USA > Maryland > Caroline County > History of Caroline County, Maryland, from its beginning > Part 18
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Methodist Protestant.
Many years ago an effort was made to establish a society of the M. P. Church in Denton, but it was de- ferred until the spring of 1897. On Monday night, April 26th, of that year. Rev. II. W. D. Johnson, Rev. W. J. D. Lucas, Rev. C. E. Dryden, and several members held a meeting in the school house and decided to rent a hall and have regular service. Accordingly Downes Hall was engaged, chairs and church literature purchased and on Sunday, May 2nd, the first services were held, Rev. Mr. Johnson preaching. On Sunday, May 9th, Rev. C. E.
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Dryden organized a Christian Endeavor Society. On Sunday, May 23rd, a Sunday-School was instituted, Mr. T. Pliny Fisher being chosen Superintendent. On Nov. 25th, 1897, the corner stone of the new church was laid, Revs. J. M. Holmes and B. F. Jester being the orators.
P. E. CHURCH.
Christ Protestant Episcopal.
The little Protestant Episcopal Church in this town was built by Mr. Samuel H. Fluharty, a contractor, in the fall of 1873 and early spring of 1874 and dedicated by Bishop Henry C. Lay on the 30th of April of the lat- ter year, at which service the Rev. Dr. Theodore Barber, of Cambridge, Revs. James Mitchell, of Centreville; George F. Beaven, of Hillsboro; Revs. Hoskins, of East New Market: Watson, of Kent Island and Dr. Stearns, the rector, were present. Little change has been made in its appearance either in interior or exterior since its erection. The picture of it taken many years ago whilst the fence surrounded the Court House square is a good one as it now stands minus the fence, which disappeared years ago. The re-organization of the parish was effect-
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MAIN STREET, DENTON.
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ed at a meeting held at the office of the late Judge Rus- sum in Denton, on the 11th of February, 1870, at which time the following vestrymen were elected : Dr. John A. McLean, Dr. Charles E. Tarr, Messrs. William G. Hor- sey, Edward C. Carter, Philip W. Downes, George M. Russum and Robert A. Nichols. The late James B. Steele was secretary of the meeting. Efforts were then made to have Rev. George F. Beaven, then rector of St. Paul's Church, Hillsboro, give a service each Sunday and some services were held in the Court House and at private residences by Mr. Beaven.
When the Rev. Dr. Edward J. Stearns became rector very early in the year 1871, a room on Second Street owned by the late John H. Emerson, was fitted up and used as a chapel. Mr. Stearns worked indefatigably to secure funds to build a church and with such success that in Sept., 1873 the site was secured from Col. J. W. Bry- ant, and a building committee composed of the rector, Messrs. William G. Horsey, Charles Stevens, Philip W. Downes and James B. Steele was appointed. The name given it at dedication was Christ Church.
Brethren.
Abont fifteen years ago, member of the Brethren society who had settled around Denton in consider- able numbers built a very substantial concrete block church on South Seventh Street.
Holiness Society.
About the same time that the Brethren Church was organized here members of the Holiness Society erect- ed a commodious church building on East Main St.
Roman Catholic.
The history of this church may be found under the caption-Early Churches.
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ECHOES OF THE PAST.
( Lines written by Miss Rachel B. Satterthwaite and read before Fidelity Lodge, I. O. G. T., of Denton, on Friday night, February 20th, 1885.)
Would you like to hear a story Of the times of long ago, Long before this place was Denton But was Edentown, you know?
Long before the bank was thought of, With its walls of brick and sand, Currency was then tobacco All throughout "My Maryland."
Offices were not then fought for Postal clerkships yet unknown, Neither had railroads been talked of And much less the telephone.
Long before the tall church steeple Showed to travellers on the road,
That there was a place of meeting For the worshippers of God.
Long before that cruel fire Rampant ran along Main street, Causing ruin and destruction, Making ravages complete.
'Twas before the big camp-meeting Sang hosannas neath the pines That stood then where now the house stands Known to all as George Deakyne's.
It was there at that camp-meeting, Truth it is, so I've been told, First met youth and modest maiden Now together growing old.
