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1886

Death of an Estimable Lady.

Mrs. Elizabeth W. Magruder, a most estimable
and popular lady, died at the
residence of Mr. Fletcher Magruder in
Cracklin District, on last Monday morning,
the 18th inst., in the 61st year of
her age. Her illness was of short duration,
and her death was the result of
bronchial troubles. Mrs. Magruder was
the widow of the late Dr. William B.
Magruder and the daughter of the late
Major Ephraim Gaither, and her family
connection is one of the largest
and most distinguished in the county.
Two daughters and one son survive her:
Mrs. Philip D. Laird, of Rockville;
Mrs. Pierre Stevens, of Washington;
and Mr. Robert Magruder, residing near
Brookeville. The funeral took place on
Wednesday, and was largely attended.

Mrs. Mary B. Hall, wife of Mr. Elisha
John Hall, died at her home—"Longwood"—
near Brookeville, on Tuesday
afternoon, 19th instant, after an illness
of about eleven months, in the
78th year of her age. Mrs. Hall was a
daughter of the late Roger Brooke and
was greatly beloved and highly respected
by a very large circle of relatives
and acquaintances. The funeral took
place from her late home on yesterday
and the interment was in the family
burying ground on the farm where she
died.

MARY BROOKE HALL.

On the 19th of October, after nearly a
year of suffering, the spirit of this loved
and loving wife, mother and friend
found, doubtless, rest and peace.

She was the daughter of Roger Brooke,
of "Brooke Grove," and inherited many
of his striking characteristics; being
hospitable, energetic and deeply interested
in whatever occurred around her.

She married Elisa John Hall and
most efficiently aided him while he conducted
so successfully and usefully the
Brookeville Academy. During many
years, since their residence at "Longwood,"
she has welcomed many visitors
and made them know the delights of a
well-ordered and beautiful country
home.

The poor and the needy found her ever
helpful, though quiet. Making no profession
and "not letting her right hand
know what her left hand did," she fed the
hungry and clothed the naked. She
loved flowers and all the beauties of nature.
Her sickness was borne with heroic
fortitude. An almost constant attendant
says—"Through weeks and
months of great suffering, she had not
murmured, but evinced quiet resignation.
At the close, a sweet calm seemed
to pervade the room as if the influence
of her placid, loving life was leaning
upon us all—the feeling of perfect
peace. Her devoted and faithful husband,
her sorrowing children and grand
children have been untiring in their
ministrations.

May they find their reward!

She was laid in the family enclosure
on the 21st inst., in the presence of a
large concourse of loving friends and
neighbors. Rev. Dr. Nelson and Rev.
Mr. Laird performed the last sad offices,
and we left her beneath the bright
autumnal sky amid the changing leaves
and surrounded by the flowers so carefully
tended by her in her life, and now
fading to bloom again. So will it be
with her. H. C. H.

IN MEMORIAM.

Mrs. Mary Brooke Hall, wife of Hon.
E. J. Hall, of Brookeville, Montgomery
county, Md., who died at her beautiful
country home, "Longwood," near that
place, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1886, in the
78th year of her age, is well remembered
my many of our leading citizens as one
whose rare Christian character and great
moral worth have left an impress upon
the lives of all who had the privilege of
knowing her as she was, a simple, grand,
lovely and loveable wife, mother and
friend.

Daughter of the late Roger Brooke,
Esq., of "Brooke Grove" (an original
grant from the Lord Proprietary, which
is still owned and occupied by her brother,)
one of Maryland's leading citizens in
his day; she was connected by the ties of
blood and marriage with many of the
oldest families of Maryland and Virginia.

Born and reared in the Society of
Friends, she early acquired the gentle
placidity of manner and deportment
characteristic of the good people of that
faith; and though never called to be a
public teacher among them, her beautiful
life and loving, gentle ways reached
many hearts with an influence more
potent and lasting than any "gift of
tongues" has ever been able to boast.
Nearly fifty years ago as the bride of the
then youthful principal of the Brookeville
Academy, an institution from
which many of our leading citizens
were graduated into the busy scenes of
active life, her sphere of usefulness was
widely extended, and most faithfully
and effectually did she till it, as many of
us can testify when we recall the homesickness
as common to first days of absence
from the loved fireside which this
gentle, kindly, patient lady made to
vanish as if by magic.

Retiring from the active duties of
teaching, her husband became one of
Maryland's gentlemen farmers; and
here, as the presiding genius of a charming
home, she soon became known the

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