Showing posts with label Pocomoke History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pocomoke History. Show all posts

Saturday, March 23, 2024

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.

PHYSICIANS (CONTINUED). 

Dr. Samuel S. Quinn was born near New Town, the 22d 
day of April, 1838. His parents were Rev. William and 
Rosa B. Quinn ; he was educated at New Town Academy, 
studied medicine under Drs. Hearn and McMaster, grad- 
uated at Maryland University, in the spring of 1859, and 
commenced, at once the practice of medicine in New 
Town. On the 19th day of June, 1861, he received 
the hand of Miss Sally A. O. Atkinson in marriage. She 
died the 17th day of September, 1869. His present wife 
was Miss Amanda Conner, with whom he was united in 
marriage on the 16th day of November, 1871. Upon the 
institution of the High School in New Town, he was Trustee 
for several years. He served as commissioner of the Cor- 
poration, in 1871 and 72, and was also re-elected to that 
office this present year. Notwithstanding these tokens of 
preferment he has never been an applicant for any office. 
The Doctor while attending to his practice has been con- 
ducting the Record and Gazette, a weekly paper in which 
he owns an interest. He has three children living, one by 
his first wife and two by his second. He is quiet, genial 
and companionable, and is possessed of a brilliant intellect. 

He is only approaching the meridian of his intellectual 
manhood, and has a bright future before him. Dr. Quinn 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in Pocomoke 
City. 

Dr. Isaac T. Coston was born in Somerset County, Md., 
on the 10th day of October, 1832. His father was Wm. 
Coston, of Matthias; his mother's name was Rosa Taylor 
daughter of Samuel Taylor. The Doctor was raised on 
the farm and could only avail himself of such schooling as 
could be had at a country school until he was sixteen years 
old. At sixteen he was admitted into the Washington 
Academy at Princess Anne, as one to receive the benefit 
of the State fund. He lived at a distance of six miles from 
the Academy and went and returned every school day for 
five years, except he was detained by sickness or extremely 
bad weather, all of which of course drew heavily upon his 
time that would under other circumstances have been 
devoted to study. At the expiration of five years spent 
in this way and his vacations in hard labor on the farm, 
he commenced to teach school and continued for two 
years, at the same time using all his spare hours in reading 
medicine. He then applied his time exclusively to the 
study of medicine for two years more under Drs. George 
Dixon, of Princess Anne, and John Neill, of Philadelphia. 
He then entered the Pennsylvania University, and after 
attending the regular courses of lectures, he graduated in 
March, 1857. Immediately after his graduation he located 
in Rehobeth, in Somerset County, where he practiced his 
profession until 1863, when he moved to Accomac County, 
Va., and there he practiced for two years more, when in 
July, 1865, he moved to New Town, where he has continued 
the practice of medicine ever since. After settling in New 
Town he received on the 22d day of February, 1866, the 
hand of Miss Olivia Adams, daughter of the late Morris 
Adams, of Somerset County, in marriage. He has four 
children living; has held the position of trustee of 
Pocomoke High School for several years, which he 
resigned. The Doctor was, in November last, elected as 
a delegate to represent the people of Worcester County in 
the Legislature, which has now closed. He is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church in Pocomoke City, and is a 
very worthy and highly respected citizen. 

Dr. Gordon T. Atkinson was born in Somerset County, 
Md. on the 18th day of December, 1846. He was educated 
at the New Town Academy and at Dickinson College. 
After he left College he read medicine under Dr. S. S. Quinn 
for one year, he then went to the University of Penn. and 
attended lectures. He received the degree of M. D. in 
1869. He practiced medicine in Pocomoke City for one 
year. He then removed to Crisfield, Md. where he has 
since resided, pursuing the practice of his profession. 

Dr -George T. Truitt, son of William R. and Sarah C. 
Truitt, was born in the City of Baltimore, in 1848. He 
alternately received his education in the City of Baltimore, 
in New Town, and in Claymont, Del., at which latter place 
he graduated. Immediately after his graduation at school 
he took up the study of medicine under Prof. Nathan R. 
Smith of Baltimore. 

Prof. Smith was his preceptor until he graduated at the 
University School of Medicine, in the City of Baltimore, 
in 1869. In 1870, he commenced the practice of medi- 
cine in New Town, he remained here one year and 
removed to Millsboro, Sussex County, Delaware. He 
there practiced in partnership with G. F. Burton for one year, 
when the partnership was dissolved. He then practiced 
alone for three years, during which time he was married 
to Miss Virginia C. Burton, of that place. After remaining 
in Delaware during the time aforesaid Dr. Truitt again 
returned to New Town where he engaged in the practice 
of medicine until within a few years past, since which time 
he has devoted his time, exclusively, to Dental Surgery. 
Dr. Truitt is the only graduated physician, in Pocomoke 
City, who devotes himself, exclusively, to Dental Surgery 
in which he is a proficient. He is a vestryman in the 
Protestant Episcopal Church in Pocomoke City and is a 
good citizen and worthy of patronage. 

Dr. Julius T. Hall was born on the old homestead near 
New Town, Worcester County, Md., on the 20th day of 
July, 1849- Soon afterwards his father, Zadock J. Hall 
moved to town where he raised his family. Julius received 
his education from the schools of the town, completing it in 
the High School. In 1867, he took charge of a school at 
Swansgut or Remson, where he remained for 18 months. 
In the fall of 1869, he took charge of Pitt's Creek School. 
In 1870, he accepted a position as teacher in the Pocomoke 
High School where he remained until 1874. He then ac- 
cepted the position of assistant superintendent of Baltimore 
House of Refuge, after remaining there some time, he 
accepted the principalship of Jacksonville Academy near 
Crisfield, Somerset county, Md. This was his largest 
and most flourishing school; he taught it for over three 
years and during the time he read medicine. In 1877, he 
entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the 
University of Maryland. He attended two full courses of 
lectures and graduated in 1879. He forthwith opened 
an office in Pocomoke City where he has since been prac- 
ticing his profession. In October, 1879, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary C. Thomas, of Norfolk Virginia. 

Dr. Hall is a young man yet; he is a member of the 
Baptist Church in Pocomoke City; he is studious, indus- 
trious and is highly respected, both as a physician and 
citizen. Having a good mind and physical constitution,. 
he has flattering prospects of a useful life and will, no 
doubt, be ranked among the first physicians of his day. 

