When Pocomoke Was Young- Conclusion of Rev. Murray's book.

 

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.

CHURCHES (CONCLUDED.) 



In 1845, November, 13th the St. Mary's Protestant 
Episcopal Church in New Town was consecrated, by 
Rt. Rev. William Rollinson Whittingham D. D. Bishop 
of Maryland. This church was built through the inde- 
fatigable labors of the Rev. John Crosdale D. D., who 
from the day of its consecration to the day of his death 
was its rector. This is a beautiful church, particularly its 
inside look, and there is connected with it a fine cemetery.. 
The Church also owns a good parsonage with a spacious 
lot attached. The whole property cost between seven 
and eight thousand dollars. This church has 85 com- 
municants and a fine Sabbath School of 65 scholars 
enrolled, with an average attendance of 35. It has ten 
teachers and 150 volumes in its library. The current 
expenses of this church, including rector's salary, benevo- 
lent contributions, and incidental expenses amount to 815 
dollars. This church has a small invested fund, the 
interest of which is appropriated to the rectors salary. 
This is a growing, prosperous church with Rev. Francis 
W. Hilliard, a man of erudition, for its Rector. 

As the Rev. John Crosdale, D.D., was the originator of 
this church, it is but doing justice to his memory that a 
record of his life, in connection with his church which he 
served so faithfully, should here be recorded. He was 
born in the City of Baltimore on the 18th day of July, 
1818; died in Pocomoke City March ninth, 1878. Ordained 
in Rehoboth Church on the 4th Sunday in Advent, 1842, 
he thenceforth, with occasional intermissions, ministered in 
Coventry Parish. When Pocomoke Parish was set off there- 
from, he became and continued until death its devoted 
rector. The diocese of Easton, established chiefly by his 
exertions, preferred him to every post of trust and respon- 
sibility. His brethren and children in the faith loved him 
dearly, while integrity, wisdom and benevolence led all the 
people to hold him in honor. 

"Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I 
might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which 
I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of 
the grace of God." 

The foregoing account of him I have taken from his 
monument in the cemetery of St. Mary's Church in 
Pocomoke City. 

In 1874, he received the honorary degree of D.D. from 
the Washington College, Md. There are but few men 
who for thirty-five or more years could sustain themselves 
in ministering to one congregation, with that acceptability 
which Dr. Crosdale did. He literally devoted his talent 
of mind, time and means to the interest of his church and 
the cause of the poor. His history speaks in tones louder 
than words, ''The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up." 
Here is a record that is worthy of admiration. 

The Baptist Church in New Town, now Pocomoke City, 
was built in 1853, and was dedicated by the Rev. J. W. 
M. Williams, D.D., of Baltimore, Md. It is situated at 
the corner of Market and Fourth Streets in an eligible 
part of the town. This church is built of good material 
and by one of the best workmen in the country, Mr. Isaac 
Marshall, deceased, of Somerset County, Md. It is well 
proportioned and has the handsomest steeple upon it of 
any church in the town. 

The Baptist Church in Pocomoke City has a membership 
of 87 on the church roll, and has a fine Sabbath School of 
75 pupils enrolled and an average attendance of 50, with 
100 volumes in the library. This school has had but two 
superintendents from the time of its organization to the 
present time, namely, J. C. Riley and I. H. Merrill, Mr. 
Merrill being the present one. The church has a good 
parsonage in the heart of the town and a cemetery but a 
short distance in the country. The estimated value of the 
church property including parsonage and cemetery, is 
5600 dollars. The running expenses of this church and 
Sabbath School, annually, including the pastor's salary, 
benevolent collections incidental expenses, etc., amounts 
to 610 dollars. The names of the ministers who have 
served as pastors to this church from its organization to 
the present time are as follows, Revs. S. C. Boston, A. 
Harley, O. F. Flippo, James G. Council, E. M. Burns, L. 
D. Paulling, H. J. Handy and James A. Wolf, Mr. Wolf 
being the present pastor. These men have served the 
church with fidelity, and have been the chief instrumen- 
tality in building it up and giving it a name, and standing 
for usefulness among its sister churches that reflect honor 
upon them. 

The colored Methodist Episcopal Church in New Town, 
now Pocomoke City, was organized in 1864. It has a 
membership of 186 including probationers. It has a good 
Sabbath School of 115 pupils and teachers, with an 
average attendance of 85, and 150 volumes in the library. 
This church has a missionary chapel in connection with 
the church, a parsonage and cemetery. The whole prop- 
erty is estimated, in value, to be worth 1,710 dollars. 
The running annual expenses of the church, including the 
pastor's salary, benevolent collections, incidental expenses 
etc., amounts to 355 dollars and 50 cents. The ministers 
who have occupied the pastorate of this church from its 
organization to the present time are as follows: Revs. 
Handy Long, David Eaves, Isaac Broughton, James 
Webb, Abraham Brown, William Phillips, Charles Wing, 
G. M. Landon and George H. Washington, Mr. Wash- 
ington being the present pastor. 

The African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Town, 
now Pocomoke City, was organized in 1872. It has a. 
membership of 79 including probationers, a Sabbath 
School with 51 pupils enrolled, and 25 in average atten- 
dance, with 66 volumes in the library. The church 
building is a good one, and quite creditable and it, 
together with the lot of ground on which it stands, and 
an adjoining house are estimated in value at 1,200 dollars. 
The pastors who have served this church since its organi- 
zation are as follows. Revs. George W. Jones. Charles C. 
Reeder, John Budd, Charles Young and Thomas M. Cole, 
Mr. Cole is the present pastor. In reviewing the history 
of the two Colored Methodist Churches in Pocomoke 
City, I will say they have made decided advancement 
over their former condition in ante bellum days. When 
I think of their intellectual and moral degradation in the 
days of slavery, when on the large plantations in the South 
they would sing, in their religious meetings, their degen- 
erated ditties, such as the following: 

" Oh ! where shall we go when de great day comes. 

En' de blowing o' de trumpets an' de bangin' o' de drums, 

And if a poor sinner is kotched out late, 

Der'll be no latch ter de go1den gate. 

De song o' salvation is a mighty sweet song, 

De Paradise winds dey blow fur and blow long. 

An' Aberham's bosom, it is saft an' its wide, 

An' right dar whar's de sinner aughter hide. 

Ch! don't be stoppin' an' a lookin', 

If you fool wid old Satin you'll get took in; 

En' you'll stand on de edge an' git shoved in, 

If you don't quit stoppin' an' a lookin'." 

