Hidden History - Kent County

Naturalization Records found at the Kent County Court House in Chestertown by Frances Adkins in the recordings of the Test books.

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Orphan Photos - Talbot County

Preserving the Past -

Winter at St. Michaels

Written in Stone - Talbot County

Tombstone of

Harrison Dickenson

Born January 31st 1770 - Died October 31st 1811

In the churchyard cemetery of St. Joseph's Catholic Church just outside of Cordova

Preserving the Past - Talbot County

Transcription of the letter of Samuel Fathergill Troth to his cousin, Annie E. Mitchell, dated 9 Jul 1873. Contains a LOT of genealogical info on the Troth and Fairbank families.
Philadelphia 7th month 9th 1873
Esteemed Cousin Annie E. Mitchell,
In parting with you after a very pleasant visit this day two weeks ago. Thee suggested the idea of having this old man's photograph and on returning home, found I had one to spare which I herewith enclose. It was taken about 10 years ago, but is still said to be a pretty good likeness about 2 years ago. I set again with the hope of getting a prettier picture but it turned out still uglier and I had to fall back on the original negative. Seeing by thy Family Bible that thee has the same love as I have for having a family record, and supposing that thee would like to trace thy forefathers still further back than thee has them, I herewith send thee a copy from my own record, going back with thy Troth branch to 1688 - 188 years ago when William Troth married Isabella Harrison, these were thy Great Great Great Grandparents.

Their [unreadable] Kienard Jenkins who was born in 1678 we go back 228 years. He was also thy Great Great Great Grandfather. He came over to this country about the year 1669 and settled on the Western Shore of Maryland, where he met with George Fox in 1671 by whom he was convinced of the Friends' principles and became a [unreadable] minister among us and a monthly visiting of Friends was held in his name for [A completely unreadable sentance follows]. . . with account of one of our forefathers might be interesting to thee, and should I be alive when thee visits Philadelphia, I can tell thee more about this good man. 

With many good wishes for thy health and happiness and a desire to be kindly remembered to thy Father and Mother in all of [unreadable].
I remain thy cousin,
Samuel Fathergill Troth

Family of the Troths
The family of the Troths can be traced back as far as 1688 about the time that William Troth came from England and purchased a large tract of land on the Choptank, Talbot County, Maryland, where he settled. William Troth and Isabella Harrison were married in Talbot County 2nd month 20th 1688 [20 Feb 1688]. Henry Troth, son of William and Isabella Troth was born about the year 1686.

Richard Jenkins was born in Bristol England in 1645 and married Elizabeth Sparrow 8th month 7th 1616 by whom he had 7 sons and 3 daughters, viz. Abraham, Aquilla, Aquilla, Aquilla, Kienard, Kingsley and Issac, and Priscilla, Margaret and Elizabeth who was born 3rd month 26th 1694.

Richard Jenkins, father of the above named, died 10th month 16th 1717 , aged 72 years. Henry Troth, son of William and Isabella Troth wed Elizabeth, daughter of Kienard and Elizabeth Jenkins were married at Patuxant [unreadable].

Children of Henry [Sr.] and Elizabeth Troth
Elizabeth, 1st daughter was born 6th month 27th 1712 Priscilla, 2nd daughter was born 4th month 25th 1714 & died 2nd month 14th 1722 Rebecca, 3rd daughter was born 2nd month 19th 1716 Margaret, 4th daughter was born 5th month 1718 & died 7th month 16th 1720 Margaret, 5th daughter was born 7th month 19th 1730 & died 5th month 30th 1721 Priscilla, 6th daughter was born 8th month 12th 1722 & died 1st month 30th 1725 William, 1st son was born 7th month 22nd 1726 Henry, 2nd son was born 12th month 22nd 1728

Henry Troth, father of the above named children, departed this life 5th month 30th 1728, aged about 42 years. Elizabeth Troth, widow of the above mentioned Henry Troth (and daughter of Richard Jenkins), died in Philadelphia 12th month 19th 1772, aged 78 years. After the death of Henry Troth, she married John Storing and after his death, removed to Philadelpha. She was a [unreadable] of the Society of Friends for 50 years.

