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15) CHAPTER II
The Early Days of Chesapeake City, Maryland
In relating the history of Chesapeake City and vicinity, the narrative would be incomplete without the story of the early life and social activities of the town. Chesapeake City does not have the antiquity of many of the towns of the Eastern Shore but the importance of its location, the fertility of its fields and the enterprise of its inhabitants have more than compensated for what it lacks in age.
Chesapeake City derives its origin from the time of the building of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. For several years after the starting of this canal, the population increased very rapidly. Then came a lull and the town never grew to be much larger, the present population being between twelve and thirteen hundred.
The location of the canal caused a great controversy and much time and money were wasted in attempts made to decide as to the best course. Finally the present route was determined upon and the construction was commenced in 1824, near Summit Bridge, (Page 16) Delaware. The people of Chesapeake City were very enthusiastic over the establishment of this important water route. They looked forward to the time when Chesapeake City would be a great trade center. They could see the erecting of large manufactories and mills which help to enlarge every city of importance.
Wherever there is a new activity there is always an impulse to settle. So it was with the establishment of the canal. There were people who came from far and near seeking employment. Thus in early days, the settlement steadily increased in population.
The majority of the first settlers were employed in digging the canal. A large percentage of them were either Irish or Negroes. They lived in crude cabins which were built of rough logs. The bare ground served as a floor and the supply of furniture was limited. The first dwelling of this description stood just below where the Collector's Office is now located.
About six o'clock in the morning, nearly a hundred years ago, one could see a crowd of these workmen going to their day's toil, some carrying pick axes and shovels while others were laden with ropes, chains, and other implements. A quarrel often sprang up between the Negroes and Irish which caused their employers considerable trouble. When the canal was (Page 17) completed, almost all of this laboring class of people left here and went up into Pennsylvania. There they probably were employed in some undertaking similar to that which they engaged in here.
The earliest inhabitants of Chesapeake City were descendants of the early settlers of Bohemia Manor. The eldest daughter of Augustine Herman, who was the founder of the Manor, married Peter Bouchelle. They resided in this town, but there is now no visible sign to indicate where the house formerly stood. Some of the other distinguished old families were, Captain Cropper and his three brothers, Mr. Joseph Bryon and son who were merchants, Captain Abram Colmary and brother, Captain Jester and Mr. George Bennett, Sr. All of the persons mentioned above are dead but some of their relations live here at the present time.
Nearly all of the earliest homes have been torn down. It is said that the late Miss Porter's home was the third house erected in Chesapeake. Mr. Harriott's Hotel, the old Academy, and the old Universalist Church of Biddle Street, and several houses on Canal Street are the relics of these early days.
The first church built in this town was the Methodist Episcopal, a plain frame building which was erected in (Page 18) 1848. Previous to this time the religious class of people attended Bethel, which is about a mile and a half from Chesapeake City. It is said that there were quite a number of people who hardly ever missed a Sabbath. Those who did not have teams walked up the towpath, a narrow strip of land which separates the canal from a large pond reaching from Bethel to Chesapeake City.
There were several schools in this town in the very early days, most of which were private institutions. The first school building was a frame structure not far from the Park Hotel. This was torn down years ago and today a dwelling stands near the spot. Several years later a school house was erected on the Episcopal Church yard. The only gateway to this building was a stile. The teachers often found it inconvenient to master this difficulty when their hooped skirts were especially full and stiff. This building has also been gone for a number of years.
The old Academy was built about 1854. This was the largest school house that there had been in the town prior to this time. It also stood near the Park Hotel, but was removed to its present location several years after its erection.
(Page 19)Until comparatively recent years there was but one row of houses, which was situated in front of the canal. All of the buildings were small, averaging two rooms on the first floor and three on the second. The ceilings were low and scarcely ever sheathed. The inhabitants took much pride in keeping their walls as well as the outside of their houses white washed. This had to be done every spring and fall. There were not many open stairways. The steps which led to the floor came down into the front room. Behind each house was a large garden. Many of the men's leisure hours were spent in preparing these lots for different vegetables which they took much pleasure in cultivating. No front yard was complete without its lilac-bushes, rose-bushes and beds of violets. Three steps at the front door served as a porch.
