(Also known as the Henry Haskins House, the Dr. Henry W. Houston House, the Roche House, and the Mary Jane Smith House.)
Key date analysis:
When Robert Travers purchased this property from Henry Haskins for 330 pounds in 1807, the property was described as "the lot on which the said Robert Travers now lives". When Henry Haskins bought this property in 1797 he paid 22 pounds. Considering the increase in the value of this property, the house was almost certainly erected between 1797 and 1807. From the 1800 Census Henry Haskins appears to have been living in New Market, possibly at his newly constructed house.
This property was originally 3/4 of an acre from 1796 to 1811. In 1807 and 1811 Robert Travers purchased the lot to the south and combined it with this property to create a 1 1/2 acre property. A newspaper ad selling this property, describes the house, an octagon mill house, stables sufficient to hold five horses, a carriage house, a corn house, and a store house. The 1852-1864 tax record does not list a store house or any of the other outbuilings. However, the 1866 to 1875 tax record mentions an office. The office is not mentioned in 1876 and does not appear as a separate structure on the 1877 map. The office may have been the back section of the house or it may have been moved or torn down by 1876.
In 1937, the 1 1/2 acre property was again divided into two lots. These lots were not divided in the exact way that the two lots that were separated before 1811. In the 1937 division, the south lot was a little smaller and the north lot was a little larger than the 2 lots that were combined in 1811. The Henry Haskins House at 8 Main Street is on the north lot.
Who built it:
Henry Haskins built the house sometime between 1797 and 1807, likely ca. 1798. The rear wing appears to have been added in the late 1800s.
Longest Residents:
Henry W. Houston 51 years; Mary Jane Smith 35 years; Frances Roche 34 years,
More Research:
Dendrochronology could establish the exact construction date of various sections of the house.
Historic Records:
240 PLC 179 - 18 June 1986 - Frances Clinton Roche to Mary & Edward
S. Bradley.
77 PHC 484 - 22 March 1952 - Aldworth R Brown & Shirley H Brown
(siblings) to Frances Clinton Roche
73 RSM 148 - 7 August 1950 - Dr. Robert D Brown, widower, to Aldworth R Brown & Shirley Brown
[North part sold is the Henry Haskins House] 47 RSM 585 - 16 August 1943 - Jay Overton & Selena E. Overton, his wife of Norfolk, Virginia to Dr. Robert D Brown & Abbie A. Brown, his wife, of Mansfield, Ohio for $5: lot on the Main Street adjoining the lands now and formerly owned by the Methodist Episcopal Church, by Thomas F. Chesnut, by the heirs of F.H. Camper, and by Veau de L'Eau Corporation, being in all respects, the identical land which was conveyed unto the grantors by deed 18 July 1936 from Samuel Clark Smith and others in 34 JFD 187, saving and excepting therefrom so much of said land as was conveyed by the grantors herein unto Veau de L'Eau Corporation on 12 June 1937 in 36 JFD 89. This said property hereby intended to be conveyed is said to be 156.5f x 250f.
[South part sold and becomes 6 Main Street] 36 JFD 89 - 12 June 1937 - Jay & Selena Overton to the Vue de Leau Corporation for $5: lot on the Westward side of Main Street in the town of East New Market. Beginning at a point on the westward edge of the sidewalk on the westward side of said Main Street at the eastern edge of a new fence that has just been erected by the said Jay Overton, which fence is the division fence between the lands retained, reserved and not conveyed by the said grantors. From the beginning running with and binding upon the westward side of the said street S26/25W 113.5f, to the property commonly known as the "Andrews Property", which is the beginning point of the description of the whole lot of the said grantors, and from thence running and binding upon the said Andrews property N64/30W 187f to a post, and from thence N10/33E 119.5f, to the westward end of the aforesaid new fence and from thence running and binding on the southward side of said fence, so that the said fence is on the land of the grantors, S64/30E 210f to the place of beginning. It being the same land that was conveyed by a deed to the said Jay Overton and Selina E. Overton, his wife, from Samuel Clark Smith and other on 18 July 1936 in 34 JFD 187. John E. Patten signs for the Vue de Leau Corporation.