Dr. Wallace W. Freeman was born in Nashville, Tenn., 
on the 13th day of April, I855. He was educated in the 
public schools of Memphis, Tenn., and Camden, New 
Jersey. He commenced the study of dentistry in Pocomoke 
City in the fall of 1879, and attended two sessions of 
lectures at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, 
where, in 18S2, he graduated and received his degree of 
D. D. S., after which he opened an office in Pocomoke City, 
where he is at present practicing his profession. He is 
studious and closely applies himself to business and is 
ambitious to excel in his profession. He may always be 
found at his office, where he is prepared to give entire 
satisfaction in dental surgery. 

Dr. Freeman is a member of the Baptist Church in 
Pocomoke City- He has a high sense of moral obliga- 
tion and is a thorough temperance man. If these 
qualifications betoken a bright future in his profession, he 
will reach it. 

Dr. John H. King was born in Princess Anne, Somerset 
County, Md., on the 29th day of August, 1857. He was 
educated at the High School of Pocomoke City. After 
leaving school, he entered the drug store of E. Fontaine 
as clerk, and had six years experience in the drug 
business, during which time he had read medicine under 
Dr. S. S. Quinn. After this he entered the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons in the City of Baltimore, at 
which he attended two full courses of lectures and grad- 
uated in March, 1882. He at once returned to Pocomoke 
City and commenced the practice of medicine, associating 
himself in partnership with Dr. S. S. Quinn. Dr. King is 
a young man of considerable promise; he has a good 
mind and an ambition to excel in his profession, which 
knows no flagging. He is sound on the temperance ques- 
tion and is a supporter of moral reforms, and as a 
physician, it is already said of him, " he is becoming quite 
popular." I have no doubt but that he will hold a place 
in the front ranks of his profession with honor. 

In summing up the history of the medical fraternity of 
Pocomoke City, I will say we have eight physicians and 
surgeons, all in the prime of life, their ages ranging from 
25 to 54 years, all men of families except two, all belong- 
to church except two, and they are church-goers and are 
professedly temperance men. When I think of former 
years when it was an exception for a physician to belong 
to church or to be professedly a temperance man, I am 
constrained to pronounce a eulogy upon the men who 
compose the medical fraternity of Pocomoke City, as 
being worthy of all praise for the noble stand which they 
have taken in support of Christianity and moral reform. 
I think Pocomoke City can challenge any town on the 
Eastern Shore of 1,500 inhabitants to produce such a 
brotherhood of physicians. 
CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

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.


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.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

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.


HOTELS. LIVERY STABLES, Etc. 

Hotels existed in New Town at an early date in its his- 
tory, the first, however, which I have any information of 
was kept by Josiah Long, my wile's father. How long he 
was engaged in the business I cannot say. He died in 
1813. About the same time, or shortly after Josiah Long 
commenced the business, Bennett H. Clarvoe engaged in 
it also. After Mr. Clarvoe died, the widows of Mr. Long 
and Mr. Clarvoe carried the business on for some time 
and then retired; and in succession the following persons 
kept hotel, in New Town, now Pocomoke City, until the 
present time, 1882: Captain John Merchant, Littleton Cot- 
tingham, Sally Jones, Francis Mezick, Thomas Evans, 
Edward F. Mezick, Robert Silverthorn, Joseph Lankford, 
Henry Dryden, John Allen, Rosa Young, Peter Corbin, 
Robert Marshall, John Adair, L. J. M. P. Broadwater, 
Ralph Ross, Littleton Sturgis, Charles Rider, W. J. S. 
Clarke, William W. Quinn, Titus I. West, Captain Wm. 
H. Comegys, George Twilly, Levin P. Bowland and H. 
1 Powell. Mr. Powell is the proprietor of the Clarke 
House, and is a popular hotel keeper. Report says he 
keeps the best table of any house on the shore. 

The Livery Stable business has been connected with the- 
Hotel business from time immemorial, until 1869, when, 
the Messrs. William and Samuel Twilly commenced it as 
a separate business. As the Messrs. Twilly are the pio- 
neers in this business, it is but right that an extended 
remark should be made concerning them here. These 
gentlemen, having had long experience in the livery stable 
business, have become experts, and are widely known as 
reliable men, and are very popular, it is a real pleasure 
to see the fine teams and splendid carriages which go out 
from their stables. It is thought they can challenge the 
whole Eastern Shore, if not the State, for a successful. 
rival in their line. 

In 1878 and 1879, Emerson Melvin kept a livery stable, 
in Pocomoke City, and in 1880 and 18S1, John J. Jones 
was engaged in the business; both of these establishments, 
however, continued but a short time. 

In 1881, Edwin F. Causey and Herbert H. King estab- 
lished a livery stable, in Pocomoke City, and continue 
the same to the present. These gentlemen are polite and. 
accommodating; they keep constantly on hand a supply 
of horses and carriages, and no one need fear disappoint- 
ment in getting a good team at their stable. 

We now have two livery stables in Pocomoke City, kept 
by the Messrs. Twilly and Causey & King. These two 
stables keep constantly on hand about twenty horses and 
fifteen carriages, and can scarcely supply the demand 
at that. 
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW: 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.
CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

Saturday, March 2, 2024

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.


SHIP BUILDING, ETC. (Continued)
In 1869, Levin J. M. P. Broadwater and Thomas R. P. 
S. White established a steam saw mill, in New Town, and 
run it until 1869, when it was purchased by James T. 
Young, and he ran it until 1876, when he sold it to W. J. 
S. Clarke, and it was moved to Cashville, Accomac County, 
Virginia. 

In 1864, Y.J.S. Clarke and John H. Clarke, his brother 
established a Marine railway, and in 1869 they built a 
steam saw, planing and grist mill, in New Town. They 
also commenced ship building and repairing at the same 
time. 

In 1869, Hall, Bro. & Co. commenced the steam saw 
mill business. In 1873, they built their Marine railway 
and carry on ship building, also, in connection with these 
two branches of business. 

James T. Young, as has already been stated, is carrying 
on the steam mill business. Is running a steam saw, 
planing and grist mill, and carries on ship building in 
connection. 

