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.

SHIP BUILDING, ETC. (Continued)

In 1869, Levin J. M. P. Broadwater and Thomas R. P. 
S. White established a steam saw mill, in New Town, and 
run it until 1869, when it was purchased by James T. 
Young, and he ran it until 1876, when he sold it to W. J. 
S. Clarke, and it was moved to Cashville, Accomac County, 
Virginia. 

In 1864, Y.J.S. Clarke and John H. Clarke, his brother 
established a Marine railway, and in 1869 they built a 
steam saw, planing and grist mill, in New Town. They 
also commenced ship building and repairing at the same 
time. 

In 1869, Hall, Bro. & Co. commenced the steam saw 
mill business. In 1873, they built their Marine railway 
and carry on ship building, also, in connection with these 
two branches of business. 

James T. Young, as has already been stated, is carrying 
on the steam mill business. Is running a steam saw, 
planing and grist mill, and carries on ship building in 
connection. 

Clarke & Co. and Hall, Bro. & Co. have three steam 
saw mills in the country, but the business of those mills 
centers here, so that I associate them with the steam mill 
business of Pocomoke City. 

In 1865, Thomas F. Stevenson commenced the business 
of steam milling in New Town. In 1866 he took as a 
partner his son, Riley M. Stevenson ; the firm is now doing 
business under the firm of Thomas F. & R. M. Stevenson. 
Theirs is a flour, grist and planing mill. It will afford 
any one pleasure to go into their establishment and witness 
the mechanical skill and neatness that characterizes every 
department. The father and grandfather of this firm is 
with them and works daily at the age of between 80 and 
90 years. They are all natural mechanics and merit the 
praise that is accorded to them for the exhibition of such 
a talent. 

In 1872, James T. Hearn, Allison Fleming and Charles 
G. Dale established a steam flour and grist mill in this 
place. How long they continued I am not able to say. 
They, however, sold out to H. H. Dashiell, of Princess 
Ann, Somerset County, Md. The mill is still owned by 
Mr. Dashiell, but it is rented by R. T. Dixon, who is a 
live man, and is doing a heavy business in the manufacture 
of flour and meal. 

In summing up the steam saw, planing and grist mill 
business, together with the marine railway and shipbuild- 
ing business of Pocomoke City, we now have seven steam 
mills, including those in the country whose business is 
identical with the business of Pocomoke City. Five are 
saw mills, two of which have planing and grist mills 
attached ; two are flour and grist mills, one of which has a 
planing mill attached. There are three shipyards and 
two marine railways. They employ in the aggregate 160 
hands annually, and do an annual aggregated business 
of $166,000. 

Before concluding this part of the history of New Town, 
now Pocomoke City, I would do injustice not to mention 
the case of Captain John H. Clarke, who is equally 
deserving of a liberal notice in this history. 

He was born in 1828 and lived with his father until 
1846, at which period his father died. He was then 18 
years of age. He farmed for two years and then engaged 
as hand on board of Captain Elijah Taylor's vessel, which 
engagement lasted two or three years, during which time 
he married Captain Taylor's oldest daughter. 

After this he engaged in partnership with his brother, 
W. J. S. Clarke, in the vessel business, and they owned sev- 
eral vessels together. This firm continued, when they 
entered into the steam mill, Marine railway and ship 
building business, finally ending in their large transactions. 
He has served one term, and is at present on his second, 
as commissioner of the county, with great acceptability. 
Above all he is recognized as a good and honest man. 

He owns ten or twelve hundred acres of land, eight or 
ten houses and lots. 

Captain Clarke has been an acceptable member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in Pocomoke City, for many 
years, has been twice married; has eight children, five by 
his first wife and three by his second. He is now fifty-two 
or three years of age, in the prime of his strong man- 
hood, with the prospects of the future looming up brightly 
before him. His oldest son, William E. Clarke, is a whole- 
sale dry goods merchant in the City of Baltimore, and as 
he is a native of this place, and as it was here that he 
received his first business ideas, it is but right and proper 
that his history should be known. He was born on the 
20th day of March, 1851. After receiving such an educa- 
tion as he was able to get here, he was taken at the age of 
12 years into the store of his uncle, W. J. S. Clarke, where 
he remained three or four years, during which time he was 
thoroughly drilled by his sagacious uncle, whose business 
ability is proverbial. 

