East New Market

Property Reports

9 Railroad Avenue

Phillips-Blake House

Key date analysis:

An 1852 tax record mentions a house and a storehouse on Rachael Webster's L-shaped lot.  It appears that the house may have been there in 1813 as Thomas and Rachael Webster were living in New Market at the time.  It could have been built as early as 1796.  This house was owned by Dr. James R. Phillips when it burned to the ground in January 1882.  The dwelling was insured and Dr. Phillips built a new house there within months.

Who built it:

Dr. James R. Phillips had the current house built in 1882.  The original house may have been built by Theophilus Marshall short after he bought the property in 1796.  However it is more likely Webster had the house built in the early 1800s.

Longest Residents:

The Blake family lived in the 1882 house for 43 years.

More Research:

 

Historic Records:

257 PLC 277 - 9 June 1989 - Monika Blake, widow, to Mark A. Hoofnagle and Denise E. Creel for $66,000:  Dwelling house property on the southward side of Railroad Avenue in the town of East New Market, which is bounded on the eastward side by the T.J. Andrews property, on the southward side by the S.E. Collins property, on the westward side by the M.A. Gambriell property and on the northward side by Railroad Avenue.  Being the same property which was conveyed unto Guy McWilliams & Mary E. McWilliams, his wife, by James M. Smith & wife, by deed dated 15 October 1914 in 8 WLR 158.  Said land is now bounded on the north by Railroad Avenue, on the east by land owned by Frances Wiggins Anderson (146/17) on the south by lands owned by R. Alton Hackett (152/572) and on the west by lands owned by Iva L. Collins (31/295) and Choptank Distributing Co., Inc. (162/521).  The improvements thereon known as No. 9 Railroad Avenue, East New Market.  Being the same property conveyed unto Charles Alton Blake Jr. and Monika Blake, his wife, from Elizabeth F. Rickwood and H. Webster Blake, personal representatives of the estate of Bessie L. Blake by deed dated 10 June 1974 in 185 PLC 191.  The said Charles Alton Blake Jr. having since departed this life on 9 February 1989.

185 PLC 191 - 10 June 1974 - Elizabeth F. Rickwood and H. Webster Blake, personal representatives of the estate of Bessie L. Blake, deceased to Charles Alton Blake Jr. & Monika Blake, his wife, for $7,000:  Whereas by deed dated 31 August 1946 in 59 RSM 481, the property described was conveyed unto W. Howard Blake & Bessie L. Blake, his wife, by Ada L. Wright, widow.  And whereas W. Howard Blake died on 27 June 1952 and title passed to Bessie L. Blake.  And whereas Bessie L. Blake died on 8 March 1974 intestate and Elizabeth F. Rickwood and H. Webster Blake were appointed personal represenatives of the estate of Bessie L. Blake.  Dwelling house property on the southward side of Railroad Avenue in the town of East New Market, which is bounded on the eastward side by the T.J. Andrews property, on the southward side by the S.E. Collins property, on the westward side by the M.A. Gambriell property and on the northward side by Railroad Avenue.  Being the same property which was conveyed unto Guy McWilliams & Mary E. McWilliams, his wife, by James M. Smith & wife, by deed dated 15 October 1914 in 8 WLR 158. 

59 RSM 481 - 31 August 1946 - Ada L. Wright, widow, to W. Howard Blake & Bessie L. Blake for $5:  Lot which was conveyed unto Jesse B. Wright and Ada L. Wright, his wife, by Frederick H. Fletcher, Attorney name in mortgage and Charles C. Hubbard & Eugenia F. Hubbard, his wife, by deed dated 22 August 1922 in 12 JFD 56.  [as described in 185 PLC 191].  The property vested in the said Ada L. Wright upon the death of her husband, Jesse B. Wright, who departed this life 12 November 1933.

1930 Census
Dwelling #53, household of Jesse B. Wright, retail merchant

12 JFD 56 - 22 August 1922 - Frederick Fletcher, Attorney named in a mortgage, and by Charles C. Hubbard & Eugenia F. Hubbard, his wife, of Philadelphia, to  Jesse B. Wright & Ada L. Wright, his wife, for $1850:  Whereas at a public sale on 8 July 1922, the said Frederick H. Fletcher in pursuance of authority vested in him as attorney in a certain mortgage from Guy McWilliams & Mary E. McWilliams, his wife, to Marion C. Smith, bearing date 15 October 1914. in 7 WLR 354, which sale was made after default had occurred under said mortgage after bond had been filed in No. 4153 Chancery.  [as described in 185 PLC 191].  Being the same property which was conveyed unto Guy McWilliams & Mary E. McWilliams, his wife, by James M. Smith & wife, by deed dated 15 October 1914 in 8 WLR 158.