I say, when I think of the degradation of their intellec- 
tual and moral powers in their former condition and draw 
the comparison between that and the present, they have 
made decided advancement intellectually, morally and 
religiously. They have their regular pastors, their regu- 
lar appointments, and they worship in their public 
congregations like the white people, and they sing the 
standard hymns of the Methodist Church. 

In summing up the religious outlook of Pocomoke City, 
I will say there are seven churches in the town; the total 
number of members and probationers is 705. There are 
seven Sabbath Schools, and the number of scholars and 
teachers aggregating 638 names on the school rolls, with 
1,171 volumes in the libraries, and a good supply of Sab- 
bath School papers. The total amount of church property 
in Pocomoke City is $37,610. The running annual  
expenses of all the churches and Sabbath Schools is something 
over $4,300. 

We have also four orders of secret societies in Poco- 
moke City, namely, Ancient and Accepted Order of Free 
Masons, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of 
Hephtasophs and Ancient Order of United Workmen. 
Some of these societies are benevolent while others are 
both benevolent and insurance. They are composed of 
many of the chief citizens of the town. 

It is but simple justice to say that there are gentlemen 
living in the neighborhood of Pocomoke City, who have 
given material aid to its business life, and whose interest 
in it has been so great that they have helped on its suc- 
cessful course by their influence and the use of their names, 
and chief among these are Thomas W. Hargis, Samuel S. 
McMaster and Samuel K. Dennis. 



THE END. 

NEW FEATURE-

Recollections from generations past begins next Saturday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye.

When Pocomoke Was Young- A continuing weekly feature.

 

(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.

CHURCHES (CONTINUED)

In 1844, the Presbyterian Church, in New Town, was 
built, and on the 1st day of January, 1845, it was dedicated 
to the worship of Almighty God. The reader will be 
informed that the Presbyterian organization in New Town 
is a branch of the Pitt's Creek Presbyterian Church at 
Beaver Dams, which was organized by the Rev. Francis 
Makemmie as early, probably, as A. D. 1683 or 1684. 
At this primitive church, the Presbyterians of the sur- 
rounding country, worship in the days of yore. When 
in the course of time the population of New Town 
increased and the members of the Presbyterian Church 
became more numerous in the town and in its immediate 
vicinity, the necessity of the situation demanded a house 
of worship in New Town, and hence the present estab- 
lishment in 1845. The Pitt's Creek Presbyterian Church 
at Beaver Dams and New Town is a unit in name, each 
having their names upon the same church record. They 
are a unit in doctrine, in church polity, and in every 
interest that constitutes one church; the pastor of one is 
the pastor of the other, and they all, in common, are 
responsible for his support. The Presbyterian Church in 
New Town is built of the best material, and in work- 
manlike manner. It has good proportions and is kept in 
the neatest style. 

It stands on a small elevation on a beautiful lot on 
Market street, and presents, to the passer by a picturesque 
appearance. Nearly all of those who aided in its erection 
have passed away. Chief among contributors were Handy 
Mills, David Smith, Jacob Boston, Stephen Hargis, John 
S. Stevenson, James T. Dickinson and Thomas W. 
Hargis. This church has been endowed with some 
legacies. The venerable Handy Mills bequeathed to it 
two farms, worth at that day, probably, seven or eight 
thousand dollars, and David Smith also bequeathed to it a 
valuable farm. The church in New Town and the ground 
upon which it stands cost four thousand dollars. It has a 
beautifully located parsonage which cost thirty-two hundred 
dollars. The church owns a beautiful cemetery on the 
old Winter Quarter farm. The cemetery cost about eight 
hundred dollars. The whole property of the Pres- 
byterian Church in Pocomoke City, cost eight thou- 
sand dollars. The membership of this church including 
Pitt's Creek is one hundred and ten. The church 
in Pocomoke City has a fine Sabbath School with 
fourteen officers and teachers, and the names of seventy 
pupils on the school roll, and fifty in average attendance, 
and three hundred volumes in the library. I will say as a 
matter of justice to this school, that it lost, by removal, 
during the year 1880, twenty-six scholars, which has 
detracted from its average standing in numbers. The 
running expenses of the church and Sabbath School in 
Pocomoke City annually, including pastors salary, 
benevolent collections and incidental expenses amounts 
to 1300 dollars. 

There is an item of history connected with Pitts Creek 
Church that will be interesting to the reader. The facts 
are these. The original church was built by Francis 
Makemmie the pioneer of Presbyterianism in this country 
while it was yet subject to the dominion of Great Britain, 
consequently it was among the first Presbyterian churches 
built in this country. Again, Mrs. Holden, of Accomac Co., 
Va., the daughter of Francis Makemmie, left a legacy 
to the church at Pitt's Creek, the interest of which is 
annually appropriated to the support of the gospel in said 
church. The pastors who have served this church from 
its organization so far as I have any means of ascertaining, 
are as follows : first, Francis Makemmie. How long Mr. 
Makemmie was pastor of this church, I have no data upon 
which to fix the term of his pastorate, and indeed, I have 
no record of any pastor of this church, from the days of 
Francis Makemmie, until the time when the Rev. Samuel 
McMaster was its pastor. I can only say that I have had 
dates of his pastorate from 1795 to 1801, and there the 
record stops until 1818. It may be of interest to the 
reader, to be informed that the Rev. Samuel McMaster 
was the grandfather of Samuel S. and Dr. John T. B. 
McMaster. In 1818, the Rev. S. Sanders was pastor of 
Pitt's Creek Church. How long Mr. Sanders was in the 
pastorate is unknown. 

The Rev. Thomas B. Balch D. D. succeeded Mr. 
Sanders in the pastorate, but dates are wanting to show 
the time when he entered and retired from it. But 
this much I can say of him, that the name of Dr. Balch 
was a household word in the community. In 1831, the 
Rev. Cornelius Mustard was pastor of the church. After 
Mr. Mustard retired, then followed in succession, the 
Rev's. J. J. Graff, James M. Olmstead, B. G. McPhail, 
Elkanah Mackey, William D. Mackey, Joesph L. Polk, 
L. P. Bowen and James Conway. Mr. Conway has but 
recently resigned the pastorate of this church, having had 
a call to serve another church in the state of Delaware. 
Consequently the church is without a pastor for the time 
being. The above list comprises the names of all the ' 
ministers, so far as I have any knowledge or means of 
ascertaining, who have been pastors of the church from its 
organization to the present time. The Presbyterian 
Church in Pocomoke City is quite popular and 
prosperous.

CONCLUDES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

When Pocomoke Was Young- A continuing weekly feature.

 

(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.

CHURCHES (CONTINUED.) 

The Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 
New Town in 1832. The first class formed was com- 
posed of Rev. Avra Melvin and wife, Drucilla Powell, 
Theopilus Powell, Mary Powell, Sarah M. Powell, Com- 
fort Powell, Levin Davis and wife, William Tilghman, 
George S. Blades, William Payden, Ibba Chapman, Polly 
Blades, James Blades, Edward Young and wife, Leah 
Mills and Thomas Melvin. The first preachers sent to 
the circuit were Revs. Avra Melvin and Stephen Taylor. 
The first preaching places were the old schoolhouse, 
Sally Jones's hotel and Rev. Avra Melvin's house on the 
the farm now belonging to Col. William J. Aydelotte. 
The class meetings and sacramental services were held at 
Mr. Melvin's house. 

In 1833, the preachers held a camp-meeting on the old 
Quinton Camp-ground, near Nassawango Creek Bridge. 
At this camp-meeting the renowned Thomas H. Stockton 
preached on Sabbath morning. There was a large 
concourse of people in attendance. After the preliminary 
service was over the preacher took his text, which 
embraced the Bible as the subject under consideration. 
While he proceeded to unfold and present, in graphic- 
style, the blessedness of God's holy book, all eyes were 
upon him, for he seemed more like a living skeleton or an 
angel; he raised the Bible from the stand and folding his 
skeleton arms around it; he pressed it to his bosom and 
exclaimed, in the way in which he alone could do it:. 
"God bless the book!" Some of the people were greatly 
moved, not only by his oratory, but by his ghostly appear- 
ance, exclaimed: "God bless the man!" Mr. Stockton 
was a good man, and an orator of the first magnitude. 

In 1834, the society purchased of Sally Jones, the piece 
of ground where the present church now stands, and also 
an old store house belonging to John Burnett, which 
stood at the corner of Market and Second Streets, where 
Henry King, Esq., now lives, this they moved on the 
ground they had purchased, and fitted it up to worship in. 
This house stood for four years, when they sold it and 
built a new one with a belfry, in which they hung the first 
church bell in New Town. This house, however, was not 
what they wanted, it was too small and too temporarily- 
built. 

In 1853, they built the present one, and it, though a 
good building is also too small; and they now have in 
course of erection, a larger and more commodious temple 
in a more central part of the city. 

The foundation has already been laid, and the laying of 
the cornerstone was conducted with Masonic ceremonies 
on the 2nd day of June, 1882. The dimensions of the 
church are 40 by 70 feet; the basement is 10 feet 
between floor and ceiling; the audience room is 20 feet 
from floor to ceiling. The tower in front is 14 feet 
square, and its height is 104 feet. It has a recess for pul- 
pit 14 feet front with 5 feet projection. The main audi- 
ence room is 40 by 60 feet. The church is two 
stories high; the basement is for sabbath school, class and 
prayer meeting purposes, and the second story is the 
audience room for preaching. This church when com- 
pleted will cost, including the cost of the ground, $6,000, 
and will be the finest temple in Pocomoke City. This 
church has a membership of one hundred and fifty-three, 
and a flourishing Sabbath school; composed of six officers, 
eleven teachers and one hundred and two pupils, with an 
average of sixty in attendance. The School takes one 
hundred and twenty-five Sabbath school papers, and has 
two hundred and sixty-eight volumes in the library. The 
property belonging to this church consists of the church, 
two parsonages and a cemetery, aggregating a value of 
$5,000, and the new church and ground when completed 
will add $6,000 more. The whole church property, then, 
will amount to 11,000 dollars. 

The running expenses for this church annually 
amounts to, including preacher's salary, conference collec- 
tions, incidental expenses of church and Sabbath School, 
765 dollars. It is due the pastor of this church, for me 
to say that he receives a salary of 700 dollars, but having 
another appointment at James Town in Somerset County, 
that appointment pays 250 dollars of his salary. The 
preachers who have preached in this church from its 
organization, in regular succession, are as follows : Revs. 
Avra Melvin, Stephen Taylor, Geo. D. Hamilton, Elias 
Williams, Thos G. Clayton, William Sexsmith, A. G. Grove, 
Reuben T. Boyd, John Keller, John R. Nichols, Henry 
Miller, Levin A. Collins, A. S- Eversole, John A. Jackson, 
William Fisher, Johnson C. Davis, Thomas A. Moore, 
Daniel F. Ewell, William Rienick, Theophilus Burton. 
R. S. Norris ,J. M. Sharpley, J. M. Ellegood, Thomas M. 
Bryan, C. M. Littleton, B. F, Brown, G. S. May, J. W. 
Pennewell, James Thomson, C. Eversole, James K. 
Nichols, L. W. Bates, W. M. Strayer, Henry Nice, C. F. 
Cochel, Daniel Bowers, J. W. Gray, W. McK. Poisal, J. 
B. Jones, Jesse Shreeve, W. D. Litsinger, Samuel T. 
Graham, H. E, Miskiman, Robert S. Rowe, A. T. Melvin, 
D. L. Greenfield, J. E. Maloy, James T. Lassell, B. F. 
Benson, J. E. T. Ewell and S. A. Hoblitzell. 

In this list of names are some of the ablest ministers 0f 
the Maryland Annual conference. The Rev. Avra Mel- 
vin was born near New Town, Worcester County, Md., in 
1780. He embraced Christianity, joined the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in 1800 he was licensed to preach. 
Some time after this he joined the Philadelphia conference. 
He traveled several years in the conference and then took 
a location and settled on the old homestead, where he 
remained in the capacity of a local preacher until 1832, 
when the Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 
New Town. He was the chief spirit in its organization 
and for his service in that instance the Methodist Protestant 
Church in New Town owes more to him than any other 
man. It has been said of him that he has preached more 
funeral sermons, performed more marriage ceremonies 
and baptized more persons, than any other man in this 
section of the country, in his day. He was a good 
preacher, had a wonderful memory and consequently had 
always in store a plenty to say on short notice. He died 
on his farm near New Town in 1853, in the seventy third 
year of his age. 

L. W. Bates traveled his first year on this circuit; since 
that date he has filled the best appointments in his confer- 
ence. He has been president of the Maryland Annual 
Conference, and president of the General Conference of the 
Methodist Protestant Church. He has had for distin- 
guished mental abilities and broad culture, the degree of 
Doctor of Divinity conferred upon him. James K. Nichols 
is one of the best of men, he is an able preacher, has 
been president of the Maryland Annual Conference, and 
has received for his great worth the degree of Doc- 
tor of Divinity. While there are a host of others, who 
have preached the gospel in this city and are deserving a 
place of remembrance in this history, yet I must pass them 
by with this remark, that they all have helped to build up 
a strong church. 

The Rev. S. A. Hoblitzell is the present pastor, and he 
is a good preacher and a faithful worker. He also served 
this charge twenty-three years ago with Doctor James 
K. Nichols. 