To the camp in quaint old fashion (Then the custom of the land) Seated on an ox-cart rode she, While HE walked with shoes in hand
But he now can claim his thousands With her yet his reigning queen "Heart and Home" is still their motto As it always thus has been.
While they live to tell their story There are those of whom I speak, Who have answered to the summons Which calls forth both strong and weak.
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It was then that sheriff Hughlett, So the legend comes to us, Introduced the common sand-bur As an ornamental grass.
And the grass it grew and flourished Decorating hill and plain Grieving many an honest farmer As he garnered in his grain.
Well we know our crooked river Curved around the self same bank, And the shade and herring sported In the waters of Choptank.
That the cold and icy winter Brought some business on the "flats"
To the men who trapped the otter And the boys who caught musk rats.
In the spring no steamboat's whistle Echoed through the neighboring wood But the croak of frog and turtle To the settler boded good.
Then, perhaps, if you had met him, And inquired for his home, Quick response, "Pig Point. God bless you, And from there I'll never roam."
But alas! for human nature Gratitude won't always stay,
And the answer differed later When the "bilious" held full sway.
Summer had its birds and flowers, And the roses came in June, Though no "Guide to Floral Culture" Helped them with their rich perfume.
Autumn came with fruits and hunting. Apples, peaches, grapes and pears. Chinquapins and ripe persimmons, Squirrels, partridges and hares.
Making this a scene of action As the seasons went and came, Bringing with them joy and sorrow, As to us? Yes, just the same.
For we know the happy mother Clasped her infant to her breast, Watched him grow to useful manhood. Ere she laid him down to rest.
Or, perchance, she was not happy, Children sometimes went astray, Wandered from the path of virtue. Even as they do today.
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But we know the Christian mother Had an answer to her prayer When she saw the scales true balanced In the Home that has no care.
Yes we know that children prattled, In those days of long ago; Know full well that young men courted, And sometimes a girl said "No."
As to who received the mitten, Or who was the lucky one, History remaineth silent, And my story can't go on.
GAREY'S.
The first school building was situated close to what is now Garey's canning factory, near the present State road. At that time it was called Piney school, the name taken from the pine woods, presumably. The old school house is still standing and is used as part of a dwelling house in the neighborhood. In 1878 a new school house was built more nearly the center of the district. It was named Greenlee's school at first for Arthur John Green- lee who donated the land, later it was changed to Garey's School as Matthew Garey was one of the oldest settlers in the district and owned much land therein.
This district may claim the credit of having the first court in Caroline county-Melville's Warehouse. By a ferry across the river at this point it seems that this neighborhood was in the direct line of travel from Queenstown near the Chesapeake, at that time an im- portant trading place and county seat of Queen Anne County, and Whitelysburg and Dover. Could we but glance back through these 140 years or more, we could doubtless see this community a busy one-especially with the growing of tobacco and its preparation for ship- ment to England from the warehouse at Melville's land- ing nearby.
As early as 1780 some notice in the land records in the Clerk's Office is given a chapel which then stood by Ingram's Creek-the early name for Chapel Branch. Perhaps this building was used later jointly as a church and school for the community. No doubt some of the well known itinerant ministers held services in this chap- el at various times.
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The present church building was erected in 1879 by the efforts of the local people headed by Thos. F. and Matthew Garey, one of whom gave the land, and the oth- er aided in the building.
The original power plant of the Peninsular Lighting Company was located in this section-the former Garey Mill site. The mill at this place was in operation before 1800, being then operated by Col. Matthew Driver, a prominent man of the time. Somewhat later Col. Driver maintained a saw mill near where the state road crosses Chapel Branch.
OAKS.
Oaks school (which derived its name from the large oak trees, many many years old, standing near the school building) is located about one-fourth mile from Hobbs. and is the second known building on this spot. The oak trees referred to above are several feet in diameter and must be several hundred years old. Who knows but that Indians were holding pow-wows around these trees when Columbus discovered America ?
In this general section, near the old Anthony's Mill site, official records show that a school was taught by Andrew Banning previous to 1793, thereby indicating an early development of this territory.
