East New Market

Property Reports

8 Railroad Avenue

Margaret A. Baker House

Key date analysis:

John Dean & Josephine McKnett Dean owned the property that comprises 6 Railroad Avenue, 8 Railroad Avenue, and 10 Railroad Avenue from 1841 until the late 1860's.  Tax records indicate the Dean's had two houses on the combined lot before 1852.  Later tax records indicate the houses at 6 Railroad Avenue and 10 Railroad Avenue were the original structures and the house at 8 Railroad Avenue was built in 1870.  An entry of "Improvements $1000" appears in 1870 tax record for Margaret A. Baker after her deceased husband's assessment was transferred to her.

In 1798, a storehouse and granary stood on the property that comprised the larger property when James Sulivane sold the property to Edwards Thompson. 

Who built it:

John Anthony Baker and Margaret A. Dean Baker had the house built in 1869.

Longest Residents:

Margaret A. Baker and her descendants owned this house for 77 years

More Research:

Dendrochronology could establish the exact date of date of construction for the house.

Historic Records:

746 MLB 709 - 27 July 2006 - Geraldine & Brett G. Kinnamon to Linda H. Hubbard for $55,000:  Lot in East New Market more particularly described in a Certificate of Survey thereof dated 9 May 1974 by J.R. McCrone Jr. Inc., Registered Engineers and Surveyors, and recorded in Plat 15 PLC 60 as follows:  "Description of a survey of the land of Bertha H. Miller in the Town of East New Market.  Beginning for the same at an Iron Rod on the northerly side of Railroad Avenue, said Rod being at the southeasterly corner of the herein described land and the southwesterly corner of the land described in a deed from Ralph O. Wheatley to Rudy G. Bloodsworth and Jo Anne Bloodsworth, dated November 20, 1969 in Liber 162, Folio 426, from said place of beginning running by and with the northerly side of said Railroad Avenue N75/38W 87.39f to an Iron Rod and the land of Mary LeCompte Smith Lawrence (Liber 168, Folio 507); thence by and with the said Lawrence land the following two courses:  N7/29E 167.87f to an Iron Rod; thence N19/3E 57.75f to an Iron Rod and the land of Lawrence E. Adshead (Liber 88, Folio 518); thence by and with the said Adshead land and a fence N88/3E 32.15f to an Iron Rod and the aforementioned Rudy C. Bloodsworth; thence by and with the said Bloodsworth land S2/46E 244.06 to the place of beginning.  Containing 14,693 sq. feet.  The improvements thereon being known as 8 Railroad Avenue.  Being the same identical property which was conveyed unto Geraldine Kinnamon and Brett G. Kinnamon by deed dated 16 December 1997 in 368 MLB 790.

368 MLB 790 - 16 December 1997 - Linda H. Hubbard and Geraldine Kinnamon to Geraldine & Brett G. Kinnamon, her son, for $0:  [described in 746 MLB 709]  Being the same property conveyed unto Linda H. Hubbard and Geraldine Kinnamon, by deed dated 17 February 1988 in 248 MLB 636.

248 PLC 636 - 17 February 1988 - Anna Lee Moxey to Linda H. Hubbard and Geraldine Kinnamon for $0: [described in 746 MLB 709].  Being the same land that was conveyed unto the Grantor by deed dated 30 September 1974, by Elizabeth F. Rickwood, attorney in fact for Bertha M. Miller, in 186 PLC 761.

186 PLC 761 - 30 September 1974 - Bertha Miller (by Elizabeth F. Rickwood, her Attorney in Fact) to Anna Lee Moxey for $5:  [described in 746 MLB 709]  Being the same land described in a deed from Elizabeth H. Collins to Bertha H. Miller, dated 10 October 1963 in 135 PLC 352.

135 PLC 352 - 10 October 1963 - Elizabeth H. Collins (known as Bessie H. Collins) to Bertha H. Miller, of the city of Philadelphia for $5:  Land and improvements on the northward side of Railroad Avenue in the town of East New Market and in the deed unto the grantor herein, dated 12 July 1946 in 58 RSM 572, wherein R. Alton Hackett and Edna H. Hackett, his wife, and others were grantors.  Beginning for the outbounds at the line of the property formerly owned by Thomas J. Coulbourn; thence running and binding with the said Coulbourne lot in a northerly direction to the lands formerly owned by John A. Baker; thence running and binding with the said Baker land in a Westerly direction to the lands formerly owned by Charles H. Willis; thence running and binding with the said Willis land in a Southerly direction, including the driveway, to Railroad Avenue, thence running and binding with Railroad Avenue in an easterly direction to the place of beginning. 