At the age of 15 or 16 years his uncle, seeing he had 
great business qualifications beginning to develop them- 
selves, took him to Baltimore and placed him with that 
popular and well-known house, Hurst, Purnell & Co., 
where he arose step by step from office boy to book- 
keeper, and has been for several years a partner in that 
gigantic establishment. 

Mr. Clarke is quite popular, and as a recognition of that 
fact, a new steamboat, which was built by Hall, Bro. & Co. 
and Clarke & Co., which cost $25,000, which has just 
made its first trip and which will ply between this place 
and the various tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, has 
been named after him. William E. Clarke is recognized 
by all as one of the leading business men of the Monu- 
mental City. He is 31 years of age, is scarcely in the 
prime of life, with success and emolument knocking at 
his door. 

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.

SHIP BUILDING, Etc. 

The shipbuilding, steam milling- and marine railway 
business is carried on quite extensively in Pocomoke City. 
Shipbuilding has been carried on in New Town from time 
immemorial, but the steam milling and marine railway 
business is of more recent date. 

The first steam mill ever erected in New Town was by 
a man by the name of Hutchinson in 1839. This mill was 
employed at first to make shingles, but afterwards turned 
into a saw mill. 

It was severally owned by Hutchinson, Dr. Geo. S. D. 
Shipley, Ricaud, then E. S. Young and Geo. Blades, 
under the firm of Young & Blades, then E. S. Young and 
and James H. Young, under the firm of Young & Brother, 
then Capt. James T. Young by himself, who carried on 
the business until 1866, when he sold out to Polk & Powell. 
They conducted the business about ten years, when they 
sold out to James T. Young and Lewis W. Young, doing 
business under the firm of Young & Brother. Finally 
James T. Young bought out his brother Lewis, and is now 
conducting the business by himself. 

I have been thus explicit in running out the history 
of this mill simply because it was the first ever established 
in New Town. 

But the year I844 was marked as the beginning of a 
series of successes unprecedented in the history of New 
Town. The circumstances which brought them about 
were as follows: During that year Ezra B. Risley hap- 
pened to be in a certain port in the State of New jersey, 
when a vessel loaded with cypress fence rails arrived- He 
saw the rails and enquired where they were from, etc. 
The cargo of rails belonged to Jas. Daugherty and Levin 
P. Bowland. In this case, like thousands of others, the 
door of wealth was opened by the merest accident, and 
the old adage holds good, "one sows and another reaps." 
In as short a time as possible alter this two strangers were 
seen in New Town; no one knew who they were or what 
was their business. They prospected awhile in the cypress 
swamps, made some purchases and went away. The 
strangers proved to be John Ashcraft and Ezra B. Risley. 
During the next year, 1845, they established a large steam 

saw mill at Harry Henderson's landing, the place now 

owned by Littleton Waters. Here they commenced 
operations. They brought down Jersey wood choppers and 
employed our own men also. Like an electric shock, 
they aroused the citizens of New Town and the entire 
surrounding country to the idea of business which has 
never died out. They infused a spirit of industry and 
enterprise in all, from the day laborer to the merchant 
behind the counter and the farmer at the plow. They 
raised the price of labor, paid their employees the money 
for their work, and produced an entire revolution in busi- 
ness life. 

They engaged in ship building also, and built some 
large sea vessels. They purchased all the cypress swamps 
below New Town, and sent to market all their timber and 
lumber in their own vessels, which they built. They 
operated about twenty years, made about $15o;ooo and 
retired. 

With them originated, in a great measure, if not entirely, 
the practical idea of the steam mill business in this sec- 
tion of country. 