After the death of the last mentioned Henry Troth, who died in 1728, his son Henry removed from Talbot County to Wilmington, Delaware in consequence of his father's land being entailed as was the custom in those days. [2 unreadable lines at the bottom of the page]. In Wilmington, Henry Troth learned the trade of cabinet maker, after which he entered into the mercantile business. He was married to Sarah Pascall of Pike's Lane, Chester County, Pennsylvania. They resided in Wilmington 10 - 12 years, after which they returned to Maryland and resided at Dover Ferry, where he died, but previous to which, he lost his wife and in due time, married a second time to Elizabeth Neal, widow of Francis Neal. Henry Troth departed this life 1st month 31st 1785, aged 57 years.

Thee has in thy Family Bible a list of Henry and Sarah Troth's children, of which thy Grand Mother, Elizabeth Troth, was the first daughter, born 1st month 30th 1761. My father, Samuel Troth, was the second son and was born 9th month 3rd 1755. He departed this life at Easton 4th month 26th 1815 in the 60th year of his age.

My sister Mary, now aged 76, and myself, aged 72 years, are the only ones living of our family of 7 children. We have lived longer than any of our brothers and sisters. My sister's name is Mary Austin. She has 2 children, 1 grandchild, & 1 great-grandchild, while I have 5 children all grown and all daughters, but the youngest [unreadable] years old but none have ever been married.
My oldest son John was married in 1856 but he and his wife died without leaving any children. He in 1860, his widow in 1861.
Respectfully thy cousin,
Samuel F. Troth

Henry Troth [Jr.] and Sarah Pascall were married the 25th of 2nd month 1751
William Troth, first son, was born 26th of 1st month 1754. 
Samuel, the second son, was born 3rd of 9th month 1755.
Henry, the third son, was born 20th of 2nd month 1758
Elizabeth, the first daughter, was born 31st of 1st month 1761
John, the fourth son, was born 31st of 8th month 1763 
Sarah Pascall, the second daughter, was born 13th of 2nd month 1768
Sarah, the dear and virtous wife of Henry Troth, and mother of the above named children, departed this life in sweet peace the 27th of 2nd month 1768

 Information shared by Susan Chance Rainwater

Whatever Happened to....

Information Wanted

A FRIEND wishes to learn the residence of EDWARD P. COYNE, a School Teacher who left this county in 1843 and has not since been heard of. Any information will be thankfully received at the office of the Kent News. 

January 17th 1846

Preserving the Past - Queen Anne's County

The Children of the Starr or Halls Cross Roads community and Greenville road area.

Preserving the Past

Preserving the Past - Talbot County

In 1846 the County Commissioners of Talbot County paid the following persons for services:
Edward Carty for new pump and work on pumps
David Arthur for services of hands, carts and teams, on the streets and roads
David Arthur half years salary as Clerk of the Board
David Arthur for services as Clerk of the Election of May 1845
William S. Lassell Esq. for legal services in suits agst sundry individuals
Samuel P. Carroll and Charles Davis as Bailiffs
Vincent Robinson for services for ringing bell at night
Samuel Tomlinson for blacksmith's work
Carl L. Strandberg for furnishing dinner on board on the day of the annual examination of the town
Philip Duyer for hauling posts from wharf
Vincent Robinson for cleaning and taking care of the lower spring
Shade Brown for cleaning and taking care of upper or free school spring
George O. Trenchard for locust posts
Capt. Richard Baker for 4000 bricks and freight
Philip Duyer for hauling bricks, sand and lumber
John Usilton Esq. late collector
Vickers and Pinkind for printing
James Merchant for blacksmith's work
Vestry of Chester Parish towards defraying the expence of repairing the church belfry
Trustees of the Alms House 1200 bricks for repairing the Engine House
Chapt. H. Browne Jr. for lunber for a trunk across Fish Street and freight

Black and White and "Read" all Over

Preserving the Past

Over the years I have collected images of the surveyor's art.  These are some of my favorites ... if I must choose. They put a lot of time and effort in their presentations for the courts. Feel free to clip and add to your ancestral land plats.  These are from Talbot and Queen Anne's county records. 

Tidbits of History - Talbot County

A will can be one of the most informative documents when researching family history.  And then sometimes, if you are lucky, you will find a little more family history than expected, where they are buried, what they were thinking and what was important to them as they considered their demise.  All with a little personality divulging itself, were these directions followed?