Rev. Wm. Dale is an unstationed minister belonging 
to or holding his membership with this church. He was 
born in St. Martin's district, in Worcester County, Md., 
on the 1st day of January, 1823. He was educated at 
Snow Hill Academy and at Windsor Theological Insti- 
tute, located in Baltimore County, Md., Rev. Francis 
Waters, D.D., principal. He embraced Christianity when 
a youth and joined the Methodist Protestant Church. 
At the age of 20 years, he entered the traveling connection 
in that church and continued in that relation for fifteen 
years, when he located and has remained so to the 
present time. Mr. Dale is a leading man in his church, 
and in the community at large, he is chairman of the state 
board of public schools for Worcester County, and one 
of the wealthiest men of Pocomoke City. In reviewing 
the history of the Methodist Protestant Church in New 
Town, the reader will observe, by noticing the date of 
its organization, that this year, 1882, is the semi-centennial 
year of its existence, and the statistics show it to be in 
quite a flourishing condition.

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

When Pocomoke Was Young- A continuing weekly feature.

 

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Pocomoke Public Eye-

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History of Pocomoke City, formerly New Town : from its origin to the present time (archive.org)

History of Pocomoke City, formerly New Town : from its origin to the present time (archive.org)

(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.

CHURCHES (CONTINUED)

To close up the history of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in New Town and not give a list in detail of its 
ministers would be, to say the least of it, a partial history. 
I shall, therefore, give as correct a list of their names as I 
am able. I shall first name the Bishops, then the Presid- 
ing Elders, and lastly the traveling preachers. 

The Bishops were: Francis Asbury, Beverly Waugh, 
Edmund S. James, D.D., and Levi Scott, D.D. 

The Presiding Elders were: Dr. Chandler, Lawrence 
Lawrenson, Henry White, David Daily, Levi Scott, D.D., 
Jas. A. Massey, John D. Onins, Thos. J. Thompson, D.D., 
Henry Colclazer, Adam Wallace, D.D., Solomon Cooper, 
Vaughn Smith, John L. Taft, N. M. Brown and Thomas 
J. Williams. 

The traveling preachers were: Lorenzo Dow, 
Bayne, Avra Melvin, John Collins, Matthew Sorin, D.D., 
Lummas, Sparks, William Connally, John 
A. Roach, D.D., Samuel McElwee, James L. Houston, 
W T william Quinn, George Lacey, M. D., Isaac R. Willetts, 
Shepherd Drain, James Hargis, John S. Taylor, Leeds K. 
Berridge, Charles Karsner, M.D., William Bishop, John 
Allen, Joshua Turner, Zachariah Webster, Jas. A. Brindle, 
Charles Schock, Thomas J. Burroughs, Charles Hill, 
Jonathan Turner, Curtis Turner, Robert Pattison, D.D., 
Daniel Titlow, William Merrill, John F. Chaplain, D.D, 
N. W. Bennum, Charles McDermond, Edward G. Erwin, 
George S. Conway, T. B. Killiam, John W. Pearson, Jas. 
Miller, Albert Jump, George W. Covington, T. E. Mar- 
tindale, James Murray, George D. Watson, D.D., A. A. 
Fisher, Thomas Poulson, William Potter, George W. 
Wilcox, E, J. Ayres, A. P. Prettyman, William Passwater, 
William L. P. Bowen, Thomas O. Ayres, Charles A. 
Grice, Robert Roe, William I. Baine, John D. C. Hanna 
and George V. Townsend. 

A brief sketch of incidents of some of the above list of 
preachers, may be of interest to the reader. John Collins 
was a positive, burly Irishman. He was preaching at a 
certain place on a certain occasion, and there was a young 
man in the congregation who stood up during preaching, 
much to the annoyance of the preacher; Johnnie Collins, 
for that was his ordinary name, seeing the young man 
would not sit down, said: "He wished when a tailor made 
a coat for a man, that he would publish it, and not put the 
man who wore it to the unnecessary trouble to stand up 
in the congregation to show it; that had the desired 
effect and settled the young man for the time being. But 
when the services were over, and Mr. Collins went to get 
his horse, where he had hitched him, the young man and 
his young associates were there waiting for him. 

He called Mr. Collins' attention to the insult which he 
had passed. "O yes!" said Mr. Collins, "are you the 
young man that stood up in the congregation during 
preaching?" "Yes," said the young man, "and I am 
going to whip you for insulting me so." Johnnie Collins 
said, "I have preached this morning, and have to ride 
many miles and preach twice more to-day, and it would 
be a pity to get a flogging in the bargain." This kind of 
talk only made the young man more bold, and he told 
Mr. Collins to get ready for he was going to whip him, 
"well!" said Mr. Collins, "if I must, I must, but before you 
begin this business, I want to inform you that, before I 
embraced Christianity, my name was fighting Jack Collins, 
and when I became a Christian, I promised the Lord that 
I would whip the Devil wherever I found him," and with 
that he brushed up his sleeves and said, "now come on 
and I will whip every devil of you." The fight was then 
over without a blow, and Mr. Collins mounted his horse 
and rode off. 

Another incident is related of Mr. Collins to the follow- 
ing effect. He was leading a colored class, which met on 
Sunday mornings before preaching, when he called Jacob 
so and so; before this, however, he was informed that Jacob 
had stolen a pair of breeches, " Jacob " said he, "let us 
hear how you are getting along?" Jacob said, "my breath- 
ering, I-s-e come here to give in my sperience, I've come to 
tell you that I am sometimes up and sometimes down, but 
yet any soul is heaven bound, and if you never no more sees 
me, you may look for me on dat mornin', for I spec's to 
scale heaven and get to glory." As it was usual to give 
a word of advice or encouragement after the experience 
was given; Mr. Collins said, "Jacob let me feel your pulse?" 
Jacob held out his hand and Mr. Collins felt his pulse 
when all of a sudden, he exclaimed in a loud tone, "what! 
what! Jacob does your pulse beat breeches? breeches, 
and then addressing himself to all, the class said, "Jacob 
has been stealing a pair of breeches!" 

Lawrence Lawrenson was a man of great pulpit power, 
and although it has been said that he was most self-distrust- 
ing; he was an orator of the first magnitude, and were he 
living now, he would stand abreast the first pulpit orators 
of the day. Henry White and David Daily were men of 
precious memory, though very dissimilar in their make up. 
Henry White was a positive man, he had no compromise 
to offer in preaching the gospel; indeed he was the most 
powerful man in the pulpit, in wielding the Sword oi the 
Spirit that I ever knew. I have witnessed the effect of his 
preaching, when with streaming eyes and tremulous limbs, 
he would deliver his message, the most intelligent men of 
the place would be in tears like little children. David 
Daily was placid and pleasant, he was a strong preacher, 
and was also a poet; he was one of the committee who 
revised the hymn book in years past. 