Hobbs, a thrifty village of Caroline County, is situ- ated on the M. D. & V. Railway about three miles east of Denton. The village of Hobbs has about one hum- dred inhabitants, one general store, a post-office, from which there is one rural route for the delivery of mail, also a general factory which is known as the Hobbs Manufacturing Company, where men, women and child- ren are given employment in mking baskets, crates, and boxes for fruits and vegetables.
Hobbs was named in honor of the late Saulsbury Hobbs, a prominent and highly esteemed gentleman, owning broad acres in this section.
There is a church of the Methodist Protestant de- nomination, known as Ames Chapel, built in the year 1877, dedicated in 1878, and named in honor of the Rev. William C. Ames, the then present pastor. It has quite a large membership. Ames Chapel is one of four church-
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es of Caroline Circuit, the other three being Thawley's, Piney and Burrsville. The parsonage is also located here.
WILLOUGHBY'S.
The neighborhood of Willoughby's and Ringgold's Green ( the latter a cross-roads) near the Delaware line, have been known by some of its inhabitants since Revo- Intionary times. In this section lived Seth Evitts, who was a militia officer in our first war with England. His house, a brick structure, is still standing on the Ander- sontown road.
Very early too Thomas Willoughby came into this section and gave the name to the community which it has retained till this time.
Ringgold's Green probably takes its name from the constant "greenness" of the swampy region around.
A story is related that near this cross-roads a fatal tragedy once took place.
Since 1882, the school for this section has been in the present building, though at least two buildings were erected earlier in this neighborhood for school purposes.
ANDERSONTOWN.
Andersontown was so named, because a certain James Anderson many years ago owned considerable land and transacted much business in this vicinity. As early as 1840 this place which lay at the juncture of two main roads, the one leading from Greensboro to Hunting Creek (now Linchester), the other being the direct road from Potter's Landing to Marshy Hope Bridge -- had a store, a blacksmith shop, and one or two dwellings. Lat- er on two stores were kept busy. Mr. Tilghman Nuttle succeeded by his sons were prominent merchants of this place for more than a generation.
Before 1867, the school for this section seemed to be Meluney's, which was located about a mile away on the road to Potter's Landing. This building probably not being large enough for the community. Tilghman Nuttle, Tilghman Andrew, and William Stevens were July 3, 1867 named a committee to sell the old building and
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ground and superintend the erection of a new building on the lot purchased nearer Andersontown. A second school house erected on this site was in 1919 burned and the old Holiness Church nearby purchased, and trans- formed into the present school building.
Much of the land in this community was formerly owned by General William Potter.
LIDEN'S.
Though having been moved some distance several times, Liden's school as indicated elsewhere in this book, dates among the earliest of the county-probably as far back as 1820 when the building of logs stood near Camp Ground Branch.
Since the establishment of the public school in 1865, Liden's has been continually on the list and for a great- er part of this time a rather large school.
The name of Liden's is in honor of Shadrach Liden who as early as 1840 deeded a piece of land for a site of a church and school. Thus for years the old building was also used as a place of worship. In 1890 Zebedial Fountain conveyed a piece of land for a new site and the . present building was erected.
Thawley's Church, now in Hickman, was originally built in 1884 on a plot of land deeded to the trustees by Zebedial Fountain, being located near Liden's school, about two miles southwest from its present site.
Nobletown, the community in which it was first erected, being greatly in need of a church, several men of this community, among them Philip and Clement Noble, James F. Fountain, Willis Liden, Tilghman Me- Inney, George Thawley, Zebedial Fountain and others along with Henry Thawley of Burrsville and assisted by Rev. A. D. Davis of Denton, erected the building and named it Davis' Chapel in honor of the Reverend Davis, indicated above. The intention of the builders was to maintain an independent chapel for a while, at least, but in some way the Wilmington Conference of the M. E. Church took possession of the building and sent a minis- ter. Subsequently its name was changed to Thawley's, in honor of Henry Thawley, and about 1898 the building
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was moved to Hickman where it stands at present. The corner stone which was not moved with the church was recovered in 1919 through the efforts of the pastor, Rev. G. T. Gehman, and restored to its proper place.
HICKMAN.
The village of Hickman, situated directly on the Maryland-Delaware line, has been a hamlet for many years, and was originally called Hickmantown and later abbreviated when a post-office was established there.
