Originally Posted: September 9, 2009
The Calvert County Historical Society, Inc. was founded in 1953 by a small group of concerned Calvert County residents. Our purpose is to collect and preserve historical data, records and other materials that concerned with Calvert County, MD. With in the pages and postings of this blog you will be able to read some of our findings and read past articles that we have included in our monthly newsletters, brown bag series and much more.
* New to the posting is a little summary of our past Brown Bag Series.
* Events: we are slowly updating and finding out about next years dates for our yearly events.
Originally from: Letters from Linden
Date: November – December 2010 & January 2011
DESCENDANT OF A KING: JOSEPH BOWMAN
The following appeared in the Calvert Gazette
January 17, 1903
“Joseph Bowman, colored, who was at one time a prosperous farmer in this county, died in Baltimore Tuesday night [January 13], aged 91 years. He claimed to be of direct descent from a king of a large tribe on the West Coast of Africa. Referring to his death, the Baltimore American says: Bowman had been a slave in the family of Mr. Henry Williams, president of the Second Branch City Council and the Weems Line of steamboats. A grandfather of the old man was king of a tribe, he claims, and was captured by a party of slave dealers and brought to this country. Bowman was bought by the late Miss Elizabeth Chew, a member of the Williams family, who resided in Calvert county. Shortly before the Civil War Miss Chew liberated the slave because of his faithfulness. He employed himself around on the different farms, and in several years’ time had saved considerable money. With this the old man bought a small farm and employed others to help him in his work. He was a severe slave master, and it was said that he could get more work out the of the colored help than any in the county. In a short time he became prosperous and was reputed to be quite wealthy. With this prosperity he bought a larger farm. Then came ill-luck, for his farm failed to produce the required amount of tobacco and he lost several large sums of money. He then removed to Baltimore. The old man would go to the office of Mr. Henry Williams, who contributed to his support, once every week.”
On August 27th, 1850, Henry Williams’ slaves were enumerated, including a 35-year-old male, who could be Joseph. Elizabeth Chew of the third district owned three slaves, according to the census: a 20-year-old female and two males, aged 12 and 6. It appears that she purchased Joseph after records were taken.
By 1860, census records for Calvert County reflect Joseph as a free man at age 50; he is a laborer. In his household are Sophia Bowman, age 45, Tom Gray, 15; Sam Gray, 10; and Ben Gray, 5. 1870 census records taken June 21st, 1870, for Calvert County’s second district reflect the household of Joseph Bowman, age 54, a black male. A farmer, his real estate is valued at $700 and personal estate at $200. Living with him are Sophia Bowman, 47, a black female who keeps house, and Maria Bowman, 13, a black female who attended school within the year. All were born in Maryland.
The 1880 census recorded the 23rd and 24th of June, 1880, shows that Joseph and his wife, Sophia, still are living in Calvert County. By June 4th, 1900, Joseph is living by himself on W Lee Street in Baltimore’s first ward, according to the 1900 census, suggesting that Sophia has died. His age is listed as 80, having been born in August, 1819. Despite the age discrepancies, this appears to have been Joseph Bowman, descendant of a king.
SOURCES: Calvert Gazette, Vol 18, No 24, 17 Jan 1903. 1850 US Federal Census, Calvert Co, MD, p 59; Slave Sched, Dist 3, pp 1 & 33. 1860 US Federal Census, Calvert Co, MD, p 86. 1870 US Federal Census, Calvert Co, MD, p 33. 1880 US Federal Census, Calvert Co, MD, p 28. 1900 US Federal Census, Baltimore City, MD, p 4B.
Originally from: Letters from Linden
Date: November – December 2010 & January 2011
Southern Maryland Farming
Low prices prompt call for change, January 1887
“Dunkirk, Calvert County, Md., Jan 21. The low price of farm products, while it has had a very depressing effect upon farmers in Calvert, has had the effect also of arousing them to the fact that it has become absolutely necessary to so modify their mode of farming and the routine of crops as to give more attention to the raising of stock and other resources. For a number of years tobacco has monopolized the best energies of the farmers of Calvert, with other Southern Maryland counties, and other resources of a farm which might be made profitable have been neglected. For a number of years the pork-raising industry has been allowed to decline, and not sufficient cattle are raised to supply beef for home use. The raising of sheep has almost entirely been neglected of late years, and usually if an additional team is needed on the farm, horses have frequently to be bought in the city. This state
of things has been brought about by the good prices tobacco has usually commanded, and it was thought best to raise all the tobacco possible, even if other matters on the farm were neglected. The low price of tobacco now makes a change in this mode of farming imperative, and the opinion that first of all a farm should be self-supporting is obtaining daily recognition.”
