Major S. Fletcher was born 15 December 1821 in Dorchester County, the son of John Hicks Fletcher and Elizabeth Bradley. Major S. Fletcher became a wealthy and prominent merchant in East New Market.
1850 Census, Dorchester County - page 179/452 name age occupation birthplace real estate John H. Fletcher 53 farmer Maryland value $6000 Sarah 42 Maryland William 22 laborer Maryland Major S. 28 merchant Maryland Jeremiah 13 Maryland Mary J. 9 Maryland John W. 2 Maryland
1852-1864 Tax Record
Major S. Fletcher
Store house & lot $700
Private Securities $400, 1 silver watch $10, goods, wares, & merchandise
$1500
1858 to personal $300
1862 to stock in trade $2000, to private security $277
1863 to
lot in New Market of M. Bramble $200
1864 to tract land from Rev. James B. Maddux & wife
called Epping Forest, Rawleigh Conclusion $2214
to 1
lot in New Market of Wm Christopher & wife $1110
reduced
1857 by goods, wares, & merchandise $1500
1862 by
lot sold to A.L. Manning $50
[small sliver of southwest corner of lot]
Fletcher & Bramble
1857 Stock of trade $2000
1861 judgment $277
reduced
1862 stock in trade to M.S. Fletcher $2000
private securities $277
1855 Entry from the Diary of Emma Edmondson
July 21st - been busy making cake. Expect Mr. Houston’s family and some
girls to take tea with me. Took a short nap. Got up and dressed.
Received the company. Had a rite jolly time, but Lizzie had to get
worried and angry because I was teasing her about Captain Fletcher. I
had no idea she was going to get mad. One can’t understand the girls
now. [Lizzie is Lizzie Houston, daughter of Henry W. Houston]
1856 Letter from Eugenia Manning to her brother Anthony L. Manning
...Well Buddie, Bro William has quit going to see Miss Willie. You will
find enclosed a piece of poetry that he, Bro William, gave Mr. Myers to
give her and he would not let him have it again - When you see him, ask
him why he ran so, when Willie went into Mr. Sinells (?) & he was there,
and tell him Major's Shanghai is as long as any one else's that goes
there, that is what old Mr. Fletcher told him about the Capt. and ask
him what else the old man said, - I would tell you, but can't trust it
on paper...
On 13 December 1856 Major S. Fletcher married Williamina K. Bramble in Dorchester County. She was known as Willie. She was born 17 October 1832 and was the daughter of Jeremiah Bramble and Mary King Bramble. The Bramble family was very prominent in the history of East New Market. At one point Mary King Bramble owned the land at each corner of the main intersection in East New Market.
1860 Census, Dorchester County, District 2 name age occupation birthplace estate Mary Bramble 58 Maryland 2000 5000 James Bramble 30 Maryland Joseph Bramble 24 Maryland Cora Bramble 18 Maryland Major Fletcher 38 Merchant Maryland 2000 1500 Wilhimia Fletcher 27 Maryland Otis Fletcher 3 Maryland
Major S. Fletcher and Willie Bramble Fletcher had 4 children:
On 31 July 1862, Major S. Fletcher bought a lot from his mother-in-law, Mary Bramble for $1000. This 2 acre lot was at the southwest corner of the main intersection in East New Market. Around the same time Major Fletcher built a storehouse and shop at the site. During the time he owned the store it was known as Fletcher & Bramble and the M.S. Fletcher Store. In 1871, he sold the south 1 acre part of this lot to Thomas B. Sherman. The lot later became the site of the "Old Sherman Institute Building" and the "William J. Payne House". In 1872, Major S. Fletcher built a large house that was later known as "Fletcher's Folly" on the remaining part of the lot.
In January and March 1864, Major S. Fletcher bought the "Buckland" property on the north side of Railroad Avenue. The property had a 100 year old mansion, numerous outbuildings, and about 50 acres and stretched all the way to the Railroad Depot.
In 1866, Major S. Fletcher purchased two lots the from the heirs of James Davis. One lot is the location of the "Marshall-Hubbard House" The house was previously owned by Major's brother Kilby B. Fletcher from 1855 to 1864. The structure known as the "Fletcher Annex" was likely built by Major S. Fletcher around 1876. The structure is no longer standing at this location. In 1888 Major Fletcher sold both of these lots to Thomas D. Hooper.