Clarke & Co. and Hall, Bro. & Co. have three steam 
saw mills in the country, but the business of those mills 
centers here, so that I associate them with the steam mill 
business of Pocomoke City. 

In 1865, Thomas F. Stevenson commenced the business 
of steam milling in New Town. In 1866 he took as a 
partner his son, Riley M. Stevenson ; the firm is now doing 
business under the firm of Thomas F. & R. M. Stevenson. 
Theirs is a flour, grist and planing mill. It will afford 
any one pleasure to go into their establishment and witness 
the mechanical skill and neatness that characterizes every 
department. The father and grandfather of this firm is 
with them and works daily at the age of between 80 and 
90 years. They are all natural mechanics and merit the 
praise that is accorded to them for the exhibition of such 
a talent. 

In 1872, James T. Hearn, Allison Fleming and Charles 
G. Dale established a steam flour and grist mill in this 
place. How long they continued I am not able to say. 
They, however, sold out to H. H. Dashiell, of Princess 
Ann, Somerset County, Md. The mill is still owned by 
Mr. Dashiell, but it is rented by R. T. Dixon, who is a 
live man, and is doing a heavy business in the manufacture 
of flour and meal. 

In summing up the steam saw, planing and grist mill 
business, together with the marine railway and shipbuild- 
ing business of Pocomoke City, we now have seven steam 
mills, including those in the country whose business is 
identical with the business of Pocomoke City. Five are 
saw mills, two of which have planing and grist mills 
attached ; two are flour and grist mills, one of which has a 
planing mill attached. There are three shipyards and 
two marine railways. They employ in the aggregate 160 
hands annually, and do an annual aggregated business 
of $166,000. 

Before concluding this part of the history of New Town, 
now Pocomoke City, I would do injustice not to mention 
the case of Captain John H. Clarke, who is equally 
deserving of a liberal notice in this history. 

He was born in 1828 and lived with his father until 
1846, at which period his father died. He was then 18 
years of age. He farmed for two years and then engaged 
as hand on board of Captain Elijah Taylor's vessel, which 
engagement lasted two or three years, during which time 
he married Captain Taylor's oldest daughter. 

After this he engaged in partnership with his brother, 
W. J. S. Clarke, in the vessel business, and they owned sev- 
eral vessels together. This firm continued, when they 
entered into the steam mill, Marine railway and ship 
building business, finally ending in their large transactions. 
He has served one term, and is at present on his second, 
as commissioner of the county, with great acceptability. 
Above all he is recognized as a good and honest man. 

He owns ten or twelve hundred acres of land, eight or 
ten houses and lots. 

Captain Clarke has been an acceptable member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in Pocomoke City, for many 
years, has been twice married; has eight children, five by 
his first wife and three by his second. He is now fifty-two 
or three years of age, in the prime of his strong man- 
hood, with the prospects of the future looming up brightly 
before him. His oldest son, William E. Clarke, is a whole- 
sale dry goods merchant in the City of Baltimore, and as 
he is a native of this place, and as it was here that he 
received his first business ideas, it is but right and proper 
that his history should be known. He was born on the 
20th day of March, 1851. After receiving such an educa- 
tion as he was able to get here, he was taken at the age of 
12 years into the store of his uncle, W. J. S. Clarke, where 
he remained three or four years, during which time he was 
thoroughly drilled by his sagacious uncle, whose business 
ability is proverbial. 

At the age of 15 or 16 years his uncle, seeing he had 
great business qualifications beginning to develop them- 
selves, took him to Baltimore and placed him with that 
popular and well-known house, Hurst, Purnell & Co., 
where he arose step by step from office boy to book- 
keeper, and has been for several years a partner in that 
gigantic establishment. 

Mr. Clarke is quite popular, and as a recognition of that 
fact, a new steamboat, which was built by Hall, Bro. & Co. 
and Clarke & Co., which cost $25,000, which has just 
made its first trip and which will ply between this place 
and the various tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, has 
been named after him. William E. Clarke is recognized 
by all as one of the leading business men of the Monu- 
mental City. He is 31 years of age, is scarcely in the 
prime of life, with success and emolument knocking at 
his door. 

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.


Saturday, February 24, 2024

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.

SHIP BUILDING, Etc. 

The shipbuilding, steam milling- and marine railway 
business is carried on quite extensively in Pocomoke City. 
Shipbuilding has been carried on in New Town from time 
immemorial, but the steam milling and marine railway 
business is of more recent date. 

The first steam mill ever erected in New Town was by 
a man by the name of Hutchinson in 1839. This mill was 
employed at first to make shingles, but afterwards turned 
into a saw mill. 

It was severally owned by Hutchinson, Dr. Geo. S. D. 
Shipley, Ricaud, then E. S. Young and Geo. Blades, 
under the firm of Young & Blades, then E. S. Young and 
and James H. Young, under the firm of Young & Brother, 
then Capt. James T. Young by himself, who carried on 
the business until 1866, when he sold out to Polk & Powell. 
They conducted the business about ten years, when they 
sold out to James T. Young and Lewis W. Young, doing 
business under the firm of Young & Brother. Finally 
James T. Young bought out his brother Lewis, and is now 
conducting the business by himself. 

I have been thus explicit in running out the history 
of this mill simply because it was the first ever established 
in New Town. 

But the year I844 was marked as the beginning of a 
series of successes unprecedented in the history of New 
Town. The circumstances which brought them about 
were as follows: During that year Ezra B. Risley hap- 
pened to be in a certain port in the State of New jersey, 
when a vessel loaded with cypress fence rails arrived- He 
saw the rails and enquired where they were from, etc. 
The cargo of rails belonged to Jas. Daugherty and Levin 
P. Bowland. In this case, like thousands of others, the 
door of wealth was opened by the merest accident, and 
the old adage holds good, "one sows and another reaps." 
In as short a time as possible alter this two strangers were 
seen in New Town; no one knew who they were or what 
was their business. They prospected awhile in the cypress 
swamps, made some purchases and went away. The 
strangers proved to be John Ashcraft and Ezra B. Risley. 
During the next year, 1845, they established a large steam 
saw mill at Harry Henderson's landing, the place now 
owned by Littleton Waters. Here they commenced 
operations. They brought down Jersey wood choppers and 
employed our own men also. Like an electric shock, 
they aroused the citizens of New Town and the entire 
surrounding country to the idea of business which has 
never died out. They infused a spirit of industry and 
enterprise in all, from the day laborer to the merchant 
behind the counter and the farmer at the plow. They 
raised the price of labor, paid their employees the money 
for their work, and produced an entire revolution in busi- 
ness life. 

