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.

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. 

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.

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.

MANUFACTURING (continued)

An anecdote which I have heard going the rounds 
many years ago may not be out of place here - A lady 
of independence in an adjoining community had an only 
daughter. That daughter was visited by a young lady, 
who inquired of the mother where Miss So-and-So's 
piano was. She took the young lady to the loom house 
and pointing to the loom: "There," said she, is my 
daughter's piano." 

The mother and daughter made the clothes for the 
family. The young ladies were their own mantua makers 
and their mothers learned them to be good cooks also. 
They thought it was no disgrace to learn them to work. 
The first families of the place would make mechanics of 
their sons, and to show that this custom was considered 
in the highest sense an honorable one, I need but cite 
those who were prominent citizens of the town to demon- 
strate this position. 

Michael Murray was a weaver of the world renowned 
Irish linen in his native country, Ireland; Jesse Hender- 
son a ship carpenter; Rev. James Tilghman, a shoemaker; 
Joshua Sturgis, a blacksmith; Capt. Jacob Riggin, a 
ship carpenter; Capt. Benjamin Hall, a carpenter; Gen- 
eral Ebenezer Hearn, a tanner and currier; Colonel 
William H. Merrill, a hatter, John S. Stevenson, a watch- 
maker; Ceorge S. Redder, a hatter. I might name 
many others, but those already named are sufficient. 

Is not this a suggestive thought to parents of the 
present day, to give their sons a trade instead of crowding 
them into professions and clerkships, in which there are 
but few, comparatively, who succeed, and to learn their 
daughters to be good house keepers, and not to bring 
them up in such a way as that when they get married they 
will be utterly ignorant how to make their husbands a 
suit of clothes or how to make and bake a johnny cake. 

An incident which occurred in the history of Stephen 
Girard, the millionaire, of Philadelphia, I will illustrate 
here. He had a youth who was to live with him until he 
was of age. This young man, by his steady habits, atten- 
tion to business and probity of character, had won, over 
all the other clerks, a place high up in the esteem of Mr. 
Girard. His twenty-first birthday came on. The day 
before that, however, he went into Mr. Girard's counting- 
room and informed him of the fact, when he was told to 
come in the next day as he wanted to see him. It was 
conceded by all the clerks that Mr. Girard was going to do 
something handsome for that young man. The next day 
came, he went into the office as requested; they entered 
into conversation upon their connection together. Mr. 
Girard praised him for his faithfulness to his interests. 
"And now," said he, "you are going out into the world to 
seek your fortune, I want to give you a piece of advice. 
Do you go and learn a trade; there is the barrel cooper- 
ing, go and learn that! The reader may imagine how 
the young man was taken back. He, however, engaged 
with a barrel cooper to work with him for one year. At 
the end of the year, he made a barrel, which he took to Mr. 
Girard's office to show him. Mr. Girard pronounced it a 
good job, and asked the price of it, which was three 
dollars. He took the barrel, paid him the money for it, 
and requested him to come to the office the next day as. 
he wished to see him. The day came; he went into the 
office, when Mr. Girard said: "You may have thought it 
a very strange piece of advice which I gave you, to learn 
a trade; but, if hereafter, you should fail in any business- 
you engage in, then you have your trade to fall back on. 

Now, here is a check for $30,000 as a token of my high 
esteem and with my best wishes for your success in 
life." 

The different branches of mechanical business which 
were carried on in New Town in its early history were 
boot and shoe making, house and ship carpentering, black- 
smithing, coopering, tanning and currying, hatting, etc. 
There was, generally, but one shop of each branch of 
business at a time. The first boot and shoemaker that I 
have any information of was Rev. James Tilghman; 
Caleb Tilghman, then Samuel Long, Joseph Richards, 
Thomas Brittingham, James Lambdon, Jesse Long, 
Josiah Long, of Jesse, Zadok Hall, of John, Edward 
Murray, Francis Murray, James Sturgis, Tubman Moor, 
Samuel T. Landing and James Murray. Henry Murray, 
who was an office bearer in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, was also a delegate elect from Worcester county 
to the General Assembly of Maryland in 1862 and 1863. 
In 1866 he died suddenly, in hope of a blissful immortal- 
ity. William H. S. Merrill, Thomas J. Blain, who is also 
a leading office bearer in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and has four sons — all grown men — who are an honor to 
him. John Silvenhom, Rev. George Covington, Charles 
Covington, Levin Covington, John Richards, Sr., George 
Matthews, Case, William Matthews and William 
Clogg. No doubt there are others whose names have 
escaped my memory, or who were here but a short time. 
These, excepting the few last names mentioned, have all 
passed away. 

