History

HISTORY OF THE GRAND ARMY MEMORIAL SERVICE

Charles Wesley Hull fought for the North during the War Between the States. When Mr. Hull donated the land and the building for the church, he did so in memory of the Grand Army of the Republic of the United States of America. Included in the original deed was a clause stating that the second Sunday in May of each year must be observed as Memorial Day of the Grand Army of the Republic and that if this condition is violated the property will revert to the grantors. The first annual memorial service was held on May 14,1905. This day, known in the community as "Grand Army Day," quickly became one of the highlights of the year. In 1914 the second Sunday in May was also nationally recognized as Mother's Day, and the following year the President of the United States of America proclaimed Mother's Day as an annual national observance. As the years passed and most of the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic died, the memorial service was taken over by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Interest in the service began to dwindle in the early fifties.

Since there was a conflict of emphasis between Mother's Day and the Memorial Day of the Grand Army of the Republic, an effort was made to clear the church deed in order that the memorial service would no longer be mandatory. This was realized in 1953 when Vernon L. Neilson, practicing attorney and member of the Lansdowne Christian Church, contacted the heirs, who graciously consented to sign off all rights to the church property. A clear deed was thus obtained at a cost of $1.00. It is noted in the following copy of the "Quit Claim Deed" that whenever and wherever the name "The Lansdowne Christian Church" is used for official publication, the words "Hull Memorial" shall also appear in recognition of the original grantors.

This deed, made this 10th day of June, in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Four (1904) by Charles W. Hull and Mary A. Hull, his wife, of the County of Baltimore and State of Maryland.

Witnesseth, That in consideration of the sum of one dollar ($1.00), the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the said Charles W. Hull and Mary A. Hull, his wife, do grant unto the directors of the Lansdowne Christian Church of Baltimore County (a body corporate), and to their assigns, in fee simple, subject, however, to the following conditions and restrictions:

First. That the premises are to be used for religious worship and services only,

Second. That the second Lord's Day in May of each year is to be set apart and observed as Memorial Day of the Grand Army of the Republic of the United States of America, and suitable services are to be held in commemoration of the brave men who remained loyal to the Government and sustained the Union.

All that certain lot or parcel of land, situated in Baltimore County, in the State of Maryland, designated and known as lots numbered twenty-five (25) and twenty-six (26), in block numbered one ( I ) , in Joshua, C. W. Hull's subdivision of forty-eight and three-quarters (48%) acres of land, being that portion of lot thirty-eight (38) of the Baltimore Company's lands, lying on the easterly side of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and fronting westerly on the Hammond's Ferry Road as appears by plat in the land records of Baltimore County, in liber J.W.S., No. 175; Folio 580. Together with all and singular the tenements, he reditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in anywise appertaining.

To have and to hold the same unto the said directors of the Lansdowne Christian Church of Baltimore County (a body incorporate), and to their assigns, in fee simple forever, subject to above conditions and restrictions, and if the same are violated, then this deed is null and void and no longer binding, and the property above mentioned shall revert back to the grantors, their heirs and assigns, in fee simple, clear of any right or title this deed may convey or intend to convey.

Witness their hands and seals.

Test :

ROBERT C. CLARKE.

CHARLES W. HULL (Seal)

MARY A. HULL (Seal)

State of Maryland,

Baltimore County Sct.

I hereby certify that on this 10th day of June, A. D., 1W4, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, of the State aforesaid, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Charles W. Hull and Mary A. Hull, his wife, and acknowledged the foregoing Deed to be their Act and Deed.

(Signed) ROBERT C. CLARKE,

Justice of the Peace.

Cw 01 Quit CLim %ed

THIS DEED, Made this 9th day of September in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-Three, by and between Winfield Scott Hull, Ella Bahr Hull (his wife) and Joshua Shelton Hull of Baltimore County in the State of Maryland, of the first part, and The Lansdowne Christian Church of Baltimore, a body incorporate, of the second part.

Whereas, on June 10, 1904, the hereinafter described lots were conveyed to the party of the second part by Charles W. Hull and Mary A. Hull (wife) and recorded in the Land Records of Baltimore County in the State of Maryland in Liber WPC 277, page 270, July 21, 1904, subject to the conditions and restrictions contained therein.