They engaged in ship building also, and built some 
large sea vessels. They purchased all the cypress swamps 
below New Town, and sent to market all their timber and 
lumber in their own vessels, which they built. They 
operated about twenty years, made about $15o;ooo and 
retired. 

With them originated, in a great measure, if not entirely, 
the practical idea of the steam mill business in this sec- 
tion of country. 

In 1854, John W. Quinn, Jas. Murray and John Ashcraft 
established a steam saw mill in New Town. In 1855, 
Murray sold out his interest in the mill to Nicholas N. 
Bosley; the mill now being run by the firm of Quinn, 
Bosley and Ashcraft. This firm continued two years, when 
they sold out to Thomas W. Hargis and Ambrose Dixon, 
doing business under the firm of Hargis & Dixon. They 
continued two years and then sold out to Captain H. H. 
Husted. Captain Husted conducted the business three 
years, when in 1862 he sold out to Captain James H. 
Young; Captain Young, having already a fine mill, bought 
this mill of Captain Husted to get it out of his way. 

As history is always repeating itself I wish to present to 
the reader a case illustrative of the fact, in which we have 
an example of one, who, from the poorest walks of life 
has attained, by hard work and good management to the 
position of wealth and independence. 

I allude to Captain James H. Young, who, I am sure 
will not take exceptions to this statement, for he takes a 
pride in the knowledge of the fact that he has made his 
mark in the world. While he seems to say to the youth 
of the present day, by his independent step as he walks 
the streets: boys go work as I have done and take care of 
your labor, and when you get old you will have something 
to lean upon. 

Captain Young's father died quite a young man, and 
left a widow and three children to support themselves as 
best they could. It is true they had a little home but it 
was merely a staying place. 

The mother and elder son Edward would work at any- 
thing they could get to do. She at the spinning wheel, 
hoeing corn, and sometimes in the fodder field saving 
fodder at twenty-five cents per day, and he tending the 
gardens in town and working on the farms for twelve and 
a half cents per day. 

After a while James grew old enough to work, also, and 
would work, sometimes, for five cents per day. At the 
age of sixteen he was put to the tailoring business; he 
continued at the trade two years, when his future pros- 
pects seemed to be beclouded, and as sitting on the board 
did not agree with him, he concluded to make a change. 
At the age of eighteen, he engaged with Captain James 
Riggin as cook on board a small vessel, similar to that of 
a ship's long boat, at four dollars per month. 

This was the day of small things, but it was the begin- 
ning of a successful course of life. At this period he was 
very destitute of clothing; he had saved, however, as he 
thought, three months wages with which he intended to 
clothe himself. When lo! the tailor with whom he had 
been living, had by some means collected his wages, and 
he was still left destitute. This was a terrible blow to the 
little fellow, for he was very small for his age, however he 
continued persevering and became a hand before the mast, 
in the bay and coasting trade. Some time after his 
maturity, by his industrious habits and temperate course 
of life, he won the respect and sympathy of John U. 
Dennis, who one day told Captain Young that he ought 
to buy a vessel or part of one. Captain replied that he 
was not able. Mr. Dennis told him that he would make 
him able, he would lend him the money, and did so. 
Captain Young then joined Thomas W. Hargis in the pur- 
chase of a schooner. Mr. Hargis at that time was keeping 
store at Wagram, Accomac County, Va. How long this 
partnership lasted I cannot tell, but after their dissolution 
he joined Col. Wm. H. Merrill in a schooner called the 
Sarah Ellen. Finally he bought out Col. Merrill and run 
the vessel in his own name until 1854, when he engaged in 
the steam mill business. 

Although Capt. Young had made up to this time $8,000 
or $10,000, yet here was the gold mine which he struck. 
The first few years of his milling life, however, were not 
so successful, but after the war commenced the tide of 
success set in, and money poured in upon him like a 
flood. 

In 1866, after making money enough to satisfy his 
ambition, he sold out to Polk & Powell, as before stated, 
and retired. 

In making a few desultory remarks relating to Capt. 
Young, I will say he has been a great worker and has had 
a constitution to stand it. He has been unyielding in his 
perseverance until the prize was gained. 

There is one feature of his business life which is spe- 
cially worthy of record, and that was, Captain Young 
never did business on the Sabbath day. This is worthy 
of all praise and should be an example to other business 
men to act likewise. He owns ten farms aggregating two 
thousand acres of land, which cost him between forty and 
fifty thousand dollars, he also owns about twenty houses 
and lots, some of them valuable ones, besides his private 
securities and other personal property. 

Captain Young has been a member of the Methodist 
Protestant Church, in Pocomoke City, for many years, has 
been twice married; has eight children living, four by 
each wife. He is now living in a green old age at about 
three score and ten years, and looks back upon his life- 
work as master of the situation.

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

Saturday, February 17, 2024

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.

SHIPPING INTERESTS. 

The shipping trade was quite an extensive business in 
the early history of New Town, though it was mostly on 
the coast and to the West Indies. There were as many 
vessels then, probably, as there are now sailing from New 
Town, but of a different character. They were generally 
of smaller capacity, were sharp built, holding a draft of 
seven or eight feet of water, and were commanded by 
captain and mate, and a regular crew before the mast. 

These vessels would carry white oak, barrel and hogs- 
head staves to the West Indies, which were sold for 
remunerative prices, and on their homeward voyage 
would bring molasses, sugar, coffee, West India rum, 
tropical fruits and hard cash. 

The Bay trade consisted of pine plank, sawed by hand 
with the whipsaw, staves and laths which were riven, 
cypress shingles, coopers ware and what corn could be 
spared from home consumption, flaxseed, dried fruit, 
feathers, rags, etc. 