“Farmers are now beginning to lay their plans with this object in view, and horses, cattle, hogs and sheep will again be raised with a view of supplying the needs of the farm, and more interest will be taken in the introduction of improved grades when thoroughbred stock cannot be obtained. The fact is patent that a Southern Maryland farmer can raise almost everything on his farm that his family needs except groceries and clothing. These articles are already low, and the outlook is that they will be lower than ever if the tariff laws are readjusted to suit the needs of the country, and the farmer can well afford to buy these necessaries with the smaller profits of the farm, leaving what tobacco can be raised clear of expense except the actual hire of labor.”
“As an encouragement to renewed activity on the farm, the agricultural fair, held at Dunkirk last fall under the auspices and management of the Enterprise Club, was felt throughout this entire section of the State, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Charles and St. Mary’s participating with Calvert in its exhibition of stock and farm produce. It is now proposed to buy permanent agricultural fair grounds at Dunkirk, and fit them up for annual exhibitions of vegetables, farm produce and stock, and for this purpose an effort is being made to form a stock company, with a capital of three thousand dollars. The shares are placed at ten dollars, with a limit of ten shares. At a recent meeting of the Enterprise Club it was ordered that the corresponding secretary, J. E. W. Taneyhill, notify the following gentlemen that they are requested to solicit subscribers to this enterprise for the encouragement of agriculture: Dunkirk, J. N. Jones, treasurer of the Enterprise Club; Huntingtown, V. C. Cox; Bristol, Anne Arundel county, Henry Hopkins; Friendship, Anne Arundel county, J. T. Hutchins; Chaneyville, F. L. Grahame; Prince Frederick, J. P. Briscoe; Wallville, T. B Turner; Plum Point, J. G. Roberts; Solomon’s Island, W. H. Hellen.”
SOURCE: Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan 1887.
www.NewsInHistory.com
Originally from: Letters from Linden
Date: November – December 2010 & January 2011
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH READY FOR DEDICATION, 1885
Church is known as Shiloh
“DUNKIRK, CALVERT CO., MD., Dec. 25 – The new M. E. Church South at Dunkirk, Calvert county, the corner-stone of which was laid in October, will be ready for dedication
on Sunday next. Shiloh, as the new church is called, is said to be the neatest model for a small country church in Southern Maryland. The style throughout is of Gothic architecture, and the interior is in keeping with this design. A McShane bell, weighing 254 pounds, has been placed in the pretty belfry, which is tipped with a golden ball and arrow. The interior of the church is frescoed, and lighted with beautiful chandeliers of electric lamps. The furniture is of walnut and ash for the pews, and solid walnut, upholstered with dark garnet velvet, for the pulpit. Rev. S. B. Dolly, the pastor, has invited the Rev. Ramsey Smithson, of Alexandria, Va., to be present at the dedicatory services.”
The McShane Bell Foundry was established in 1856 and continues to craft bells today in its factory in Bowie. To hear the beautiful tone of their bells, log on to www.mcshanebell.com. If you don’t immediately hear it, click on the bell at the top of the page. Today, Shiloh’s cemetery still stands along Route 4, next to Calvert Dental Associates by Ferry Landing Road.
CATHOLIC CHURCH DEDICATED, 1891
First one in the County
“DRUM POINT, MD., Nov. 30. – The first Catholic Church in Calvert county was dedicated on Sunday, November 29. The church is of Gothic architecture and capable of
seating a congregation of two hundred. This mission, formerly under the care of the pastors of the neighboring county churches, is now in charge of the Marist Fathers. This church was commenced through a bequest of the late Mrs. Uniab, of Calvert county, and the congregation has generously contributed to its completion. The Rev. Dr. D. J. Stafford, of St. Peter’s Church, Baltimore, was delegated to represent the Cardinal, and preached an eloquent sermon on the characteristics of the Catholic Church.”