1920 Census
Dwelling #31, household of Guy McWilliams, steam milling

8 WLR 158 - 15 October 1914 - James M. Smith & Emma H. Smith, his wife, to Guy McWilliams & Mary E. McWilliams, his wife, for $1500:  [as described in 185 PLC 191].

1910 Census
Dwelling #42, household of James Conner, merchant at a feed store

1900 Census
Dwelling #265, household of James M. Smith, saw mill owner

1896-1910 Tax Record
James M. Smith
1896 - 1 lot in town of ENM on south side of street from ENM to Station 1/4 acre $100
Dwelling & improvements $1000

1896 Tax Record
James M. Smith
1 lot situated in the town of East New Market on the south side of the Street from East New Market to the Station containing 1/4 acre $100
Dwelling & improvements $1000

4 CL 211 - 17 July 1882 - Sarah E. Phillips & James R. Phillips, her husband, of Prince George County, to Mary L. Smith for $550:  house and lot in the village of East New Market fronting the road leading out of said village to the Rail Road depot and bounded by the lots of Tilghman Andrews, S.E. Collins, and C.C.M Seymour.  It being the same property described in a deed from James Dean, administrator of Thomas Helsby, deceased, dated 19 November 1870 in 8 FJH 50.

Cambridge Chronicle - 1 February 1882 - House Burned -
E.N. Market, January 27, 1882, Eds. Chronicle: A serious and damaging fire broke out in our town last night. About 2 o'clock in the morning Mrs. Tilghman Andrews, near neighbor to the premises destroyed, was up for some purpose when she discovered that Dr. Jas. R. Phillips' house, the residence of T.V. LeCompte, was on fire, but before she could arouse sufficient aid, the fire had gained such headway that the property was entirely destroyed, together with much of Mr. LeCompte's household goods. The general supposition is that the fire was a result of an incendiary. The community heartily sympathizes with Mr. LeCompte, and are showing the same by voluntary contributions to reimburse him.  We learn that the dwelling was fully insured.  Through the gigantic efforts of many of our citizens other dwellings in close proximity was saved from a similar fate.  Mrs. Blockson, a guest of Mr. and Mrs. LeCompte, was sick in bed, but was safely conveyed from the house by Messrs. Chilcutt and LeCompte. It was a narrow escape of life with all the inmates of the house. - Drexel.

Baltimore Sun - 28 January 1882 - Fire at East New Market, Md. -
East New Market, Md., Jan 27 - Our citizens were startled by the cry of fire this morning about half-past one o'clock.  The dwelling owned by Dr. Jas. R. Phillips and occupied by Mr. T.V. LeCompte was burned to the ground.  The dwelling was insured for $1,200.  Mr. Lecompte's loss is estimated to be $350.  The family just escaped with their lives.  The origin of the fire is supposed to have been incendiary.

1880 Census
undetermined

1876 Tax Record
Dr. James R. Phillips
Dwelling, office, & lot in ENM - $1200  

9 FJH 233 - 3 January 1874 - Mary Bramble to Sarah E. Phillips & James R. Phillips, her husband:  Whereas Mary Bramble and Sarah E. Phillips & James R. Phillips, her husband are desirous of exchanging deeds for two small parcels for the purpose of having the division line to run at right angles to the street leading from East New Market to the R.R. station as agreed upon about two years ago.  In consideration of a small triangular piece of ground  having about 6 feet front on the street in the northwest corner of the lot owned by Sarah E. Phillps & James R. Phillips, her husband.  All that triangular parcel on the southeast  part of my lot in the enclosure of Sarah E. Phillips & James R. Phillips having for its commencement a stone at the point where the lines of S.E. Collins, Mary Bramble, and intersects running with said Sarah E. Phillips & James R. Phillips line in a northerly direction about 105 feet until it intersects a line running at a right angle with the street leading from East New Market to the depot.  The latter line having its starting point six inches West of the office occupied by Dr. Phillips where a stone is planted and thence with said line in a southerly direction to the lot owned by S.E. Collins, thence in an easterly direction to the place of beginning, a distance of about 27 feet.

9 FJH 233 - 3 January 1874 - Sarah E. Phillips & James R. Phillips, her husband, to Mary Bramble:  [same as above with consideration & conveyance opposite.]