The tailoring business was carried on at an early date. 
Josiah Long, my wife's father, was a tailor. He served 
his apprenticeship with his uncle, David Long, Sr., who 
was the father of Captain Henry Long, Captain John W. 
Long and David Long. Mr. Long worked at the tailor- 
ing business until he died, which event occurred about 
1813. Then in succession Benjamin Cottman, a man by 
the name of Smith, William Purnell, Joseph Benson, John 
H. Powell, William Atkinson, William Fisher, Theo. Hall, 
William S. C. Polk, Emerson G. Polk, James Wells, 
McCayland,(?) Edward Ardis and W. F. Jones. Emerson 
G. Polk, W. F. Jones and Edward Ardis are the present 
tailors of the place. 

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.

1868, Edward H. Clarke commenced the mercantile 
business, in New Town. Since then he has been engaged 
nearly all the time in the sale of goods alone and with 
his father. 

As Mr. Clarke is quite a prominent man in business 
circles, he is entitled to a place in this history. He was 
born in 1845, and is the only surviving son of W. J. S. 
Clarke. He was appointed a midshipman at the naval 
academy in 1861. After remaining nearly two years and 
spending one summer at sea, he resigned, as we learned, 
much to the regret of the officers of the naval academy. 
Returning home he at once entered the service of his 
father as clerk, being there well drilled, and remaining in 
that capacity until 1868, when he married an amiable and 
accomplished young lady, the only daughter of William 
M. Coster, Esq., one of the most respected and wealthy 
gentlemen in Somerset county. He is a very, popular 
man, and in point of business sagacity he is said to be 
equal to any of his name. 

In 1866, Levin Atkinson commenced the sale of 
groceries in connection with the sale of leather, and con- 
tinued the same for ten years, or until he died, which 
event took place in 1877. 

Mr. Atkinson was quite a prominent man in the com- 
munity ; was retired in disposition, obliging, and a warm 
friend. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant 
Church, in New Town, for many years, and filled promi- 
nent positions as a layman in that church. From the 
commencement of his connection with the church to his 
death, he always kept an open house for the preachers of 
that denomination, and there was nothing too good to pro- 
vide and no labor too great to perform for those whom 
he and his devoted wife loved to entertain. 

In 1880, Henry Dryden and his son Clarence engaged 
in the sale of groceries, confectionery, etc., in connection 
with the sale of tin ware, Mr. H. Dryden having been 
engaged in selling tin ware previously. This firm continues 
and will no doubt be successful. 

In 1878, James H. Vincent commenced merchandising in 
Pocomoke City, and is growing in trade and popularity. 
We have several other stores in Pocomoke City, which 
may be called green grocery and provision stores, kept 
respectively by: A. H. Benson, Roland E. Bevans and 
John W. Selverthorn, John T. M. Sturgis and Thomas 
Melvin and J. A. D. Robinson. 

These are all reliable houses, where the substantials of 
life may be purchased. 

In presenting to the reader this concise history of the 
mercantile business of New Town, now Pocomoke City, I 
have aimed at facts, at giving a fair showing, and not 
throwing more gloss upon the men and trade than they 
really merited. I shall now close this part of my history 
by saying : we have, in Pocomoke City, some thirty 
business houses of all grades, selling goods, doing an 
annual business, aggregating over two hundred thousand 
dollars. 

MANUFACTURING. 

Manufacture, in the early history of New town, was, as 
a matter of course, in its infancy. The first, probably, 
should be mentioned is the manufacture of clothing for 
the families. These goods consisted of woolen, cotton 
and linen. The wool was taken from the sheep's back 
and washed, then picked, carded, spun and woven into 
fustian, that is to say, the warp was of cotton, the filling in 
was of wool. Linsey-woolsey was also made for the 
mothers and daughters. 

This word linsey-woolsey comes up in memory as some- 
thing long since past away. 

I used to hear, when I was a little boy, these words 
sung: 

"Linsey-woolsey petticoats,
Silk and cotton gown, 
Shoes and stockings in your hands, 
And feet upon the ground." 

The cotton was, as a general thing, cultivated at home, 
that is to say every family had their cotton-patch if they 
had ground sufficient for that purpose, and when ripe was 
harvested, the seed picked, then carded, spun and woven. 
These were for underwear for both sexes, for sheets, and 
the beautiful white counterpanes that used to be made. 

