East New Market

Property Reports

37 Main Street

The Dorchester House

The Old Collins Property

Key date analysis:

In 1795 James Sulivane sold the 1 acre lot where John McClaren now lives to Charles Lecompte.  An 1829 describes the lot as "the old tavern and home dwelling of Mary Ann Travers."  Thus both this house and the Old Tavern property were likely built before 1829.  The Old Tavern was likely the public house where John McClaren lived in 1795.  Before 1855, this house and the Old Tavern Property were part of the same lot.  The "Front Section" was a 1 acre lot that abutted the main street.  The "Rear Section" was also 1 acre and was directly behind the "Front Section".  (See diagram below).  Both structures stood on the "Front Section".  Sometime after 1809, Mary Ann Travers obtained the "Front Section" as an heir of Charles Lecompte.  In 1829, she bought the "Rear Section" and the property became a single 2 acre lot.  In 1854, a trustee sold the northernmost 1 acre to William Huffington.  This northernmost one acre lot was this property.  The southernmost 1 acre lot was the Old Tavern property.

Who built it:

This house was probably built by Charles Lecompte or his Travers heirs before 1829.

Longest Residents:

Collins family owned the property for 74 years.

More Research:

I believe a good photo of this property from the 1930s or 1940s still exists.  I would love to have a copy.

Historic Records:

PLC 204/483 - 4 April 1978 - Phillip Burton & Sadie Burton, his wife to John S. Warner & Margaret A. Warner, his wife for $5:  Two lots on the east side of Main Street, being known as the Old Tavern Property, being bounded on the north by the lands of W. Howard Blake, Frances Wiggins Anderson, and Iva L. Collins, and on the south by the land of John Abbott Burton, and on the east by the former Hicks land, and having a depth of approximately 470 feet, more or less.  Being the same property which was conveyed unto the said Phillip Burton and Sadie Burton, his wife, by deed from Bessie H. Schoenfeldt and Gordon T. Schoenfeldt, her husband, dated 18 September 1974, PLC 186/624.

PLC 186/624 - 28 October 1967 - Bessie H. Schoenfeldt & Gordon T. Schoenfeldt, her husband, to Phillip Burton & Sadie Burton, his wife (final payment 18 September 1974):  Property described as above;  Being the same property which was conveyed unto the said Bessie H. Schoenfeldt and R. Alton Hackett, as joint tenants, by Clarence H. Corkran, Trustee, by deed dated 22 April 1967, PLC 152/572, and upon the death of R. Alton Hackett on the 5 August 1967, vested absolutely in the said Bessie H. Schoenfeldt by virtue of the right of survivorship.

PLC 152/572 - 22 April 1967 - Clarence H. Corkran Jr., Trustee, to R. Alton Hackett and Bessie H. Schoenfeldt for $1:  First, ot generally known as the Old Tavern Property on the east side of Main Street being the same property conveyed unto Reuben A. Clausser and wife by deed from Christine Clausser, dated 7 June 1947, RSM 62/681.
Second, all that lot on the east side of Main Street that fronts 56 feet, 9 inches on said street and runs back therefrom to the Hicks lands, being bounded on the North by the lands of William T. Collins & Iva L. Collins, the land of Ada Wright, and  Mary K. Willey lands, on the East by the Hicks land and on the south by the land hereinbefore described as "First".  The said land described is the same, which was conveyed unto the said Clarence H. Corkran Jr., in trust, by the deed first hereinbefore mentioned, and is the same which was conveyed unto the said R. Alton Hackett by deed from Reuben A. Clausser and Bernice B. Clausser, his wife, dated 17 September 1956, RSM 101/426.

101 RSM 426 - 17 September 1956 - Reuben Clausser & Bernice Clausser, his wife, to R. Alton Hackett for $5:  Two lots on the eastward side of Main Street in the town of East New Market. 
First, lot generally known as the Old Tavern Property on the east side of Main Street being the same property conveyed unto the grantors by deed from Christine Clausser, dated 7 June 1947, 62 RSM 681 and being the same property conveyed unto Andrew Clausser & Christina Clausser, his wife, by J. Richard Jones, Assignee of Mortgage, by deed dated 3 November 1928 in 22 JFD 649.  The entire property was vested in the said Christine Clausser upon the death of her husband, Andrew Clausser.
Second, lot on the east side of Main Street that fronts 56 feet, 9 inches on said street and runs back therefrom to the Hicks lands, being bounded on the North by the lands of William T. Collins & Iva L. Collins, the land of Ada Wright, and  Mary K. Willey lands, on the East by the Hicks land and on the south by the land hereinbefore described as "First".  Being the same property conveyed by deed to the said grantors from the East New Market Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated, by deed from Adeline D. Dick and others, dated 23 January 1945 in 51 RSM 374.

