When Pocomoke Was Young- A continuing weekly feature.

 

(Chapter flow:)

ITS ORIGIN AND TOWN LIMITS

TOWN LIMITS

GROWTH, CHANGE OF NAME, ETC.

MERCANTILE ASPECT

MANUFACTURING

TRADES ETC.

SHIPPING INTERESTS

EASTERN SHORE STEAMBOAT CO.

SHIP BUILDING ETC.

HOTELS, LIVERY STABLES, ETC.

PHYSICIANS

LAWYERS

POST OFFICE

PRINTING OFFICES

SOCIAL ASPECT, ETC.

MORAL ASPECT

TEMPERANCE CAUSE

SCHOOLS

CHURCHES

Note:  In duplicating this material for publishing on The Pocomoke Public Eye we have made minor adjustments to correct some of the spelling, punctuation, etc. We believe the errors were not in Rev. Murray's original writing but occurred in the process of formatting the material to a digital format for viewing online.

CHURCHES (CONTINUED.) 

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

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

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

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

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

CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.