(Also known as Liberty Hall, the James B. Sulivane House, the Sulivane-Edmondson House.)
Key date analysis:
In 1798 Dr. James B. Sulivane bought two adjoining lots (11 & 12) from
his uncle James Sulivane. An 1812 deed describes the 2 lots as now
in the occupation of Doctor Henry P. Waggaman. A deed from 1838
describes the property as the lot in the town of New Market on which
Doctor James Sulivane in his lifetime built a 2-story brick house.
Who built it:
Dr. James B. Sulivane built the house between 1798 and 1812. The house was likely built shortly after James B. Sulivane bought the two adjoining lots in 1798.
Longest Residents:
Emma V. Edmondson Jacobs lived at the house when her father bought the property in 1840 and owned the house until she died in 1908. She was associated with the property for 68 years. The house remained in the Edmondson family until 1956.
More Research:
Dendrochronology could establish the construction date of various sections of the house.
Historic Records:
258 PLC 528 - 15 September 1989 - Hazel D. Kready to Raul Ivan Lopez-Muniz for $165,000: Lot in East New Market. Beginning at an iron bounder on the east side of Main Street, being the end of the 3rd line of the land which by deed dated 28 September 1973 in 181 PLC 609 was conveyed by Howard W. Rickwood & wife to David W. Tolley & wife. Thence leaving said place and running and binding reversely with the said third line S76/50E 623.26f to an iron rod and cap now set and to the land of Ross T. Causey & wife. Thence running and binding with said Causey land the three following courses S2/10E 57.51f to a stone, thence N78/47W 182.59f to an iron fence post, thence S12/46W 80.54f to the land by deed dated 24 October 1961 in 125 PLC 345 was conveyed to Furman Clifton Jr., trustee to James W. Phillips & wife. Thence running and binding with the said Phillips land N76/31W 462.85f to a stone set at the east edge of a brick walk on the east side of main Street. Thence running and binding with the east side of said Main Street N15/45E 139.85f to the place of beginning. Containing 1.722 acres. Being the land conveyed by Shirley Jane Battey & Fraser J. Battey, her husband, and Elizabeth Ann Horowitz & James A. Horowitz, her husband, to John W. Kready & Hazel D. Kready, his wife, be deed dated 13 July 1960 in 120 PLC 141. The said John W. Kready having departed this life on 27 September 1967.
120 PLC 141 - 13 July 1960 - Shirley Jane Battey & Fraser J. Battey, her husband, of McLean, Virginia, and Elizabeth Ann Horowitz & James A. Horowitz, her husband, of New York City to John W. Kready & Hazel D. Kready, his wife, for $5: Lot in the town of East New Market in a deed from Emma E. Jacobs, unmarried, to J.E. Dandridge Murdaugh Jr., dated 21 July 1948 in 66 RSM 581. Lot No. 2, which was conveyed unto the said Emma Edmondson Jacobs by her brother, William V.E. Jacobs, bachelor, by deed dated 8 June 1933 in 30 JFD 42. Lot bounded on the north by land owned by Mary and Louise Webster and where they now reside, on the east by the farm called "Friendship Hall", and on the south by the Methodist Episcopal Church Parsonage, on the west by the said Main Street. Containing 1 3/4 acres. Being the same land conveyed unto Grenville L. Fowler from J.E. Dandridge Murdaugh Jr. by deed dated 26 March 1956 in 98 RSM 288, which said land was devised by the last will and testament of the said Grenville L. Fowler unto his two nieces, Shirley Jane Battey and Elizabeth Ann Horowitz which is of record among the Will Records of Dorchester County 3 APM 296.