Matthew Sorin was raised and educated a Roman 
Catholic, and it has been said that he was intended for the 
priesthood; but when he embraced Christianity he became 
a traveling preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
An incident occurred in relation to him while he traveled 
Snow Hill circuit (which embraced this place), which is 
here recorded. 

He was preaching at a certain appointment and some of 
the most aristocratic of the county were to hear him. 
During the discourse he said something to which excep- 
tions were taken by one of the above class. After the 
services were over this gentleman stood at the door until 
Mr. Sorin came out. He called his attention to the remark, 
and said he was going to whip him for it. 

They were both large men, standing at least six feet in 
the clear. If there was any difference in size, I think Mr. 
Sorin was the lighter of the two; but he was clear built, 
muscular and plucky. He wore a straight-breasted frock 
coat that buttoned up to the neck, and when the other 
told him what he was going to do, he commenced button- 
ing up his coat until the last button was fastened, when he 
said to him then: "Sir, it takes a man to whip me." 
That was the last of it. 

He filled some of the best stations in Philadelphia; 
became an author, and for distinguished talent, he received 
the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He died but recently, 
at the probable age of four score years. 

In reviewing the history of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in New Town, I am authorized in saying that it 
has been a great power for good. It has given force and 
strength to moral sentiment, and has reached out a helping 
hand to the lost and straying and has been instrumental 
in saving an untold number that otherwise might have 
been lost. It is the mother of churches in New Town, 
and like a fostering mother, it has furnished to all its sister 
churches a member now and then. In its present outlook 
it has church property, including church, parsonage and 
cemeteries, amounting to, in original cost and present 
improvements, probably $7,000. It has a membership of 
ninety members and probationers and a fine Sabbath 
School, which has already been described. 

In taking the past year as a basis in calculating the 
running expenses of this church, including preacher's 
salary, conference collections, etc., will amount to some- 
thing over $1,100. It holds a very elevated position as a 
great evangelizing power, and is now, as it has been in 
the past, like the beacon-light to the ocean-tossed mariner, 
warning sinners of the breakers and pointing them to the 
harbor of rest. 

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

When Pocomoke Was Young- A continuing weekly feature.

 

(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.

CHURCHES (CONTINUED.) 

In I836, Rev. William Quinn settled on his farm adjoin- 
ing New Town. He was born in Queen Anne's County, 
Md., about the year 1790. On his father's side he was of 
pure Celtic blood, as his name will indicate. At about 
fifteen years of age he embraced Christianity and joined 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was apprenticed to 
learn the carriage-making business, but it was discovered 
that his talent and inclination led in another direction. 
After his majority he joined the Philadelphia Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He traveled several 
years and then took a supernumerary relation and located 
in Princess Anne. Md., where he commenced the carriage- 
making business, having for a partner Teagle Townsend. 
He afterwards moved to Eastville, Va., where he carried 
on the carriage-making business for a few years and then 
came to New Town, Md. 

In 1840, he took an active relation to his conference, 
for during the time of his location he sustained a super- 
numerary relation. He traveled five years and finally 
retired from the active ministry. 

During his long sojourn with us, the writer had ample 
opportunity to know and form his conclusions of him. 
His intellect was beyond the common order of minds. In 
his preaching he was clear and forcible, and was good in 
debate. In his social life, he was of a genial nature, frank 
and pleasant; if there was one trait of his character that 
towered above the rest, it was that of forgiveness. The 
writer can speak from experience upon this feature of 
his character. When times were perilous, and debate 
was rife, and sharp cutting words would be used on 
both sides; but, when we would meet again, there would be 
exhibited that same genial, frank and social bearing as 
though nothing had happened. 

He was thrice married, and was father of John W. Quinn 
by his first wife, James, William and Lawrence by his 
second wife, and Doctor Samuel S. Quinn and Mrs. Vir- 
ginia Merrill, surviving children by his last wife. During 
his last sickness he was hopeful and trusting. He died in 
the latter part of 1867, approximating four score years. 

In 1840, the old church was lathed and plastered and 
became more comfortable, and things in general began 
to look up somewhat. In 1855, the present commodious 
house was built; it cost, probably, three thousand dollars. 
This church has a large cemetery. The Sabbath School 
belonging to this church is the mother of Sabbath Schools 
in Pocomoke City. Some of the most influential men 
of other churches in Pocomoke City were, when little 
boys, members of this Sabbath School. It is in quite 
a flourishing condition, having on the school roll the 
names of one hundred scholars, and an average of 
seventy in actual attendance. The school takes eighty 
Sabbath School papers weekly and has 138 volumes in 
library. The reader will observe that I have not said 
anything about the long list of the sainted dead, who were 
members of this church. But I will now say that as a 
general thing they died well. Oh! how many, during the 
last forty five years, have I visited in their death sickness, 
and have heard the last shout of victory, and witnessed 
their triumphant death. Prominent among this long list 
of the dead, with whom the writer was most intimately 
acquainted, was Sally Murray, James E. Quinn, Elizabeth 
Long, first wife of Jesse Lee Long, and daughter of Genl. 
Ebenezer Hearn, Amanda C. Clarke, first wife of William 
J. S. Clarke, Harriet H. Clarvoe, mother of Amanda C. 
Clarke, Harriet Taylor, grandmother of the children of 
John H. Clarke by his first wife and Sally E. Hearn. 
The remembrance of these persons is held very sacred and 
dear by many who are yet living in Pocomoke City. 
These were God's noble children. They are now before 
the throne clothed in white robes and bear palms of 
victory in their hands. Oh! how pleasant it is to call up in 
memory the Christian fellowship with such persons, 
during their lifetime and while standing around their 
dying beds and witnessing their triumphant exit from a 
world of sorrow, to the home of the blest on the other 
side of the river. 

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

When Pocomoke Was Young- A contiuing weekly feature.

 

Al DeFilippo said...

Thank you for this post. Is it taken from a book? Anyway, for more information on Francis Asbury and early Methodism. Please visit the website for the trilogy book series, The Asbury Triptych Series. Enjoy the numerous free articles, podcasts, videos, pictures, anecdotes, character profiles, and more.

(Note to reader: The post is from the 1883 History of Pocomoke publication.)

 Anonymous said...

There is some anecdotal evidence regarding the log building used as a Presbyterian church in Pocomoke City (Newtown, The Hill?). The legend is that the church was slated to be erected in Snow Hill so the locals hewed and trimmed the logs and actually started erecting the building. The local native Americans were not enthusiastic about this strange new building so one night they disassembled the structure and tossed the logs into the Pocomoke River.