The linen was made out of flax. Every farmer had his 
flax patch. The flax when ripe was pulled up by the 
roots by hand, then placed in a creek, pond or water- 
hole if their was any convenient, if not, it was spread out 
on the ground to mildew, when sufficiently cured it was 
then housed. In the wintertime the flax break was heard 
singing its day-long song, as the busy laborer would be 
plying the instrument. 

In this instrument the woody portion of the flax was 
separated from the fibrous. Thus the flax was prepared 
for the hackle, then after that it was spun and woven into 
what we used to call country made linen, and then made 
into underwear for both sexes, for toweling, table cloths, 
sheets, etc. Now the modus-operandi in clothing. The 
carding and spinning would be carried on day and night 
by the mothers and daughters. At night the father and 
brothers would unite around a roasting fire with a plenty 
of pine knots to make a light, and would engage in pick- 
ing the wool or cotton. During these seasons of night 
work they would roast sweet potatoes and have a pitcher 
of cider to cheer the tedious hours of labor. 

When the wool, cotton or flax was thus prepared for 
the loom, they would commence weaving. 

When I was a little boy I used to hear the loom going 
all day long. It did not make as sweet music as the piano, 
but went click, clack, click, clack, from morning until 
night. 
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.

MERCANTILE ASPECT (CONTINUED). 

In 1851, Mrs. Araminta Hall commenced the millinery 
and ladies trimming business, which she has conducted 
up to the present; has been very successful in business, 
and has made money. 

In 1830, Mrs. Eliza Merrill established the millinery 
and ladies trimming business, in New Town, and con- 
ducted the same for 35 years, and made money. 

In 1846, Miss Anna H. Henderson commenced the 
millinery and ladies trimming business, in New Town. 
In 1863, she married Mr. William T. Hearn, and after- 
wards her store was familiarly known as Mrs. Anna 
Hearn's store. She conducted the business successfully 
until 1863, in which year she died. 

In 1855 Miss Amereth J. Trader commenced the mil- 
linery, notion and ladies trimming business in New Town. 
About one year after this she married Mr. Littleton T. 
Clarke, after which her house of business was known as 
Mrs. Jane Clarke's store. 

In 1866 Mr. Clarke died. She continued the business, 
however, without intermission, and in 1871 she married 
Mr. Henry A. DeKay. After this her business com- 
menced increasing until it has assumed its present 
proportions as one of the finest millinery, notion and 
ladies trimming stores on the Eastern Shore. 

In 1849, Mrs. Julia Redden commenced the millinery 
business and conducted the same until 1861, when she 
closed out. 

In 1864, Mrs. Ursula B. Henderson, commenced the 
millinery, notion and ladies trimming business, in New 
Town, and has continuously conducted the same until 
the present. Mrs. Henderson is industrious and attentive 
to her business, enterprising and unyielding in her pur- 
pose to succeed. If these qualifications are a true index 
to success, she is bound to win. 

She commenced business on fifty dollars and has 
increased to such an extent as to warrant the declaration 
that her house, for the beauty and tasteful arrangement 
of goods, together with its heavy stock in trade, will com- 
pare favorably with any house of like character in the 
cities. In 1866, Mrs. Ella Foster commenced the milli- 
nery business, and continued the same for about two 
years. In 1867, Miss Lizzie Clayville commenced the 
millinery business and conducted the same about two 
years and retired. 

In 1866, Mrs. Mary A. Tipton commenced the milli- 
nery business and continued with slight intervals until 
1880, when she moved to Philadelphia. 

In 1876, Zadock J. Hall and his son, Charles S. Hall, 
commenced merchandising in Pocomoke City under the 
firm of C. S. Hall & Co; this partnership business lasted 
two years, when Zadok J. Hall sold out his interest in the 
store to Richard Hall another son of his. 

This firm is now doing business under the name of C. 
S. Hall & Brother, two enterprising young men, who 
without an accident will succeed. 

A word here in reference to Zadok J. Hall may be 
interesting to the reader: He is brother to Major T. Hall 
and Jerome B. Hall, who have already been noticed in 
this history. He was subject to all the privations that 
marked their earlier years, and was reared under the 
most discouraging circumstances, without a friend who 
was able to take him by the hand and promote him, and 
without education; yet by dint of perseverance, has made 
his mark in the world as well as his brothers. He has 
attained a competency and lives retired from the whirl of 
business life, taking delight in the improvement and cul- 
tivation of his little farm. Mr. Hall is also a member of the 
Baptist Church, in Pocomoke City. He has four children, 
and he is fifty-two years old. 

