Page:Memoirs of the Lives.djvu/79

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In the year 1731, he purchased a small farm, situated about nine miles, in a north-easterly direction, from Philadelphia, upon the side of the road leading from that place to the village of Bustleton. Here he had a log house erected, and otherwise improved his little property; and upon this spot he lived in patriarchal simplicity, during the remainder of his innocent and useful life.

Ralph Sandiford was small in stature; his physiognomy is represented to have been characteristic of his mind, strongly marked with intelligence and benignity. He was conscientiously opposed to those habits of luxury which even in the early times in which he lived, had begun to be indulged in Pennsylvania. His clothing was made in the most simple manner, and was of the natural colour of the material of which it was composed. He was hospitable, and entertained those who visited him with all the liberality that was consistent with his primitive mode of living. He was kind and charitable to the poor, and assisted them, when opportu-