51 RSM 374 - 23 January 1945 - Adeline D. Dick & John Dick 3rd, her husband, and Gulia S. Crossette, widow, all of the city of Philadelphia, PA, and John F.S. Collins & Edith Collins, his wife, Thomas W.H. Collins & Bessie H. Collins, his wife, William T. Collins & Iva L. Collins, his wife.  Whereas Samuel E. Collins, deceased, by item (3) of his last will and testament dated 23 December 1897 in 2 JWF 144 made the following devise:  "I give and devise unto my daughter, Adeline D. Collins, all that lot of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the village of East New Market, in said County adjoining the property of Thomas J. Helsby and wife, the same being my home place which I purchased of Emma V. E. Jacobs, to have and to hold the same forever in fee simple, but if she, the said Adeline D. die without issue living at the time of her death, then I will and devise the said home place to the remaining children which have been born to me and by my present wife Guliaelina W. Collins, share and share alike as tenants in common".  Whereas the said Samuel E. Collins had born to him by his said wife, Guliaelina W. Collins, the following children, to wit:  Adeline D. Collins, intermarried with John Dick 3rd; Gulia S. Crossette; John F.S. Collins, intermarried with Edith C. Collins; Thomas W. H. Collins, intermarried with Bessie H. Collins; William T. Collins, intermarried with Iva L. Collins; and Bessie Elizabeth Conard, who intermarried with Linwood Conard, the said Bessie Elizabeth Conard, having departed this life many years ago, intestate, leaving her said husband, Linwood Conard, and a son, Linwood Conard, who since the death of the said Bessie Elizabeth Conard, has departed this life, and a daughter Elizabeth Conard, whose whereabouts is at present unknown, surviving her as her only heirs at law.  Whereas the the said Adeline D. Dick has sold unto the East New Market Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated, the land and property mentioned in the aforesaid item 3 of the last will and testament of her father, the said Samuel E. Collins, deceased, and in order to convey a good merchantable title thereto, all the of the aforesaid children born to the said Samuel E. Collins by his wife, Guliaelina W. Collins, together with their respective husbands and wives, have agreed to join with the said Adeline D. Dick & John Dick 3rd, her husband, in the execution of these presents.  Lot on the east side of Main Street that fronts 56 feet, 9 inches on said street and runs back therefrom to the Hicks lands, being bounded on the North by the lands of William T. Collins & Iva L. Collins, the land of Ada Wright, and  Mary K. Willey lands, on the East by the Hicks land and on the south by the lands of Andrew Clausser.  Being the same lot which was conveyed unto the said Samuel E. Collins by James T. Jacobs & Emma V.E. Jacobs, his wife by deed dated 20 March 1871 in 8 FJH 44.

1930 Census
Dwelling #46, household of William L. Clifton or #34, Robert W. Bloodsworth, sailor

1920 Census
Dwelling #73, household of W.L. Clifton, farmer

1910 Census
Possibly dwelling #69, Thomas Higgins, livery & hotel, or #61 W.L. Clifton, odd jobs

1900 Census
Possibly dwelling #257, William Carmine, house carpenter, or #277 William Clifton, farm laborer

2 JWF 144 - 23 December 1897 / 6 January 1899 - Will of Samuel E. Collins
I, Samuel E. Collins, of East New Market, in Dorchester County, State of Maryland do hereby make this my last will and testament in manner following.  That is to say:  After the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses, I give devise, and bequeath my estate as follows:
    Item (3) I give and devise unto my daughter, Adeline D. Collins, all of that lot of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon situated in the village of East New Market in said county adjoining the property of Thomas J. Helsby and wife.  The same being my home place which I purchased of Emma V.E. Jacobs to have and hold the same forever in fee simple, but if she, the said Adeline D. dies without issue living at the time of her death, then I will and devise the said home place to the remaining children, which have been born to me by my present wife, Guliaelina W. Collins share and share alike as tenants in common.