The logs naturally floated downriver after a fashion. Since felled and trimmed logs were considered a valuable resource back then the settlers took off down the river in an attempt to recover their loss. The logs were intercepted near what is now Pocomoke City (some versions say it was near Rehobeth) and, since it was impractical to transport the logs back to Snow Hill, the church building was erected on the banks of the river where the logs were pulled ashore.

(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.

CHURCHES. 

As the churches are a very important factor in the 
history oi Pocomoke City, it will be necessary, in 
order to give an intelligent showing of each church, 
to take them up in the order of time in which they 
were established, and bring their history down to the pre- 
sent time. As the Methodist Episcopal Church is the 
first one of which we have any record, we will begin with- 
it first. But before we proceed with the history of this 
church it will be necessary and proper to remark that it 
has been said that there was a Presbyterian log church 
built on the lot which was called, when I was a boy, the 
Sacher lot. This was a nickname for Zachariah, as it 
belonged to one Zachariah Lambertson. This lot has 
been more recently known as the Adreon lot, which at 
present belongs to William J. S. Clarke. Upon this lot 
tradition says this house was built. 

In the history of the Maryland Colony we have this 
record, that a certain Col. William Stevens, with others, 
got up a petition and sent it to the Presbytery of Laggan, 
Ireland, in 1680, for a minister of the gospel to come to the 
colony and preach the gospel and look after the scattered 
adherents of the Presbyterian faith. This call was 
promptly obeyed, and in 1682, they sent over the Rev.Fran- 
cis Makemie, a man of learning, sagacity and courage, by 
whom or under whose supervision, tradition says this 
church was built. If this tradition can be relied on, there 
is no doubt, but that it was the first Presbyterian Church 
ever built in America. 

But there is a history of the Presbyterian Church in 
America extant, which would seem to refute the statement 
of the Traditional Church. 

I allude to the history of the Presbyterian Church in 
America, by Irving Spence, a member of that church and 
a learned Lawyer, who speaks definitely and clearly of the 
Pitt's Creek and Rehoboth Churches being the first Presby- 
terian Churches ever built in America. He never once inti- 
mates that such a church ever existed as the Traditional 
Church at New Town. 

There is, however, some supposable ground for the 
existence of this church. Mr. Makemie, in coming to the 
Colony and up the Pocomoke River, prospecting, may 
have at first view, concluded that this was the very place 
to commence operations, and hence, the erection of the 
log church; but subsequently, he may have discovered 
that, Rehoboth and Pitt's Creek were prominent centers, 
at which he could more effectually advance the interests 
of his cause, and hence, the abandonment of the old log 
church. 

Now to proceed with the history of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in New Town. The Church was built in 
180S, on the site where the present one stands. But the 
church, proper as an organized body, existed in New 
Town, long years before the house was built. This fact, 
I think can be established, beyond a doubt, by two consid- 
erations. First, the preachers sent to the Continent by 
Mr. Wesley, before the organization of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in 1784, and those belonging to it 
afterwards, operated in New York City, Philadelphia, the 
states of New Jersey, Delaware, and some of them down 
through the Eastern Shore Counties of Maryland and 
Virginia, and so efficient was their preaching that, at an 
early date the Peninsula was a garden spot of Methodism. 
Indeed the gospel was like a sally of light coming down 
the Peninsula, and its messengers were flaming heralds 
entering every open door, and preaching unto the people, 
Jesus and the resurrection, with all boldness. 

In 1778, Francis Asbury, not being permitted to preach 
the gospel in Maryland, retired to Delaware, where, at the 
house of Judge White, he found a congenial retreat, 
for about two years, in order to escape impressment, 
by the British forces, to light against the colonies. In 
1780. Freeborn Garrettson a native of Western Maryland, 
was imprisoned in Cambridge jail, Dorchester County, 
for preaching the gospel. I mention these incidents of 
Asbury and Garrettson, with their dates to show that 
Methodism was already a settled fact in Delaware, and 
on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. I 
cannot wonder at the success of the gospel, when its 
message was borne by such men as Bishops Thomas Coke, 
D. D. Francis Asbury, Richard Whatcoat, and their 
associates, such as Freeborn Garrettson, Benjamin Abbott, 
Lorenzo Dow, and a host of others who were co-labor- 
with them, who counted not their lives dear into them- 
sevles so that they might bear the gospel message and 
be instrumental in saving sinners. 

The second, consideration is the establishment of the 
circuit work, embracing preaching appointments at Little- 
ton Long's house, where Major Merrill now lives; at 
William Melvin's, father of Rev. Avra Melvin, where Col. 
William J. Aydelotte now lives, and at Capt. Jair.es (?)
Furnis' house in New Town ; this house is at present, 
owned by Mrs. Tipton. 

At these places the gospel was preached, classes formed 
and prayer-meetings established. So early and so 
thoroughly was Methodism established in New Town, 
that in 1800, Avra Melvin was licensed to preach the 
gospel, being at the time about twenty years of age, and 
when his father, who was an officer in the church, 
died, he preached his funeral. 

Not only New Town but, the entire surrouding 
country was brought under the influence of Methodism 
in the latter part of the last century, so that we m; (?)
safely conclude that the date of its introduction in New 
Town reaches back to about 1790. Some account of the 
pioneer Methodist preachers on the peninsula may be 
interesting to the reader. But as there are biographies of 
each one of them extant, it will only he necessary to make 
some passing remarks with some incidents of their lives. 
Thomas Coke, LL.D., was a native of England, a man 
of letters. Was ordained the first bishop of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He died at sea while on a missionary 
tour to another land at the probable age of sixty years. 
Bishop Asbury, in preaching his funeral by request of 
Conference, makes the following remarks of him: "He 
was of the third branch of Oxonian Methodists, a gentle- 
man, a scholar, and a bishop to us, and as a minister of 
Christ, in zeal, in labors and in services, the greatest man 
of the last century." 

Richard Whatcoat, bishop of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church was a native of England. Until information of 
his death Bishop Asbury makes the following note of him 
in his journal: "That father in Israel and my faithful 
friend for forty years, a man of solid parts: a self-denying- 
man of God : who ever heard him speak an idle word 
when was guile found in his mouth? He had been thirty- 
eight years in the ministry: sixteen years in England, 
Wales and Ireland, and twenty-two years in America; 
twelve years as Presiding Elder, four of this time he was 
stationed in the cities or traveling with me; and six years 
in the superintendency. A man so uniformly good I have 
not known in Europe or America. He died in Dover, 
Del., on the 5th day of July, 1806." 