“A feature of the ceremonial was the music by the students from the Marist House of Studies, Anne Arundel county, who rendered in a very pleasing manner Luigi Bordese’s Mass, under the direction of the Rev. Father Mulhern, S. M. The pastor of the mission, the Rev. F. Dublanchy, S. M., was celebrant.”
SOURCES: Baltimore Sun, 21 Nov 1891 www.NewsInHistory.com .
ST EDMOND’S REPLACEMENT COMPLETED, 1893
“PRINCE FREDERICKTOWN, Nov. 23. – “The colored Methodists of St. Edmund’s [sic], third district, have completed a new church to take the place of the one destroyed by fire last February.”
SOURCE: Baltimore Sun, 24 Nov 1893. www.NewsInHistory.com,Maryland Hist Trust, CT-20
Originally from: Letters from Linden
Date: November – December 2010 & January 2011
“SIXTY DOLLARS REWARD” FOR RUNAWAY SLAVE, DECEMBER 1812
“Absconded from Hunting Ridge, on the morning of the 13th inst. [this month] a NEGRO man named FREDERICK, 24 years of age, about 5 feet 10 inches high, straight made; a small scare [sic] on his left cheek, a pug nose and prominent mouth: – He had on when he went away, a blue round jacket without a hem behind, pepper and salt colour trowsers [sic] – having a variety of clothing, may change them. Frederick was purchased of Mr Philomon Kuch, of Calvert county, in May last, but raised in St. Mary’s county – he drove a waggon [sic] at Mr. Dorsey’s Iron works, the year 1811, and has a general acquaintance on the head of the Bason, and Federal Hall; he may make an attempt to get by water to Charles or St. Mary’s county. – Thirty dollars will be given to any person, who will prove to conviction any free person harbouring him, and thirty dollars for lodging him in jail and giving information to ANTHONY HIDLEY, Manager.”
SOURCE: “Advertisement, 10 Dec 1812. American and Commercial Daily Advertiser, Baltimore. www.NewsInHistory.com
Originally from: Letters from Linden
Date: November – December 2010 & January 2011
PVT BOWLES: FIRST COUNTY RESIDENT KILLED IN WWII
“Private Philip Dennis Bowles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip T. Bowles of St. Leonard, Calvert County, Md., has been reported killed in action on August 1, 1943, in the Southwest Pacific area.”
“Pvt. Bowles, who entered the service on November 27, 1941 and [was] sent overseas in April, 1942 serving in the Infantry, was 23 years of age. He was born in St. Mary’s County but moved to Calvert in 1937 where he remained until his induction in the U. S. Army.” “In a letter received by Pvt. Bowles’ mother from J. A. Ulio, Major General, she was informed that the date and place of his burial was not known, but upon termination of the war, consideration would be given to the return of his body to the U. S.”
“Besides being survived by his parents, he leaves seven brothers, Herman, who is serving with the U. S. Army overseas, Lloyd, Neoma, Louis, Elsworth, Edwin and Kenneth Bowles and four sisters, Louise, Evelyn, Alberta and Mildred Bowles.”
The Calvert Independent editor added a note: “The staff of the Calvert Independent would like to take this opportunity to extend to the family connections of Pvt. Bowles their deepest sympathy and acknowledge the fact that ‘Dennis’ was the first to heroically give his life in action in World War II from Calvert County.” “With the loss of Pvt. Bowles, we can proudly claim that Calvert has given one of her finest characters ever to enter the service. We know that he made a brave and loyal soldier and gallantly died for his country.”
“As a civilian, he was known to all as a cheerful, sincere and upright citizen, always willing to lend a helping hand.”
SOURCE: Calvert Independent, 2 Sep 1943.
Originally from: Letters from Linden
Date: November – December 2010 & January 2011
TELEPHONES COMING TO COUNTY, 1898
In 1898, Calvert County was without phone lines, but not for long. The following appeared in the Baltimore Sun in November of that year.
“WIRE TO DRUM POINT
———-
Constructing A Telephone Line From Annapolis Through
Calvert County.
———-
A LONG-NEEDED CONVENIENCE
———-
It is Already Completed Down To West River . . .”