3 APM 296 - Will of Grenville L. Fowler - Devises this land to nieces, Shirley Jane Battey and Elizabeth Ann Horowitz.
98 RSM 288 - 26 March 1956 - J.E. Dandridge Murdaugh Jr to Grenville L. Fowler.
66 RSM 581 - 21 July 1948 - Emma E. Jacobs, unmarried, of New London County, Connecticut to J.E. Dandridge Murdaugh Jr. for $5: lot that was conveyed unto Emma Edmondson Jacobs by her brother, William V.E. Jacobs, bachelor, by deed dated 8 June 1933 in 30 JFD 42. Being the same land that Emma Victoria Jacobs by a codicil to her last will and testament dated 26 December 1907 in 3 JWF 146, devised to her son, William V.E. Jacobs. The said land and property being inherited by the said Emma V. Jacobs from her father, Dr. W.V.M. Edmondson, the said Emma V. Jacobs being his only child and heir-at-law, he having died intestate. And being the same land and property that was conveyed by deed to the said William V.M. Edmondson from Eliza C. Waggamon dated 20 October 1840 in 18 WJ 149. And being the same land that was conveyed by deed to the said Eliza C. Waggamon from Henry Page, Trustee for the sale of the real estate of Charles Pritchard, deceased, dated 5 November 1838 in 17 ER 36 and this deed describes the land therein conveyed as being in the town of New Market on which Dr. James B. Sulivane in his lifetime built a two-story brick house. And being the same land that was conveyed by deed to the said Charles D. Pritchard and others from James Chaplain, Trustee for the sale of the real estate of Dr. James B. Sulivane, dated 24 September 1821 in 8 ER 10, and the same land conveyed to the said Dr. James B. Sulivane by deed from Robert Sulivane dated 16 October 1815 in 3 ER 520, and being the same land that was conveyed unto Robert Sulivane from Dr. James B. Sulivane by deed dated 26 October 1812 in 2 ER 397, and being the same land that was conveyed by deed to Daniel Sulivane, father of James B. and Robert Sulivane, from Clement Sulivane dated 27 June 1812 in 2 ER 115.
30 JFD 42 - 8 June 1933 - William V.E. Jacobs, bachelor, to sister, Emma Edmondson Jacobs.
1910 Census
not determined
East New Market Cemetery -
Emma V. Edmondson Jacobs - 17 December
1835 / 2 January 1908
1900 Census
Dwelling #280, household of Emma E. Jacobs
3 JWF 146 - 26 December 1907 / 7 January 1908 - Will of Emma
Victoria Jacobs
This codicil made this twenty-sixth day of December 1907
declares that I wish my son Wm. B. P. Jacobs to receive as his portion
of my estate, the house, lot, and appurtenances pertaining thereon
formerly belonging to my father Dr. W.V. Edmondson of East New Market,
Md., which has been my house and residence for many years; with all
furniture, fixtures, silver, and other property connected therewith and
belonging to me.
1896-1910 Tax Record
Emma V.E. Jacobs
1896 - 1 lot with Dwelling, Stables, Corn House &c in ENM $1800
28 June 1909 - reduced by personal property, Emma E. Jacobs
Administrator
1896 Tax
Record
Emma V.E. Jacobs
1 lot with dwelling house, stables, corn house &c situated in East New
Market $1800
Denton Journal - 7 March 1896
- Dashes Here and There -
Dr. James Thomas Jacobs died at his home, "Liberty Hall," East New
Market, on Wednesday of last week, aged 63 years. He was the son of
Kendal Madison and Janet Hardcastle Jacobs, and had relatives in this
place. His death was sudden and unexpected.
1880 Census
Dwelling #31, household of James T. Jacobs, physician
1876 Tax
Record
James T. Jacobs & E.V. Jacobs
Dwelling house & lot in ENM 1 acre - $2000
1870 Census
Dwelling #348, household of James T. Jacobs, physician
5 FJH 447 - 24 May 1869 -Mortgage - James T. Jacobs & Emma V.E. Jacobs, his wife, owing to John Webster $467.50: House and grounds in the town of East New Market, being the home residence of Dr. Edmondson at the time of his death. Also that house & grounds in the same town whereon William P. Conoway now resides, and adjoining the Old Tavern property wherein James L. Colston now resides. Also all that tract on the county road leading from E.N. Market to Crotcher's Ferry containing 16 3/4 acres and bounded by the land of J.W.M. Dean on the east and the land of John Webster on the south and the land of Thos. J. Hicks on the west.