In the will of Jeremiah Banning who died in 1799 he requested “to be buried by those of Nicholas Goldsborough and my mother and a tombstone to be erected over each of them. The former died November 14^th 1756 in the 52^nd year of his age, the latter died November 11^th 1767. Myself was born March 25^th 1733. I desire that the burying place be enclosed with stone or brick without delay.”

Samuel Keene D.D. who died in 1818 wishes to be “buried in the family burying ground in my orchard at Long Marsh in Caroline County.” And makes a devise to “Sarah Keene my adopted daughter, the daughter of my brother Vachel Keene and wife of Charles Goldsborough”

Mary Ann Turbutt Goldsborough in 1811 states very specific burial directions – she requested “my poor remains be entombed at Ashely near my honoured mother, only my friends, relations and the poor may attend my funeral” she then added a codicil requesting her executors "to lay out and build of strong brick a wall around the grave yard at Ashely and build a roof over the whole ground that contains the remains of my dear departed parents and friends as soon as materials can be collected for the purpose.”

Robert Goldsborough who died in 1798 directs his executors to “sell the negroes – those the least beneficial and most contentious and troublesome to the family” and mentions the family bible “my grandfather registered his marriage….” 

John Leeds Kerr in 1844 only asked to be decently interred in the family burying ground on his farm called Belleville in Oxford Neck. 

Whatever Happened to....

Preserving the Past - Caroline County

A 1917 publication preserved and shared by Henrietta Wood, historian and genealogist of Caroline County

more to come ....

Black and White and "Read" All Over - Happy Halloween

Some Eastern Shore Ghost Stories

“I really do not believe in ghosts,” said a gentleman from Kent county, in a company of gentlemen at the Malby House, “but there have been several little occurrences in our family for which we have never been able to account. – Some years ago my uncle was taken with what proved to be his death sickness.  For three days before he died there were the most unaccountable noises heard all over the house. Knockings were heard in every room, and sometimes a demoniacal laugh would ring out in a room known to be empty.  The family were greatly disturbed by these things.  My dying uncle did not seem to mind them much, though.  We noticed upon several occasions that he was talking with some invisible being.  Upon asking him about it, he stated that he was conversing with an old friend, naming him, whom we knew to have been dead many years. My uncle persisted that the old chap was in the room skipping about and thumping on various pieces of furniture with his knuckles.  We heard the knocking, but of course could not see the ghost. These noises ceased after my uncle died.”

“When I was a young chap,” said another of the company, “a cousin of mine and I were devoted friends.  We made a compact one night of eternal friendship living or dead.  In 1849 my cousin caught the gold fever and went to California.  We wrote to each other regularly.  Three years after he left home I began to realize that I was haunted.  It was not unpleasant to me.  I rather liked it.  The first time I felt it was one night while lying in bed I heard three gentle taps on my chamber door. I opened the door, but no one was there.  But I seemed to feel that some one came into the room.  One night I opened my eyes and saw my cousin in the room.  He soon vanished.  The next day my aunt told me she saw him the same night. His letters stopped coming from California, but I thought of him incessantly and seemed to feel that he was with me.  I was distinctly conscious that there was an invisible being with me a great deal. 

“After this had been going on for about two or three months his mother received a letter that he was dead.  He died on the same day of the night that I first commenced to be haunted. – Now, how in the world the poor old chap got over that 3,300 miles between the Eastern Shore and San Francisco so quickly I can’t tell, but it was the shade of my cousin beyond doubt.  Even yet I’m satisfied the old fellow comes about me, and though he cannot speak enjoys my company.”

“I have seen two ghosts in my life,” remarked another gentleman with some solemnity.—“One was that of a man and the other a dog. They have been known to haunt a certain locality near the village of Church Creek in Dorchester county, for two or three generations.  I saw them both one evening in what was known as “Tick’s Path” in a piece of woods near the old time village schoolhouse.  The man was old and bald and his eyes looked sightless.  The dog accompanied him, and the strangest part of the occurrence to me was that the dog seemed to have no head.  He had a very long tail, which curled over his back.  I was utterly paralyzed with fear.  They were not visible longer than a minute, but it seemed to me like a week.  I was a boy of 15 then, but I have never forgotten it.  These same ghosts were seen by a number of people and the story is true.  I have not lived in that part of the country for 35 years, but I’ll bet my bottom dollar that the ghosts still walk in “Tick’s Path” if the woods has not been cut down.  If the timber is destroyed I’ll guarantee that I can find in this city a dozen men and women who either saw the ghosts when they were school children or conversed with those who had seen them.”