9 FJH 6 - 14 April 1873 - Mortgage - James R. Phillips & Sarah E. Phillips, his wife, owing to James M. Smith, infant son of James T. Smith, deceased, for $1250:  Lot in the town of East New Market on the south side of the street leading to the Rail Road station and which was conveyed to the said Sarah E. Phillips by James Dean, administrator of Thomas Helsby, deceased, by deed bearing date 19 November 1870 in 8 FJH 51

[land below includes the lots labeled as Dr. J.R. Phillips and T. Andrew on the 1877 map.]

8 FJH 51 - 19 November 1870 - James Dean, administrator of Thomas Helsby (commonly known as Red Head Thomas Helsby in his life time), deceased, to Sarah E. Phillips:  Whereas the said Thomas Helsby in his life time on 11 October 1864 executed to Sarah A. Rawlings, wife of James W. Rawlings, a bond of conveyance whereby he agreed in consideration of the sum of $250 which was paid in cash to convey to the said Sarah A. Rawlings, a house and lot in the town of East New Market, which was purchased by the said Thomas Helsby from John Webster, attorney of Rachel Webster as soon as the sum of $150 with interest should be paid to the said Thomas Helsby by the said Sarah A. Rawlings.  And whereas the bond of conveyance was on 15 February 1870 in consideration of the sum of $375 was transferred by the said James W. Rawlings & Sarah A. Rawlings, his wife, to Sarah E. Phillips, wife of James R. Phillips.  All that house lot in the town of East New Market on the south side of the county road leading from East New Market to Shiloh Church and adjoining the property of Mrs. Mary Bramble, Thomas J. Hicks, and Emma V.E. Jacobs.

1870 Census - Dwelling #357, household of Dr. James R. Phillips, physician
(#347 James W. Rawlings, $0 in real estate in census, sold the house in February 1870)

1867-1876 Tax Record
James R. Phillips
1872 - House & Lot in E. New Market $1200
James W. Rawlings & wife
1867 - House & Lot $250
reduced
1873 - House & Lot charged to Jas. R. Phillips

1866 Tax Record
James W. Rawlins & wife
House & Lot of Helsby $250

6 FJH 124 – 10 April 1865 – John Webster, attorney to sell the lands of Rachel Webster, deceased to Thomas Helsby for $417: power of attorney recorded (FJH 5/144); land in East New Market on the south side of the county road leading from said town to Crotcher’s Ferry.  Beginning at the corner of a certain Mary Bramble’s garden and running easterly with the said road to the lands of a certain Thomas J. Hicks, thence southward with the said Hicks land to the lands of a certain Emma V. Jacobs, wife of James T. Jacobs, and thence westward with the lands of said Jacobs to the lot purchased by the said Emma V. Jacobs from John Webster and thence northerly with the said lot to the southeast corner of said garden, and thence with said garden to the place of beginning.

[From 1796 to 1862, the lot was L-shaped with frontage on what is now Main Street and Railroad Avenue.  The original shape is shown below.  In 1862, John Webster, split the lot and sold the part fronting Main Street to the Emma Jacobs.  A storehouse now known as the Trading Post was on this part of the lot at the time.  In 1865, John Webster sold the part of the lot fronting Railroad Avenue.  A house was on this part of the lot at the time.  This house burned down in 1882, and the Phillips-Blake House was built the same year.]

5 FJH 144 - 28 January 1862 - Power of Attorney granted unto John Webster to sell the real estate of Rachel Webster, deceased.  Signed by Harriet Dean, Mitchell Thompson, Celia Thompson, Thomas Gambrill, William D.W. Rawleigh, Rachel Rawleigh, Thomas Bradley, Harriet Bradley, and Robert H. Gambrill.

Cambridge Herald - 27 November 1861 - Sale of Real Estate -
By virtue of Letter of Attorney to the duly executed, empowering me to sell the real estate of Rachael Webster, late of Dorchester County, deceased, I will offer at public sale, in the town of East New Market, in said county, on Saturday, December 14, 1861, between the hours of 1 and 4 o'clock, P.M. to the highest bidder, the following lands to wit: A farm lying on the road from East New Market to Crotchet's Ferry, and adjoining the lands of James R. Donoho, containing 138 acres more or less, reserving the family burying ground on said farm, containing 1/4 acre more or less, with a right of way thereto.  Also two lots in the town of E. New Market, with all the improvements thereon.  Terms of sale - one fourth cash, the balance in three equal installments of six, twelve, and eighteen months, to be secured by the bonds of the purchaser or purchasers, with sureties to be approved by the undersigned. Nov. 27, 1861 - John Webster.