In I878, Herbert H. King and William Sidney Dryden 
formed a partnership, under the title of H. H. King & Co., 
in a first-class dry goods and grocery store, in Pocomoke 
City. 

This firm is doing a safe business, enterprising and 
polite, they must win. 

Mr. Dryden, one of this firm, has been engaged in 
business nearly twenty years, in the City of Baltimore. 
He left his father's home, a young man, to seek his for- 
tune with no other help but his own native talent. After 
being engaged in business for some time in the city, he 
worked his way up to a clerkship as salesman, in one of 
the largest wholesale dry-good houses in the city, that of 
William Devries & Co. In this house he has been 
engaged without intermission for seventeen years, the last 
three of which have been partially devoted to the collec- 
tion of claims for the house. 

This trust, committed by the house to him, shows not 

only their confidence in his integrity, but also their confi- 

dence in his tact and business ability in dealing with men. 

He has succeeded above many of his chance and has 

made money. 

About the year 1869, James W. Payne commenced 
merchandising, in New Town and continued in business 
until his death, which occurred in January, 1878. 

About 1866, Emerson Melvin commenced the sale of 
goods, in New Town ; he continued in the business with 
great success until he died, which event took place in 
1879. His estate was worth $6,000 clear of debt. 

In the settlement of his estate, the inventory of his 
personal property was the largest that had ever been 
entered in the Registers office of Worcester County. He 
first commenced on fifty dollars capital. 

About the year 1865, William H. S. Merrill added 

clothing and gents' furnishing goods to his stock of boots 

and shoes, he having engaged in the sale of boots and 

shoes several years previous. He sold goods until 1871, 

when he sold out to Robinson & Matthews, who con- 
ducted the business for five or six years and then closed 
out. 

In 1877, A. G. Marshall commenced merchandising, in 

Pocomoke City; he conducted the business until the 

spring of 1881, when he closed out. 

In 1870, Mrs. Sally Payne commenced the confectionery 

and candy business, in Pocomoke City, and continues the 

same to the present. 

In 1874, Ephraim A. Stevens commenced the notion 
and ladies' trimming business, in Pocomoke City; he 
continued until 1880, when he closed this business and 
engaged in a green grocery and provision store. Some- 
time during the year, he took as a partner Roland E. 
Bevans, and they carried on the business under the firm of 
Stevens & Bevans, this firm, however, did not continue 
long before Mr. Bevans drew out. Mr. Stevens continued 
the business until 1882 and closed out. 

In 1856, Miss Charlotte and Miss Ann Truitt, two- 
sisters, were engaged in the confectionary and notion 
business, in New Town, when they commenced and how 
long they continued the business I cannot say. 

Between 1856 and i860, Mrs. Mary A. Smullin engaged 
in the confectionery business and continued the same until 
her death, which event occurred in April, 1881. 

About 1870, Mrs. Ellen Payne engaged in the confec- 
tionery business, and in about two years she sold out to 
Mrs. Sally Mason, who continued the business for several 
years. 

Sometime between 1872 and 1875, R. H. Pennewell, 
Francis A. Stevenson and Allison Fleming engaged in 
merchandising in a store house occupying the site now- 
occupied by the store house of J. W. Selby. The house 
was burned down while Mr. Fleming was conducting 
business. 

In 1872, Edward S. Young commenced the tobacco, 
cigar and confectionery business, in New Town, and con- 
ducted the same until 1878; prior to this, George S. 
Merrill, Alexander Ebberts and John Walters, respect- 
ively, were engaged in it. 

As Mr. Young is the oldest native citizen in the place he 
is entitled to a sketch of his life in its history: He was 
born in 1807 and consequently is now in the 75th year of 
his age. He, like many others, was raised a poor boy, and 
had to work out, at twelve and a half cents per day, to 
help his mother in supporting the family. When of 
sufficient age, he was apprenticed to Colonel William H. 
Merrill to learn the hatting business, after his maturity, he 
settled in this, his native place, and with but one slight 
interval has remained here to the present. He was 
engaged, for several years, in the steam milling business. 
He has been a member of the Methodist Protestant 
Church nearly fifty years, has been ardently devoted to, 
and a liberal supporter of that Church, he has, probably, 
though always poor, contributed more to church building, 
in New Town in the past, than any other man in it. 

He has been the father of several children, all of whom 
are no more, except one son, and he lives in Colorado. 

Mr. Young reminds me of the ancient worthy patri- 
archs, leaning upon the top of his staff, and waiting for 
the summons to a brighter home above, and is entitled to 
the kindly greetings of all lovers of the aged and the 
good. 