1867-1876 Tax Record
Dr. James T. Jacobs
1867 - House & Lot where he lives 2 acres $2500
1866 Tax
Record
Dr. James T. Jacobs
House & lot where he lives 2 acres $2500
Cambridge Herald - 8 April 1863 - Proceedings of the Orphans Court -
Jane Atkinson, executrix of John Atkinson, ordered to give notice to
creditors. Letters of administration on estate of Dr. Wm. V.M.
Edmondson, deceased, granted to Eugenia Edmondson and Dr. James T.
Jacobs.
Cambridge Herald - 1 April 1863 - Died -
In this county, on the 29th of March, 1863, Dr. W.V.M. Edmondson, in the
53rd year of age. "In the midst of life, we are in Death."
Cambridge Herald - 29 April 1863 - Administrators of Dr. W.V.M. Edmondson, deceased - Ordered to sell all personal property, except negroes.
1860 Census
Dwelling #756, household of Vance Edmondson, physician
1854-1855 Diary of Emma Edmondson
1852-1864 Tax Record
Mrs. E.S.M. Edmondson
1864 1 negro woman Jane Young $300
1 negro man John from Sal McBride $400
William V.M. Edmondson
House & Lot $1200
......reduced
1863 by personal sold by Admin $935
Elizabeth Green Edmondson died on 16 September 1851. Poem by A.L. Manning - On the Death of a Friend, Mrs. Elizabeth Edmondson
1850 Census
Dwelling #1236, household of WVM Edmondson, physician
18 ER 149 - 20 October 1840 - Eliza Waggaman to William V.M. Edmondson for $837.50: tract of land in East New Market on the east side of the main road leading towards Cambridge. Being the same which the said Eliza C. Waggaman purchased from Henry Page, trustee, and formerly the property and residence of Charles Pritchett, deceased. Containing 1 3/4 acres.
1840 Census - Possibly household of Eliza Waggaman
17 ER 36 - 6 November 1838 - Henry Page, trustee to Eliza C. Waggaman for $430?: Henry Page was appointed trustee to sell the real estate of Charles Prichett, deceased. lot in the town of New Market on which Doctor James Sulivane in his lifetime built a 2-story brick house, and on which lot the said Eliza C. Waggaman now resides (and which purchase money has been since its reception paid to the said heirs at law of the said Charles Pritchett)
13 ER 495 - 7 December 1833 - Edward Randolph Pritchard of Scott County, Kentucky to James R. Parks for $200; his right and title to 1/3 interest in the brick dwelling house and all other houses connected with the same premises containing 1 acre in the town of New Market, formerly the property of Charles Pritchard, deceased.
Cambridge Chronicle – 14 February 1829 – Died in this county on 31 January last at the residence of her daughter near New Market, Mrs. Sarah Pritchard of this place, about 55 years of age.
8 ER 258 - 4 April 1822 - Elizabeth Sulivane to Charles D. Pritchard, Edward R. Pritchard, and Dewitt J. Pritchard for $1: her interest in a certain brick house and lot in the town of New Market, formerly the property of James B. Sulivane, deceased, and conveyed by James Chaplain, Trustee for the sale of the deceased to Charles Pritchard, Edward Pritchard, and Dewitt Pritchard by deed bearing date 24 September 1821.
Cambridge Chronicle and Eastern
Shore Advertiser - 25 September 1825 -
Drs. Waggaman and King,
Having united in the practice of Physic, respectfully inform the
citizens of New Market & its vicinity, that they are ready as all times
to attend when called on, and flatter themselves, that they will be
agreeable to the afflicted, and tend to the relief of disease.