Francis Asbury was also a native of England. He 
came to this 'country by the direction of Mr. Wesley in 
1771, being then about 25 years of age. He was elected 
bishop at the conference of 1784, held in the city of 
Baltimore, and was emphatically and truly, the pioneer 
Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In labors more 
abundant, traveling- on horseback and in carriage, averaging 
a great deal of the time 5,000 miles a year, his route extend- 
ing from Georgia to Massachusetts, and as far West as 
Kentucky and Ohio. He pursued this route through 
heat and cold, through rain and storm, in winter and 
summer, over hills, barrens, swamps, and Savannahs, 
fording rivers, creeks, etc., for thirty- two years in the 
Episcopacy until he was literally worn out by his arduous 
labors superintending the interests of the Church of 
Christ. In 1816, while on his way to the General Confer- 
ence, to be held in the City of Baltimore in the following 
May, he halted at the house of George Arnold in Spott- 
sylvania, Va., and there he died on the 21st day of March, 
1816, in the 71st year of his age. He was afterward 
carried to Baltimore and buried under the pulpit of the 
Eutaw Methodist Episcopal Church of that city. 

In speaking of Benjamin Abbott I will say he was a 
native of New Jersey, and although he may never have 
preached in New Town, yet he aided very materially in 
bringing the gospel down through the peninsula. He 
was a man of great pulpit power, and in many instances 
sinners fell prostrate under the preaching of the word by 
him, as dead men. 

There is only one incident of his life which I wish to 
mention and that is the circumstance of his conversion. 
It was brought about by a dream. He was already under 
deep conviction for sin. He had no rest day or night and 
seemingly could find none. While in this condition he 
dreamed that he was down a deep well; how he got there 
he could not tell. In contemplating his condition, he saw 
no way of his escape. He seemed hopelessly lost. In 
casting his eyes upward he saw a star, about which there 
was peculiar attraction. While looking at it he discovered 
himself rising out of the well. It was such a strange 
phenomenon he could not understand it; and in looking 
down the well, that moment he fell to the bottom. How- 
ever, in looking up again he saw the same star, and while 
looking at it, he discovered that he was rising again this 
time higher; but some how or other he took his eyes off 
the star, and down he fell to the bottom again. In this 
sad condition he concluded there must be some power in 
that star to bring him out of the well, and if he could but 
see that star once more, he never would take his eyes off 
of it until he would be out of the well. Fortunately, again 
he saw the same star. He fixed his eyes upon it, and he 
felt that he was rising, but he would not take "his eyes off 
of it until he found himself entirely out of the well. At 
that moment he awoke out of sleep and concluded that 
that dream was from God, and was intended to point him 
to the Day Star from on high. He made the application 
and found Jesus without further trouble. He was con- 
verted immediately and awoke the family, and there was 
a great shout that night. 

The incredulous may say, oh, pshaw; that was only a 
dream. It was a dream, that is true, but it was more than 
a dream in the common acceptation of that term. It was 
the instrumentality which the Holy One used to save his 
soul. Lorenzo Dow preached in New Town in 1805, 
to about 2000 people, assembled from all the country 
around, and at night he preached at Rev. Jas. Tilghman's 
house. After he had conducted the preliminary services 
and had read out the text, Captain Harry Long came into 
the congregation and after he had taken his seat, Lorenzo 
said, "Captain my text is "Pray without ceasing and 
in everything give thanks." The fact of his giving 
Capt. Long his title, without having any previous 
knowledge of him, produced a wonderful thinking in the 
minds of the audience; for they had previously heard 
that Lorenzo could foretell future events, and was a 
discerner of spirits. 

There are only two incidents in the life of Lorenzo that I 
will here mention. The first is his courtship and 
marriage. On a certain preaching tour, he made the 
acquaintance of the lady whom he afterwards married. 
The courtship is as follows: he said to her: "I think you 
will suit me for a wife, and as I am going to such and such 
places to preach, and shall be gone such a length of 
time, you can think the matter over, and if you think you 
would like me for a husband, when I return we will get 
married. But, one thing must be clearly understood, and 
that is, you must never get in my way in preaching the 
gospel, for if you do I shall pray to the Lord to take 
you out of the way and I believe he will do it, and upon 
his return they got married. 

The second incident is the tin horn story, which is as 
follows: He was going to fill an appointment which he 
had made, probably a year before. When he was nearing 
the place where he had to preach, he over-took a colored 
boy with a tin horn; he asked him his name, the boy said 
his name was Gabriel. Lorenzo said to him: "I am going 
to such a place to preach to-day, and if you will go there 
and climb up into a tall pine tree, and remain there silent 
until I call for Gabriel to blow the trumpet, then if you 
will blow one of your loudest blasts, I will give you a 
dollar." The bargain was made, and Lorenzo commenced 
the services and took his text, which embraced the idea of 
the Resurrection and the general Judgment. 

As he proceeded, in unfolding the awful truths contained 
in the text, in graphic style, holding his large audience, 
which was assembled in the grove, spell-bound, and as all 
eyes were upon him while contemplating the sublime 
majesty of Christ's coming in the clouds of heaven with 
ten thousands of His saints to judge the world. When he 
had reach the climax, and had Gabriel standing one foot 
upon the sea and the other on the dry land, with his long 
silver trumpet, he called aloud for Gabriel to blow, at that 
moment, Gabriel in the pine tree, blew the tin horn. 

The scene as portrayed by eye witnesses was indescribe- 
able, The people were in utter consternation, some falling 
to the ground and crying for mercy, while others were 
shouting salvation, in the immediate prospect of standing 
before the Throne, and the horses were squealing and 
prancing. Finally the congregation discovered the boy in 
the pine tree and became composed. When Lorenzo then 
said, if the blowing of a tin horn by a little black boy 
in the top of a pine tree could produce such an effect, what 
would they do when the great day comes? 

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

When Pocomoke Was Young- A continuing weekly feature.

 

(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.

SCHOOLS (CONTINUED.) 

George S. Bell, Esq., was an assistant in the New Town 
High School. He was born in Northampton County, 
Va. He was educated at Snow Hill and Pocomoke City, 
Md., at Newark College, Del., and at the Theological 
Seminary, Princeton, N. J. He was licensed to preach 
the gospel by the New Castle Presbytery about the year 
1875. He supplied a pulpit in the State of New York 
and afterward received a call to the Presbyterian Church 
in Wrightsville, Penn., which he is now acceptably filling. 
Mr. Bell was a close student, had a good mind and has 
reflected a credit upon himself in view of his elevation. 