1896-1910 Tax Record
Adeline D. Collins
25 May 1899 - Lot in ENM from S.E. Collins by Will $145
Dwelling & improvements on same $500
Samuel E. Collins
2 houses $1000 & 1/4 acre lot in ENM $290
1 grass lot near ENM 2 1/2 acres $100
25 May 1899 - reduced by personal in hands of Administrator, J.C. Johnson
1 house and part of the 1/4 acre lot to Adeline D. Collins, his daughter, by Will (home place)
1 house & lot in ENM adjoining home place to Elizabeth T. Connard, daughter of S.E.C.

1896 Tax Record
Samuel E. Collins
2 houses and 1/4 acre lot in the town of East New Market, lot $290, 2 houses $1000

1880 Census
Dwelling #19, household of Samuel E. Collins, stock buyer

1876 Tax Record
Samuel E. Collins
2 dwelling houses & lot in ENM 1/2 acre - $1500

8 FJH 44 – 2 March 1871 – Dr. James T. Jacobs, and Emma V.E. Jacobs, his wife, to Samuel E Collins for $1200: lot in East New Market with improvement thereon; bounded on the south by the Hotel lot owned by Mrs. James A. Byus, on the north by the lot of Mrs. Mary Bramble, Dr. James R. Phillips, and Shadrach Carmine, on the east by the lands of Thomas J. Hicks, and on the west by Main Street and the lot of Josiah Helsby; being the same real estate heretofore conveyed to Emma V.E. Jacobs by William C. Huffington and wife, by deed bearing date 9 May 1859 (FJH 4/456) and by John Webster, as attorney, by deed 9 June 1862 (FJH 5/196), except that part thereof heretofore conveyed by the said James T. Jacobs and Emma V.E. Jacobs to Josiah Helsby by deed 15 October 1868 (FJH 7/304).

1870 Census
Dwelling #350, household of James M. Murphy, railroad agent

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
Samuel E. Collins
1871 - House & lot from Dr. James T. Jacobs & wife - $1000
1874 - Storehouse from Josiah Helsby & wife - $1000
Josiah Helsby
1869 - Store House in New Market from J.T. Jacobs & wife - $500
Dr. James T. Jacobs
1867 - House lot & Store house where Murphy lives $1500
reduced
1869 - store house to Josiah Helsby $500
1871 - house & lot where Murphy lives to S.E. Collins $1000

1866 Tax Record
Dr. James T. Jacobs
House, Lot, & Store house where Murphy lives $1500

1860 Census
Dwelling #734, household of James T. Jacobs, physician

4 FJH 456 - 9 May 1859 - William C. Huffington & Sallie H. Huffington, his wife, to Emma V. Jacobs, wife of James T. Jacobs of Worcester County for $500:  lot in East New Market, being the same which the said William C. Huffington purchased at the sale of James Bradshaw, Trustee, for the sale of the real estate of Mary A. Bradshaw and Fannie E. Traverse, together with the improvements thereon.

Marriage - 29 March 1855 - James A. Byus to Frances E. Traverse

3 FJH 129 - 7 August 1854 - James H. Bradshaw, trustee, to William C. Huffington for $900: By a decree of the circuit court dated 30 July 1853 and passed in a cause in said court between James H. Bradshaw, for himself and as neict friend of Mary A. Bradshaw and Frances E. Travers, complainants, and Mary A. Bradshaw and Frances E. Travers, defendants, the above named James H. Bradshaw was named trustee. Did sell on 10 September 1853 - Dwelling house in East New Market on the east side of Main Street then occupied by Edwin E. Medford. Beginning at the gate posts on the main street which is next to the Tavern and thence running back by the right side of the Smoke House and said lot to the back line of said lot, thence on to the lines thereof to said gate post at the beginning.