1866 Tax Record
Major S. Fletcher -
store house & lot & shop 1 1/2 acres $1200, unimproved lot 35 acres
$1400, House & lot from J. Davis heirs $1400, stock in trade goods,
wares, & merchandise $4000, private securities bonds $1118, 1 horse
$100, 2 oxen $50, 2 cows $40, 2 hogs $16, 4 beds $100, 1 sideboard $15,
1 bureau $10, other household furniture $200, gold & silver watches $10,
2 carts $40, 1 carriage $100, residue $15, Total $9814
1867-1876 Tax Record
Major S. Fletcher
1867 - Store House, lot, & shop 1 1/2 acres $1200
1867 - unimproved lot 35 acres $1400
1867 - House & Lot from J. Davis heirs $1400
1867 - House & Lot 7 acres from William Christopher $2000
1872 - New dwelling in ENM $4000
1870 Census, Dorchester County, District 2 name age occupation birthplace estate Fletcher, Major 48 Ret. Merc Maryland 15000 10000 Fletcher, Willie 36 Keeps House Maryland Fletcher, Nettie 3 Maryland Bramble, Alonzo 18 Clerk/Store 800 Maryland Bramble, Ida 15 Maryland Frazier, James 30 Laborer Maryland
Democrat & News - 11 January 1873 -Choptank Lodge #139 of F&A.M.
elections:
(East New Market)
J.A. Saxton - W.M.
J.M. Murphy - S.W.
S. Carmine - J.W.
M.S. Fletcher - Treasurer
J.A. Hicks - Secretary
1876 Tax Record
Major S. Fletcher
Farm where P. Atkinson lives (of John Prouse?) 200 acres - $1600
buildings & improvments $100
Eppington Forest near Little Mills 365 acres - $3650
buildings & improvements - $150
Eppington Forest near Elihu Wheatley 110 acres - $880
buildings & improvements - $50
Land where J. Cane lives (of Collins heirs) 65 acres - $520
buildings improvements - $25
Norman land (near Hicksburg) 35 acres - $420
Land where Page lives near E. Vickers 58 acres - $696
buildings & improvements $250
Buildings, Store House & Dwelling he lives in ENM - $6000
Dwelling house where G.W. Carroll lives in ENM - $1500
Vacant lot between ENM & depot 33 acres - $1650
2 dwellings in ENM near M.E. Church - $1300
Office or Taylor's Shop in ENM - $150
Stock goods, wares, & merchandise in ENM - $3000
Notes of hand & judgments - $700
4 horses $300, 3 cows $50, 5 sheep $13, 1 hog $5,
1 carriage $100, 1/2 Dearborn $10, Lot F implements $15,
4 beds $75, Lot H. furniture $150
Total $23,359
Easton Gazette - 10 November 1877 - No Water No Pay -
Artesian Wells sunk to any required depth, also the far-famed Driven
Well, which is the cheapest and best way to obtain an inexhaustible
supply of pure water. They are indestructible, and can be put down
wherever it is desirable. Satisfaction guaranteed. References: Major
Fletcher, Tilman Andrew, Shadrack Comine, East New Market; Grayson
Smith, Williamsburg. Address C.H. Leach, Agent, E. New Market, Dor. Co.
Md.
1880 Dorchester County Commercial Directory - East New Market
Fletcher, MS, gen’l mdse
1880 Census, Dorchester County, District 2 name age occupation birthplace father/mother Fletcher, Major S. 58 Farmer & Merchant Maryland Maryland/Maryland Fletcher, Willie K. 47 wife Maryland Maryland/Maryland Fletcher, Nettie W. 13 daughter Maryland Maryland/Maryland Fletcher, Major S. 8 son Maryland Maryland/Maryland Bramble, Ida R. 30 niece Maryland Maryland/Maryland Camper, John 30 Farmhand (b) Maryland Maryland/Maryland Sampson, Lizzie 38 Servant (b) Cook Maryland Maryland/Maryland
1882 Dorchester County Commercial Directory - East New Market
Fletcher & Bramble, gen’l mdse
Cambridge Chronicle - 18 January 1882
Wednesday night, again, we have another silver wedding. This time the scene changes a little. Some 28 years ago there lived in this town a lady who was admired by all observers, and many were they who sought, but won not the belle of E. New Market, until a young merchant, who had established himself in business, and who by his pluck and thorough business push, which has characterized his after life - entered the race and won the prize. We meet them as we never met them before. Here he stands as one of the old land marks, and here is he by his side, the support now as then. They entered life's race hand in hand. Here are their only offspring Nettie and Major - the others are watching and waiting from beyond the river, and these two, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary, are making rapid strides to join them. We congratulate them and with them many more years. The house is full, the lunch table is all that the appetite may wish for, and the sweetmeats and cream are superb. The gifts are not profuse but elegant. The clock strikes two, and we are taking our leave with many blessings upon Capt. M.S. Fletcher and Willie K. Bramble.