For years simply as a cross roads, the coming of the railroad gave it new life and energy until now it has reached considerable proportions, having a church, school, flour and saw mill, blacksmith shop, barber shop and an automobile garage.
Its name is in honor of a Mr. Hickman, who years ago owned considerable property in this neighborhood.
Until eight years ago, when a public school was started on the Maryland side, it was necessary for the pupils to go two miles to Liden's. A joint school by the two states is in contemplation.
WILLISTON (Potter's Landing).
Potter's Landing, now called Williston, is one of the most historie settlements of Caroline County. The early history of this place dates from about 1750 and is de- scribed elsewhere in this volume in connection with the Potter family-the first known settlers.
During the Revolutionary War this place served as a depot for collecting supplies for the soldiers and at the same time, likely served as a drilling place for the militia. Since the earliest date Potter's Landing has been known as a shipping centre and continued as such until about twenty years ago when the Queen Anne Rail- road brought death to the steamboat traffie from this point. For some years prior thereto, two steamboats daily left wharves at this place for Baltimore, carrying passengers and freight.
The name of Coquericus Creek (Cokiases Creek) was originally given as the name of the local branch which supplies the Williston mill to-day. The first mill
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WILLISTON MILL POND OR LAKE.
was built much nearer the head of the pond than the present site and was apparently in operation before 1778 when official notice of its lease by Nathaniel Potter is recorded.
General William Potter built the present milldam or at least widened it considerably, dug out the mill race and even projected a ship channel to the mill race from the river by means of which vessels could unload grain and receive milled goods directly at the mill. The enor- mous expense of this operation which only partially suc- ceeded is said to have financially involved the projector. After the mill had exchanged hands several times, it finally became the property of Willard C. Todd, the pres- ent owner, who has greatly improved the property by adding the latest milling machinery.
General Potter also maintained a tannery, making leather for the people of this section. Remains of this old tannery may be seen in the pits which lie at the south of the mill dan.
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So important was this point at one time that a hotel was built and kept for some years. This building has since been used as a dwelling.
The Williston church about a mile north of the vil- lage was built about forty years ago largely through the efforts of Elias W. Williamson, a well known county man of thirty years ago, who resided near this place. After being furnished with ministers from the Methodist Epis- copal Conference for many years, it became several years ago, under the active control of the Swedenborgian Church, Rev. J. E. Smith, of Philadelphia, being the present pastor.
The children of this section went to Gravelly Branch or Meluney's schools a mile or two away until 1869. when a teacher for Potter's Landing was appointed by the School Board. This school seems to have been open rather irregularly till 1877 when Dr. J. W. Higimtt deeded a piece of land for a school site, the present build- ing being erected about this time.
The Williston Mill Pond, latterly known as the "Lake," is directly on the State Highway and is per- haps one of the most beautiful sheets of inland water on the Eastern Shore.
WILLIAMSON.
Midway between Williston and Andersontown is a school called Williamson, named for Elias Williamson, one of Caroline's representative men until his death about fifteen years ago. Mr. Williamson realizing that the community was somewhat distant from a public school erected a school building and employed a teacher for the benefit of the children of the neighborhood. A little later a teacher was provided by the county School Board and after Mr. Williamson's death the property was purchased by the Board of Education.
This neighborhood is closely connected with the Wil- liston community, for formerly much of the land of both sections was owned by one or more of the Potters.
Pealiquor, a river site nearby (the Cape May of Caroline) takes its name presumably from the name of the original tract-Pealicker.
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THE BUREAU.
Many have inquired the origin of the building com- monly called The Bureau, located on the state road lead- ing south from Williston.
A't the close of the Civil War an effort was made by the Federal government to provide in each section of the Southern States, a place where religious, educational and civil instruction could be given to those that had been set free. This structure-A Freedman's Bureau- was the one provided for this county as its part of the $1,500 used for such purposes. It is said that the lum- ber which was brought up the river for this building was intended to be delivered at Denton, but was put off low- er down by mistake. The colored people have used the building continuously for both church and school pur- poses until 1910, when the school-room was declared un- fit for school purposes and a building in Pinetown se- cured.
FREEDMAN'S BUREAU.
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HARMONY (Fowling Creek).
This section because of its nearness to the Chop- tank river and Talbot county was one of the first to be settled in the county.
