(Chapter flow:)
ITS ORIGIN AND TOWN LIMITS
TOWN LIMITS
GROWTH, CHANGE OF NAME, ETC.
MERCANTILE ASPECT
MANUFACTURING
TRADES ETC.
SHIPPING INTERESTS
EASTERN SHORE STEAMBOAT CO.
SHIP BUILDING ETC.
HOTELS, LIVERY STABLES, ETC.
PHYSICIANS
LAWYERS
POST OFFICE
PRINTING OFFICES
SOCIAL ASPECT, ETC.
MORAL ASPECT
TEMPERANCE CAUSE
SCHOOLS
CHURCHES
Note: In duplicating this material for publishing on The Pocomoke Public Eye we have made minor adjustments to correct some of the spelling, punctuation, etc. We believe the errors were not in Rev. Murray's original writing but occurred in the process of formatting the material to a digital format for viewing online.
PHYSICIANS. Of the physicians of New Town (now Pocomoke City), Dr. John Stevenson was the first that we have any knowl- edge of. He settled in New Town about the year 1800, and practiced medicine until he died, which event occurred in in 1826. He was buried in the family burying ground on the farm, which now belongs to Thomas W. Hargis, he being at the time of his death 50 years of age. Dr. Stevenson had no competition in the practice of medicine until a few years before his death, consequently he had a large practice and made money. He had a genial spirit, was very popular both as a physician and citizen, and was highly cultured. (Previewed last week.)
He was a member of the Pitts Creek
Presbyterian Church, and as has already been intimated,
became independent, and when he died he left a fine
estate to his widow and children.
Dr. Morrison settled here for a short time and practiced
medicine. Dr. Johnson also practiced medicine in New
Town for a short time and then moved to Salisbury, where
he died. The first name of these two gentlemen I have
forgotten; they practiced in New Town in the latter part
of Dr. Stevenson's life.
Dr. John B. H. W. Clarvoe commenced the practice of
medicine in New Town in the latter part of Dr. Steven-
son's life. He built up an extensive practice; he was
sociable, intelligent and one of the most popular physicians
and citizens. The tidy little Doctor's image is before me
in my memory while I write. Seated upon his Teaboy or
Catahulean — for these were the names of his horses — hav-
ing his saddlebags with him, he would ride away to visit
his patients. The Doctor was a cousin to Bennett H.
Clarvoe, and consequently a relative of the celebrated and
well-known detective John Clarvoe, of Washington City,
who has recently deceased. The Doctor died compara-
tively a young man, and left a widow and three children,
all of whom have since passed away.
Dr. James B. Horsey settled in New Town in the prac-
tice of medicine a while after Dr. Stevenson's death. He
married the Doctor's youngest daughter, Elizabeth, and
occupied the homestead while he lived. He died in 1838,
aged 30 years. Dr. Horsey was a native of Snow Hill.
His father died when he was quite small. The independ-
ent and generous-hearted David Hopkins, of Snow Hill,
who was a bachelor, took a liking to the sprightly lad and
assumed his education. He gave him a thorough college
course all at his own expense. After the doctor's gradua-
tion Mr. Hopkins gave him a physician's outfit, consisting
of horse, carriage, etc. Dr. Horsey had a bright intellect,
was a good physician, and a ready off-handed speaker
when the occasion called him out.
Dr. George S. D. Shipley commenced the practice of
medicine, in New Town, in 1839, and continued here ten
or eleven years. He then moved to Salisbury and in a
few years he died. He was a good physician and a gentle-
man in the best sense of the word.
Dr. Collyer was associated with Dr. Shipley in the
practice of medicine in New Town, he afterwards moved
to Accomac County, Va., where he soon died. Dr. Joseph
L. Adreon commenced the practice of medicine in New
Town, in 1839. He was a good physician, practiced about
20 years, and in i860 he died.
Dr. Adreon left an amiable widow and a fine family of
children. In 1846 Dr. John L. Hearn commenced the
practice of medicine in New Town, and continued the
same until 1872, during which year he died, embracing a
period of 26 years. Dr. Hearn was a native of New
Town, he was born the 19th day of March, 1823. When
in 1847 he received the hand of Miss Sallie E. Atkinson in
marriage, a young lady every way worthy of him. Dr.
Hearn had a bright intellect, beyond the common order
of minds. He was a good physician and was very pop-
ular both as a physician and citizen. His popularity in the
old Whig party was so great that when there was a proba-
bility of a hard struggle between them and the Democratic
party, he would be selected as the most mailable candi-
date to carry the election for the Whig party. He left a
widow and four children that are an honor to his name
and who possess minds of an intellectual order.
Dr. John T. B. McMaster, physician and surgeon, was
born in Worcester County, Md. near New Town, now
Pocomoke City, on the 18th day of December, 1827.
His parents were Samuel and Ann Baily (Merrill)
McMaster. His mother was the daughter of William
Merrill and grand daughter of Col. Clement Parker of
Accomac County, Va. The McMaster family descended
from the old Scotch Covenanters. They emigrated to
America soon after the restoration of Charles II, and
settled near Carlisle, Perm. (Pa.?) His grand father was a
Presbyterian Minister. In his boyhood Dr. McMaster
attended the country schools of the period, and was well
drilled in the English branches and mastered the elementary
classes. He possessed a quick and active mind and learned
with great readiness.