Miss Eudora E. Hay succeeded John W. Murray as 
teacher of the grammar school department in the High 
School of Pocomoke City, and continued in that relation 
for two years when she retired, and afterward procured 
a situation as teacher in the schools of Wilmington, Del. 

Ebenezer Hearn was born in New Town, Worcester 
County, Md., on the 26th day of November, 1854. He 
commenced going to school at 8 years of age. Left 
school in July, 1873. Served as an assistant to the princi- 
pal of the High School in 1874. Engaged in mercantile 
business with E. H. Clarke from 1874 to 1877. In 1877 
he received an appointment from the Trustees of 
Rehoboth Academy, in Somerset County, as principal 
which position he still holds, and that school is recognized 
by the school board of Somerset County, as one of the 
best schools in the county. Ebenezer Hearn is a young 
man in whose favor it would be difficult for me to say 
too much. His mental, moral and religious qualities 
are of such a character as to entitle him to the highest 
praise of all who know him, and to positions of trust 
and responsibility. 

Richard A. Wilson, an assistant to the principal of the 
High School in Pocomoke City, was a native of Cannons- 
burg, Penn. He was educated at Jefferson College. He 
studied law, graduated and removed to Missouri, where 
he is now practicing law. 

Miss Fannie Matthews is a native of Accomac County, 
Va. Her parents died while she was quite young, and 
she was taken in charge by her aunt, Miss Jane Porter, 
who is living in the City of Baltimore, and there in the 
Western High School she was educated. In 1873, a 
vacancy being open in the High School of Pocomoke 
City, Miss Fannie was appointed to fill that vacancy, and, 
during the seven years of her instructions, which closed 
up with 1881, she exhibited such wisdom in the instruc- 
tion of her class, as caused it to be said that her place in 
the school would be hard to fill. By her adaptation as a 
teacher she has gained the highest respect of the trustees 
of the High School, and as a lady she is known only to be 
esteemed. There is no one upon whom she has made 
a more indelible impression in this direction than the 
principal of the High School. Indeed she contemplated, 
very seriously, too, a change of name, and finally 
concluded that she was tired of her old name and would 
accept of one that was more handy and she became the 
happy bride of Dr. Sidney W. Hardy, principal of the 
High School of Pocomoke City. 

John S. McMaster was born in New Town, on the 29th 
day of December, 1859. He was educated partly at the 
High School in Pocomoke City, partly at Newark College, 
Del., and is finishing his education at Lafayette College, 
Penn., where he will no doubt graduate with honor. Mr. 
McMaster is a young man of promise; his aim is the 
profession of the law as his life work. He will make his 
mark and be an honor to his name and to his native town. 
As a teacher in the High School, he acquitted himself 
with honor. 

William S. Dix is a native of Accomac County, Va., but 
his father moving to Somerset County, Md., he was 
educated at the Washington Academy, near Princess 
Anne, and at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn. At the 
time Mr. Dix went to the Washington Academy it was a 
school of renown, having for its principal the Rev. Francis 
Waters, D.D., a man of celebrity. After he resigned the 
Rev. Robert M. Laird, a Presbyterian minister, was 
appointed principal in his place, having the Hon. Isaac D. 
Jones for an assistant. Mr. Dix engaged as teacher in the 
High School of New Town in 1875, and for six consecu- 
tive years he continued in that capacity, when at the close 
of the school term in 1881, he retired from the school. 

Mr. Dix is a man of high moral worth and he has the 
respect of all who know him as a Christian gentleman. 

Hilary T. Stevenson and Dr. Julius T. Hall were teach- 
ers in the New Town High School, but as I have taken 
notice of them under another heading, I shall here pass 
them by. 

The Misses Maggie Webb, Rose Tull, Emma Robinson, 
Ella Scott, Rose Marshall and Sallie Henderson were all 
good and efficient teachers. The last three named are 
still teaching in the High School. In closing up this 
account of the High School in Pocomoke City I will state 
that there are on the school roll in regular attendance 
235 scholars. 

I have failed to notice heretofore two of our young men 
of promise and consequently will have to notice them here. 
Edward J. Clarke, son of Littleton T. Clarke, deceased, 
was born in New Town on the first day of September, 1860. 
After the death of his father, which event occurred when 
he was but six years of age, the Rev. John W. Pierson 
being an intimate friend of his father and taking a liking 
to the youth, by the consent of his mother, took him into 
his own family and under his own guardian care to raise and 
educate him. He remained with Mr. Pierson until he was 
sixteen years of age, during which time he was schooled 
at the Academy in Snow Hill and Pocomoke City High 
School. At the age of sixteen he entered St. John's 
College, Annapolis, Md., where he remained five years. 
At the age of twenty-one he graduated, standing well up 
in his class. After this he taught school at Whaleyville, 
Worcester County, Md., one year. He is now employed 
as teacher in the High School of Pocomoke City. Mr. 
Clarke is a young man of promise and with applica- 
tion will make his mark. 

Austin H. Merrill, son of William H. S. Merrill, was 
born in New Town on the first day of June, 1859. He was 
a student in the High School of this place until he was 
eighteen years of age, at which time he entered the Dela- 
ware College at Newark, Del. His education at this 
period was sufficient to justify his entering the Sophomore 
Class. He graduated with the first honor, taking the 
decree of A. I., and chosen valedictorian of his class. He 
taught school two years as principal of the Temperance- 
ville Graded School. He then entered the National School 
of Elocution and Oratory in Philadelphia, Penn., where 
he graduated with honor. Mr. Merrill is just entering the 
arena of public life, having in contemplation the law as his 
life work, and with application on his part and no unfore- 
seen event happening to blast the fond hopes of his friends, 
he will, it is anticipated, be the peer of the first jurists of 
Maryland and of whom his friends and the citizens of 
Pocomoke City have just cause to feel proud. 

The school for the education of colored children in 
Pocomoke City was established directly after the free 
school system became a law in the State. This school 
has been kept up ever since, and is today a graded school 
of primary and grammar school departments. There are 
on the school roll 117 scholars. The school is taught by 
a principal and one assistant. These teachers are quite 
efficient and the school is advancing. 

The principal, David W. Ogden, is a native of New 
Jersey. He attended a primary and grammar school in 
that State until he was sixteen years of age, when he 
entered Lincoln University, in Chester County, Penn. 
After applying himself closely for five years, he graduated 
 with honor in 18S0. 

The following is the basis upon which the colored 
school is sustained. The school receives from the county 
the proportion of county taxes paid by the colored people 
in the county, which amounts to about eleven cents on the 
one hundred dollars. In addition to this the State makes 
a special appropriation of $100,000 annually for all the 
schools throughout the State, of which Worcester County 
receives about $3,600. 

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.