Fowling Creek is mentioned in one of the earliest surveys made and was doubtless early known far and wide as the haunt of game and fowl.
The earliest mill seems to have been farther down the stream than the present one-probably where the road leading from the state road to Gilpins Point crosses the stream. General Potter was a part owner of the mill when reestablished near its present site.
The name of Harmony was evidently not applied to the village until some time after 1840, about which time the first church was erected, though there had been a chapel nearer Fowling Creek for years before this time.
It seems that a public school was started at this point rather early too, for in 1865 when the public school system was established, Harmony school was included in the provision.
With a one-room school for many years, the popu- lation of the community has so increased that a two- room school is now a practical necessity. At present the patrons are much interested in securing a school site of two or three acres and building a model two-room school.
Harmony Methodist Protestant Church was first a church of another denomination. On the 12th day of October, 1840, William A. Barton and wife, by their deed conveyed to Deliha Sparklin and others, trustees, and their successors in office for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America, according to the rules and discipline of that church, the "parcel of land lying and being in Caroline County and State of Maryland and immediately on the cross roads leading from Fowling Creek and Hog Creek. one-half acre of ground be the same more or less."
On this piece of ground a church was built and ded- icated to the service of God and the use of the congre- gation. For over seventy-five years services were held in this church and from it came a number of ministers who are now prominent in the Methodist Episcopal church, and many other useful and active christian work- ers. At last through mismanagement and neglect. the
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congregation went away from the church and it was closed.
During the Fall of 1916 the people of the community desiring religions services, requested Mr. Wm. H. John- son, a local minister of the Methodist Protestant church of Federalsburg, to hold services in the church. He re- sponded and a gracious revival came in which about 51 persons were converted. These desiring to have church organization asked for help from the Federalsburg church. With the old members of the church who still remained a healthy organization was formed, and on the 5th day of August 1919, for the sum of $250 the people of the community bought back their church and rededi- cated it to the service of God as a Methodist Protestant church. It is now in a vigorous condition and doing the great work for which it was first deeded by William A. Barton and wife.
GROVE.
This section made famous on account of its furnish- ing the birthplace of Charles Dickinson who fell in a duel with Andrew Jackson as recorded elsewhere in this vol- ume and lying directly on the colonial thoroughfare from Potter's Landing to Hunting Creek (now the Harmony- Preston road) was cleared and settled very early.
A few years before this county was organized Charles Dickinson, the grandfather of the later duellist, and who had been a prominent resident of Dorchester County as evidenced by his being for awhile the chief jurist of that county and the chief of the committee in the construction of her first Court House, secured by grant and purchase several hundred acres of land in the Grove neighborhood and had settled there, moving from Lower Dorchester. This Mr. Dickinson was the man who presided over the well known meeting held at Mel- vill's Warehouse in 1774, when resolutions were adopted urging resistance to Great Britain in her treatment of the colonies.
Henry Dickinson, the son, acquired possession of nearly 2000 acres of this land at the death of his father. together with other valuable property including many slaves. During the Revolutionary Period Henry Dick- inson was active in the affairs of his county and at one
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time collected and headed a troop of horsemen for the war. A member of the first Constitutional Convention he became later one of the judges of our County Court.
Possessed with broad acres and many slaves to do the bidding of the family it seems only natural that the home of Henry Dickinson was the centre of social activi- ties. In this home the boy Charles Dickinson and his brother Philip along with the two sisters Elizabeth and Rebecca were reared and evidently in accordance with their opportunities and the customs of the day, these young people were among the leaders in the various so- cial functions of the county at the time.
It seems that the family were Episcopalians and at- tended the Hunting Creek Chapel (near Hynson).
Henry Dickinson died about 1790 and left his large estate probably worth $50,000 to his children. Reared in luxury for the time it seems only natural that the call of the city should be strong to them. Not long after the reaching of manhood by these boys, Charles and Philip, do we find them selling their land, Philip in small sec- tions, while Charles made larger sales. Elizabeth who had married William Richardson of Talbot County, soon disposed of her interest as did Rebecca who became the wife of Thos. B. Daffin and resided in Tuckahoe Neck on the farm now known as the Thawley Farm.
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