called in her girlhood
aays),. went west to practice law and
mere became a Republican in politics.
Al the beginning of the Civil War he
came east and held an important post
IN Washington under President Lin
coin When peace was restored he be-
came Judge in the district, where his
kin1.y, conciliatory course made him
nluch beloved even BY the old Con-
ieacratcs. 1t was said that his de-
ciSionS were based more on common
sense Justice and good feeling than on
mere legalism-that he never made a
wrong or appealed decision. His
orother, Tom Cnapline, was sheriff
ana ms actions NAV well be illustrated
oy ms story told ME by Mrs. Phillips:
Ioing out to see Colonel Morgan
VINO mad Just returned from the sur
render al AppomattpX. about some deb.
collection, he found the Colonel milk
ing a cow. In reply to the shcriff's
inquiry ne said:
well, Tom! haven't anything in
inns world but this COW. and VIC are
living on her now. You will be Obliged
TO levy on her"
No. indeed" replied Tom. "Don't
worry about that; send over YOUR horse
and cot and will try 10 help YOU"
But have no horse. colt or mule"
r-0Iiei Morgan.
maj afternoon Tom ChapIine sent
over a CARLOAD o. provisons-Hour
TTacoh and potatoes, TO Morgan. Like
~ he remembered this Kindness for i
atter wears during his own long ne.
rlou OF holding the sheriffalty his ex-
leniency. "
Mrs. Phillips had travelled over =
great part Of the world and had rho
knowledge and polish given bv tina
experience and by mingling amono the
ceicorities Of the time. Yet she was
more interested in the history OF her
nome neighborhcod AMI in genealogical
research about the families of its
pioneers. She spent much time -
searching court and church records
ana mad compiled complete heraldrv
ana history Of al personaees here.
aoouts, which would be invaluable N
uem could It be published. Her wide
worldly experience made her broad and
iloeral in her religious views. vet Che
S.hI held detotedlv to the church n,
her torefathers. Her loss will he CO.
Sereiy felt as neighbor and friend
whose counSels were ALWAYS kind ,nJ
and her vacant place can
never be filled. "''
ST. JOHN Dyer.