58 RSM 572 - 13 July 1946 - R. Alton Hackett & Edna Hackett, his wife, of Dorchester County, and Bessie P. Schoenfeldt & Gordon Schoenfeldt, her husband, of Philadelphia, to Elizabeth (Bessie) H. Collins for $5:  [described in 135 PLC 352]  Being the same land which was devised to L. Margaret Johnson and Hilda B. Johnson by their grandmother, Margaret A. Baker, in her will filed 12 March 1892 in 1 JWF 334; L. Margaret Bonner (nee Johnson), together with her husband, Walter E. Bonner, conveyed all of her interest in the above described property unto Hilda B. Hackett (nee Johnson), by deed dated 10 March 1919 in 6 WHM 103.  The said Hilda B. Hackett departed this life intestate many years ago leaving as her only heirs at law, her husband, R. Alton Hackett and the said Bessie P. Schoenfeldt (nee Hackett) surviving her, to whom the said property passed by inheritance.

1930 Census
undetermined

1920 Census
Dwelling #43, Household of Alton R. Hackett

6 WHM 103 - 10 March 1919 - L. Margaret Bonner & Walter E. Bonner, her husband, to Hilda B. Hackett for $400:  All their interest  in the lot [described in 135 PLC 352]  Being the same lot devised to L. Margaret Johnson and Hilda B. Johnson by their grandmother Margaret A. Baker, in her will filed 12 March 1892 in 1 JWF 344, and more fully described in a deed from Daniel M. Henry and Clement Sulivane, Trustees to Margaret A. Baker, dated 14 August 1872 in 8 FJH 524.

1910 Census
Possibly dwelling #36, household of John A. Baker

1900 Census
Dwelling #271, household of William E. Johnson, retired farmer

1896-1910 Tax Record
Martie and Hilda Johnson
1896 - House & lot on north side of Railroad Avenue in East New Market $1000

1896 Tax Record
Martie & Hilda Johnson
House & lot on the north side of Railroad Avenue in East New Market $1000

1 JWF 344 - 29 November 1889/12 March 1892 - Will of Margaret A. Baker
Item Fifth - I give and devise unto my two dearly beloved grand-daughters, to Margaret Johnson and Hilda B. Johnson, all that lot of ground with the dwelling house and other improvements thereon, situated in the said town of East New Market and on the north side of the street leading to the present Railroad station and between the lots owned by Charles Willis and wife and the lot formerly owned by the late Mrs. Elizabeth Hubbard, and running back to a ditch and as far as the back lines of the said adjoining lots, the same being a portion of a lot of ground devised to me by my late husband, John Baker.

East New Market Cemetery
Margaret A Dean Baker d. 6 March 1892 at age 66

1880 Census
Dwelling #3, household of William E. Johnson, speculator

1876 Tax Record
Margaret A. Baker
Dwelling house in ENM of Murphy 3/4 acres - $2000
Dwelling house in ENM 1/4 acre - $1300
Vacant lot in ENM 4 acres - $300
(mentions home farm on Fort Branch)

1867-1876 Tax Record
John Dean's heirs
  1867 - House & lot, 2 story $1800
  1867 - House & lot, single story $1000
  1867 - Unimproved lot 4 acres  $200
     reduced
  1867? - Houses & Lots - $3000
John Baker
  1868 Lots in E.N. Market from Dean's heirs,
  1869 Lot in E.N. Market from ___
    reduced
  1870 Lots in E.N. Market charged to Mgt. A. Baker
Mrs. Margaret A. Baker
  1870 Lots in E.N. Market (on to John Baker) $600
  1870 Improvements on the same $1000
  1875 House & Lot from J.M. Murphey $1500