34 JFD 187 - 18 July 1936 - Samuel Clark Smith, unmarried; Samuel J.T. Smith, guardian of Thomas Willis Smith, Mary LeCompte Smith, and James Lassell Smith, infants; Samuel J.T. Smith & Mary R. Smith, his wife, to Jay Overton & Selena E. Overton, his wife, of Springfield Gardens, Long Island, New York: The property was devised to the said Samuel J.T. Smith by the last will and testament of his mother, the late Mary Jane Smith dated 28 November 1930 in 3 RPS 461. Property on the west side of Main Street in the town of East New Market. Beginning at a stone on the west edge of the sidewalk on the west side of Main Street, being at the division line between the property hereby conveyed and the property belonging to the heirs of the lat Tilghman Andrew, and from the said beginning runs with a fence N54/30W 187f to the end of said divisional fence and to a post, thence with another fence N10/35E 288.8f to the end of the fence and to a large post, and to the propterty of Frederick Chestnut, thence with the last named property S65/47E 266f to the west edge of the sidewalk, and with said sidewalk S26/25W 275.8f to the place of beginning. Containing 1.44 acres. All the fences around said land being on it. Being the same property that was conveyed by a deed to the said Mary Jane Smith from M. Tryphena Phelps and Francis P. Phelps, her husband, dated 18 September 1895 in 19 CL 551.
3 RPS 461 - 28 November 1930 - Will of Mary Jane Smith -
East New Market Cemetery - Mary Jane Smith - 1845 / 1930
1930 Census
undetermined
1920 Census
Dwelling #53, household of Mary J. Smith, retired
1910 Census
Dwelling #85, household of Mary J. Smith
1900 Census
Dwelling #246, household of Matthew J.T. Smith, retired farmer
1896-1910 Tax Record
Mary J. Smith
1896 - Lot on west side of Main St in ENM containing 1 1/2 acres $450
Dwelling & improvements $900
1896 Tax
Record
Mary J. Smith
1 lot situated on the west side of Main St. in the town of East New
Market containing 1 1/2 acres $450,
Dwelling & Improvements $900
19 CL 551 - 19 September 1895 - Francis P. Phelps & M. Tryphena Phelps, his wife, to Mary Jane Smith for $1200: House & lot which was in the occupancy of Dr. Henry W. Houston at the time of his death, which is bound on the South by the lot bought from the said Dr. Henry W. Houston by Tilghman Andrews on the West by the Stanley lot, on the North by Mrs. Smith's lot and on the East by Main Street. 1 1/2 acres. Being the same lands in a deed dated 14 August 1895 from Frederick Wright and others to the said M. Tryphena Phelps and also the same lands in a deed dated 8 December 1846 from James A. Stewart and wife to Dr. Henry W. Houston, WJ 3/160.
19 ER 553 - 14 August 1895 - Frederick Wright & F. May Wright, his wife, F. May Wright & Frederick Wright, her husband, Samuel D. Houston & Sophia Houston, his wife, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, Susan E. Dukes & J Kent Dukes, her husband, of Norwood, Pennsylvania, and Euphemia C. Houston, widow of the late Henry W. Houston of East New Market to M. Tryphena Phelps for $1000. All that house and lot in the town of East New Market and being part of the same property which was conveyed to Dr. Henry W. Houston by James A. Stewart and wife by deed dated 8 December 1846 in 3 WJ 160.
East New Market Cemetery - Dr. Henry W. Houston - 2 October 1809 / 23 May 1887
1880 Census
Dwelling #24, household of Henry W. Houston, druggist
1876 Tax
Record
Dr. Henry W. Houston
Dwelling house & lot in ENM 1 acre - $1600
Drugs, Oils, & Medicine in drugstore in ENM - $1000
1870 Census
Dwelling #365, household of Henry W. Houston, physician
1867-1876 Tax Record
Dr. Henry W. Houston
1867 - House, Lot & Office 1 1/2 acres $2000
1866 Tax
Record
Dr. Henry W. Houston
House, lot, & office 1 1/2 acres $2000, private securities bonds $1000,
2 horses $160, 3 cows $75, 5 hogs $40, 5 beds $125, sideboard $15, 3
bureaus $30, other furniture $200, plate $35, gold & silver watches $10,
1 carriage $150, 1 sulley $20, 1 cart $20, Total $3880
Cambridge Herald - 14 May 1862 – Married on the 6th last in St Stephens P. E. Church East New Market, Dorchester County, by the Rev Benjamin F Brown - Francis P. Phelps, Jr., M.D. of Cambridge to Phenie M., daughter of Henry W. Houston, M.D. of Cambridge.