There was a store over on the old wharf, where sailors and men who worked on barges stopped to get their tobacco and other necessities. Exciting times have taken place around there when the sailors happened to be intoxicated. They often got into a scuffle with each other and became so hilarious that the storekeeper would have to call upon some of his neighbors to help him calm them.
(Page 20)When the Civil War broke out many of the young men of Chesapeake City rendered their services to the Southern side. Tents were pitched on the lot where Mr. Richard Wallace's residence at present stands. Here they would drill and make other preparations for the terrible struggle which lay before them. It was a very touching sight to see husbands leave their wives and fathers their children, not knowing whether or not they would ever see them again. The little town seemed very lonely without its men and boys. Anxious women could be seen going about very sorrowfully thinking of their loved ones who were perhaps, enduring untold hardships.
When the homecoming time came the whole town was aroused. How happy they who welcomed the return of their long absent companions! but ah! how sad it was for those who had relatives and friends among the missing. It was a comfort, however, to know that they gave their lives so willingly for their country and that is an honor that will never die.
During the war the canal was guarded day and night but there is no record of any of the watchmen ever being disturbed. There was much traffic through the canal at that time. Boat loads of soldiers as well as provisions were often seen going to southern ports, to reinforce that army.
After the excitement of the war, things settled (Page 21) down again and Chesapeake began to progress. More houses, churches, schools, and stores were built and every year would add to the population. In 1876 the town was incorporated by an act of the assembly.
To Relate the story of the social life of the town in years gone by is but to repeat what our grandfathers tell. One thing of paramount importance in their lives was amusement. This is indigenous to every people and particularly so to all those of light hearted contented, easy going people, who diverted here in former times. The traveling showmen played no little part when he pitched his little tent upon the green and proceeded to draw an audience, with his various sleights. The solid churchmen might frown upon his coming but did not deter the gayer youth from witnessing his magic art.
Everyone present would stand in amazement while a ventriloquist would throw his voice in different directions or a magician would perform his sleight of hand tricks, finding turnips in some old lady's bonnet or pulling several yards of ribbon out of an urchin's mouth.
Chesapeake has been the scene of many joyful occasions of former years. On winter evenings quilting parties, spelling bees, "taffy pulls" and sing- (Page 22) ing schools were attended by everyone in the neighborhood. When there was snow those who lived in the country came to these parties in large sleighs. What a pleasing picture these young people would make, gathered about an open fireplace filled with blazing logs cracking nuts, roasting apples and popping corn. Their lively talk and merry laughter would fill the whole house. The old folks frequently glanced in the doorway and smiled to themselves as they recalled the days when they too had taken part in such merriment.
Barn dances were frequent in warm weather. Someone near town who had a large airy barn invited all their friends out to spend the evening. Although the floors were not highly polished material and the lights not very brilliant the evening was sure to be thoroughly enjoyed by all who were present. There would usually be someone in the crowd who could either play a fiddle or a mouth-organ, which was the only music they had.
Most of the young men in Chesapeake were very fond of fox-hunting. When a fox was released everyone would engage in the sport, which so many people find great pleasure in. Gunning was also an- (Page 23) other great fascination as large woods around yielded a great many squirrels, rabbits, and birds.
Election time was not without its excitement. Men talked about politics on street corners, after church services and while they were about their daily work. When President Cleveland was elected the first time, an ox roast was held on the green in front of the canal. The Democrats were especially animated over it and each one wanted a piece of the meat in celebration of the occasion.
Thus Chesapeake has come up through the years and has proved to be a town of much importance, on the Eastern Shore. (Page 24)
s/Sara S. Price
CHAPTER III BEGINS ON PAGE 24
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