Cambridge Chronicle - 10 May 1882
The annual meeting of the stockholders of the East New Market Navigation and Wharf Company for the election of officers for the ensuing year was held at New Market on Wednesday, and the following directors were elected: John Webster, M.S. Fletcher, S.L. Webster, G.A. Thompson, John W. Fletcher, T. Howard Dail, and E.S. Johnson. John Wevster Esq., was unanimously chosen president and E.S. Johnson, sec'y and treas. The enterprise has proved a complete success, and too much cannot be said in commendation of those who worked it up with such good results for New Market and vicinity.
Baltimore Sun - 2 July 1886 -
If anyone desires storehouse at depot at East New Market half mile from town, two-story xi? by 60 with cellar; also, two dwellings, one ten rooms, suitable for summer boarding house, less than two miles from Choptank river, with plenty of oysters, game, &c. For terms apply to M.S. Fletcher, East New Market, Dorchester county, Md.
1887 Dorchester County Commercial Directory - East New Market
Fletcher, MS, general merchandise
Baltimore Sun - 9 December 1887 - Fire at East New Market -
East New Market, Dorchester Co., Md, Dec 8. - A fire originated this morning about half-past four o'clock in the store of C.C. Hubbard, on Main Street, and quickly spread to the adjacent building, owned by W.R. Hooper and M.S. Fletcher, which were entirely destroyed. ...M.S. Fletcher's loss is $800, uninsured.
Major S. Fletcher was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at least from 1871 to 1883. His wife, Willie K. Fletcher, was a member from 1864 to 1877, but at some point after 1877 she left to join the Protestant Episcopal Church.
In 1888, Major S. Fletcher borrowed money via mortgage from his brother's William M. Fletcher and John W. Fletcher. Major S. Fletcher was in poor health at the time. In 1894, as trustees for the estate, William and John Fletcher took possession and sold the "Fletcher's Folly" property and the remaining part of the "Buckland" property.
Denton Journal - 2 August 1890 - The Proposed Ship Canal -
Mr. M.S. Fletcher, of East New Market, has written to the Baltimore Sun concerning the proposal by private capital to construct a ship canal between the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays by the Sassafras route. Mr. Fletcher urges the superiority of the Choptank route, the advantages of which, in its comparative freedom from ice and other particulars, have frequently been pointed out in the Sun, and says he would suggest to the promoters of the Sassafras project to look at the Choptank river before beginning. It has, he says, some twenty-five miles of navigable water and can be connected with the Nanticoke by ten miles cutting. The Nanticoke is navigable to Seaford, Del., some twenty miles, leaving a cut of some eighteen miles to Lewes and the Delaware Breakwater. The route has been surveyed and all the necessary information concerning it may be readily obtained. Mr. Fletcher encloses a letter from Congressman Gibson, in which the latter says: "I entirely concur in your views of the Choptank river route as the proper one for the canal. Should the measure present itself before the House at this session of Congress, or at any time during my term, it will receive my earnest support in the direction indicated."
Major S. Fletcher died in December 1891 in East New Market. He is buried in East New Market cemetery.
Denton Journal - 9 January 1892 - Preston -
Mr. Major S. Fletcher, a brother of Mr. J.B. Fletcher, of this place, died at his residence in Baltimore on Wednesday of last week. He recently removed to that city from East New Market. He was a prominent member of the Masonic order, and the lodge at East New Market attended the funeral. Interment was made at the latter place.
Willie Bramble Fletcher continued to live in East New Market with her daughter as evidenced by the 1900 Census.
1900 Census, Dorchester County, District 2 name R S Birthday Age ++ kid birthpl occupation Joseph Henry head W M Apr 1860 40 M 14 MD MD MD Druggist Nettie wife W F Aug 1866 33 M 14 5 4 MD MD MD Edith dau W F Jan 1890 10 S MD MD MD Clarence son W M May 1891 9 S MD MD MD Frank son W M Nov 1891 8 S MD MD MD Edward son W M Mar 1895 5 S MD MD MD Willie R. Fletcher mtlw W F Oct 1833 66 W 2 2 MD MD MD Ida Bramble aunt W F Sep 1839 40 S MD MD MD Ret. School Teacher George E Williamson brdr W M Dec 1870 29 S MD MD MD School Teacher Emily Hughes serv B F Aug 1880 19 S MD MD MD Servant
Willie K. Bramble died in 1901 in East New Market. She is buried in East New Market cemetery beside her husband.
Preston News and Farmer 7 March 1940 - Choptank Steamboat Company
...Captain M. S. Fletcher was the first commander of the schooner "East New Market"