The History Of Pocomoke By Murray James (17)

Formerly New Town. 125

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, Ya., 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



126 History of Pocomoke City,

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 decended
from the old Scotch Covenanters. They emigrated to
America soon after the restoration of Charles II. and
settled near Carlisle, Perm. 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.



Formerly New Town. 127

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
1 866 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 1S68 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



l w 28 History of Pocomoke City,

1865 he procured a charter lor a company to build a
bridsre 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, 1 85 1, Dr. McMaster was united in marriage with
Elizabeth Grace, daughter of J no. 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 lorms 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 1 83 1 . 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



formerly JVeiv Town. 12$

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 IS57, at the a g e °f twenty-one years. He



130 History of Pocomoke City,

then, excepting - two intervals in which he practiced in the
Southern Dispensary of Baltimore and Xasswadduso,
Worcester County, Maryland, settled in Xew 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.



Formerly New Town. 131



CHAPTER XIX.

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, 1S61, 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 1 87 1 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.



132 History of PocomoTce City,

He is only aproaching the meridian of his intellectual

manhood, and has a bright future before him. Dr. Ouinn

is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in Pocomoke

City.

Dr. Isaac T. Coston was born in Somerset County, Md.,
on the ioth 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 onlv 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

oi 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, 1S57. Immediately after his graduation he located

in Rehoboth, in Somerset County, where he practiced his

profession until 1863, when he moved to Accomac County,



Formerly New Town. 133

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.



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