We have now eight large vessels sailing from Pocomoke 
City which are engaged exclusively in the bay trade. One 
and sometimes two steamboats plying between here and 
the city and the railroad running daily to all parts north, 
by which facilities we have daily access to all the cities, 
doing an annual shipping business aggregating probably 
the round sum of $500,000. It will, no doubt, be of 
interest to the reader to see the names of those who were 
probably their fathers and brothers, and who chose the life 
of a sailor, recorded here. 

I record from memory the following names of those who 
were captains sailing from this place from 1820 to 1882 
inclusive: Captains John W. Long, Fleet Shelton, Harry 
Long, John Sturgis, James Riggin, Hezekiah Dorman, 
Jacob Riggin, Parker Copes, Harry Burch, Herod Scott, 
William H. Veasey, Samuel Fields, Steven Purnell, York 
Baily, James H. Young, Thomas N. Williams, Robert 
Henry, Isaac N. Veasey, William F. Veasey, Littleton N. 
B. Long, Elijah Taylor, L. Thomas Williams, James T. 
Young, John H. Clark, Thomas J. Veasey, Thomas Brit- 
tingham and George Bailey, and no doubt there were 
others whose names have escaped my memory. Some of 
these were regular Tars, while others were engaged in the 
bay trade. As I have already given a sketch of the history 
of several of those I have named, there is one other man, 
a sketch of whose history I desire to record, and that is 
Captain Littleton N. B. Long who, when but a boy, left 
his father's house, and this his native place, and went to 
the City of Baltimore, and from there he engaged in a 
seafaring life. Friendless and penniless, with nothing to 
depend on but his native talent and energy with which to 
make his mark. The sequel shows how well he did it. 
Whether he engaged as cabin boy or not on board the 
ship or brig I am not able to say, but one thing I can 
say, he had a bright intellect and was ambitious to make a 
man of himself. Obedient and industrious, he soon won 
the sympathy and favor of the officers, and as circum- 
stances would permit, with their instructions, he studied 
navigation. 

While a young man he took command of a ship; in a 
short time after this he became owner or part owner of a 
ship and continued in this relation for several years. He 
finally retired from a seafaring life and purchased a farm 
in Talbot County, Md., where he is living in independ- 
ence and comfort, at the probable age of 55 years. 

All honor to the New Town boys who thus make men 
of themselves. 
EASTERN SHORE STEAMBOAT CO.

The Eastern Shore Steamboat Company of Baltimore 
being a very important factor in the commercial life of 
Pocomoke City, it is but simple justice that a record of 
its doings should have a prominent place in this History. 

The Eastern Shore Steamboat Company of Baltimore 
was incorporated September 16, 1869. The incorporators 
were Samuel Harlan, Jr., John T. Gause and Nathaniel 
R. Benson, of Wilmington, Del., Philip R. Clark, of 
Baltimore, George R. Dennis and John W. Crisfield, of 
Somerset County. Md., and W. J. S. Clarke, of Worcester 
County, Md. 

The capital stock of the Company at its organization 
amounted to $160,000, with two steamers. At the present 
period, 1882, the company owns three steamers, which 
are running to the Eastern Shore, so that daily communi- 
cation from the peninsula is had by one or other of its 
steamers with the City of Baltimore. The Company has 
now in course of building a much larger steamer, which is 
to be named the Eastern Shore. 

The Officers of the Company are: Samuel Harlan, Jr., 
President; J. T. Gause, Vice-President; N. R. Benson, J. 
Upshur Dennis, John W. Crisfield, W. J. S. Clarke and P. 
R. Clark, Directors; W. Thomson, Superintendent; P. 
R. Clark, General Agent. 

The names of the Steamers are, respectively: Steamer 
Tangier, Captain S. H. Wilson; Steamer Helen, Captain 
L. J. Smith; Steamer Maggie, Captain George A. 
Raynor. 

These steamers are superseding, in a great measure, the 
sail vessels in carrying the produce of the Eastern Shore 
to Baltimore. While they have first-class accommodation 
for passengers in their saloons, state-rooms and cabins, 
and the viands upon their tables are selected from the 
best city markets. 

The writer having traveled on all of these steamers can 
say that the officers are polite and obliging, and passengers 
may be sure of being treated as ladies and gentlemen. 

Our youthful readers cannot realize the advantages of 
steamboat travel to the same extent that some of us can, 
whose memory goes back to the time when there was no 
steamboat plying between Pocomoke City and Baltimore, 
and when it would require, at certain seasons of the year, 
two weeks or more for a sail vessel to make a trip from 
Pocomoke City to Baltimore and return. 

Whereas with the present facilities of travel the trip can 
be made in thirty-nine hours, and gives you eleven hours 
of that time to attend to business in the city. With these 
facts before us we can see clearly that progress is march- 
ing onward. 
CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

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.

TRADES. Etc. 

The Hatting business held a very important place in 
manufacture. Hats, at an early day, were made of all 
the various grades of fur, from the rabbit to the beaver. 
The first hatter, of whom we have any information, carry- 
ing on the business in New Town, was John Hall, after he 
died, then Andrew Gilchrist, then in succession, James Hall 
carried on until he died. These all died young men. An- 
drew Gilchrist was a Scotchman and was full of playful fun. 

About 1827, Colonel William H. Merrill commenced 
manufacturing hats, he carried on extensively. 
After Colonel Merrill retired from the business then 
Francis Mezick engaged in it, and took as a partner, 
Carey C. Sears, they introduced the manufacture of the 
silk hat in New Town; after continuing together some- 
time they dissolved partnership and each one carried the 
business on separately. 

I should have stated that during the time of Colonel 
Merrill's being engaged in the hatting business, George S- 
Redden also carried it on in New Town. After Mezick & 
Sears retired, then Henry Brewington engaged in it for 
some time. Since he ceased to carry the business on, it 
has become extinct in New Town, now Pocomoke City. 

The carriage-making business was carried on in New 
Town at an early date, though in a small way. Milby 
Cottingham was the first of whom we have any knowledge 
to engage in it. He made some few carriages, but his 
work was mostly repairing. I remember a little coach 
which he made, after the regular style of coaches, for his 
little child, and to this day, taking into consideration the 
then surrounding associations of my little boyhood life, 
it is in my memory still, one of the prettiest little carriages 
that I ever saw. 