In 1878, Capt. H. H. Husted entered into the tobacco, 
cigar, confectionery and fruit business, in which he is 
gaged at present. Capt. Husted is very attentive to 
business; is very polite and obliging, and is quite suc- 
cessful in business. 

In 1878, John L. Quinn engaged in the sale of tobacco, 
cigars, confectionery and fruits, and continues the same 
with success. 

Mrs. Stubbins and Mrs. Whittington both have con- 
fectionery stores, and are prosperous in business. In 1878, 
Simpson Katzenberger merchandised in Pocomoke City 
about one year and then closed out. In 1877, Miss Ruth 
Stone commenced the notion business, in Pocomoke City, 
and continued it for about three years, when she removed 
to Connecticut, her native State. 

In 1879, Miss Virginia Wilkinson and Miss Virginia 

Matthews united in copartnership in the millinery, notion 

and ladies trimming business in Pocomoke City. Their 

house is called the Philadelphia branch store, and truly it 

is very aptly so-called, for it will compare favorably with 

the city in the taste exhibited in the selection of their 

goods, in the prices they charge, and in the style and 

neatness of their work. These young ladies rank among 

the finest milliners of the day, either in the city or 

country. 

In 1880, Miss Ruth Pollett commenced the notion and 

ladies trimming business in Pocomoke City, and continued 

until 1881, when she closed out. In 1880, J. J. Francis 

Townsend and Ira T. Stevenson engaged in a dry goods 

and grocery store which they continue at the present. 

They are very worthy men.

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.

MERCANTILE ASPECT (CONTINUED). 

Upon the dissolution of partnership of Clarke & 
Clarvoe in 1852, William H. T. Clarvoe and James Merrill 
united in copartnership, under the firm of Clarvoe &. 
Merrill, in the sale of goods, occupying the same stand 
that Clarke and Clarvoe occupied. 

This firm continued two years, when Mr. Merrill sold 
out to Mr. Clarvoe. 

Mr. Clarvoe conducted the business by himself until 
1858, when he sold out to William W. and James A- 
Melvin, acting under the firm of W. W. & J. A. Melvin. 

This firm transacted business for a while in the store- 
house formerly occupied by Mr. Clarvoe, after which they 
purchased the wharf and ground upon which they built 
the storehouse, which is at present occupied by Smullin 
& Brother. 

They did a heavy business from 1858 to 1866, when 
they sold out their stock in trade, together with their 
storehouse and wharf, to Stephen E. Mason. 

Stephen E. Mason conducted a heavy business from 
1866 to 1870, when he sold out his stock of goods to John 
W. Selby and Julius J. Smullin, two enterprising- young 
men, who did business under the firm of Selby & Smul- 
lin until 1877, when Mr. Selby sold out his interest in the 
store to Julius J. and Albert Smullin. Smullin & Brother 
keep on hand a general assortment of dry goods, grocer- 
ies, boots, shoes, hats, etc., and are doing a thriving 
business. 

These two young men are worthy of great praise for 

their business qualifications and fidelity, and it is said that 

they stand number one in business circles in the cities. 

In 1878, John W. Selby purchased the ground at the 
north-east corner of Market and Front streets and erected 
a large fine building for store and town hall purposes; the 
store room is a spacious one, the upper room is used for 
town hall purposes. This is one of the finest storehouses, 
and for such a purpose is an ornament to Pocomoke City. 
Mr. Selby has a well assorted and well arranged stock of 
dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, etc. 

In 1854, Benjamin F. Ulman commenced merchan- 
dising in New Town, and sold goods for some time, after 
which he moved to the City of Baltimore where he is still 
doing business, and report says he has a bank of his own 
and is worth $500,000. 

In 1862, Major T. and Jerome B. Hall commenced 
merchandising in New Town, at first dealing altogether in 
the hardware line; after a while they branched out more 
at large in a general dry goods, grocery, boot and shoe 
house, under the firm of Hall & Bro. 

In 1863, they added to their mercantile trade that of 

steam saw mill business; in 1868, that of ship building; 

and in 1872, the Marine railway business. In 1878 they 
took into copartnership L. Fuller Hall, son of Jerome B. 

Hall. The company now doing business under the firm 

of Hall, Bro. & Co. This firm with this heavy business 

resting upon them, employ sixty men annually, repair about 

seventy-five vessels annually, and have built during their 

business life, about twenty-five new vessels. Their annual 

business aggregating $30,000. 

