East New Market

Property Reports

43 Main Street

Realty Building

Key date analysis:

A deed in 1814 refers to this property as the "Yellow House" lot.  A division of lands in 1802 does not mention the house.  In an 1888 deed, the property is being described as being held in the possession of Mary King Bramble for "almost a century".  From architectural evidence and the above, the house is believed to have been built around 1805.  In 1888, the Bramble House was moved to a location on the east side of north Main Street to facilitate the building of the Chesadel Hotel.  In 1914, the Chesadel Hotel was destroyed by a devastating fire that consumed many nearby structures.  Shortly after the East New Market Realty Company purchased the lot in 1915, the Realty Building was constructed.

Who built it:

The East New Market Realty Company built the Realty Building shortly after they purchased the lot in May 1915.

Longest Residents:

The Realty Building has been owned by the Choptank Lodge of the Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons for 65 years.  It has been the site of a real estate office, a post office, drug store, Masonic temple, public hall, and several other stores and commercial ventures.

More Research:

 

Historic Records:

43 RSM 448 - 6 September 1941 - County Corporation of Maryland to Clarance L. Saxton, Harry E. Parker, and Charles E. Morgan, Trustees for Choptank Lodge No. 138, Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, for $3535:  lot in the town of East New Market at the corner formed by the intersection of the southward side of Railroad Avenue with the eastward side of Main Street.  Being the same lands that were conveyed to the County Corporation of Maryland by deed from W. Laird Henry, Assignee of mortgage for purpose of foreclosure in No. 6242 Chancery dated 25 July 1938 in 38 JFD 98. 
Lot No. 1 on the south side of Railroad Avenue, bounded on the East by the property formerly belonging to F.H. Dean; on the South and West by the property formerly belonging to Mary Bramble, lately belonging to Susan J. Wales, and on the North fronting 45 feet on Railroad Avenue.  Beginning on the southern side of said Railroad Avenue, which is the Northeastern corner of the said Mary Bramble lot, and from thence runs therewith two courses S17W 26f, S72/37E 45f to said Dean lot; thence with the same N17E 26f, to Railroad Avenue; and thence therewith N72/37W 45f to the place of beginning.  Being the same property conveyed by deed unto East New Market Realty Company, Inc. from Thomas O. Jefferson & Lena M. Jefferson, his wife, dated 27 May 1915 in 9 WLR 59. 
Lot No. 2 - lot at the Southeast corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue.  Beginning at the southeast corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue and from thence running with the southern side of said Railroad Avenue S73/30E 72f to the Drug Store lot; thence with same S17W 26f; thence with said Drug Store lot and part of same S72/37E 86 1/2f to the Seymour property; thence with same S15/10W 37 3/4f to a stone, thence N73/40W 158 3/5f to Main Street; and thence with same N16/10E 66f to the place of beginning.  Together with an easement of way for a 12 foot alley to be used in common by the abutting property owners, which alleyway is to run from said Main Street with even width along the N73/40W course for a distance of 123 feet.  Being the same lands conveyed by deed from Susan J. Wales unto East New Market Realty Company, Inc. by deed dated 25 May 1915 in 9 WLR 39.
Both the said lots being contiguous to each and used as one property.

38 JFD 98 - 25 July 1938 - W. Laird Henry to County Corporation of Maryland for $3900:  Whereas under power of sale contained in a certain mortgage from East New Market Realty Company, Inc. unto the Eastern Shore Trust Company dated 19 February 1916 in 1 WHM 477, which said mortgage was assigned unto County Corporation of Maryland and assigned to W. Laird Henry for the purpose of foreclosure.  And whereas the said W. Laird Henry, assignee, after filing the said mortgage for foreclosure in the Circuit Court in case No. 6242 Chancery did sell the property to County Corporation of Maryland.  [both lots as described in 43 RSM 448].

9 WLR 39 - 25 May 1915 - Susan J. Wales, widow, to the East New Market Realty Company for $5:   Beginning at the southeast corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue and from thence running with the southern side of said Railroad Avenue S73/30E 72f to the Drug Store lot; thence with same S17W 26f; thence with said Drug Store lot and part of same S72/37E 86 1/2f to the Seymour property; thence with same S15/10W 37 3/4f to a stone, thence N73/40W 158 3/5f to Main Street; and thence with same N16/10E 66f to the place of beginning.  Together with an easement of way for a 12 foot alley to be used in common by the abutting property owners, which alleyway is to run from said Main Street with even width along the N73/40W course for a distance of 123 feet.  Being a part of the same lands conveyed unto the grantor by Edward L. Hooper & wife by deed dated 10 May 1889 in 12 CL 594.