The Chesapeake Bay Ghost – Mr. Hudgins assistant keeper of the Wolf Trap Lighthouse in Chesapeake bay, who gave up his position on account of ghostly visitations, reports that three unpleasant spiritual disturbances still continue.  A number of prominent citizens in the neighborhood have recently undertaken to investigate the ghost, but without being able to prove fraudulent.  He is evidently a merry ghost as he whistles when called on, and when requested to dance gives a regular “double-shuffle” or Virginia “hoe-down” in the very room occupied by his would be investigators.  He declines however to be interviewed more closely and will not down.

All from the 1884 newspapers

Preserving the Past - Queen Anne's County

A resruvey of land called Beedle's Outlett in 1702 located in Talbot County, now in Queen Anne's County.  This certificate was found in the oddest of places along with a few others. You just never know where the court clerk would record information.  At the time of this survey the Talbot County court was still held at York. The land would later be called Bennett's Outlett.

Preserving the Past - Kent County

The Bramble Family collection of documents, pictures and ledgers at the Kent County Historical Society.

Written in Stone - Caroline County

Along Rt. 313 in Caroline County at the edge of the road is a little cemetery of the Johnson family.  Seemed like photos were necessary to ensure preservation.  It appears atleast one stone has already been damaged.

Preserving the Past - Eastern Shore

In the earliest of property valuations found in the orphans court they describe their estates, the dwelling house, it's size, the out buildings, what they are built of, the garden and what condition the fencing is in and they inventoried the orchard.... lots of apple and peach trees, a couple of quince and cherry trees and a couple of damson plum trees. Everybody had them. They knew what was good.
Just standing stirring the pot is a trip down memory lane. The memories of helping make it as a child, hand covered in that purple goo trying to get every seed out, the smell of it cooking, chatting while someone stirred the pot .... and then the moment you waited for all day long....fresh damson jam on hot biscuits, and knowing the next morning it was more of the same!

Black and White and "Read" all over - Kent County

Preserving the Past - Talbot County

The Miller’s House at Wye Mills

While working in the basement of the Queen Anne’s County courthouse, I was visited by Mr. William Hemsley who asked if I would determine the chain of ownership and history of the Wye Miller’s house in Wye Mills.  It was for sale and many had hopes of its restoration.  A beautiful old house that sits atop a hill, looking down on the Old Wye Mill.  A house I had admired for many years, and I am certain I wasn’t the only one.  I was thrilled it might be brought back to its former beauty. To make a long story short – William Hemsley supported the research, Historic Easton took charge of the house and its restoration, and William Hemsley so generously agreed to share parts of the research. 

A brief Chain of Ownership – Not always Resident

In 1749 Edward Lloyd (III) was made heir at law and executor of Richard Bennett and was devised his remaining land holdings after all bequests were fulfilled.  Edward Lloyd became owner of the property adjoining the Wye Mill where the Miller’s house stands. It has been determined to have been built circa 1750.

Had construction begun under Richard Bennett’s ownership? That seems possible considering his estate was most likely not completely settled and Edward Lloyd owner for a while after his death.  Richard Bennett was the largest land owner of his time, I’m sure his estate wasn’t settled quickly.   Or did Edward Lloyd order the construction immediately after the death of Richard Bennett? That is another part of the research.

Edward Lloyd III 1749 - 1770

Edward Lloyd IV 1770 - 1778

William Hemsley 1778 - 1812

Alexander Hemsley 1812 - 1823

Samuel Hopkins 1823 - 1836

Thomas Hopkins 1836 - 1845

Samuel Hopkins heirs 1845 - 1895

Robert B. Dixon 1895 - 1896

James and Mary M. Ahearn 1896 - 1932

Mary E. Wheatley, Rachel Collison 1932 - 1959

G. Edwin Eaton and W. Brown Eaton 1959 - 1962

Ann Covington Kidd and heirs 1962 - 2011

As the house appeared in 2011

The Hopkins Family Cemetery

In all conveyances of property, the Hopkins Family Cemetery was “excepted and reserved” beginning with Samuel Hopkins’ heirs through the purchase of Ann Covington Kidd.  It appears the exception of the family cemetery was ignored as the cemetery has been razed leaving little evidence of the old boxwoods and other plantings. In the past when you went down the steps to the entrance and walked through the gate and between the boxwoods you felt like you had entered a sacred, peaceful little spot, detached from the rest of the world. 