———-
“ANNAPOLIS, MD., Nov. 22 – The Baltimore and Drum Point Telephone has been completed from Annapolis, via Rutland, Davidsonville, [S]outh River and Harwoods, to West River, in all of which places the instruments are at work. The poles are up from West River via Galesville, Sudley and Nutwell’s, to Friendship and the work of wiring and putting in instruments will be completed to Friendship, it is said, by Saturday.”
“The line when completed will extend from Baltimore to Drum Point, a distance of about eighty-five miles, with about thirty-five offices. The capital stock is $12,500, par value $10. This capital stock for the completion from Baltimore to Annapolis, will, it is said, be subscribed by farmers along the line of the railroad, who have constant use for a telephone. . . .”
“The use of telephone has already been demonstrated in an important matter from West River.” A messenger to a pharmacy in Annapolis apparently lost the prescription he
was to present to the druggist. “The telephone was utilized, and Judge Benjamin Watkins, who has an instrument at his home, at Davidsonville, was able to communicate at once to Annapolis the medicine desired for the sick man.”
“Southern Maryland people would be benefited by this new telephone line, opening, as it does, a large territory heretofore shut off from close communication with Baltimore, Washington and other business concerns.” The telephones proved so popular that, by 1955, the C&P Telephone Company was offering phones in exciting new colors, as evidenced by the ad in the next column that appeared in the Calvert Journal in December, just in time for Christmas gift-giving.
SOURCE: Baltimore Sun, 23 Nov 1898.
www.NewsInHistory.com | Calvert Journal, 17 Dec 1955; used with permission
Originally from: Letters from Linden
Date: November – December 2010 & January 2011
ON TRIAL FOR HER LIFE: BESSIE CONDIFF, 1900 – 1901
Who killed Captain Littleton T Condiff, a popular Solomons mariner, who was shot in the early hours of September 13, 1900? The Baltimore Sun reported that “State’s Attorney J. Frank Parran and Mr. William H. Hellen are at work on the case trying to find the perpetrators of the murderous deed.”
The Evening Times in Washington, DC, provided a description of the crime scene: “The bullet passed into his brain through the right eye, producing paralysis and unconsciousness. His wife [who] was in bed beside him when he was shot . . . says she was awakened just before midnight by the report of the firearm and found that her husband was wounded. She says no one was in the room at the time except her husband, herself, and [their] child.” The article added that Captain Condiff died that afternoon.
By September 17, the Baltimore Sun reported that a Coroner Files’ jury concluded that Littleton’s wife, Bessie, had killed him. As a result, State’s Attorney J Frank Parran charged Bessie with murder, and she immediately was arrested and taken to the jail in Prince Frederick. The Sun shared that “the six hundred inhabitants of Solomon’s Island, as well as hundreds who live on the mainland of Calvert and St. Mary’s counties, are intensely excited over the murder . . . .” It continued that “the whole island believes the woman guilty and the feeling runs high. In the history of Solomon’s Island, from the days of the oldest settlers, there is no record of such a crime as this, and since Thursday it has been the one subject of conversation among the residents. The murder on Thursday, the arrival of the detective, the inquest and funeral today, together with the arrest of the woman this afternoon, stirred this part of Calvert county . . . .” This sentiment prompted the relocation of Bessie’s trial from Prince Frederick to Baltimore.
Before proceeding with the trial, however, who were the Condiffs? 1900 census records for Solomons Township enumerated June 30, 1900, reflect the household of L T Condiff, an oysterman, and his family: L T Condiff, white male, born Dec 1849, age 50, married 24 years Bessie M Condiff, his wife, white female, born Mch 1858, age 42, married 24 years, mother of seven children of whom five survive Littleton H Condiff, son, white male, born Sept 1883, age 16, single, oysterman Albert T Condiff, son, white male, born Aug 1888, age 11, attends school Philip R Condiff, son, white male, born Feb 1891, age 9 Isabelle N Tarlton, mother-in-law, white female, born Oct 1829, age 70, widowed
The records also reflect that nearby families include George and Ida Garner, George and Maggie Giles, Benjamin and Roberta Denton, Marcellus M and Emma Davis, Frederick and Olivia Lankford, George and Maggie Lumon, and Wesley and Annie Lusby. Some will be called to testify at Bessie’s trial.