1910 Census
Dwelling #39, household of E.L. Hooper, hotel & livery

1900 Census
Dwelling #260, household of Susan Wales, hotel proprietor

1896-1910 Tax Record
Mrs. Susan J. Wales
1896 - Hotel & Lot $2500

1896 Tax Record
Mrs. Susan J. Wales
Hotel & Lot $2500
Improvements $200

12 CL 594 - 10 May 1889 - Edward L. Hooper & Minnie R. Hooper, husband & wife, both of Hartford, Connecticut, to Mrs. Susan J. Wales of said Hartford for $50:  All that Hotel property situated in the town of East New Market and known as the Bramble House.  Beginning at the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue, thence with said Avenue 72 feet to the Drug Store, thence with the end of the Drug Store 26 (feet?) in a somewhat southerly direction to the garden fence, thence with garden fence and rear of line of buildings running in an easterly direction 86 1/2 feet to the Seymour property, thence in a southerly direction with the back line of said Seymour property thence in a southerly direction with the back line of said Seymour property 100 feet to Samuel E. Collins property, thence with said Collins line 123 feet westward to the Leckie property 38 1/2 feet northerly, and with said Leckie Lot also with the William R. Hooper property, thence westerly 38 feet to Main Street, thence with said Main Street to the place of beginning.

11 CL 47 - 9 April 1888 - Mary King Bramble to Edward L. Hooper of Hartford, Connecticut for $1550:  All that Hotel property in the town of East New Market and known as the "Bramble House".  Said property so sold is a part of the estate inherited by the grantor from her ancestry by whom it has been held in peaceable possession for almost a century.  Part beginning at the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue thence with said Avenue 72 feet to the drug store, thence with the end of drug store 26 feet a somewhat southerly direction to the garden fence, thence with the garden and rear of line of building running easterly direction 86.5 feet to the Seymour property, thence a southerly direction with the back line of said Seymour property 100 feet to Samuel E. Collins property, thence with said Collins line 120 feet westward to the Leckie property, 38.5 feet northerly and with said Leckie lot and also with the William R. Hooper property thence westerly 38 feet to Main Street thence with said Main Street to the place of beginning.
[The property may have been referred to as the hotel property because it was where the Hotel Chesadel was being built.  It is also possible that the relatively small Bramble House was used to keep boarders.  Another proprietor may have run the Bramble house as a hotel during the time period when Mary Bramble ran the "Brick Hotel" as a hotel]

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...  The buildings owned by S.E. Collins and W.R. Sherman and the Bramble House narrowly escaped, and the feat performed in extinguishing the fire with such inadequate means was remarkable...

Cambridge Chronicle - 15 February 1882 - E. New Market
February 13, 1882 - Representative Wm. H. Hooper, of Utah Territory, but formerly of this county and district, arrived here last Saturday, and is the guest of Hon. Wm. T. Vickers. He is accompanied by two of his daughters. His meeting with old friends, and especially Mrs. Mary Bramble, was said to have been very effecting. He says the first dollar he ever made for himself was paid to him by Jeremiah Bramble, the deceased husband of Mrs. Bramble, at whose house he performed the work.  His recollection of scenes and incidents of this town forty-eight years ago, is very vivid and fresh upon his mind...

Cambridge Chronicle - 18 January 1882 - Communicated
...Thursday, the 5th inst., Grand-ma Bramble celebrated her 80th birthday. The old lady seems to be as sprightly and gay as ever, and knows as well how to do justice to the tired and hungry traveler as ever, and Miss Jane, her next best friend, is ready at short notice to lend a helping hand...

1880 Census
undetermined

1876 Tax Record
Mary Bramble
1 dwelling house & lot in ENM 1/4 acre - $1400

History of East New Market - 1871-1913 - by Frank E. Loomis
The brick hotel was kept by Mary Bramble; a good old soul but noted for her inquisitiveness.  A stop of twenty four hours with her would strip one of all his secrets.
[Mary Bramble owned the corner lot, but was the proprietor at the "Brick Hotel"]

1870 Census
undetermined

1867-1876 Tax Record
Mary Bramble
1867 House and Lot $1500
reduced
1874 B lot to Joseph Buck $100

1866 Tax Record
Mary Bramble
House & Lot $1500

1860 Census
Possibly dwelling #732, household of Mary Bramble

American Eagle - 3 June 1857
Mrs. Bramble, at East New Market, has a goose which as layed 45 eggs this season, and is still laying regularly.