How long Mr. Cottingham carried the business on I 
cannot say. After he moved away there was no carriage- 
maker in New Town, until Rev. Wm. Quinn established 
it in 1836. He did not, however, follow it long before he 
he sold out to Meridith & Spearman, who continued it 
but a short time; then Jesse Hopkins followed it in suc- 
cession, then Hughes & Redden; afterwards they 
dissolved, and since then they carry on the business sep- 
arately ; William E. Crisp and Thomas Evans, then 
Broughton & Cliff were also engaged in the business; 
then J. Thaddeus Toadvine manufactured extensively, 
then followed Tatum, Gordy and Lankford. We now 
have three carriage factories in Pocomoke City and one 
carriage bazaar, kept by William T. Bullen. 

The watch and clock repairing business was not fol- 
lowed by any one in New Town until about 1865, when a 
Frenchman, by the name of Montandon, came to New 
Town and commenced to follow it, and remained here 
two or three years. He was followed by a German by 
the name of Harr, who carried on the business for about 
two years. Mr. Harr was followed by Mr. Geo. Sar- 
torius. We now have Mr. William Sartorius as the 
representative of this branch of mechanical trade, estab- 
lished in Pocomoke City, who may always be found at his 
place of business. 

The cabinet, wheelwright and undertaking business has 
been followed in New Town from time immemorial, 
though not so extensively carried on in the early history 
of the place. The cabinet business embraced the making 
of bedsteads, tables, chairs, corner cupboards, cloak cases, 
etc. The wheelwright business comprised the wagon and 
cart wheel, together with the spinning wheel manufacture. 

The spinning wheel occupied as useful a place in the 
family in its day as the sewing machine does now. Coffin 
making has always been in vogue. Coffins, in the early 
history of New Town were generally made of pine boards, 
painted black and not lined. When the undertaker 
attended a burial, if the corpse was to be carried any 
distance, it was placed on the running gear of a carriage 
or in a cart and carried to the place of interment ; but if the 
distance was short, it was carried by hand. Before the 
corpse was put in the coffin a linen sheet was placed in it, 
and then the corpse was laid on the sheet in the coffin and 
wrapped up. The lid of the coffin was always flat. When 
at the grave the coffin would be placed on chairs during 
the preliminaries for burial. There were no cases then. 
The coffin was put down in the ground and boards laid 
over it and then covered up, and generally a stone was 
put at the head and foot of the grave. Burials were not 
so expensive in the early history of New Town as at the 
present day. The coffins cost about $5. The shroud 
was simply a slip made of muslin. This old mode of 
burial with the winding sheet brings to mind the songs of 
warning that used to be sung in revival meetings: 

Young people, all attention give, 

While I address you in God's name; 
Yon, who in sin and folly live, 

Come hear the counsel of a friend. 
Your sparkling eyes and blooming cheeks 

Shall wither like the morning rose; 
The coffin, grave and winding sheet 

Will soon your active limbs enclose. 



About 1825, James T. Dickinson moved to New Town 
and commenced the cabinet, wheelwright and undertaker's 
business. He made quite an improvement in the whole 
line of coffins and burial of the dead. Gum and walnut 
took the place of pine coffins. They were padded and 
beautifully lined. The coffins at first were carried by 
ropes; he introduced handles, such as are used at the 
present day, then the bier, case to the coffin, and hearse. 
Perhaps a brief sketch of Mr. Dickinson's life will be 
interesting to the reader. He was born in 1803 near New 
Town. His parents were James and Nancy Dickinson, 
both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
in New Town until their death. Mr. Dickinson was 
apprenticed to Handy Mills to learn the aforesaid busi- 
ness. After he became of age he married Miss Nancy 
Burnett, daughter of James Burnett, Sr., and moved to 
New Town, where he spent the remainder of his days. 
He was thrice married, and was the father of five sons by 
his first wife and one daughter by his second wife, only 
two of whom survive him. By industry and economy he 
provided amply for his family and the education of his 
children, and at the same time accumulated considerable 
property. He was a man of strict integrity and of a kind 
and genial nature. He was modest and retired and never 
sought preferment, and was esteemed and respected by 
the entire community. He was a member and ruling- 
Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and was often selected 
to represent her in the church courts. He died in 1866, 
aged 63 years. His remains rests in the Presbyterian 
Cemetery of Pocomoke City. Mr. Dickinson attained to 
this distinction by adhering strictly to the secret of suc- 
cess, which is: he attended to his own business and did not 
meddle with the business of others. "A good name is to 
be preferred before great riches." 

The cabinet and undertakers business is at present car- 
ried on by Jacob E. James, G. and Francis A. Stevenson, 
three brothers, doing business under the firm of Stevenson 
Bros. They are also, in connection with their trade, 
involved in the Furniture and Sewing-Machine business. 

The Wheelwright business is carried on at present, by 
Abraham Cranmer and S. W. Farlow. 

The Baking business was carried on quite extensively 
in the early history of New Town. Mrs. Margaret Young 
whom we called Aunt Peggy, and an old colored woman, 
whom we called Aunt Mareer, were the cake bakers in 
New Town sixty-five years ago. 