1860 Census
Dwelling #753, household of Henry Houston, physician
1852-1864 Tax Record
Dr. Henry W. Houston
house & lot 1 1/2 acres $1500
Private Securities $500, 1 silver watch $20, 1 gold watch $30
19 ounces silver plate $19, 7 beds & furniture $105, 1 sofa $20, 2
bureaus $10
1 piano $200, other household furniture $30, 2 four wheel carriages &
surrey $200
3 horses $120, 3 cows $30, 3 hogs $6, boy James 12-21 $250,
2 girls Mary Anne & Lucretia under 12 $100, woman Hannah 12-21 $200
woman Harriet 40-60 $100
reduced
1864 by 1 woman Hannah sold $200
by 1 woman Lucretia sold $100
1850 Census
Dwelling #1231, household of Henry W. Houston, physician
3 WJ 160 - 8 December 1846 - James A. Stewart & Rebecca S. Stewart, his wife, to Dr. Henry W. Houston for $450: House & lot in New Market in the occupancy of Dr. Houston, being the house & lot where Stephen LeCompte formerly resided, and which the said Stephen LeCompte purchased of a certain John Newton, and in which Mrs. Houston, wife of the said Dr. Houston, now holds a life estate; containing 1 1/2 acres.
2 WJ 612 - 25 February 1846 - William A. Sulivane Esq. to James A. Stewart for $141.50: Claim to dwelling house & lot and one store house and lot in the town of New Market now occupied by Henry W. Houston. Being the same property which was conveyed to the said William A. Sulivane by John H. Hodson, Sheriff, by deed 6 May 1845 in 2 WJ.
2 WJ 558 - 11 December 1845 - James Fluharty & Maria Fluharty, his wife, to James A. Stewart for $137: the houses and lots in East New Market, which was devised by a certain Stephen LeCompte by his last will and testament, to his wife Tryphena M. LeCompte during her life, and after her death to a certain Mary Jane Fluharty. The said Mary Jane Fluharty being dead without children, the said James Fluharty is one of the only two heirs.
2 WJ 371 - 25 May 1845 - John H. Brown, Sheriff, to William A. Sulivane for $250: On 10 October 1842, a writ was paid by Charles Corkran, a Justice of the Peace, on behalf of William A. Sulivane assignee of Rebecca Richardson against Samual G. Fluharty, to the said John H. Hodson, Sheriff. The goods, chattels, lands & tenements of the said Samuel G. Fluharty, he should cause to be paid by the said William A. Sulivane, assignee of Rebecca Richardson. Sold his right to one dwelling house and lot, and one store house and lot in the town of East New Market, now in the company of Dr. Henry W. Houston.
1840 Census
Household of Henry W. Houston
15 September 1837 - The answer of Henry White Houston and Tryphena Mason Houston, his wife, bill of complaint against them and others in this court exhibited. Stephen LeCompte was the late husband of this defendant Tryphena. They deny that Stephen LeCompte was ever indebted for his estate chargeable with claims exhibited to wit. William T. Brohawn’s claim against James Thompson, executor of Stephen LeCompte. William T. Brohawn, guardian to Fleeharty against same for same amount, Mary Jane Fleeharty’s claim against Stephen LeCompte for $696, the claim of Henry T. Barrow against the firm of LeCompte and Barrow for $4.54 and William Roach’s claim against Stephen LeCompte for $1.70. They object to each and all of said claims and require that they be fully and legally proved.
Marriage - 25 May 1836 - Henry W. Houston to Trephena Lecompte
3 March 1835 / 9 March 1835 - Stephen LeCompte Will
To Tryphena LeCompte, wife, (1) my middle farm where William Hibb now
lives, for her natural life and then to Leven LeCompte, son of my
brother, Charles LeCompte. (2) my lower farm adjoining the lands which
formerly belonged to Levin Lake, deceased, during her natural life and
then to Mary Jane Fleharty, my niece. (3) my houses and lots in the town
of East New Market during her life and then to Mary Jane Fleharty, my
niece. (4) residue and remainder of estate.