1852-1864 Tax Record
Mary Bramble
House & Lot $800

1 THH 463 - Will of Jeremiah Bramble - 1851
To Emily Corkran, Jeremiah Fletcher, & Mary J. Fletcher, grandchildren, children of daughter Emily, deceased
To Eliza Hubbard, daughter
To Frances J. Hicks, granddaughter, daughter of Eliza Hubbard
To Hooper B. Stevens, grandson
To Hooper Stevens, father of grandson Hooper B. Stevens
To Joseph K. Bramble, son
To Corah A. Bramble, daughter
To Mary Bramble, wife, lands not in East New Market
To John H. Bramble, son
To Edward H. Bramble, son
To James A. Bramble, son
To Willamina K. Bramble, daughter

1850 Census
possibly dwelling #1245, household of Jeremiah Bramble

Marriage - 18 March 1817 - Jeremiah Bramble to Mary King

3 ER 355 - 23 March 1814 - Mary King, orphan, by her guardian James Twilly, humbly sheweth that Mary King, deceased, died intestate since the 1st of January 1788, seized of certain tracts of land leaving the following hiers to wit, Sarah King, Amelia King, Elizabeth King, and Harriet King, daughters and heirs of Henry King, and Mary King, the petitioner, daughter & the heir of Edward King.  The petitioner prays for your honor to appoint a commission to divide the land.  The court have appointed James Twilley guardian to Mary King, and Amelia King guardian to Sarah King, Elizabeth King, Amelia King, and Harriet King, being infants under the age of twenty-one years.  The commission to divide the land appointed - Levin Marshall, Henry Haskins, Joseph Whitely, Thomas Ennalls, and Henry Hicks (of D.).  They took oath.  They divided part of a tract called "Anderton's Desire" that was laid off for Mary King, sister of Henry King in a commission granted Henry King in 1803 for 71 acres and in order to divided the same into 2 divisions equal in quantity and quality.  
Secondly, Laid off for Mary King, daughter and heir of Edward King the following lots, value of $1971.50.
Lot No. 2 - The yellow house lot in New Market. Beginning at an oak post marked TM at letter G on the plat and on the first line of the land sold Anderton by Rix and close to the East side of the main street and runs E 14 1/2 perches to the end of said first line, then N1W 7 1/2 perches to the main road that leads from Crothers Ferry to New Market then with said road N 75 W 11 perches & 6 feet to the main road from Cabin Creek to Cambridge and then with said road to the place of beginning. Containing 3/4 of an acre.

[When Mary King, sister of Henry King died, part of the land was passed on to their niece, Mary King.  She was the daughter of Henry King's brother Edward.]

20 HD 398 - 25 October 1802 - Commission Certificate to Joseph Ennalls, John Stevens, Joseph Whiteley, Edward Whiteley and William Ennalls, gentlemen. Henry King petitions the court that a certain John Anderton Mitchell died intestate and seized of lands in Dorchester County.  Your petitioner and a certain Mary King, sister of your petitioner, of full age, and a certain Mary King the only child and daughter of a certain Edward King, who was a brother of your petitioner and (he) is now dead, are entitled to the said lands by inheritance as heirs at law and representatives of the said John Anderton Mitchell, deceased.   The Mary King, last aforesaid, is a minor. Your petitioner therefore prayed that the said court will appoint a commission to divide the lands. Notice was given to Betsy King who the court appointed as guardian of the said Mary King, who is a minor under the age of 21 years.  The Commission estimated the value of the land at 3618 pounds and divided it.
---For Mary King, sister of Henry King, land valued at 1206 pounds:  (2) Beginning at an old oak post marked TM at T on the plot and on the first line of the land that John Rix sold to John Anderton and close on the east side of the main street and there runs E 14 perches to a cedar post at the end of said first line of the land from Rix to Anderton as No. 1 at N on the plot, then N 1 W 7 1/2 perches to the main road that leads from Crotcher's Ferry to New Market, then bounded by said road N 75 W 11 perches and 6 feet to the main road that leads from Cabin Creek to Cambridge and then with said road to the place of beginning. Containing 3/4 acres & 3 square perches.

[Mary King, sister of Henry King was given the south east 3/4 acre of her brother's 50 acre lot]

25 Old 9 - 13 June 1771 - Francis Anderton, planter, to John Anderton, merchant, for 10 pounds and a tract called "Sandwich" in the forks of Cabin Creek's branches:  (3) Also part of a tract called "Buckland" and part of a tract called "Debate Enlarged", being the land granted by a certain John Rix to the aforesaid John Anderton, deceased. Beginning at the end of 6p in an E course drawn from a marked live oak standing in the edge of a swamp in the fork of Secretary's Creek, being the beginning tree of said John Anderton, deceased, his part of a tract called "Bath", then runs still E 32p, then N 172 1/2p, then E 3p, then N to the branch, then binding with the branch until it intersects a N course from the beginning. Containing 50 acres. John Anderton, deceased, is the father of said Francis Anderton.

11 Old 200 - 29 June 1743 - John Rix to John Anderton in consideration of 50 acres of land lying in the fork of Secretary's Creek being a part of a tract of land called "Westward" as by deed bearing equal date with there presents may more fully appear:  land being a part of "Buckland" and part of "Debate Enlarged". Beginning at the end of 6p in an east course drawn from a marked live oak standing in in the leg of a swamp in the fork of Secretarys Creek, being the beginning of said Andertons part of a tract Bath, then runs still East 32p, then N 172 1/2p, then E 3p, then N to the branch, then binding with the branch until it intersects a north course from the beginning. Containing 50 acres.