The trial which began on February 27, 1901, must have seemed almost circus-like, with many of Bessie’s “former friends and neighbors . . . who had come . . . to attend the trial either as witnesses or spectators. . . .” The Sun’s article continued, noting “those present from Calvert county made a large crowd. . . [and that] the interest of Baltimoreans in the trial was shown by the large numbers of people who clamored for admittance to the courtroom. Most of them were refused. Among the successful ones were a number of well-dressed ladies.”
Over the next two days, jurors heard testimony concerning the affectionate relationship that Littleton and Bessie shared, the gun that their son Littleton Harris had purchased a year earlier, and the financial difficulties that the Condiffs endured. They also learned of $150 that was missing and the $2,000 insurance policy on the life of Captain Condiff through the Heptasophs (see p 19), with Bessie as the beneficiary. Jurors heard testimony – which the defense disputed – from Captain J Wesley Lusby and his wife, Captain John F Webster and his wife Janie, and others. They heard the defendant describe her husband’s despondancy and talk of suicide, and an expert witness’s testimony that the wounds could have been from suicide. In the end, jurors acquitted Bessie after deliberating for 70 minutes, saying “the State had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mrs. Condiff killed her husband.” Bessie’s health was poor, and she dreaded returning to Solomons, where some reportedly said they’d like to see her hanging. It appears she decided against Solomons, as the 1910 census shows her living in Baltimore as Annie E McJarry with her sons, Albert T and Philip Condiff.
SOURCE: “The Wife Arrested. Mrs. Condiff Charged with Killing Her Husband,” 17 Sep 1900. “The Case of Mrs. Condiff. Removed From Calvert County to Baltimore City,” 15 Nov 1900. “Her Life at Stake. Mrs. Bessie M. Condiff on Trial For Murder of Husband,” 28 Feb 1901. “Mrs. Condiff is Free. Jury Declares She Did Not Murder Her Husband,” 1 Mar 1901. “Mrs. Condiff Faints Again,” 2 Mar 1901. Baltimore Sun. www.NewsInHistory.com “Son Accused of Murder. Arrest Growing Out of a Marylander’s Mysterious Death,” 23 Oct 1900. The Evening Times,Wash DC http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ 1900 US Federal Census, Calvert Co, MD. 1910 US Federal Census, Baltimore City, MD.
Originally from: Letters from Linden
Date: October 2009
Celebrations in the 1930s and 1950s
“Miss Ellen, what was Halloween like when you were growing up?” This was the question posed to Ellen Dixon Garner, a long-time resident of Calvert County. Born in 1923 and raised in Olivet, Ellen quickly replied that, “We didn’t have any kind of trick-or-treating back then.” As it turns out, however, there was plenty of tricking taking place. . . .
“We didn’t have Halloween, but we had Movin’ Day.” Moving Day? “Yes, Movin’ Day. It was about two or three days before Halloween, and things would move about – anything that wasn’t secured. Like the outhouse. You’d wake up in the morning and it’d be moved. Or sometime it might even be turned over.” Ellen got that twinkle in her eyes and chuckled. “And then there were the boats. They’d be out of the water and in the middle of the field or wherever. Things just got moved. Now you know these weren’t kids doing this. It was groups of grown men. Of course, no harmful things were done.” Ellen chuckled again. So would these midnight movers show up during the day to help put things back? “I really don’t remember that part,” she mused.
How about when Ellen’s children were growing up? “We’d take the kids trick-or-treating. We’d go to people we knew – along the strip here [now Creston Lane in Solomons]. And then we’d go over to Olivet and take them to Mama’s and Marie’s and Beulah’s.” That would be Sue Lusby Dixon, distant cousin Marie Edwards Ireland, and aunt Beulah Hardesty Joy. “The kids got enough candy and stuff to keep them happy.” Ellen’s son, Robert, picked up the story line. “We’d dress up for Halloween and go trick-or-treating. We’d make our costumes and buy an inexpensive mask to go with it. Sometimes we’d make our mask, too. I remember one year when [older brother] Buddy was a pack of cigarettes. He took an old cardboard box and painted it to look like a pack of Old Gold, and he wore that. I may have been a cowboy one year – I think we all were cowboys at some point. You have to remember, we didn’t have superheroes and animated characters.