Soon after leaving school he engaged in mercantile
pursuits, but finding them unsuited to his tastes, he com-
menced in 1848 the study of medicine with G. S. D.
Shipley, of New Town. The following year he matricu-
lated at the University of Maryland, where he attended two
full courses of lectures, and graduated in the spring of 1850.
He at once commenced the practice of his profession in
New Town in partnership with Dr. John L. Hearn, and
soon succeeded in building up a large and lucrative prac-
tice. The partnership was dissolved in 1857, since which
time Dr. McMaster has continued alone in the same place,
growing constantly in favor as a practitioner and citizen.
Several young men trained by him for the profession are
now practicing in the county.
In 1862, he was appointed by President Lincoln Brigade
Surgeon of Volunteers, but on account of the death of the
oldest physician in the town, too many duties devolved
upon him at home and he did not go into the army, but
was employed during most of the war as contract physician,
with headquarters at New Town. In 1862 he was
appointed examining surgeon for the first draft of militia
called for by President Lincoln, which duty he fulfilled to
the general satisfaction of the people of the county. In
1864 he was elected to the Senate of Maryland for two
sessions, and taking an active and leading part in the
debates, became an influential member of that body. In
1866 he was appointed post master for New Town for 2 years.
In 1868 he was appointed inspector and gauger of liquors
and inspector of snuff and cigars, but only held these
positions for a short time. The General Assembly of
Maryland, through his efforts, granted a charter for New
Town, and in 1867 he was elected town commissioner,
which position he held for two years to the entire satisfac-
tion of the community. During this period he was mainly
instrumental in having the town well lighted, the streets
widened and many other things accomplished that have
greatly improved the place. In 1868 he was appointed
by President Johnson Assistant Assessor of Internal
Revenue, which position he held for nearly two years. In
1869 a charter was obtained to construct a railroad from
King's Creek to New Town, and Dr. McMaster was elected
president of the company. Through his active exertions
the road was soon completed and in running order. In
1865 he procured a charter lor a company to build a
bridge across the Pocomoke River. He subscribed to the
stock, organized the company, and within the year the
bridge was built, taking the place of the ferryboat which
had done service for nearly two hundred years. On May
May 15, 1851, Dr. McMaster was united in marriage with
Elizabeth Grace, daughter of J. S. Stevenson, a well-known
citizen of New Town. They have had seven children,
five of whom are still living. The eldest son, John S., is
preparing to enter the legal profession. In his religious
views Dr. McMaster prefers the norms and practices of the
Presbyterian Church, both as a matter of choice and of
respect for the opinions of his forefathers. He is one of
the leading physicians of the State. He has rendered large
public services and is regarded as one of the most spirited
citizens of Maryland. He is now in the meridian of his
manhood, possessing more than an ordinary degree of
brilliancy of intellect, and is always ready to take the lead
in every public good.
Dr. Alexander Powell practiced medicine in New Town
in 1831. What time he commenced practicing and how long
he continued I am not prepared to say, he, however, went
to the South, settled there, and has since died. Dr.
Edward White practiced medicine in New Town in 1845,
he did not, however, continue long before he moved to the
City of Baltimore where he is still engaged in the practice
of his profession. Dr. Henry J. P. Dickinson was born
near New Town, Maryland, on the twenty-sixth day of
September, 1826. His parents were James T. and Nancy
Dickinson; he was raised and educated in New Town,
studied medicine under Dr. Joseph L. Adreon, and grad-
uated at the University of Maryland, in 1850. He
commenced practicing medicine at Barren Creek Springs,
Somerset County, (now Wicomico,) Md. In 1852, he was
united in marriage with Miss E. A. Waller, of that county,
who died in a year or two after her marriage leaving one
son in his infancy. After the death of his wife, Dr. Dick-
inson moved to New Town and commenced the practice
of medicine; in a few years he married Miss Emma F.
Lambdon, of Worcester County, alter which he moved to
the country, on his farm, and there continued the practice
of medicine until he died, which event occurred in 1865.
He left four children, one by his first wife and three by his
last, one of whom has since died. Granville E. Dickinson,
his oldest son, studied medicine and graduated at the
University of Maryland, in 1874, at the age of twenty-one
years, and commenced the practice of medicine in Fair-
mount, Somerset County, Maryland, where he still con-
tinues.
Dr. David J. O. Truitt was born in New Town, Md., on
the fifth day of November, 1836. His father, after being
engaged in the mercantile business, in New Town, for
several years, moved to the City of Baltimore, where the
Doctor was educated at the Newton University, after grad-
uating at that institution, he studied medicine, attended
two full courses of lectures and graduated at the University
of Maryland in I857, at the age of twenty-one years. He
then, excepting - two intervals in which he practiced in the
Southern Dispensary of Baltimore and Xasswadduso, (Nassawango?)
Worcester County, Maryland, settled in New Town, and
has remained here ever since. Dr. Truitt is a good phy-
sician, and is considered one of the best surgeons on the
Eastern Shore, and is a worthy and useful citizen. He
has been thrice married and has three children. CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.
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