Key date analysis:
The Historic Buildings Survey photo from 1936 clearly shows the same house that stands today. The footprint on the 1922 map also matches the current house. The 1877 map shows the dwelling labeled as Capt. M.S. Fletcher. At the time, another structure labeled Capt. T.B. Sherman appears to be attached to the south side of the house on the adjoining lot. Several outbuildings labeled W.W. Sh. & B.S also appear on this lot in 1877. The letters are assumed to stand for Wheelwright Shop and Blacksmith.
A dwelling house and a store house on this property were first mentioned in a newspaper article from 1846. Abraham Ross "died in New Market" in 1822. This was the only property he owned at the time. The house appears to have been built in 1789. The price paid for the lot (30 pounds) by William Riley in 1789 was consistent with vacant lots sold during that time frame. A year later William Riley sold the property for 100 pounds and one year after that Philip King Sherwood sold the property for 200 pounds. This great increase in value in 2 years indicates a structure was built on the property during this time frame.
A tax record from 1898 indicates that Charles W. Meyer improved the house. This is likely the date that the Victorian additions were made to the house. Charles Meyer purchased or leased part of the lot from Samuel L. Webster in the early 1890s. This lease or deed has not been found and was likely not recorded. Samuel L. Webster sold the entire property to Katie Meyer, the wife of Charles Meyer in 1928.
Who built it:
William Riley likely built this house in 1789.
Longest Residents:
Katie Meyer about 35 years.
More Research:
Dendrochronology could firmly establish the date of construction of this house.
Historic Records:
330 MLB 321 - 22 December 1995 - John Herbert Busta Jr., personal representative of the estate of John Herbert Busta, deceased, to John S. Warner & Margaret A. Warner, his wife, for $20,000: Whereas John Herbert Busta died intestate on 28 March 1994 and whereas John Herbert Busta Jr. qualified as personal representative to sell the property. Lot with improvements in the town of East New Market that was conveyed unto John Albert Busta & Lillian Dewey Busta, his wife, from William J. Kelley & Eva A. Kelley, his wife by deed dated 20 September 1963 in 135 PLC 158. Lot bounded as follows; on the north by the Tavern property, owned or formerly owned by Thomas J. Helsby; on the east by the late Thomas J. Hicks' farm; on the south by the lot formerly owned by Thomas B. Sherman; and on the west by the county road leading through the town. The said lot fronts 100 feet on Main Street and is bounded on the south by the land now owned by Charles Webster, formerly owned by Thomas B. Sherman, and on the north by the land now owned by Andrew Clauser, formerly the property of Dr. H.F. Nichols, which was formerly the property known as the Tavern property and formerly owned by Thomas J. Helsby, on the south (east) by the property of the late Thomas J. Hicks. The said land fronting as aforesaid 100 feet and running back on a line with the said Charles Webster's land, a distance of 488 feet to the property of Thomas J. Hicks, and running back on the north with the property of the said Andrew Clauser 466 feet to the said property of Thomas J. Hicks. The width of the property being approximately 100 feet throughout. Being the same property which was conveyed to the said John Herbert Busta by deed from John Herbert Busta, personal representative of the estate of John Albert Busta, dated 8 November 1976 in 197 PLC 598.
197 PLC 598 -8 November 1976 - John Herbert Busta, personal representative of John Albert Busta, to John Herbert Busta for $7500: Whereas John Albert Busta died testate on 23 December 1975 and John Herbert Busta qualified as personal representative to sell the real estate. [described in 330 MLB 321] Being the same property that was conveyed unto John Albert Busta & Lillian Dewey Busta, his wife, from William J. Kelley & Eva A. Kelley, his wife by deed dated 20 September 1963 in 135 PLC 158.
135 PLC 158 - 20 September 1963 - William J. Kelley & Eva A. Kelley, his wife, to John Albert Busta & Lillian Dewey Busta for $5: [described in 330 MLB 321] Being the same property that was conveyed unto the said William J. Kelley & Eva A. Kelley, his wife, by Elwood M. Walls & Bernice K. Walls, his wife by deed dated 20 April 1949 in 69 RSM 120.
69 RSM 120 - 20 April 1949 - Elwood M. Walls & Bernice K. Walls, his wife, to William J. Kelley & Eva A. Kelley, his wife, for : [described in 330 MLB 321] Being the same property that was conveyed unto Olin R. Higgins by Katie L. Meyer, widow, by deed dated 17 November 1928 in 23 JFD 27. Being the same property that was conveyed unto the said Elwood M. Walls & Bernice Kelley Walls, his wife, by Olin R. Higgins & Katie W. Higgins, his wife, by deed dated 31 December 1947 in 65 RSM 116.