They own two steam saw mills, a Marine Railway. 300 

acres of land and 23 houses and lots, some of the houses 

are fine buildings. 

In thus giving a brief outline of the business life of 

these two brothers it will, also, be of interest to the reader 

to learn something of their general history. 

In view of their success in life, this will be given with 

the greatest pleasure, for I knew them when they were 

little flaxy headed boys. 

Their father, Benjamin Hall, was a highly respected 

man, a carpenter by trade and a captain of militia; he 

died when these gentlemen were little children, leaving a 

widow and six children, without any assistance, to get 

their living as best they could. It is true the family lived 

on their own place, but that was very little more than a 

staying place, the little boys worked like little giants. I 

have seen them coming to town with a load of pine wood, 

which they had cut, when you would think they were 

scarcely large enough to come to town any way. 

Their mother, with the children, struggled against 
adversity until these two boys were old enough to go to- 
a trade ; then they commenced to learn the blacksmith 
business with George W. Landing. They served an 
apprenticeship with Mr. Landing, and when he retired 
from the shop they took charge of it in their own name, 
and worked hard and continuously at the business until 
they entered mercantile life, as before stated. 

The reader, probably, is already thinking about their 
school advantages. They lived in the country and could 
only go to school, occasionally, in the winter time; what 
little learning they got in this way was of very little 
advantage to them, as they experienced in the commence- 
ment of their mercantile life, in trying to use the pen and 
in calculating figures. They, however, learned to use the 
pen and calculate figures, and how to make money, also; 
and their record shows the character of their intellect and 
business capacity. 

They are both members of the Baptist Church, in 
Pocomoke City; Major T. Hall being a deacon. Their 
ages are, respectively, forty-eight and fifty-six years ; 
Major T. being the eldest. 

In 1856, C. C. Lloyd opened a drug store, which 
was the first ever established in New Town; in addition 
to drugs he kept oils, paints, stationery, jewelry and 
variety store. 

He has, during his mercantile life, closely applied 
himself to business, always at his post, he is polite. 
obliging and accommodating, and has made money. He 
has been sheriff of Worcester county. During 1881, he 
united in partnership with Edgar Fontaine, who was also 
in the drug business, thus the two stores became one; they 
are now doing business under the firm of Lloyd and 
Fontaine, and are prospering. 

In 1862, Dr. D. J. O. Truitt commenced the apothecary 
and variety business, in New Town, and has conducted it 
successfully to the present. In 1862, Dr. Samuel S. 
Quinn and Albert S. Merrill commenced the drug busi- 
ness, and continued it until 1864, when they retired. In 
1866, Dr. John T. B. McMaster opened a drug store in 
co-partnership with Ashton Milbourn, which firm con- 
tinued until 1869, when Dr. McMaster sold out his interest 
in the store to Ashton Milbourn. 

In 1869, Ashton Milbourn and William T. Broughton 
united in the drug business and conducted it until 1873, 
at which time they sold out their stock in trade to Messrs. 
Fontaine and Turpin. This firm continued for two years, 
when Mr. Turpin sold out to Mr. Fontaine. From 1875 
to the present, or until Mr. Fontaine united in business 
with C. C. Lloyd, he has been quite attentive to business; 
has built up a good trade, and has become a popular 
merchant. 

In 1860, William W. Quinn & Brother opened a 
general dry goods and grocery store, which they con- 
ducted until 1873, when they closed out. In 1855, W. S. 
C. Polk commenced merchandising in New Town, and 
in 1863 he took as a partner his brother, Emerson G. 
Polk. This firm continued until 1866, when he sold out 
his interest in the store to his brother Emerson. 

From 1866 until the present Emerson G. Polk has con- 
ducted a dry goods, clothing, boot and shoe store of 
quite an extensive character, and keeps on hand a general 
assortment of first class clothes for gentlemen's wear; and 
none need fear in going to him for a good article and of 
getting what they want. He is polite, obliging and 
attentive to business. 

In 1868, Henry King commenced merchandising, in 
New Town, and conducted the business until 1875, when 
he closed out. 

In 1864, John W. Mezick commenced merchandizing, 
in New Town, and continued until 1866, when he retired 
from business, and removed to the State of Missouri. 

In 1863 or '64, the Messrs. Bachrachs were engaged in 
the sale of goods, in New Town, about one year, after 
which they settled in Baltimore, where they are still 
doing business, and have become wealthy. 

In 1864, Littleton T. Clarke, Thos. J. Blain and Thos. 
N. Williams, formed a co-partnership in merchandising 
in New Town. They kept a first class dry goods and 
grocery store. They continued in the business until 
1866, when they closed out. 