After Aunt Peggy died, her daughter Sally Evans car- 
ried on the business. Old Aunt Mareer and Aunt Sally 
seemed to vie with each other in baking cakes, and I 
doubt whether nicer cakes, in their line, were ever baked. 
About 1825, Aunt Sally, for so she used to be called, got 
married to Agur Lewis Jones. During that or the next 
year they purchased the hotel property, belonging to 
Captain John Merchant, and commenced Hotel Keeping. 
From that day it went by the name of the Sally Jones 
Hotel. They kept a good table at moderate charges. 
Aunt Sally had a reputation of renown, as the great cake 
baker, both in Somerset and Worcester Counties, Md., 
and in Accomac County, Va. She and Lewis kept their 
horse and wagon, and would attend all the General Musters 
in the counties aforesaid, well loaded with superior cakes 
of different kinds, and would also attend the camp- 
meetings, elections, vendues, holiday festivals, etc. They 
would return home, not so heavily laden with cakes, yet 
with their equivalent in hard cash. Aunt Sally and Lewis 
became wealthy, but no one knew it. She survived her 
husband several years. After his death she was so afraid 
of being robbed that she would borrow money to pay her 
taxes. She died without children, and left her property 
to her many relatives; and to the Protestant Episcopal, 
Methodist Episcopal and Protestant Methodist Churches. 
She left a large share of it to Miss Rosa Young, for she 
helped to make it. After Miss Rosa came in possession of 
the property, she got married to Peter Corbin. She is 
now a widow, and lives in the neighborhood of Davis's 
Crossroads, at the advanced age of ninety years. When 
Sally Jones died, she left Moses Stevenson her executor. 
Upon making an inventory of her property, it was dis- 
covered that she had, in hard cash, $6,000. She was 
buried in the Protestant Episcopal Church Burying 
Ground, in this place, at the probable age of eighty years. 
The Baking Business has been carried on quite exten- 
sively during late years; being unable to ascertain the 
dates I can only name the persons who have been engaged 
in carrying on a bakery. The first was John Knapp, then 
William S. Matthews and a man by the name of (?) MarmoiiJ 
tthen a man by the name of Hopkins, then Philip and 
Frank Fletcher, who were followed by F. H. Dryden and 
John J, Jones, who employed a man by the name of Dietz, 
then Stephen J. Blades. The business is carried on at 
present by Mrs. K. Stubbins and Mrs. P. Whittington, 
in connection with the sale of confectionery. The manu- 
facture of brick in New Town was first introduced by 
John W. Quinn several years ago. It is now carried on 
in connection with the lime kiln business by Messrs. H. 
A. DeKay and W. J. S. Clarke, under the name of 
DeKay &. Co., doing an annual business aggregating $8,000. 

There is one more feature of manufacturing which I 
wish to mention as commanding probably the first place 
in magnitude, that is the manufacture of phosphate for 
manure. This business has been carried on by Messrs. 
Freeman, Lloyd, Mason and Dryden, who have now 
established a factory near the City of Norfolk, Va. These 
gentlemen are all business men — men of push — and have 
a reputation to back them up in their heavy business, and 
must succeed. 

In summing up the manufacturing business of Pocomoke 
City, I will say that we have six or seven boot and shoe 
shops, three tailor shops, seven or eight house-carpenter 
shops, ten blacksmith shops, three carriage shops, and one 
carriage bazaar, two cooper shops, one undertaker shop 
and one phosphate factory, all aggregating a business 
annually of probably $170,000.
CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.


Saturday, February 3, 2024

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.

(Old Winter Quarter is referenced and highlighted about three quarters way into this section.) 

 TRADES, ETC. 


The house and ship-carpentering has been represented 
by the following named persons : House carpenters were 
William Beauchamp, William Wheeler, Capt. Benjamin 
Hall, Henry Beauchamp, Wrixham Burnett, William 
McMaster, James Benson, Henry Coston, Jesse L. Long, 
William H. C. Long, Littleton Duer, Edgar Duer, Francis 
Duer, Ralph Ross, John Richards, Jun., Thomas Davis, 
John Merrill, John Bevans, James Broughton, Edward 
Davis, Edward Merrill. Edward Ross. Ship carpenters 
were Jesse Henderson, Jacob Riggin, John Carsley, Peter 
Carsley, Frank Whittington, E. James Tull, Henry Tapt- 
man, Wm. Smith, Samuel Richardson, Silvanus Maddux, 
James McDaniel, Edward Mills, Thomas Thorington, 
William H. McDaniel, Jesse Taptman, William Lankford, 
Alfred Lankford, Christopher Schillinger, William Bonne- 
well, Alfred Herbert, Alfred Mills, Thomas Jones, John 
J. Dickinson, Charles Williams, John E. Tull, Joseph L. 
Hitch, Hargis Hayman, Curtis Tull, James Ford, Thomas 
Sears, Wm. R. Jones, James Bonnewell, Edward Townsend, 
Tobe Bonnewell, John Crammer, Albert Henderson, Silas 
Ellis, William H. Matthews, Harry Whittington, William 
Cathel, Noah Dutton, Levin Dutton, John J. Deputy, 
Samuel Gibbons, John O. Fitzgerald, Capt. John Fitz- 
gerald, Jesse Crockett, Charles Crockett, John Foster, Jr., 
John Foster, Sr., Julius Henderson, Caleb Dickinson, 
Walter Hughes and Frank Jones. 

In connection with ship-carpentering we have the follow- 
ing caulkers: James H. Gardner, Isaac Fisher, Henry 
Henson, Grant Long, William Sturgis and John Somerneld. 

The blacksmith business has been represented by the 
following named persons: Joshua Sturgis, Ephraim Town- 
send, Matthias N. Lindsey, George W. Landing, Major 
T. and Jerome B. Hall, George Hall, William and John 
Paradee, Lycurgus Stevenson, Wilmer Mills, RufUs Ste- 
venson, John Foley, the Messrs. Hayman, Isaac Dennis, 
John G. Angelo, Alexander Harris and William Banks. 

As the idea of improvement is one object in this 
history, I desire to call attention to one name, and that is 
George W. Landing. 

He was raised but a few miles from this place on a 
farm. At a suitable age he was apprenticed to a man in 
Berlin, Worcester County, to learn the blacksmith business. 
After serving his apprenticeship he came to New Town 
and established himself in business. It was not long 
before he invented a new plow, this plow was an iron 
mouldboard and point all made in one piece, when the 
point wore out he would weld to it another; previous to 
this the plows had wooden mould boards with an iron 
point fastened to them. In the invention of this plow, 
Mr. Landing attained great celebrity as a blacksmith. He 
worked hard and had a constitution to stand it; made 
money and took care of it. He, however, became an 
aspirant for political fame, retired from the blacksmith 
shop, and was so successful in his aspirations, that he 
could be elected to the legislature over almost any candi- 
date that might oppose him. In his political career he 
went by the name of the Old Blacksmith. He has, 
however, retired in a great measure from politics and 
business life, having possessed himself of considerable 
property, and is nearing the sixty-fifth year of his age. 