N.B. All person indebted to the subscriber for his professional
services, heretofore rendered, are requested to make payment - otherwise
they will in a short time find, their accounts in the hands of the
officers. H.P. Waggaman aug 27 5t
1820 Census - Household of Charles Prichard
Republican Star - Easton - 21 December 1819 - Austin Woolfolk Sr., Baltimore, offers reward for negro named Moses Camper, who also goes by the names of George Bridge, Daniel Ridgely, and Street' Dan, 5 foot 5-6 inches, 30 years old; says he is 38 years old; has chesnut complexion, purchased from Charles Pritchard of New Market by Jesse Sheffer of Easton and sold to subscriber; carpenter by trade. Following persons are said to have aided his escape: Richard Gibson, free man of color living near the City Mills; Ben Wrightson, a slave, who formerly worked in Comegys blacksmith shop.
Easton Gazette - 22 November 1819 - It is ordered by the Judges of Dorchester County court on the equity side thereof, that the report filed by the Trustee for the sale of the real estate of James B. Sulivane, deceased, be ratified and confirmed, unless cause be shown to the contrary, or objections be filed with he clerk of the Dorchester County court, but he first day of January next, provided a copy of this order be inserted in one of the newspapers published in the Town of Easton, and also a copy set up at the Court House door. The report states the amount of sales to be $2302. E.Richardson, Clk Nov 22 - 3w
Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery, Cambridge, Maryland
James B. Sulivane - 7 February 1773 / 4 March 1818
3 ER 520 - 16 October 1815 - Robert Sulivane to James B. Sulivane for $3000: Swan Pond, and 2 lots in the town of New Market, and lands lying in Blackwater, belonging to the wife of James, and lot in Cambridge formerly conveyed to the said James by Francis Wilson, and lot in Cambridge conveyed to the said James by Francis Gist.
Marriage - 21 October 1813 -
William Grason to Susan Sulivane
[William Grason was elected Governor of Maryland in 1838 and served
until 1842. Susan was a daughter of James B. Sulivane.
According to a biography of Governor William Grason, he lived with his
young bride at her father's house for a couple of years.]
2 ER 397 - 26 October 1812 - James B. Sulivane to Robert Sulivane for $3000: land called "Swan Pond" which was laid off to him as the said James B. Sulivane's share or his father's Daniel Sulivane's lands; also 2 lots in the town of New Market which are now in the occupation of Doctor Henry P. Waggaman; also lands in Blackwater belonging to the said James B. Sulivane's wife, to which he hath a life estate; also lot in Cambridge which was conveyed to James B. Sulivane by Francis Wilson and wife; also lot in Cambridge conveyed to James B. Sulivane by Francis Gist.
1810 Census - Possible household of Henry P. Waggaman
1800 Census - Possible household of James Sulivane III
[North Part] 14 HD 187 - 26 June 1798 - James Sulivane to James Bennett Sulivane for 100 pounds: 2 lots (1st lot) lot in New Market being part of a tract called "New Market". Beginning at a bounded cedar post standing on the east side of the new road leading through New Market and it being the last mentioned post of Lot No 10, which said post is marked JBS No 11 and from thence running and binding with Lot No 10 S 75 E 37 1/2 perches to another cedar post marked JBS No 11, thence S 1 E 4 1/4 perches to another cedar post marked JBS No 12 and from thence running N 75 W 38 1/2 perches to another cedar post marked JBS No 12, and from thence running with a straight line to the place of beginning. Containing 1 acre.
[South Part] 14 HD 187 - 26 June 1798 - James Sulivane to James Bennett Sulivane for 100 pounds: 2 lots (2nd lot) Also one other lot in the village of New Market, known by the name of Lot No 12. Beginning at a marked post No 12 standing on the east side of the new road leading through New Market, it being the last mentioned post of Lot No 11, and from thence running and binding with lot No 11 S 75 E 27 1/2 perches to a marked post standing in the third line of Lot No 11, and from thence running S 15 W 4 1/8 perches to another marked white oak post and from thence N 75 W 27 1/2 perches to another post standing on the east side of the new road aforesaid, and from thence with a straight line to the first beginning. Containing 110 square perches. Mary Sulivane, wife of James Sulivane.
Marriage - 9 April 1795 - James B. Sulivane to Eliza Ennalls