8 FJH 524 - 14 August 1872 - Daniel M. Henry and Clement Sulivane, Trustees, and John H. Fletcher & Sarah Fletcher, his wife, to Margaret A. Baker for $150:  Whereas by a decree of the Circuit Court sitting as a Court of Equity passed on 23 July 1867 in the case of Joseph E. McKnett and Francis M. Dean vs. John E. Dean and Charles J. Dean.  We the said Daniel M. Henry and Clement Sulivane were appointed Trustees to sell the real estate decreed.  Sold part hereinafter described to John Baker, since deceased, for $150.  And whereas the said Daniel M. Henry and Clement Sulivane, Trustees, as aforesaid did also sell at the same time sell to the said John W. Fletcher another adjacent parcel of the said real estate decreed on 29 November 1869 in 7 FJH 562.  And whereas since the said sale as aforesaid and prior to execution of the said deed, the said John W. Fletcher did for a valuable consideration to wit, the sum of $25 sell to the said John Baker all my right-title and interest in that part of the hereinafter conveyed property.  And whereas the said John Baker subsequently departed this life having first duly executed his last will and testament with all formalities required by law, the same devised all the said real estate to Margaret A. Baker, his wife.  And whereas on 2 May 1872, the said Margaret A. Baker, his wife, filed a petition in said Chancery case where were set forth Trustees to convey to her the property purchased and the said John W. Fletcher is willing and desirous to convey to his devisee the property, which had been sold to the said John Baker.  Lot in East New Market on the north side of the street on road leading from the said town to the Dorchester and Delaware Rail Road Depot, bounded on the eastward by the premises conveyed as aforesaid by the said Trustees to Eliza Hubbard on the westward by the lot purchased by the said John Baker in his lifetime from the said Daniel M. Henry and Clement Sulivane, Trustees for the sale of the real estate decreed to be sold in No. 610 Chancery, on the westward by the premises conveyed as aforesaid by the said Trustees to the said John W. Fletcher and on the southward by the said road.  The said lot comprising all the land lying between the premises of Eliza Hubbard, John W. Fletcher, the said road, and the said lot of the said John Baker, now deceased, and including all that part of the said real estate sold by the Trustees to the said John W. Fletcher as aforesaid, which is embraced by the following metes & bounds.  Beginning at the beginning of the lot purchased by the said John Baker from Daniel M. Henry and Clement Sulivane, Trustees in No. 610 Chancery and from thence running N24E 3.5p, S87E 1.9p to the said premises of Eliza Hubbard, the with said premises S2W 3.5p, then in a straight line to the first place of beginning.  Also the right of way over the lane as it now runs on the east side of the premises conveyed as aforesaid to the said John W. Fletcher from the said road to the back lot purchased by the said John Baker as aforesaid.

Democrat & News - 25 May 1872 - Orphans Court Proceedings: 
John Baker, deceased by John W.M. Dean, executor

[In 1872 about 1/3 of the lot below was deeded by John H. Fletcher to John Baker.  Baker's part became 8 Railroad Avenue, and the part Fletcher retained became 6 Railroad Avenue.]

1870 Census
Dwelling #351, household of Margaret A. Baker

East New Market Cemetery
John Baker - 9 January 1813 / 11 March 1870

7 FJH 502 - 29 November 1869 - Daniel M. Henry & Clement Sulivane, Trustees, to John H. Fletcher for $1827:  Where by a decree of the circuit court sitting as a court of equity passed on 23 July 1867 in the case of Joseph E. McKnett and Francis M. Dean vs. John E. Dean, and Charles J. Dean, the said Daniel M. Henry and Clement were appointed trustees to sell the real estate decreed to be sold and did sell that part of the same to John H. Fletcher for $1827.  All that lot with the improvements thereon situated in the town of East New Market on the north side of the street leading from the said town to the Dorchester and Delaware Rail Road Depot, and adjoining the premise of John Baker and Levi S. Johnson, and which is embraced within the following metes and bounds Beginning at the SW corner of a lot on the north side of said street owned by John Baker, thence N71.5W 6.9p to a lot owned by Levi S. Johnson, thence binding with said lot N15.25E 11.8p, then S87E 7p, then S24W 3.5p to a lot owned by John Baker, then binding with said lot back to the place of beginning.  Containing 83 square perches of land.  Being the whole of said real estate sold by us as Trustees to the said John H. Fletcher, excepting a small portion thereof since sold by said John H. Fletcher to the said John Baker and reserving the right of way over the lane as it now runs on the East side of the premises hereby conveyed from said Street to the back lot purchased by the said John Baker from us as Trustees for the sale of the real estate of John Dean, deceased in No. 610 Chancery to and for the use of John Baker.