To Smart LeCompte, son of my brother Charles LeCompte, my farm adjoining
lands of John H LeCompte.
To negro slave, Harriott, be free at my death
1830 Census
Household of Stephen Lecompte
11 ER 29 - 15 March 1828 - John Newton to Stephen LeCompte (of L.)
for $1600:
(1) lot in the village of New Market which the said John Newton
purchased of Robert Travers on 18 March 1815, whereon the said John
Newton now lives. Beginning at a marked post, it being the last
mentioned post of Lot No. 17, standing on the west side of the new road
leading through New Market, and from thence running and binding with Lot
No 17 N 75 W 13 1/2 perches to another marked post of Lot No 17, and
from thence running N 0 W 8 1/3 perches to another marked white oak post
standing in the intersection of Lot No 1 sold by James Sulivane to
Charles Daffin and from thence running S 75 E 16 perches to another
marked white oak post standing on the west side of said new road, and
from thence with a straight line to the first beginning. Containing 3/4
of an acre.
(2) Also lot in village of New Market which the said John Newton
purchased of Robert Travers on 18 March 1815 adjoining the before
mentioned lot. Beginning at cedar post marked JS No 16, standing on the
west side of the new road leading through New Market, and from thence
running and binding with Lot No 16 N 75 W 11 perches to another cedar
post thence N 0 W 10 perches to another post, thence S 75 E 13 1/2
perches to another cedar post marked JS standing on the west side of the
said road, and from thence with a straight line to the first beginning.
Containing 3/4 of an acre.
Marriage - 18 April 1825 - Stephen LeCompte to Triphena Dixon
1820 Census
Household of John Newton
Republican Star - Easton - 2 July 1816 - Death Notice - Died around 10 o'clock Sunday the 23rd at New Market, Dorchester County, Henry Haskins after a long and painful indisposition, leaving behind a wife and three children.
Republican Star - Easton - 26 March 1816 - For Lease - Lease of tan yard in New Market, which was for many years occupied by Robert Travers - William Morgan, Cambridge. [The tan yard was across the street, now 23 Main Street]
3 ER 296 - 18 March 1815 - Robert Travers to John Newton for $2500: 2
lots (1) lot in New Market which Robert Travers purchased of Henry
Haskins by deed bearing the date 26 March 1807 and whereon the said
Robert Travers now lives. Beginning at a marked post, it being the last
mentioned post of lot No. 17, standing on the west side of the new road
leading through New Market and from thence running and binding with lot
No. 17 North 75 degree West 13 1/2 perches to another marked post of lot
No. 17 and from thence running North West 8 1/3 perches to another
marked white oak post standing at the intersection of Lot No. 1 sold by
James Sulivane to Charles Daffin and from thence running South 75
degrees East 16 perches to another marked white oak post standing on the
west side of the said new road and from thence with a straight line to
the first beginning. Containing 3/4 of an acre.
(2) And also a lot in New Market which Robert Travers purchased of
Francis Stevens, deed bearing date 15 August 1811 and adjoining the
before mentioned lot. Beginning at a marked cedar post standing on the
west side of the new road leading through New Market, the post marked
IIS No. 16 and from thence running and binding with lot No. 16 N75W 11p
to another cedar post thence N45mW 10p to another post and thence S75E
13 1/2p to another cedar post marked IIS standing also on the west side
of the said road and from thence with a straight line to the first
beginning. Containing 3/4 of an acre.
Republican Star - Easton - 14 February 1815 - Battle of the Ice Mound - A list of persons engaged with the British on 7 February at the Ice Mound, near James Island, Dorchester County: Robert Travers
Republican Star - 31 May 1814 - Valuable Property For Sale -
The subscriber will sell at private sale, all his property, viz: the
house and lots in the village of New Market, where he resides,
containing a dwelling house 28 by 37(?) feet, with two rooms and a
passage on the lower floor, three rooms and an entry on the next floor,
store and a lodging room in the garret; entry, kitchen, octagon mill
house, stables sufficient to hold five horses, carriage house and corn
house - with an excellent garden containing a variety of shrubbery
raspberries in great abundance, goose berries, currants, and a large
quantity of flowers in high cultivation. On the same lot, a store
house nearly new, 30 by 26 feet, with a store room, compting room, and
currying shop, all finished complete, with an excellent cellar; lombardy
poplars and locust trees planted on the front and south side of the
dwelling house. Also one unimproved Lot adjoining the same, 3/4 of
an acre in high cultivation.
