| Worcester County, Maryland Directory - 1878; http://www.ls.net/~newriver/md/worc1878.htm |
WORCESTER COUNTY occupies the extreme south-eastern corner of the State, and comprises the entire front on the Atlantic Ocean of about thirty-three miles, from Delaware to Virginia, and is bounded on the north by Wicomico County and the State of Delaware, east by the ocean, south by the ocean and Virginia, and west by Somerset and Wicomico counties, from the latter of which It is separated by the Pocomoke River. The ocean beach of the county is a narrow sand bar thrown up by the surf, of a width varying from a few yards to over a quarter of a mile; between that bar and the mainland are large connected bodies of shoal water, known as Assawoman, Isle of Wight and Sinepuxent bays, and the upper part of Chincoteague Sound. There is now no connection between this water and the ocean the last inlet having been closed of late years by the action of the water. Into these waters flows all the eastern drainage of the county, whilst that west of a slight central ridge flows into the Pocomoke River. The prevailing soil is sand mixed with red and white clay. Bog iron-ore exists in numerous localities. Besides marsh, muck and peat, the county has a large supply of oyster-shell lime. Shell deposits are found covering several acres in extent, and sometimes to a depth of several feet. Worcester is almost entirely an agricultural county, and the productions are principally corn, oats and potatoes, with immense quantities of oysters. Sweet potatoes are a considerable crop, and yield very abundantly. Fruits are being cultivated of late, and peaches and grapes do very well. The climate being much tempered by the ocean air, is mild, and permits the cultivation of many fruits and tender vegetables in the open air which cannot withstand the severe winters of more northern latitudes, besides producing strawberries and many other market products about ten days earlier than in the upper counties, bringing the highest price and largest profits. [NOTE: only those communities with Rowleys are included below] GIRDLE TREE HILLIs on the Wicomico & Pocomoke R. H. Land, sandy, one-half cleared, commands $15 per acre; produces 10 to 20 bus. wheat and 80 corn. M. E. and M. P. churches One public school. Population 400. James S. Taylor, Postmaster.
NEWTOWNIs on the Pocomoke River 20 miles from Snow Hill, and is the terminus of the W. & Somerset R. R, which gives it communication with the eastern markets. It has direct communication with Baltimore by an excellent line of steamers, the Eastern Shore Steamboat Co., and is extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber and building material, has several ship yards, a steam marine railway and a manufacturer or fertilizers. Oyster packing and lime burning are flourishing interests. It has a large and well kept hotel, a graded high and other schools. The lands are well adapted to fruit growing, trucking and farming. They range in value from $7 to $25 per acre, as to location and improvement, yield 5 to 15 bus wheat, 10 to 40 corn, 10 to 25 oats, and 125 to 200 potatoes. The character of the lands are diverse, having sand loams with red clay subsoil; sand loams and white clay formations in close proximities. The timber is composed of pine, oak, cypress and gum. Population 1,500. J. H. Vincent, Postmaster. CHURCHES AND PASTORS.-M. E., Rev. T. O. Ayres; M. P., Rev. B. F. Benson; Presbyterian, Rev. L. P. Bowen; Baptist, Rev. James Handy; Episcopal, Rev. John Crosadale, and two African M. E. churches.
FARMERS IN WORCESTER COUNTY AND THEIR POST OFFICE ADDRESS: |
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Modified March 10, 2005