In 1854, John W. Quinn, Jas. Murray and John Ashcraft 
established a steam saw mill in New Town. In 1855, 
Murray sold out his interest in the mill to Nicholas N. 
Bosley; the mill now being run by the firm of Quinn, 
Bosley and Ashcraft. This firm continued two years, when 
they sold out to Thomas W. Hargis and Ambrose Dixon, 
doing business under the firm of Hargis & Dixon. They 
continued two years and then sold out to Captain H. H. 
Husted. Captain Husted conducted the business three 
years, when in 1862 he sold out to Captain James H. 
Young; Captain Young, having already a fine mill, bought 
this mill of Captain Husted to get it out of his way. 

As history is always repeating itself I wish to present to 
the reader a case illustrative of the fact, in which we have 
an example of one, who, from the poorest walks of life 
has attained, by hard work and good management to the 
position of wealth and independence. 

I allude to Captain James H. Young, who, I am sure 
will not take exceptions to this statement, for he takes a 
pride in the knowledge of the fact that he has made his 
mark in the world. While he seems to say to the youth 
of the present day, by his independent step as he walks 
the streets: boys go work as I have done and take care of 
your labor, and when you get old you will have something 
to lean upon. 

Captain Young's father died quite a young man, and 
left a widow and three children to support themselves as 
best they could. It is true they had a little home but it 
was merely a staying place. 

The mother and elder son Edward would work at any- 
thing they could get to do. She at the spinning wheel, 
hoeing corn, and sometimes in the fodder field saving 
fodder at twenty-five cents per day, and he tending the 
gardens in town and working on the farms for twelve and 
a half cents per day. 

After a while James grew old enough to work, also, and 
would work, sometimes, for five cents per day. At the 
age of sixteen he was put to the tailoring business; he 
continued at the trade two years, when his future pros- 
pects seemed to be beclouded, and as sitting on the board 
did not agree with him, he concluded to make a change. 
At the age of eighteen, he engaged with Captain James 
Riggin as cook on board a small vessel, similar to that of 
a ship's long boat, at four dollars per month. 

This was the day of small things, but it was the begin- 
ning of a successful course of life. At this period he was 
very destitute of clothing; he had saved, however, as he 
thought, three months wages with which he intended to 
clothe himself. When lo! the tailor with whom he had 
been living, had by some means collected his wages, and 
he was still left destitute. This was a terrible blow to the 
little fellow, for he was very small for his age, however he 
continued persevering and became a hand before the mast, 
in the bay and coasting trade. Some time after his 
maturity, by his industrious habits and temperate course 
of life, he won the respect and sympathy of John U. 
Dennis, who one day told Captain Young that he ought 
to buy a vessel or part of one. Captain replied that he 
was not able. Mr. Dennis told him that he would make 
him able, he would lend him the money, and did so. 
Captain Young then joined Thomas W. Hargis in the pur- 
chase of a schooner. Mr. Hargis at that time was keeping 
store at Wagram, Accomac County, Va. How long this 
partnership lasted I cannot tell, but after their dissolution 
he joined Col. Wm. H. Merrill in a schooner called the 
Sarah Ellen. Finally he bought out Col. Merrill and run 
the vessel in his own name until 1854, when he engaged in 
the steam mill business. 

Although Capt. Young had made up to this time $8,000 
or $10,000, yet here was the gold mine which he struck. 
The first few years of his milling life, however, were not 
so successful, but after the war commenced the tide of 
success set in, and money poured in upon him like a 
flood. 

In 1866, after making money enough to satisfy his 
ambition, he sold out to Polk & Powell, as before stated, 
and retired. 

In making a few desultory remarks relating to Capt. 
Young, I will say he has been a great worker and has had 
a constitution to stand it. He has been unyielding in his 
perseverance until the prize was gained. 

There is one feature of his business life which is spe- 
cially worthy of record, and that was, Captain Young 
never did business on the Sabbath day. This is worthy 
of all praise and should be an example to other business 
men to act likewise. He owns ten farms aggregating two 
thousand acres of land, which cost him between forty and 
fifty thousand dollars, he also owns about twenty houses 
and lots, some of them valuable ones, besides his private 
securities and other personal property. 

Captain Young has been a member of the Methodist 
Protestant Church, in Pocomoke City, for many years, has 
been twice married; has eight children living, four by 
each wife. He is now living in a green old age at about 
three score and ten years, and looks back upon his life- 

work as master of the situation.

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.

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.