65 RSM 116 - 31 December 1947 - Olin R. Higgins & Katie W. Higgins, his wife, of Hurlock, to Elwood M. Walls & Bernice K. Walls [described in 330 MLB 321]. Being the same property that was conveyed unto Olin R. Higgins by Katie L. Meyer, widow, by deed dated 17 November 1928 in 23 JFD 27.
1930 Census
Possibly dwelling #44, household of Thomas S. Higgins
23 JFD 27 - 17 November 1928 - Katie L. Meyers, widow, to Olin R. Higgins for $5: Lot which was conveyed unto the said Katie L. Meyer by Samuel L. Webster by deed dated 27 October 1913 in 6 WLR 549. [described in 330 MLB 321].
Marriage - 29 March 1913 - Hurlock, Maryland
Olin R. Higgins, age 23, of Marydel, DE, to Kate Woolen, age 23, of
Hurlock
1920 Census
Dwelling #68, household of Charles Meyer, postmaster
6 WLR 549 - 27 October 1913 - Samuel L. Webster, widower, to Katie L. Meyer for $1500: Lot which was conveyed unto the said Samuel L. Webster by Henry Lloyd, trustee, by deed dated 10 April 1890 in 13 CL 631. [described in 330 MLB 321].
1910 Census
Dwelling #72, household of Charles W. Meyer, shirt
factory-manufacturer
1900 Census
Dwelling #276, household of Charley W. Meyers, commercial traveller
1896-1910 Tax Record
Samuel L. Webster
Lot in ENM 36x60 $100, factory building $600
C.W. Meyer
1896 - Lot in ENM adjoining the property of S.L. Webster & W.R. Sherman
$150
Dwelling & improvements $800
19 May 1898 - Improvement to Dwelling $100
1896 Tax
Record
Samuel L. Webster
1 lot situated in the town of East New Market 36x60 feet $100
Factory building $600
C.W. Meyer
1 lot in East New Market adjoining the property of S.L. Webster & W.R.
Sherman $150
Dwelling & improvements $800
13 CL 631 - 10 April 1890 - Henry Lloyd, trustee, to Samuel L. Webster: Whereas on 2 August 1880 John J. Purse & Celia J. Purse, his wife, and William T. Purse & Laura A. Purse, his wife, gave unto John Webster a mortgage recorded in 2 CL 292 for $400. Whereas on 6 January 1888 the said John Webster assigned the said mortgage to Samuel L. Webster. Whereas by virtue of a sale after default had occurred under said mortgage. On 14 December 1889, Samuel L. Webster was the highest bidder for the sum of $1150. Lot in the town of East New Market bounded as follows; on the north by the Tavern property, owned or formerly owned by Thomas J. Helsby; on the east by the late Thomas J. Hicks' farm; on the south by the lot formerly owned by Thomas B. Sherman; and on the west by the county road leading through the town.
2 CL 292 - 2 August 1880 - Mortgage - John J. Purse & Celia J. Purse, his wife, and William T. Purse & Laura A. Purse, his wife, owing to John Webster for $400: Lot with improvements in the town of East New Market bounded as follows; on the north by the Tavern property, owned or formerly owned by Thomas J. Helsby; on the east by the late Thomas J. Hicks' farm; on the south by the lot formerly owned by Thomas B. Sherman; and on the west by the county road leading through the town.
1880 Census
possibly Dwelling #38, household of Louisa Camper
1876 Tax
Record
John J. Purse
Dwelling, blacksmith's shop, carriage shop, & lot 1 1/2 acres - $900
1870 Census
Dwelling #353, household of John J. Purse, blacksmith
1867-1876 Tax Record
John J. Purse
1867 - House, Lot, and Blacksmith Shop $700
1868 - Store House & Carriage Shop $300
8 FJH 328 - 4 December 1871 - Samuel E. Collins, Constable, to Tilghman Andrew for $37 by virtue of a writ of fieri facias against John J. Purse: Court directs Collins to to convey the lands to said Andrew. Lands in the town of East New Market conveyed unto the said John J. Purse by Harriet H. Saxton by deed dated 24 June 1868 in 7 FJH 259.
