(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.
SOCIAL ASPECT (CONTINUED.)
Again, the dance was a favorite source of social enter-
tainment in the early history of New Town. There were
three classes of characters, which I shall describe, partici-
pating in this amusement. First, the first citizens of the
town engaged in it. Sometimes it was the result of a
wedding, a cotton picking, quilting, or it may have been a
special dancing party. I am not now describing the balls
held at hotels where a gentleman and lady could enter by
paying the entrance fee, but social dances held at private
houses for amusement. The host and hostess would pro-
vide such things as wines, liquors, candies, cake and
tropical fruit to make the entertainment as enjoyable as
possible. The invited guests would assemble after candle
light. They were composed chiefly of single persons, but
sometimes there would be a small sprinkling of married
ones also. An expert fiddler would be engaged. All
things being ready and the parties on the floor, the fiddler
having his fiddle well tuned, would draw his bow at full
length, when a feeling of exhilaration would go through
the room like electricity. The parties now engaged in a
four or eight-handed reel. Oh! what a fine time there
was. The cotillions, waltzing, capering, parties passing
each other on the floor, crossing and around the room,
cutting the pigeon wing, etc. After that reel was over the
hat would be passed around to take a collection for the
fiddler, for that was the way he was paid for his services.
Then another party would be made up and after the dance
the hat was passed around again, and so the night was
spent till or near the break of day. When they would get
weary and faint they would keep their spirits up by
pouring spirits down. At such places of hilarity many a young
lady's heart and hand has been wooed in marriage.
Secondly. The lower class of society in the country,
both of men and women, would attend the holidays in
New Town. On those occasions they assembled at the
hotels and engaged in the dance, and some of the same
order of men in New Town would participate with them.
It would be a novel sight at the present day to see such a
gathering of men and women at a hotel engaged in a
regular hoe down, such as was practiced then.
Thirdly. This class would be the colored people. They
would assemble in town from all the surrounding country.
They would construct booths on the hill or public square,
in which they would have for sale cakes, candies, cider,
beer and tropical fruits. They would have all sorts of
jollity, boxing, wrestling, pitching quoits, dancing after the
riddle and pattywhack. This word pattywhack of itself
is unmeaning, hence I shall be under the necessity of
explaining the process of the dance in this way. The
company would be in the open air on the hill. The leader
in this amusement would pat with his hands and stamp
with his foot while the rest would dance. The leader
would use some outlandish expression in song, such as the
following :
"Juber up and Juber down,
Juber all around de town."
And when they would reach the climax, he would sing-
out with an extended voice:
" Jump over double trouble Juber."
Then such antics and gymnastics as the dancers would
perform with their hands and feet, keeping time with the
leader, as would be truly diverting to the reader could he
behold such a performance now. Another song which
they would sing in their dances was:
"Possum up de gum bush,
Raccoon in de holler.
Saddle on de gray marc,
Martingil and collar."
I have endeavored to spell their words as they would
pronounce them. Late in the afternoon, they would be
seen with their little bundle of cakes, getting ready to start
for home. Thus the day closed with them. The social
aspect of New Town, now Pocomoke City, has undergone
a change for the better. Whereas in the description
already given of social life, in the early history of New
Town, as contributing to the pleasures and passions of the
animal, now it is seen in the improvement of the intellec-
tual and religious part of man. Sociability seems to have
left the lower walks of our fallen nature and is aspiring to
a higher sphere of our manhood, as may be seen in the
following instances, namely: in the formation of literary
and beneficial societies, in the mingling together in the
pursuit of knowledge. Indeed, the free public school
system, in the Pocomoke City High School, has contri-
buted largely to, and has acted a very important part in
the social status of Pocomoke City. Here mind is pre-
eminent, and the scholars who possess superior intellect
are honored for their talent, and their society is appreciated
whether they be rich or poor.
Again, the various picnics and festivals gotten up for
the promotion of education, churches, sabbath schools
missionary and other benevolent societies, in which all have
an interest, and all mingle. Although the different
churches may in one sense be considered distinct commu-
nities, yet when contemplated in their great work of doing
good they are one grand whole, emulating each other in
elevating society and promoting the social and religious
bearing of Pocomoke City. Again the improvement of
the musical talent, by the young folks, has contributed
largely to social life in Pocomoke City. Whereas instead
of listening to the old timey songs, in the days of yore, by
uncultivated voices, now it is simply fascinating to listen
to the select pieces of music as sung either in the choir,
at concerts, or in social gatherings by those who have
cultivated voices, and who are well educated in the science
of music. The query may be agitated, what has produced
such a change in the social condition? Answer. It may
be the increase of the population, a higher grade of
schooling and the influence of the churches. CONTINUES NEXT SATURDAY HERE AT THE POCOMOKE PUBLIC EYE.
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