In 1867, Captain Robert Henry engaged in mercan- 
tile life in New Town. His store is a first class dry goods 
and grocery store. Captain Henry not only owns his- 
stock in trade, but three schooners, seven houses and 
several building lots and two farms. Some of the houses 
rank among the finest houses in the town. His 
entire property may be safely estimated at $30,000. In 
thus describing his wealth, the reader may be anxious to 
learn something of the man. 

Well, as I have known him from his infancy, it will give 
me pleasure to show him up as a wide-awake, sagacious 
business man. Let me say in the first place, however, 
that he is a man of color, and was raised to work. When 
but a boy he became a sailor, and was hand before the 
mast, and after he became his own man he laid up $1,400, 
the result of his hard labor on board of vessels. 

After this he joined Ashcraft & Risley in the vessel 
trade, and here was the mine of wealth which he struck. 
After some years this partnership dissolved, and since 
then he has operated by himself. 

Captain Henry has no education. He can neither read 
nor write, but although he is without this necessary quali- 
fication, yet he studies men and business; and there are 
but few more shrewd business men than Captain Henry. 
He has six children, and he is over 50 years of age. 

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.

MERCANTILE ASPECT (CONTINUED.) 

In 1843, Captain Henry Long commenced merchan- 
dising, in New Town, and continued until 1855, in which 
year he died. His store was considered the poor man's 
store to deal at; he always kept a heavy stock of groceries, 
and sold his goods lower than others. 

It was said by some that there was no chance for other 
merchants in New Town, as long as Captain Long sold 
goods. His eventful life is worthy of notice in this history; 
in many respects he was a remarkable man; he com- 
menced life a poor boy, with but little education, engaged 
as cook on board of a schooner, and continued the life of 
a sailor until he was 63 years of age. He then engaged in 
the sale of goods until he died. He rose from the position 
of cook to be master and owner of his vessel. While 
engaged in the vessel trade he amassed considerable wealth. 

Captain Long, though comparatively uneducated, had 
studied human nature, and had as large a share of the 
knowledge of men as the most scientific. His was a 
decided character; integrity marked the whole course of 
his life. 

He was true to his engagements. No one ever feared 

that Captain Long would not meet his word. He was 

also kind and benevolent. Many a dollar he has given 

to the poor; he took a real pleasure in accommodating 

and helping those who were in need. 

Captain Harry Long, for so we used to call him, was a 
bachelor; and, as a matter of course, his associations were 
with the young folks. He was also quite eccentric; 
would make it a point to go to church at least twice a 
year, when the preacher would come on the circuit, and 
go again to hear his farewell discourse. 

On one occasion he went out to church; it so happened 
that the young preacher had the first appoint. Captain 
Long took his seat as usual near the door. After the 
sermon was over the young men gathered around him 
and asked him how he liked the discourse. Captain 
Long had a by-word, very pat, which he called "By 
Jing," and he was much in the habit of smacking his 
mouth and shrugging his shoulders in conversation. 
When he was asked, "How did you like the discourse?" 
he replied: " O! By Jing, boys," with a smack of the 
mouth and shrug of the shoulders, "that other preacher 
is a big preacher." 

"How do you know, Capt. Long, have you ever heard 
him?" "No, By Jing, I have never heard him, but I will 
tell you what I go by. They generally send them like 
shad — a big one and a little one together." 

Captain Long was full of fun for the young folks. 

Sometimes he tried his talent at poetry, for instance, the 

following as a sample : 

"As she slips she slides along, 
A trusty friend is hard to find." 

He was thoughtful and kind to the poor. He left in 
his will the sum of $2,500 to be appropriated towards 
educating the poor children in and around New Town. 
This sum was appropriated by the Commissioners or the 
School Board of the county, by and with the consent of 
the heirs of Captain Long, to the erection of the High 
School building in New Town. 

As this departure from the will was made, it was but 
just to the memory of Captain Long that the building 
should have been called the Henry Long High School. 

Captain Henry Long was brother to Captain John W. 
Long and David Long, and was the oldest of the three. 

When he died he was by his own request, buried in a 
pine coffin, by the side of his sister, Polly Henderson, in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church burying ground of New 
Town. 

The following inscription may be found upon the 
marble slab that covers his remains: 

" In memory of Henry Long, who was born the 27th 
of April, 1780, and died the 3rd day of January, 1855. 
Kind to the poor in his life, in death their wants were 
not forgotten." 