Whereas, both Charles W. Hull and Mary A. Hull (his wife) are now deceased and their remaining legal heirs are the parties of the first part with the exception of Charles J. Hull, son, who died July, 1927, leaving a son, Cyrus Hull, as his only heir, who died in the year 1952 without marrying or leaving legal issue.

Whereas, the remaining heirs of the original grantors are desirous of conveying any title in and to the hereinafter described property they may now hold or hereinafter could acquire, unto the party of the second part and to release any and all the conditions and restrictions of the aforementioned deed, they join herein for the purpose to release and quit claim. Ella Bahr Hull, wife of Winfield Scott Hull, joins herein to convey any dower or legal rights she may have by virtue of her marriage in and to the herein described lots. It being agreed between both parties of the first part and party of the second part that whenever and wherever the name "The Lansdowne Christian Church" be used for official publication, that the words "Hull Memorial" shall also appear under or around this title in recognition of the original grantors to perpetuate their memory.

Therefore, witnesseth, that in consideration of the sum of One Dollar and other good and valuable considerations, the party of the first part doeth grant release, quit elaim, discharge and convey unto the party of the second part, their successors and assigns, free and clear of all restrictions and conditions, in fee simple, the hereinafter described property.

Being, all that certain lot or parcel of land, situated in Baltimore County, in the State of Maryland, designated and known as lots numbered twenty-five (25) and twenty-six (261, in block numbered one ( I ) , in Joshua, C. W. Hull's subdivision of forty-eight and three-quarters (48%) acres of land, being that portion of lot thirty-eight (38) of the Baltimore Company's lands, lying on the easterly side of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and fronting westerly on the Hammond's Ferry Road as appears by plat in the land records of Baltimore County, in liber J.W.S., No. 175; Folio 580. Together with all and singular the tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in anywise appertaining.

Being the same lots conveyed in a deed, as recorded in Liber W.P.C. 277, page 270 on July 10, 1904, by Charles W. Hull and Mary A. Hull, grantors, unto the party of the second part in fee simple, subject to conditions therein.

Together with the buildings and improvements thereupon erected, made or being and all and every the rights, alleys, ways, waters, privileges, appurtenances and advantages, to the same belonging, or anywise appertaining.

To have and to hold the same unto the Lansdowne Christian Church (a body incorporate) party of the second part, their Successors and assign in fee simple, free and clear of any and all restrictions and conditions and any legal or equitable rights the party of the first part may now have or could thereafter acquire.

And the said party of the first part hereby covenant that They have not done or suffered to he done any act. matter or thing whatsoever, to encumber the property hereby conveyed; that They will warrant specially the property granted and that They will execute such further assurances of the same as may be requisite.

Witness the hand seal of said grantors

TEST :

VERNON L. NEILSON

ELLA BAHR HULL (SEAL)

WINFIELD SCOTT HULL (SEAL)

STATE OF MARYLAND,

, to wit:

I HEREBY CERTIFY, That on this 9th day of Sept. in the year one thousand nine hundred and fifty-three, before me, the subscriber, a Notary Public of the State of Maryland, in and for Baltimore County aforesaid, personally appeared Winfield Scott Hull and Ella Bahr Hull (his wife) the above named grantors, and they acknowledged the foregoing Deed to be their act. As Witness my hand and Notarial Seal.

GARNEAT. RINICK Notary Public.

My Commission expires May 31,1955.

TEST :

VERNONL. NEILSON

JOSHUAS HELTOHNU LL (SEAL)

STATE OF MARYLAND,

, to wit:

I HEREBY CERTIFY, That on this 9th day of September in the year one thousand nine hundred and fifty-three, before me, the subscriber, a Notary Public of the State of Maryland, in and for Baltimore County aforesaid, personally appeared Joshua Shelton Hull the above named grantor, and acknowledged the foregoing Deed to be his act.

As Witness my hand and Notarial Seal.

GARNEAT. RINICK Notary Public.

My Commission expires May 31,1955.