7 FJH 259 - 4 June 1868 - Harriet H. Saxton to John J. Purse for $600: lot in the town of East New Market bounded on the north by the old Tavern property owned by James Byus, east by the land of Thomas J. & Eliza Hicks, south by the lot of Thomas B. Sherman, and west by the county road leading through the town.
1866 Tax
Record
John J. Purse
House, Lot & Blacksmith Shop $700
1860 Census
Possibly dwelling #733, household of Emily Hamill & Henry Ross
3 FJH 166 - 17 February 1855 - Levin Hodson & Mary Jane Hodson, his wife, to Harriet Saxton, wife of Thomas J. Saxton for $400: Dwelling and Store house and lots in East New Market which was conveyed to the said Harriet Saxton and Mary Jane Hodson by Lewis Ross, trustee for the sale real estate of John Kemp, deceased.
3 FJH 11 - 18 October 1854 - Lewis Ross, trustee, to Harriett Saxton, wife of Thomas J. Saxton, and Mary Jane Hodson, wife of Doctor Levin Hodson for $820: By decree of court dated 27 November 1851 between Elizabeth Stevens and Rebecca Kemp, complainants, and Lewis Kemp, defendant, Lewis Ross was appointed trustee to sell the real estate. And real estate was sold to Leah Howard on 27 March 1852: The dwelling house and store house and lot lying in East New Market, formerly the property of Abraham Ross, and on the east side of the main street, lying between the old Tavern property, William E. Harrison's property (formerly Thomas Jackson's), running back to the late H.W. Hicks farm. The said Leah Howard being departed this life, leaving the said Harriett Saxton and Mary Jane Hodson, her only legal heirs.
1 THH 318 - 1848 / 11 March 1854 - Will of Leah Howard
...5th - After all my last debts are paid and the expense of
settling my estate and the legacy above named are paid over, I give all
the rest and residue of my estate to my two daughters, Harriet Saxton
and Mary Jane Hodson, share and share alike...
Cambridge Chronicle - 25 March
1854 – Death Notice –
Died at her residence in East New Market on 4 March, Mrs. Leah, relict
of the late Jacob Howard in her 59th year.
1852-1864 Tax Record
Leah S. Howard
House & Lot, Storehouse $600
......reduced
1855 House & Lot, Storehouse by personal distribution $600
29 April 1852 - To the honorable the Judge of the Circuit Court for Dorchester County, sitting as a court of equity: The report of Lewis Ross, trustee appointed by the decree in this cause, to make sale of certain real estate therein mentioned, shows: that after giving bond with security for the faithful discharge of his trust, as acquired by said decree, and giving notion of the time, place, manner, and terms of sale by advertisement in the Cambridge Democrat, a newspaper printed in Dorchester County, for more than three succession weeks before the day of sale, and by hand with returns circulated throughout said county, he did pursuant to said notice attend at East New Market on Saturday the 27th day of March 1852, and then and there proceeded to sell the said real estate, and Dewitt C. Handley, being then and there the highest bidder therefore became the purchaser of the farm whereon John Kemp, deceased, lived at the time of his death for the term of $1,615, and that Leah Howard being then and there the highest bidder therefore became the purchaser of the dwelling house and store house and lot in East New Market formerly belonging to the said John Kemp, for the sum of $820.
22 November 1851 - Deposition of James D. Twilley, witness of lawful age, ...being duly summoned, appears and says, (1) that he is acquainted with the parties to this suit, and has known them since 1844; (2) I am acquainted with the real estate belonging to John Kemp, deceased, the house and lot in New Market are now in a dilapidated condition, and unless soon repaired probably will become utterly useless. Buildings on the farm are in very bad state of repair. Farm almost destitute of the necessary outbuildings. The dwelling house is badly built and now needs a considerable outlay upon it to render it comfortable. The land is very ordinary and does not possess sufficient timber for it to support. The farm would probably sell for fully its worth on account of its location. (3) I do believe it would be to the advantage of all the parties concerned that the property should be sold and the proceeds thereof invested for their benefit. My reasons for this opinion are, on account of a dilapidated state of the property, a large portion of the rents for several years to come would necessarily have to be dependant in its repair, and the property would probably sell for a sum that would yield a larger amount in interest than would be gained from the property in rents, after deducting taxes and expenses of repairs. James D. Twilley. Witn: Chas. D. Hooper, Cambridge (seal)
1850 Census
Dwelling #1244, household of Leah Howard
Cambridge Chronicle - 28 November
1846 - Orphan's Court -
On application of Samuel Higgins, executor of Mary Ross, late of
Dorchester County, deceased, it is ordered that he give notice required
by law for all creditors to exhibit their claims against the estate.