In 1855, John P. Hargis and William S. Dickinson 
commenced merchandising under the name of Hargis & 
Dickinson, at the corner of Market and Commerce Streets.

(Commerce Street was the former name of Clarke Avenue.)  
Previous to this, however, there was a firm by the name of 
Jones, Hearn & Co., which occupied the same stand, how 
long they did business I am not able to say. 

The store of Hargis & Dickinson was a first-class 
store, comprising dry goods and groceries, liquor excepted. 
This firm continued successfully until 1865, when by 
mutual consent, they dissolved partnership. 

John P. Hargis continued the business in his own 
name about six years and retired. 

William S. Dickinson again commenced mercantile 
life, forming a co-partnership with I. H. Merrill and F. H. 
Dryden, two enterprising young merchants, who were 
already selling goods under the firm of Merrill & Dryden. 
This connection with Merrill & Dryden took place in 
1867. This firm was known as Dickinson, Merrill & 
Dryden, Mr. Dickinson being already in possession of the 
store house, at the corner of Market and Commerce Streets. 
The firm, having an opportunity of renting the store- 
rooms adjoining, previously occupied by A. S. Stevens 
and James S. Primrose, connected the three together, 
having three entrances on Market street and one on Com- 
merce Street, and the buildings being so connected that 
customers could pass from one apartment of the store to 
the other without going out of doors. They arranged 
their stock in trade in three departments, occupying the 
central room for dry goods and notions, with groceries, 
hardware, & liquor excepted, on one side; and boots, 
shoes and gentlemen's furnishing goods on the other. This 
firm did a heavy business from 1867 to 1874, when by mutual 
agreement they dissolved partnership, each one taking a 
department and continuing the business in the separate 
branches so as not to conflict with each others interests. In 
this division, William S. Dickinson the dry goods and 
notion department, I. H. Merrill the boot, shoe and gen- 
tlemen's furnishing department, F. H. Dryden the gro- 
cery and hardware department. Here were three stores 
made out of one, each one doing a good business. 

In 1878, F. H. Dryden sold out his stock of goods to 
H. T. Stevenson and E. F. Gibbons, this firm continued 
business but a short time, when E. F. Gibbons sold out to 
H. T. Stevenson, and Mr. Stevenson then took as a part- 
ner Dr. Sidney W. Handy, the firm now doing business 
under the name of Stevenson & Co. In the fall of 1881 
they added to the hardware and grocery department that 
of dry goods, boots and shoes, and are doing a thriving 
business. 

Stevenson & Co., are the first in Pocomoke City to 
introduce into their business house an elevator. 

At the commencement of 1881, Mr. I. H. Merrill took 
into partnership, with himself, two sprightly young men of 
this place, James P. Plain and William F. King, and the 
business of the house is now transacted by this company. 
William S. Dickinson has associated with the dry goods 
business, that of furniture also, and as I have given a brief 
history of Mr. Dickinson as a merchant, I feel it a pleasure, 
to give a synopsis of his life, as I have known him from 
his infancy. He was born the fifteenth day of March, 
1833. Forty years ago, or more, he was a member of the 
Sabbath School, in this place, and I often call up in 
memory the Sabbath School Exhibitions of those days, 
and the speeches of those who were then children but now 
are the venerable fathers and mothers of the present day. 
Frequently in meeting Mr. Dickinson on the street and 
elsewhere, I think of him on the stage in delivering his 
speech, commencing with, "you will scarce expect one 
of my age, to speak in public on the stage, etc." 

He was always a good boy, thoughtful, studious and 
industrious. 

At the age of thirteen he entered the store of his 
cousin, Joseph Bratton, Esq., at Barren Creek Springs, 
then Somerset county, Md., as clerk. He remained in 
this situation about fifteen months, when he returned to 
New Town. 

After returning home he went to school about one 
year, when he entered the store of Captain Henry Long, 
in 1848, as clerk. He remained in this situation until the 
death of Captain Long, which event took place in 1855. 
It was found by the last will and testament of Captain 
Long that William S. Dickinson, in connection with his 
father, James T. Dickinson, were left executors of his 
estate. 

This was no small amount of confidence which Cap- 
tain Long reposed in Mr. Dickinson, as the estate was a 
heavy one. 

Integrity has marked his whole life, and if it were 
possible that one could be conscientious to a fault, I would 
say that of him. He is a ruling Elder in the Presbyterian 
Church in Pocomoke City. He has three children — two 
daughters and a son, who are an honor to his name, and 
adorn his home with bright sunshine, and are as precious 
gems around his table of plenty. 

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.