1852-1864 Tax Record
Rachel Webster
House & Lot $100, Store House and Lot $300
.....reduced
1863 by house & lot to E.V. Jacobs $400

1840 Census
Household of Rachel Webster

1838 Tax Assessment List - District #2
Thomas Webster, call on Rachel Webster
Real Estate $846, Personal Estate $0

Cambridge Chronicle - 25 May 1833 -
Robert H. Webster writes a letter to the public denying rumors that he has beaten his mother.  The rumor began when he was denied membership to the society of Odd Fellows in Cambridge.  They gave as reason for denial that he treated his mother unkindly and inflicted blows on her.  Mrs. Rachel Webster appears before Henry C. Elbert and testifies on oath that the report in circulation against her son Robert H. Webster respecting his bad treatment towards her is absolute falsehood.  Francis Webb Sr. (admin of Thomas Webster, father of Robert Webster), certifies Mr. Robert Webster is a kind and affectionate and obedient son to his mother.  Samuel Sewell certifies that he has been a near neighbor to  Mrs. Rachel Webster for 8 to 10 years and has never known any ill treatment by the said Robert Webster to his mother.  Thomas H. Hicks certifies that he has known Mr. Webster since childhood and he has always been kind to his mother.  Further Mr. Webster and I have for a long time resided in the same neighborhood & I know him to be a young gentleman of sober and correct habits, and as far as I know, I have entire respectability.  William W. Eccleston certifies the same.  Mr. Eccleston moved from this neighborhood in the fall 1823.  I have frequently been in that neighborhood since and I have never known anything disrespectful of him.  I have heard it whispered in the neighborhood that he was a little irritable, but from his industrious habits, I thought it was a natural consequence.  I have never heard his mother complain of any improper conduct in him towards her.  [Robert H. Webster died less than 10 months later].

Republican Star - 28 September 1813 - Thirty Dollars Reward -
Ran away from the subscriber living in New Market, Dorchester county, Maryland, on the 5thof September, inst. a bright mulatto negro man, late the property of Thomas Webster, deceased, of said county.  He is about 19 years of age, 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, smiling countenance, but down look when spoken to.  Whoever takes up said negro, and lodges him in jail, so that the subscriber gets him, shall receive the above reward, with all reasonable charges if brought home.  Francis Webb, Acting Administrator of Thomas Webster, deceased.

[land below includes the lots labeled as Dr. J.R. Phillips and the north part of the S.E. Collins lot (Trading Post) on the 1877 map.]

[West L Shaped Part] 2 ER 24 - 29 February 1812 - Robert Traverse to Thomas Webster for $110: part of a tract called "Debate Enlarged", but hath been resurveyed by James Sulivane and now called New Market. In the village of New Market described upon the plat by No. 2 and to be containing within the following bounds. Beginning at a bounded cedar post marked with the letter CL on one side and TM upon the other, standing on the east side of the main road leading from Cabin Creek Mill to Cambridge, it being the fourth or last boundary of lot No. 3 sold by James Sulivane to Charles Lecompte in the year 1795 as the deed may appear, then running S 89 E 12 perches to another marked cedar post of said Lecompte Lot marked CL and from thence running the same course S 89 E 5 1/4 perches to another marked white oak post marked with the letters TM, and from thence running N 9 perches to another marked with oak post marked TM standing by the edge of the main road leading from New Market toward Vienna and from thence running N 75 degrees and 48 feet to another bounded Sassafras post running in the north line of the land belonging to the heirs of John Anderton and from thence running S 7 1/4 perches to another marked Sassafras post standing at the beginning of the north line and from thence running ? 14 perches to another marked white oak post standing by the east side of the main road leading from Cabin Creek Mill to the Cambridge and from thence with a straight line to the place of beginning. Containing 57 1/2 square perches and premises together with the guardian fences. Robert Traverse and Sally Traverse, his wife, acknowledged.

[East Part] 28 HD 432 - 2 October 1811 - Thomas Tall to Thomas Webster for $230: lot formerly the property of William Collinson lying in New Market. Beginning at a post standing on the street and running southward to the corner of a lot formerly the property of Theophilus Marshall then easterly binding with a lot formerly the property of Charles Lecompte to the end of the line to a marked post on the main road and thence with the main road to the beginning post. Containing 3/4 of an acre.