1866 Tax Record
John Dean's heirs
house & lot (2 story) $1800, house & lot (single story) $1000, unimproved lot 4 acres $200,

1860 Census
Possibly dwelling #736, household of John Dean, Tavern Keeper
[deed indicates he lived at the Old Tavern in 1855, and thus may have rented out his two dwelling houses on Railroad Avenue.]

1852-1864 Tax Record
John Dean
2 Dwelling Houses on Secretary Street $900

Marriage Record - 11 November 1851 - Dorchester County
John Baker to Margaret A. Dean

[Although not a transaction for 6 or 8 Railroad Avenue, this record establishes that John Dean's Granary was at this location in 1854.]
3 FJH 439 - 28 October 1854 - James T. Smith to John Dean for $173.75:  parcel of land in town of East New Market and formerly belonging to Thomas K. Smith being part of that land which was conveyed to the said Thomas K. Smith by his father Levin Smith, late of this county.  Beginning the northwest corner of the said John Dean's granary, thence running N17E 28p to the lands of John Webster, thence with the said lands S67E 22p to a cedar tree, thence with K.M. Jacobs land S17W 20p to the N.E. course of the said K.M. Jacob's garden, thence with the said garden fence and the lands of the said John Dean to the beginning.  Containing 3 acres.

1849-1851 Tax Assessment
John Dean of James
Real Estate $1161, Personal Estate $567

1850 Census
Possibly dwelling #1239 - household of John Dean, Farmer

Marriage - 14 August 1841 - John Dean of James to Josephine McKnett

18 ER 292 - 23 February 1841 - Mary Sherman & Thomas B. Sherman, her husband, to Josephine McNutt for $300:  tract called "New Market" in New Market on the north side of the road leading from the forest to Secretary Creek Hundred on the east by the land of the late Henry Nicols, on the north by the land of John Webster, on the west by the land of Jeremiah Bramble & wife, on the south by the road above mentioned.  Being the same which the aforesaid Mary Sherman became entitled to by the death of her mother Mary Rawleigh and her father William Rawleigh.

1840 Census
Possibly household of Josephine McKnett

Marriage - 17 December 1832 - Thomas T. McKnett to Josephine Maria Ennalls

Death - 30 September 1824 - Mary Thompson Rawleigh

6 ER 196 - 3 February 1820 - Greenberry L. Rawleigh to Mary Rawleigh, widow of William Rawleigh, deceased, for $100: lot in the village of New Market which I purchased of Levin Smith and Clinton Handley, it being 1/3 of the lot that Edward Thompson purchased from James Sulivane with the appurtenances thereon.

Marriage - 26 December 1816 - Greenbury L. Rawley to Elizabeth Lecompte

3 ER 538 - 21 October 1815 - Levin Smith & Elizabeth Smith, his wife and Clinton Handly & Sophia Handly, his wife to William Raleigh and Greensburry Raleigh for $238: lot in the village of New Market which was devised by Edward Thompson to his three daughters to wit, Elizabeth, Polly, and Sophia and which the said Thompson purchased from James Sulivane on 29 June 1798.

Marriage - 13 January 1806 - William Rawley to Mary Thompson [Polly is a nickname for Mary]

Republican Star - 30 April 1805 - To Rent -
For the remainder of the year, the Store & Granary formerly occupied by Mr. Thomas Williams, in New Market, Dorchester County.  For terms apply to Eliza. Thomas.  N.B. Any person inclined to rent may have genteel accommodations in the house if required.

14 HD 283 - 29 June 1798 - James Sulivane to Edwards Thompson for 50 pounds: a lot in the village of New Market being part of a tract called "New Market". Beginning at marked cedar post fixed at the end of the 3rd course of a lot whereon Doctor Daniel Sulivane now lives, and thence running and binding with the home line of the aforesaid Doctor Daniel Sulivane's lot N 2 W 15 1/2 perches to another marked cedar post, thence S 89 W 12 3/4 perches to another marked cedar post, thence S 2 E 12 perches to the main road leading from New Market to Vienna and binding and running with said road to the first beginning. Containing 1 acre.