Yes, we had Superman, but nobody wanted to be Mighty Mouse. And I certainly wasn’t going to dress up like Howdy Doody or Flubadub! When we were little, Mom or Daddy would take us to the houses next door, and then Buddy started being our keeper. We only went within walking distance. There were no high-density populated areas back then. And all the houses we went to were our relatives’.
As we got older, we were more into being pranksters than getting treats. It usually was [cousin] Greg, [uncle] Tilden and me – we were around 12 to 14 years old. We’d soap windows; that was a big deal. And we’d dump over garbage. One year we dumped garbage on [uncle] Bob’s front porch, and he came out with a shotgun. Of course, we only did these things to people who had a sense of humor. With only five houses in the neighborhood, everybody knew who the kids were, and it wouldn’t be too hard to figure out who did it. Now, we never did the egg thing – we’d rather have those for breakfast.
We also went to Halloween parties at the church [St Paul United Methodist in Lusby]. It was a community event; I don’t think it was limited to those kids who went to church there. There would be 20 or 30 kids, maybe more, and we’d get prizes for best costume and that kind of thing. We’d have snacks and apple cider.” Although some youngsters today might shudder at such simple celebrations, it sounds like Ellen and her family enjoyed their Halloweens!
Sources: Interviews with Ellen Garner and Bob Garner,
by Chris Stelloh-Garner, 17-19 Sep 2009
Originally from: Letters from Linden
Date: October 2010
WASHINGTON RECRUITS COLORED TROOPS
The War Department, Adjutant General’s Office,
Bureau for the Organization of Colored Troops
issued the following in October, 1863.
“In accordance with orders from the President of the United States, the following recruiting stations have been established for colored troops in the State of Maryland: . . . Leonardtown, St. Mary’s county; Benedict, Charles county; Lower Marlboro, Calvert county . . .” “All claims by alleged owners of slaves who may be enlisted will be laid before the board appointed by the President. . . . The board will hold its session at Baltimore, Md.”
“Rolls and recruiting lists will be furnished the board for public information, and on demand exhibited to any person claiming that his or her slave had been enlisted. Claims must be presented within ten days after the filing of the said rolls. . . . Any citizen of Maryland who shall offer his or her slave for enlistment into the military service shall, if such slave be accepted, receive from the recruiting officer a certificate thereof, with a descriptive list of such slave, and become entitled to compensation for the service or labor of said slave not to exceed the sum of three hundred dollars . . . and any slave so enlisting shall be forever thereafter free.”
SOURCE: The American Annual Cyclopaedia and Register of Important Events of the Year 1863. Vol III. New York: D Appleton and Company, 1872.
Jeff Thompson
Guest Speaker, September’s Brown Bag Lunch
The brown bag discussion was a field trip of sorts as Jeff Thompson from Colonial Woodwrights walked around the outbuildings he’s been rehabilitating and explained the techniques he uses, which comply with the Secretary of Interior’s standards. Margaret Prouty joined the group and shared her memories of playing around Linden as a child. That’s how we learned that what we thought was a processing or storage building actually was another chicken house: Margaret recalled going out and gathering eggs.
The photo is from the meat house, which was built around 1890. In discussing the structure, Jeff pointed out that its sill (wall base) was of chestnut, which helped date it, given the chestnut blight that wiped out the species. He pointed out a scarf joint, a technique used to join two pieces of wood. Because the goal is to preserve as much of the original structure as possible, Jeff removed the damaged end of the chestnut sill and replaced it with oak, using hand-hewn pegs. Jeff also pointed out how much of the wood in the meat house has a fuzzy appearance, which is indicative of salt use.
One of the artifacts that Jeff uncovered was a piece of wood that appears to have been a cutting board – it’s well worn and shows evidence of chop marks. The round object in the lower left is a stone that has quite a bit of sodium damage, suggesting that it, along with an oak plank, was used as a weight to keep meat submerged in brine. After the brining was complete, the meat would be hung from sacks, and smoked. Jeff speculated that a cast iron bowl held the wood chips that were kept smoldering – not burning – to provide the smoky flavor and to preserve the meat. Plus, the smoke kept the flies away.
The next building that Jeff will repair is that hen house from which Margaret gathered eggs. Please stop by and see how the repaired buildings are transforming Linden!