26 July 1853 - James H. Bradshaw for himself + as next friend of his wife, Mary A. Bradshaw (formerly Mary A. Travers) and Frances E. Traverse, who are infants under the age of 21 vs. Mary A. Bradshaw and Francis E. Traverse - The said Mary A. Bradshaw and Frances E. Traverse are seized as tenants in common in fee of the following property in the village of East New Market to wit:  The Tavern House and premises occupied by John Dean, The Dorchester House and premises adjoining occupied by Edwin E. Medford, The Dwelling House and premises known as the Tan Yard property occupied by Mrs. Manning, the Store House and premises opposite to the Dwelling occupied by Edwin E. Medford occupied by Leckie & sons, The Tailors shop adjoining said Store House and premises occupied by Washington Hines, and the small Triangular Lot in the rear of the said Store House and premises.  It further shows that the said property is in a bad state of repair and yields but a very small clear revenue and that it will be for the interest and advantage of said infants to sell the aforesaid real estate and to insert the proceeds in some productive fund for their benefit.  William C. Huffington appointed guardian to answer the complaint of the said infants under the age of 21.  James Thompson, John H. Hodson, and George Winthrop appointed to appraise the value of the aforesaid property taking into consideration the quality, local situation, improvements, with all advantages and disadvantages and incumbrances, whether it would be for the interest and advantage of the said infants, that their interest in the said grounds & premises should be sold.  On 14 July 1853, they values the property as follows:  the two story dwelling house, back buildings & out houses on the lot containing about 3/4 of an acre where E.E. Medford lives at about $1000The buildings are only in tolerable repair, and will require considerable expense annually, to keep up the repairs.  The Tavern property, occupied by Jno Dean, contains about 1 acre of land has on it a two story room, with an additional single story altogether about 50 feet in length and about 18-20 feet in breadth.  The above buildings and Granary are in tolerable repair.  Stable and Carriage House is in tolerable repair.  Granary and other out houses need repairing.  We estimate the real value of the said lot & buildings at $1700.  The Tanyard property occupied by Mrs. Manning containing about 3/4 of an acre has a single story dwelling & kitchen, shop, smoke house, and other old outbuildings scarcely worth repairing (the former in tolerable repair).  We estimate the real value at $700.  The Store house & small triangular lot occupied by Jno B. Leckie & son are in tolerable repair.  We estimate the real value at $500.  The small shop occupied by A. Washington Hines, we estimate the real value at $120.  Taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages, the encumbrances, locality, the amount of expenses that would naturally accrue annually, in keeping up the repairs, the casualties and liabilities of said buildings to be consumed by fire, as also the fact that property of the aforesaid description is in ready demand generally, at this time and command good prices.  We, therefore, determine that agreeably to our opinion and best judgment, it would be advisable to sell said property & that is would be in the best interest of the heirs so to do.
On 10 September 1853, property sold at auction at the Hotel of John Dean in East New Market after it was advertised for 3 weeks in the Cambridge Chronicle. 
Sold to William C. Huffington for $900, the dwelling house occupied by Edwin E. Medford, the lot on which it stands, beginning at the gate post on the Main Street and next to the Tavern and then running back by the right side of the Smoke House to the back line of said lot, and thence with the outlines of said lot to said Gate Post at the beginning.
Sold to Joseph Bradshaw, the Tavern property for $1275.
Sold to Dr. J. Edwin Hooper, the Tan yard, not in the occupancy of Mrs. Manning for $700.
Sold to John B. Leckie, the Store House occupied by John B. Leckie, the triangular lot of ground in the rear of said said store house, and also the small shop on said lot on which the store house stands for $725

1852-1864 Tax Record
Emma V. Jacobs
1860 Lot in East New Market $400
William C. Huffington
House & Lot $400
.....reduced
1860 House & Lot in East New Market $400
Mary Ann Traver's Heirs
House & Lot $400
.....reduced
House & Lot charged to Wm C. Huffington $400

Marriage - 17 November 1851 - James H. Bradshaw to Mary A. Traverse

1850 Census
Dwelling #380, household of Edwin E. Medford, merchant

Cambridge Chronicle - 6 September 1845 - To Rent -
For the ensuing year, (or if preferred a Lease for a team of years will be given to good and punctual tenants,) the commodious Dwelling House, Garden, and other necessary out houses, formerly the residence of Mrs. Mary Ann Traverse, in the town of East New Market; also the Tanyard now occupied by William Turpin, together with a very comfortable dwelling and all necessary out houses, this land is considered among the very best in this part of the country; as also an office, shoe-shop, and carpentry shop.  The above property will be rented on accommodating terms, of early application is made to.  William C. Huffington, Big Mills, Dorchester County, Md.

Chancery Court Record Dorchester County - B155-644 - December 1836 - Joseph K Travers, deceased, leaving wife Mary Ann Travers, and daughters Priscilla Travers and Mary Augusta Travers (minors).