Also 266 1/2 acres of very heavy timbered land, principally of white and
red oak, suitable for vessels and staves, situated about 2 1/2 miles
from New Market and 3 1/2 from navigable water. Any person wishing
to purchase the above property, may view the same, and know the terms,
by applying to the subscriber, Robert Travers, New Market.
[Lot 17 - south part] 28 HD 376 - 15 August 1811 - Frances Stevens to Robert Travers for $120: 3/4 acre being part of a tract called "New Market". Beginning at a rounded cedar post standing on the west side of the new road leading through New Market. The post marked I#S No.16 and from thence running and binding with lot number 16 N 75 W 11 perches to another cedar post than N 1 W10 perches and then S 75 E 13 1/2 perches to another cedar post marked I#S standing also on the west side of the said road and from thence with a straight line to the first beginning. Containing 120 square perches = 3/4 acre of land more or less.
1810 Census
Household of Robert Traverse
[Lot 18 - north part] 24 HD 188 - 26 March 1807 - Henry Haskins to Robert Travers for 330 pounds: lot in the village of New Market, which the said Henry Haskins purchased of James Sulivane about 8 years ago and on which the said Robert Travers now lives. Beginning at a marked post, it being the last mentioned post of Lot No 17, standing on the west side of the new road leading through New Market and from thence running and binding with Lot No 17 N 75 W 13 1/2 perches to another marked post of Lot No 17 and from thence running N 1 W 8 1/3 perches to another marked white oak post standing at the intersection of Lot No 1 sold by James Sulivane to Charles Daffin about 10 years past and from thence running S 75 E 16 perches to another marked white oak post standing on the west side of the said new road and from thence with a straight line to the first beginning. Containing 3/4 of an acre. Sarah Haskins, wife of Henry Haskins.
[Lot 17 - south part] 24 HD 63 - 7 February 1807 - Thomas Williams to Frances Stevens, wife of John Stevens Esq. for $200: lot in the village of New Market which the aforesaid Thomas Williams lately purchased of John Stevens Esq. as by reference to the deed bearing the date 20 November 1806.
[Lot 17 - south part] 24 HD 59 - 20 November 1806 - John Stevens Esq. to Thomas Williams for $200: lot in the village of New Market which said John Stevens purchased of a certain James Sulivane Senior.
1800 Census
Household of Henry Haskins
[Lot 18 - north part] 12 HD 119 - 3 April 1797 - James Sulivane to Henry Haskins, merchant, for 22 pounds, 10 shillings: 3/4 acre part of a tract called "New Market" in the village of New Market. Beginning at at marked post being the last mentioned post of Lot No 17 standing on the west side of the new road leading through New Market and from thence binding with Lot No 17, N 75 W 13 1/2 perches to another marked post of Lot No 17 and from thence running N 1 W 8 1/3 perches to another marked white oak post standing at the intersection of Lot No 1, sold by James Sulivane to Charles Daffin about 10 years past, and from thence running S 75 E 16 perches to another marked white oak post, standing on the west side of the said new road and from thence with a straight line to the first beginning. Containing 3/4 of an acre.
[Lot 17 - south part] 9 HD 600 - 28 October 1796 - James Sulivane to John Stevens for 22 pounds, 10 shillings: 3/4 acre part of a tract called "New Market" in the village of New Market. Beginning at a bounded cedar post standing on the west side of the new road leading through New Market, the post marked JS No 16 and from thence running & binding with Lot No 16 N 75 W 11 perches to another cedar post, then N 1 W 10 perches, then S 75 E 13 1/2 perches to another cedar post marked JS standing also on the west side of the said road, and from thence with a straight line to the first beginning. Containing 3/4 of an acre.
50 BC & GS 471 - 30 October 1776 - Resurvey of Buckland Regulated, Debate Enlarged, Restitution, Sulivane's Meadows, Westward, York, and several pieces of vacant land to create the tract New Market.
[These lots appear to fall within the original bounds of the northwest arm of a tract called "York". With the changing metes and bounds in the 1700s, the tract could also be partially or entirely within the bounds of "Debate Enlarged", which was later called part of "Buckland Regulated.]