Key date analysis:
In 1849, a newspaper notice advertises the need for a young lady to take charge at a Female Academy in East New Market. In 1850, the state legislature passed an act to incorporate the East New Market Female Academy. The Academy is identified as school #3 on the 1877 map. The building was referred to as a Primary School in a few records in the 1880s & early 1890s. The P.E. Church had been meeting in the building in the early 1890s. The P.E. Church purchased the building from the trustees of the Female Seminary in 1894. A recent owner tore down the Female Seminary building without seeking approval from the Historic District Commission to the dismay of many residents and local historians.
Who built it:
The East New Market Female Seminary was likely built in 1849 by the soon to be Trustees.
Longest Residents:
Although, this was a commercial structure, it was occasionally lived in over the course of its existence. Marc Bramble lived in the structure for a short time as a child.
More Research:
I haven't found a record where the land was originally deeded to the Female Academy. The academy came into existence in 1849. However, it is possible the land was never officially granted to the Academy.
Historic Records:
18 CL 205 - 6 March 1894 - The East New Market Female Seminary to the Convention of the P.E. Church in the Diocese of Easton for $1: All the right, title, and interest at law of the said East New Market Female Seminary in the town of East New Market. Beginning on the west side of the county road leading to Cabin Creek at a stone on the N E corner of the lot belonging to Fred Wright and running thence N71W 256f by and with the line of said Fred Wright, thence N21E 83f by and with the line of Samuel L. Webster, thence S69E 257f by and with the line of the Protestant Episcopal Church lot, thence S19W 73.5f by and with said road to place of beginning. The same being known as the Seminary Lot. Together with the improvements thereupon. Unto the said Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Easton in trust for the use and benefit of the Vestry of East New Market Parish to use and occupy and enjoy the property for such purpose as the said Vestry may from time to time prescribe. The East New Market Female Seminary is a corporation duly incorporated by an act of the General Assembly of Maryland passed at the Session of 1849 being Chapter 553 of said Act of 1849. Signed by Isaac H. Wright & J.T. Jacobs, surviving Trustees.
16 CL 712 - 17 September 1892 - Samuel L. Webster & Priscilla Webster, his wife, to the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Easton for $173 paid by the Vestry of East New Market Parish: part of a tract in the village of East New Market adjoining the East New Market Female Seminary. Beginning on the west side of the county road leading to Cabin Creek at the northeast corner of the said Seminary lot and running in a westerly direction by and with the line of the said Seminary lot 250 feet, thence in a northerly course parallel to the line of said road 30 feet easterly and parallel with the first mentioned line 250 feet to said road and thence southerly by and with said road 30 feet to the place of beginning. Being a part of the farm of said Samuel L. Webster, known as Rose Hill. ...in trust to permit the said Vestry of East New Market Parish to erect upon said lot a Parish or Church building for such use and purpose as the said Vestry may from time to time prescribe.
1879 Tax Assessment List
Trustees, Female Seminary - $0 in real estate, $400 in personal estate
1876 Tax
Record
Trustees of the Female Seminary ENM
Female Seminary & lot - $400
Cambridge Herald - 4 November 1863 -- Female Seminary -
East New Market Female Seminary, J. Kent Dukes, Principal, Mrs. Sue H.L.
Dukes, Teacher of Music. The Fall term of this Institution will
begin the second Monday in September (14th). The course of study
will embrace all branches usually taught in Schools for young Ladies,
and every effort will be made to give general satisfaction. Terms
per Quarter for eleven weeks: Board, Washing, and Lights $22.00;
Tuition in Common English $3.00; Tuition in Higher English, including
Common $3.00; Languages each $3.00; Music Lessons on Piano $7.00; Use of
Instrument $2.00. No deduction except in cases of protracted
illness. Books, Music, Stationary furnished at City prices.
September 9, 1963.
American Eagle - 24 September
1856 - Female Seminary -
East New Market, Dorchester County, MD. The next annual session of this
institution will commence on Monday, the 1st of September, under the
care of the Rev. A.T. Gould, M.A. - Located in the pleasant village of
East New Market, it it believed that superior advantages area afforded
for the thorough instruction of young ladies in the various branches of
a useful and polite education. The Department of Music will be under
the charge of an experienced Teacher. Terms - Spelling, Reading, and
Writing with Primary Geography, per quarter $3.00; Geography, Grammar,
Arithmetic, Algeron, and Geometry, together with elementary drawing
$5.00; Music on the Piano $5.00; Use of the Piano $2.00; French $3.00;
Latin $3.00.
An act to Incorporate East Newmarket Female
Seminary. Passed March 9, 1850.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That
James Thompson, John T. Houston, John Webster, Henry W. Houston, William
V. M. Edmondson, Thomas I. Saxton, James N. Sherman, Kendall M. Jacobs,
James Davis, and Turpin Wright, be and they are hereby appointed
trustees of the East Newmarket Female Seminary, in Dorchester county...
Baltimore Sun - 25 April 1849
- Wanted -
A Young Lady to take charge of a Female Seminary in East New Market,
Dorchester county, Md. All applicants are requested to produce
satisfactory testimony of capability of teaching the English language
thoroughly, together with Music, Painting, Needle-work. Also French or
Latin Languages. The salary will be equivalent to $300 or $400 per
annum. Applications (post paid) will be strictly attended to, W.V.M.
Edmondson, E. New Market, Maryland.