[East Part] 27 HD 13 - 1 September 1809 - William Collinson to Thomas Tall for $275: lot of land and improvements formerly the property of John Virden, being in New Market, beginning at a post standing on the street and running southward to the corner of Theophilus Marshall's lot thence easterly binding with Charles LeCompte's lot to the end of the line to a marked post thence northward to a post on the main road and thence with the main road to the beginning post. Containing 3/4 acre.

[East Part] 25 HD 489 - 2 May 1809 - John Virden and Sarah Virden, his wife, of Caroline County to William Collinson for $200: lot of land and the buildings and improvements thereon the property of the said John Virden and Sarah Virden, his wife, being in the village of New Market which the said John Virden and Sarah Virden purchased of Clement Sulivane, formerly of the village aforesaid. Beginning at a post standing on the street and running southward to the corner of Theophilus Marshall's lot, then easterly bending with Charles LeComptes lot to the end of the line to a marked post thence to the northward to a post on the main road and thence with the main road to the beginning post. Containing and now laid out for 3/4 acre

[East Part] 24 HD 332 - 1 August 1807 - Clement Sulivane to John Virdin for $150: lot in New Market, which was formerly the property of James Sulivane Senior as reference to deed to the said Clement Sulivane from a certain Ezekiel Richardson, then High Sheriff of the County will more fully appear. Containing 3/4 of an acre.

[East Part] 20 HD 554 - 24 October 1803 - Ezekiel Richardson, Sheriff of Dorchester County, to Clement Sulivane for 66 pounds: On 10 February 1802, a writ in the name of Clement Sulivane against James Sulivane out of the General Court of the Eastern Shore, the Sheriff of Dorchester County is ordered to sell (2) one other lot and house of the said James Sulivane in New Market. Beginning at a post standing on the street, and running Southward to the corner of Theophilus Marshall's lot, thence easterly binding with Charles LeCompte's lot to the end of the line to a marked post, thence to the Northward to a post on the main road, and thence with the main road to the beginning. Containing 1/2 of an acre.

[West L Shaped Part] 20 HD 300 - 23 May 1803 - Theophilus Marshall to Robert Travers for 60 pounds: part of a tract formerly called "Debate Enlarged" but resurveyed by James Sulivane and now called "New Market" in the village of New Market. Described upon the plot by No. 2. Beginning at a bounded cedar post marked with the letters CL on one side and TM upon the other, standing on the east side of the main road leading from Cabin Creek to Cambridge, it being the 4th or last boundary of Lot No. 3 sold by James Sulivane to Charles LeCompte in the year 1795, and from thence running S 89 E 12 perches to another marked cedar post of said LeCompte's Lot marked CL and from thence running the same course S 89 E 5 1/4 perches to another marked white oak post marked with the letter TM and from thence running N 9 perches to another marked with oak post marked TM standing by the edge of the main road leading from New Market towards Vienna and from thence running N 75 W 48 feet to another bounded sassafras post standing in the north line of the land belonging to the heirs of John Anderton and from thence running S 7 1/4 perches to another marked sassafras post standing at the beginning of the north line, and from thence running W 14 perches to another marked white oak post standing by the east side of the main road leading from Cabin Creek to Cambridge, and from thence with a straight line to the place of beginning. Containing 57 1/2 square perches. Elizabeth Marshall, wife or Theophilus Marshall.

[West L Shaped Part] 9 HD 403 - 28 July 1796 - James Sulivane to Theophilus Marshall for 35 pounds: all that part of a tract formerly called "Debate Enlarged", but hath been resurveyed by the said Sulivane and now called "New Market". Lot is in the village of New Market and described upon the plot by No 2. Beginning at a bounded cedar post marked with the letters CL on one side and TM upon the other side, standing on the east side of the main road leading from Cabin Creek Mills to Cambridge, it being the 4th or last boundary of Lot No 3, sold by the aforesaid Sulivane to a certain Charles LeCompte in 1795, and from thence running S 89 E 12 perches to another marked cedar post of said LeCompte lot marked CL, and from thence running the same course S 89 E 5 1/4 perches to another white oak post marked TM, and from thence running N 9 perches to another white oak post marked TM, standing by the edge of the main road leading from New Market toward Vienna, and from thence running N 75 W 48 feet to another bounded sassafras post standing in the North line of the land belonging to the heirs of John Anderton, and from thence running S 7 1/4 perches to another marked sassafras post standing at the beginning of the north line, and from thence running W 14 perches to another marked white oak post standing by the east side of the main road leading from Cabin Creek to Cambridge, and from thence with a straight line to the place of beginning. Containing 57 1/2 square perches.

Marriage - 23 June 1795 - Thomas Webster to Rachel Beach