Marriage - 6 May 1830 - Devereaux Traverse to Margaret McCarty

[Rear Section] 11 ER 250 - 18 March 1829 - Devereaux Travers to Mary Ann Travers, wife of Joseph K. Travers for $40: lot lying back of the old Tavern lying within the lines of Mary Ross' lot, Daniel Sulivane's lane fence, John Webster's lot, and the lot or lots of the said Mary Ann Travers called the old tavern. Containing 1 acre. Being part of a tract called "New Market" in the village of New Market on the east side of the street back of the lot and premises called the old tavern and the home dwelling of the said Mary Ann Travers situated upon said lot. Beginning at the distance of 12 1/4 poles S 75 E from the street and at the end of first course of the lot of the old Tavern and from thence with said line S75 E 15 perches binding with Mary Ross's lot, thence N 14 perches binding with Daniel Sulivane's land, thence N 89 W 11? perches binding with the lot of John or Robert Webster and to the intersection of the third line of the old tavern lot, thence with said line reversed S 13 W 11 perches to the beginning. Containing one and 1 1/8? acres of land and premises.

Marriage - 18 September 1827 - Joseph K. Traverse to Mary Ann Morgan

Marriage - 14 January 1817 - Devereaux Traverse to Henrietta Hayward

[Charles LeCompte died in 1809.  Charles LeCompte Sr. was married to Mary.  He had sons, Charles LeCompte, Smart B LeCompte and Levin LeCompte.  Henry B. LeCompte was also related to this group (maybe a son of Charles or another name for Smart B.).  Joseph K Travers (or possibly his wife Mary Ann Morgan) was very likely an heir of Charles LeCompte.    Unfortunately, many of the Wills from 1777 to 1852 were lost due to a court house fire.  Many were later recreated, but a Will for Charles LeCompte has not surfaced.  Possibly another record will reveal the relationship of Joseph K Travers to Charles LeCompte.  Clearly the lot mentioned in 10 ER 604 is the same lot mentioned in 9 HD 484.]

[An unverified source states Charles Lecompte & Drusilla Traverse had three children, Charles (b. 1797), Mary Ann (b. 1799), and Robert (b. 1810).]

Marriage - 5 December 1809 - Charles Lecompte to Mary Byus

[Rear Section] 19 HD 319 - 6 April 1802 - James Sulivane to Devereaux Travers for 22 pounds, 6 shillings: lot in the village of New Market. Beginning at a marked post, it being the 2nd bounder of a lot purchased by Theophilus Marshall of said Sulivane in the 1796, and from thence running S 89 E to a post marked LT and from thence running S 1 to a marked cedar post No. 2, it being the 2nd boundary post of a lot sold by the said Sulivane to a certain William Ryley some few years past, and from the said post running and binding with the said lot N 75 W to a marked cedar post standing at the end of the first line of the 1st lot purchased by Charles LeCompte of the said Sulivane some years past, and running from thence and binding with that lot until it intersects the first line of the aforesaid lot sold by said Sulivane to the aforesaid Theophilus Marshall, and from thence with a straight line and binding with said lot to the first beginning. Containing 1 acre.

[Front section] 8 HD 542 - 8 September 1795 - James Sulivane, Gentleman, & Mary, his wife, to Charles LeCompte Junior, Gentleman for 300 pounds: lot in the place called New Market whereon a certain John McClaran now lives. Beginning at a bounded cedar post standing near the main road leading from New Market to Cambridge, it being the beginning post of a lot sold by the said James Sulivane to William Riley about 7 years since, and from thence runs S 75 E 12 1/4 perches to a cedar post marked CL, and from thence runs N 13 E 11 perches to another cedar post marked CL, and from thence runs N 89 W 12 perches to another cedar post marked CL and from thence with a straight line to the first beginning. Containing 114 square perches.

Marriage - 18 December 1790 - Charles Lecompte to Drucilla Traverse

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.

27 Old 207 - 28 March 1774 - Daniel Sulivane, Gentleman and Sarah his wife to their son James Sulivane for $5: Six tracts (6) and part of a tract called "Bucklands Regulation" granted to a certain John Rix and conveyed by him to Daniel Sullivane in two deeds, containing 72 acres.

14 Old 331 - 25 Jan 1748 - John Rix and Ann, his wife, to Daniel Sulivane 56 pounds: part of a tract called "Debate Enlarged", by resurvey called "Buckland Regulation", adjoining to the said Daniel Sullivan's now dwelling plantation whereon formerly John Rix did dwell. Beginning at a bounded hickory being the first bounder of a tract called "York", then runs 14p to a bounded white oak being the first bounder of the aforesaid "Debate Enlarged", then running S87W 30p to a tract called "Bath", then with the line of "Bath" till it intersects an East line of the said land sold by the said John Rix to John Anderton, then with the said East line until it intersects the line of a tract called "Westward", then running with the line to the first beginning. Supposed to contain 25 acres.