Anna M., daughter of J.C. and Anna G. Hopkins – May 26^th 1883 to May 6^th 1884

Lillian G., daughter of J.C. and Anna G. Hopkins – September 14^th 1875-February 9^th 1879

John F., son of J.C. and Anna G. Hopkins – July 24^th 1871 to January 24^th 1879

John R. Hopkins – May 23^rd 1820 to April 25^th 1886

Emily B., wife of John R. Hopkins – May 25^th 1820 to April 29^th 1886

William C., son of J.R. and Emily B. Hopkins – April 16^th 1849 to May 17^th 1851

Ida R., daughter of J.R. and Emily B. Hopkins – September 1^st 1850 to May 23^rd 1851

Benjamin E., son of J.R. and Emily B. Hopkins – April 16^th 1856 to October 14^th 1856

Samuel Wilson Hopkins – September 1^st 1846 to April 26^th 1924

Ella C., wife of S. Wilson Hopkins – died May 23^rd 1880 aged 28 years

Eva Wilson Hopkins, wife of Albert C. Thomas, daughter of S. Wilson and Ella C. Hopkins – October 18^th 1875 to March 3^rd 1908

Infant son of S.W. and Ella C. Hopkins 1872

Mary Julia Caroline Hopkins, his wife, July 17^th 1860 to September 12^th 1901 (2^nd wife of Samuel W.)

Mary Julia Caroline Hopkins wife of Alfred Bryan Covington – May 11^th 1891 to April 19^th 1930

Leta Ellen Hopkins – August 17^th 1894 to November 24^th 1913

J. Clarence Hopkins – June 1^st 1845 to March 15^th 1932

Anna Wilkins Hopkins – March 19^th 1847 to March 7^th 1901

Emily Welch Hopkins – August 14^th 1892 to January 25^th 1978

Thomas Black – 1849 to 1940

Emily B. Hopkins – July 11^th 1884 to June 9^th 1967

John R. Hopkins – February 8^th 1881 to February 11^th 1947

Florence M. Hopkins – November 24^th 1879 to December 3^rd 1919

George G. Hopkins – September 22^nd 1878 to October 9^th 1895

Magdeline Hopkins – December 25^th 1900 to May 19^th 1901

As the cemetery appears today

If you would like more detailed information on the ownership of the Wye Miller’s House, just let me know. If you have the opportunity, ride by and observe the restoration in progress. 

History's Mysteries - Kent County

Christ Church at I.U.

Just this past week, a group from the Kent County historical society visited the I.U. Church.  Jane Hukill was so kind to open the church for us and share her knowledge of the church and the cemetery.  The church shown here was built in 1858 to replace the old church house and has not been renovated or changed since other than a few modernizations such as heat, air and rest room.  The cemetery has had over 220 years of interments.  Right next door is the cemetery of the Union M.E. Church.  That cemetery also has burials of persons born in the 1600's. 

This stone is located just behind the church and was once in the shade of a really large oak tree. 

What still remains of the marker says _____ HINES, Age 38

Looking through the church burial records, there isn't a Hines burial recorded. The recordings of the Upper Shore Genealogical Society say that the stone isn't there, but refer to recordings in 1907 in The Maryland Original Research Society of Baltimore Bulletins by Wilbur W. Hubbard.  That publication states the stone reads "Eliza Hines, aged 88" and mentions the stone was to worn to read the dates. 

Well, the stone, or atleast this stone still stands, the name is clearly Hines, but the age is clearly 38.  Is this Eliza or another un-recorded Hines family member?  It is left to us to decide.



From the back of the church when the old oak shaded the cemetery.

Purpose

Having researched families and the land of the upper Eastern Shore for more than thirty years, I've come across many documents in the oddest of places and a lot of information that was just too interesting to pass by. 
We have an online bookshop of genealogical publications, but not all of our finds are enough for publication, but just as important. 
What to do with this collection of information?  I hope "Written History" is the answer.  And I really hope you will find our history interesting or even better, find some tidbit to help in your research!

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