14 HD 42 - 5 March 1798 - John Tootell, late High Sheriff of Dorchester County to Edwards Thompson for 100 pounds: whereas in 1794 the General Court of the Eastern Shore directed the sheriff to sell good, chattels, lands, and tenements of James Sulivane, late of Dorchester County to pay debts of 2000 pounds due to William Barclay. Sheriff directed to seize (1) one lot in New Market being a part of a tract called "New Market" about 1 1/2 acres of land with a store house and granary and sundry other parcels of land and other things amounting as by the appraisement to 1390 pounds to satisfy the said William Barclay. The lot with the store house and granary was sold at auction to Edwards Thompson. Beginning at a marked cedar post laid at the end of the 3rd course of the lot whereon Doctor Daniel Sulivane now lives, and thence running and binding with the home line of the aforesaid Doctor Sulivane's lot N 2 W 15 1/2 perches to another marked cedar post, thence S 89.5 W 12 3/4 perches to another marked cedar post, thence S 2 E 12 perches to the main road leading from New Market to Vienna and binding and running with said road to the first beginning. Containing 1 acre. Also all right & title to the said Store House, Granary, and lot of land specified. In 1797 the sheriff sold another part of James Sulivane's lands to pay his debt to William Barclay, one lot in New Market with a cabinet makers shop for 25 pounds.

Maryland Herald and Eastern Shore Intelligencer - 14 November 1797 - Sheriff's Sales -
By virtue of certain writs of Kenditioni Exponas to me directed, will be sold, at public vendue, at New Market, in Dorchester county, on Saturday the 16th day of December next, the following lands and tenements; that is to say, a lot of ground in New Market, containing about 1 1/2 acres of land, with a store house and granary upon the same; a plantation near New Market, commonly called Hickory Ridge Plantation, consisting of various parcels of land, and containing about 320 acres of land; a tract of land called Addition to York, containing about 25 acres; another tract of land called Littleton's Last Shift, containing about 100 acres; and 220 acres of land, part of another tract called New Market, to be laid off at the southernmost send of the said land, beginning at the easternmost corner of the cleared land.  These lands all lie in the neighborhood of New Market, and were lately the property of James Sulivane and were taken in execution at the respective suits of William Barclay, and of Somerwell and Daguid, and will be sold for cash to the highest bidder.
John Tootell, late Sheriff of Dorchester County.

Maryland Herald and Eastern Shore Intelligencer  - 8 August 1797 -To Be Sold - On Saturday the 12th day of August next, at Vendue in New Market, for ready cash.  A tract of land containing 340 acres, situated on the main branch of the Chickomicomico River, about two miles from Lockerman's mill; there is 120 acres cleared, and the rest abounds with valuable timber.  On the premises are a new barn 40 by 25, corn houses that will contain 300 barrels, stableage for eight or ten horses, three logged dwelling houses and a young apple orchard of about 100 trees. -- Priviledge will be given the purchaser to feed wheat.  -- Also two lots in the village of New Market, No. 1 and 2, containing about an acre of land in each. On No. 1 there is a store house 22 by 18, accommodated with a compting room, and a shed on one side of the store house that will make a convenient lodging room; a cellar under the house, and a warehouse 30 by 20.  No. 2, a dwelling house 28 by 18.  -- Also a tract of land of 100 acres, within a mile of New Market; 30 acres cleared and the rest wood land.  James Sulivane, New Market, July 20, 1797

[Not sure if the granary that was set on fire was at this location.]
JCH 266 - March 14, 1780 - Deposition of James Sulivane states that by virtue of a deputation from John Caile Harrison, Esquire, Continental Purchaser for Dorchester County, he purchased for the use of the Continental Army, a quantity of 6,285 pounds pork, 1,038 pounds of beef, 90 1/2 bushels of beans & peas, 12 1/2 bushels of wheat, and 21 pork barrels.  All of which said pork beef, beans, peas, wheat, and pork barrels were consumed in the granary of him, the said James Sulivane, except a small quantity of pork that was saved out of the ruins which is to be made into soup for the use of this Continent in New Market on the night between the 8th and 9th of January last passed.  To the best of his knowledge and belief, the said Granary was wickedly and maliciously set on fire by some person unknown & not consumed by any neglect of him or his agents.