Cambridge Chronicle – 3 October 1846 – Collectors Notice of Lands for
Taxes –
A list containing the names and quantity of lands lying and being in
Dorchester County, whereon the taxes for the years 1843, 1844, & 1846 -
District 2 - New Market: Mary Ross, dwelling house & store house &
lot in East New Market.
Marriage - 14 May 1844 - Thomas J. Saxton to Harriet H. Beckwith.
1 THH 90 -14 March 1840 / 9 November 1840 - Will of Jacob
Howard
Marriage - 6 January 1840 - James Stevens to Elizabeth Kemp.
1838 Tax Assessment District
2
John Kemp - real estate $293, personal estate $93.
11 ER 613 - 1 April 1830 - Lewis Ross & Lavinia M. Ross, his wife, to John Kemp for $300: lot in the village of New Market and called "New Market". Beginning at marked cedar post standing on the east side of the main road that passes through New Market to Cambridge and nearly opposite a house formerly belonging to Charles Daffin and thence runs S 75 E 27 1/4 perches to a marked cedar post NE then S 1 E 5 3/4 perches to one other cedar post then N 75 W 28 3/4 perches to the said street, then with a straight line to the first place of beginning. Containing 1 acre. Equity of the said Lewis Ross and Lavenia, his wife, after the death of Mary Ross, wife of Abraham Ross.
Marriage - 31 May 1827 - John Kemp to Rebecca Ross.
Republican Star - Easton - 3 December 1822 - Died in New Market, Dorchester County, 17th ultimate, Abraham Ross in his 56th year.
Marriage - 3 February 1817 - John Kemp to Ann Ross.
Marriage - 29 August 1815 - Abraham Ross to Mary Jacobs.
10 ER 94 - 13 May 1825 - Elizabeth Birckhead, John H. Hooper & Ann Hooper, his wife, to Lewis Ross, Rebecca Ross, Mahala Johnson, wife of Stewart Johnson, and Ann Kemp for $736: lot in village of New Market and called "New Market". Beginning at a marked cedar post standing on the east side of the main road that leads through New Market to Cambridge and nearly opposite a house in New Market which formerly belonged to Charles Daffin and thence runs S 75 E 27 1/4 perches to a marked cedar post No 2, then S 1 E 5 3/4 perches to another cedar post, then N 75 W 28 3/4 perches to the said county road or street, thence with a straight line to the first place of beginning. Containing 1 acre with building & improvements.
3 HD 312 - 25 October 1791 - Philip King Sherwood and William LeCompte, merchants, to Doctor Daniel Sulivane for 200 pounds: part of a tract called "New Market". Beginning at a marked cedar post No 1 standing on the east side of the main road that leads from New Market to Cambridge and nearly opposite a house in New Market belonging to Mr. Charles Daffin, and then runs S 75 E 27 1/4 perches to a marked cedar post No 2, then S 1 E 5 3/4 perches to a marked cedar post No 3, then N 75 W 28 3/4 perches to a marked cedar post No 4, then with a straight line to the first beginning. Containing 1 acre. Ann Sherwood, wife of Philip King Sherwood. Containing 1 acre.
2 HD 591 - 6 May 1790 - William Riley & Mary Riley his wife, to Philip King Sherwood and William LeCompte for 100 pounds: part of a tract called "New Market". Beginning at a marked cedar post No 1 standing on the east side of the main road that leads from New Market to Cambridge and nearly opposite a house in New Market belonging to Mr. Charles Daffin, and runs S 75 E 27 1/4 perches to a marked cedar post No 2, then S 1 E 5 3/4 perches to a marked cedar post No 3, then N 75 W 28 3/4 perches to a marked cedar post No 4, then with a straight line to the first beginning. Containing 1 acre.
2 HD 463 - 8 June 1789 - James Sulivane to William Riley for 30 pounds: part of a tract called "New Market". Beginning at a marked cedar post No 1 standing on the east side of the main road that leads from New Market to Cambridge and nearly opposite a house in New Market belonging to Mr. Charles Daffin, and runs S 75 E 27 1/4 perches to a marked cedar post No 2, then S 1 E 5 3/4 perches to a marked cedar post No 3, then N 75 W 28 3/4 perches to a marked cedar post No 4, then with a straight line to the first beginning. Containing 1 acre.