The coopering business, in the earlier history of New 
Town, was carried on very extensively, it was, however, 
confined exclusively to making tubs and buckets; there 
were six pieces, flitting in each other, from the cooler to 
the wash tub, which was called a nest of ware. Men 
became so expert in its manufacture, that they have made 
as high as eight nests a day. The nest of ware, when 
bound with iron hoops, would sell for one dollar and 
twenty-five cents; when bound with wooden hoops, for 
fifty cents. The manufacture of this ware, as late as 1845 
became so extensive, that the ware received the appella- 
tion of New Town currency. 

Since 1845, the business has dwindled so, that today, it 
is becoming obsolete, there being only two or three per- 
sons in the place who make a few buckets and do some 
repairing. 

About 1 Si 5, (?) Rev. James Tilghman and General Ebenezer 
Hearn commenced the tanning business, in New Town. 
After Mr. Tilghman died, which event occurred in 1816, 
General Hearn carried the business on in his own name, 
until Gibson Cannon, a relative of his, who had served an 
apprenticeship with him, became of age, when he took 
him in as a partner. Mr. Cannon did not, however, con- 
tinue in the business but a few years before he withdrew 
on account of feeble health. When another apprentice of 
General Hearn's, John S. Mills became of age, he then 
was taken as a partner by General Hearn. This firm 
continued until Mr. Mills died, which event took place 
about the year 1844. General Hearn still continued the 
business, but now, in his own name again, until 1851 or 2, 
when he sold out to John W. Quinn. Mr. Quinn con- 
ducted the business until 1854 or 55, when he closed out. 

In 1861, Levin Atkinson and George Hargis estab- 
lished themselves in the business, which firm continued but 
a few years, when Mr. Hargis sold out to Mr. Atkinson- 
Mr. Atkinson conducted the business until a short time 
before he died, which event transpired in October, 1877. 
Since that time the tanning and currying trade, as a sepa- 
rate branch of manufacturing has ceased to be carried on 
in Pocomoke City. All who have carried on the tanning 
and currying business in New Town, without an excep- 
tion, have passed away. 

A tribute to the practical mechanics, engaged in the 
tanning and currying trade, in New Town, is in place just 
here. General Ebenezer Hearn was born in Sussex 
County, Delaware, March the 7th, 1792. Mr. Hearn 
served an apprenticeship in Delaware. After he was of 
age, he went to Modest Town, Accomac County, Va., and 
worked journey work for Mr. Lippincott of that place. He 
did not however, continue long in Modest Town before 
he came to New Town and engaged, as above stated, in 
the business with Rev. James Tilghman. Some years 
after this he married the oldest daughter of Dr. Steven- 
son. He soon began to be prosperous in his business- 
In the course of time he purchased a tract of land called 
Cowley, but more familiarly known as Old Winter Quar- 
ter. This tract of land he purchased of Mr. John Stevens, 
a regular descendant of Col. William Stevens, of colonial 
fame. As Old Winter Quarter has been a place of 
renown, the reader may be anxious to know something 
more about it. It adjoins Pocomoke City; in fact, the 
dwelling and principal part of the farm is within the 
corporation of the town. When General Hearn pur- 
chased it, it was a perfect wilderness; was interspersed 
with branches, sand hills, mud and swamp, where the 
yew pawns and prickly pears grew, and where it is 
said, bears were numerous, and old Blue Beard lived. 
These were terrible scarecrows to the boys when they 
would go into Winter Quarter yew pawning. Many a farce 
has been played upon strangers in getting them to dig in 
the sand hills of Winter Quarter for Blue Beard's money 
which, it has been said, that he buried there. 

Here Mr. Hearn built his house, which yet remains a 

fine one. Probably, about this time, he was chosen 

captain of militia. He now was called Captain Hearn; 

subsequently he was placed upon the Governor's Staff, as 

one of his aids, with the title of Colonel, he now was 

called by that title, and later again he received the title of 

General, since which time, he was called General Hearn to 
the day of his death. 

General Hearn was a man of pleasure, he was fond of 

fox hunting and a game of chess; he also became a great 

politician, of the Whig party, and has been elected to 

the legislature of Maryland oftener, probably, than any 

other man in Worcester County, in his day. He was kind 

and genial, calm and even in his disposition, and never in 

a hurry, and was very popular. He was independent in 

his circumstances, and when he died he left a handsome 
estate to his children. He died January 13th, 1854, in 
the 62nd year of his age, honored and respected by all 
who knew him, and was buried in the family burying 
ground, in Winter Quarter. 

Gibson Cannon was born in Sussex County, in the State 
of Delaware. During his partnership with General 
Hearn, he married Miss Elizabeth Sturgis, in 1832. His 
health, as before stated, was so feeble as to compel a 
change; consequently he went to merchandising at Cot- 
tingham's Ferry; here he continued for three or four 
years, when in 1839, July the 3rd, he died, being, at the 
time of his death, in the 34th year of his age. He was 
buried in the Protestant Episcopal Church burying 
ground, of Pocomoke City. Mr. Cannon left a widow 
and two children, who are still living; his widow and 
daughter are living in this place; his son, Clayton, 
is living in the City of Baltimore. 

As Mr. Cannon is a native of this place, it gives me 
pleasure to state that he is an enterprising business man 
of the monumental city. At the age of fifteen years he 
entered the store of Colonel William H. Merrill as clerk 
and continued one year, then he went to Baltimore and 
engaged with Gibson & Co., auctioneers, at the age of six- 
teen, here he continued one year. At the age of seven- 
teen, he entered the wholesale dry goods house of Lewis, 
Drost & Co. How long he continued in this situation I 
cannot say, but from there he entered a savings bank, 
then in the course of time, he procured a situation in one 
of the National Banks of the City, then again, he accepted 
a situation as cashier, in a bank in Annapolis. From 
there he returned to Baltimore and entered the Trader's 
National Bank as cashier, which situation he still holds. 
Clayton Cannon had to make his own mark. I need not 
tell the reader how well he has done it. He now ranks 
well with the banking businessmen of Baltimore, with an 
unspotted character, at the age of forty- six years. 

After Gibson Cannon retired from the tanning and 
currying business, General Hearn took John S. Mills, who 
had just finished his apprenticeship, as a partner in the 
business. Mr. Mills continued in this firm until he died. 
He died quite a young man, and left a widow, and one 
child by his first wife: that child is the Rev. Joseph L. 
Mills, D. D., of the Methodist Protestant Church.
 CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.