(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.
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