W. L. Sirman, Express Agent

W. L. Sirman was the first railroad and express agent.  His office was equipped with an instrument that pencil-marked the Morse Code on tape for translation.  This was in 1859.

Some Deed Plots from the 1920s

Minnie Ellen Hastings Melson, with her sisters, inherited the land of their father Levin Hastings.  They owned a large part of Delmar in the Bi-state Blvd, Grove Str, Jewell St out to 8th street area of Delmar and in the 1920s sold it off in lots.  Below are a few plots that were included with the deed registration.  It was in the 1920s that Hastings street became Delaware Ave and Mill St became Lincoln.  Also Third street became better known as State Highway  (Bi-State)

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Fire J. E. Shockley 1931

From Sept 18, 1931 State Register

Our town was aroused at 3 o'clock Saturday morning by a fire that destroyed the residence of J. E. Shockley, located at Highway and Jewell street.  Mr. Shockley, an employee of the Pennsylvania railroad was out on his run at the time.  Mrs. Shockley and son, who were in the home had a very narrow escape as they were almost surrounded by flames and smoke when discover was made.  the origin of the fire is supposed to have been caused by defected wires.  The loss was heavy but with some insurance.

Spring Grove M. E. Church - Riverton, MD

I was riding around Riverton last week and rode pass Spring Grove.  It is still standing.  Originally built about 1862 and renovated about 1893.  It is on private property and I assume those property owners keep it up.

John W. Gordy Sells Delmar Shirt Company Plant

From The State Register September 11 1931

Mr. John W. Gordy who owned and managed the Delmar Shirt Company's plant in this town for several years has sold his plant and equipment to Feldman brothers of Baltimore for $12,500.  The new owners expect to assume management with in a few days.

A. W. Perdue 1939

Homestead Dairy Farms

Homestead Dairy Farms was started by William Humphreys Jackson (1839-1915) one of the wealthiest men in Wicomico County at the time from what was called "the Rider farm.".  After his death in 1915 it passed on to his son, William Purnell. Jackson (1868-1939).  The Dairy farm was also sometimes referred to as Byrd's Homestead Dairy Farms.  The Rider Farm was owned by the wife (Annie Rider Jackson) of Elihu Emory Jackson, an early merchant in Delmar MD. William H. and Elihu E. were brothers.

Above William H. Jackson
In 1908 they had two delivery wagons and 80 Guernsey and Jersey cows

The farm is located at 27798 Nanticoke Road.  Not only was it a dairy farm but a wide range of other animals were raised on the farm as it was a working farm.  In addition various crops were planted and sold.

Barns on the farm

1918 ad

Other dairies in the area at the time; were City Dairy (Koontz), Fairview Dairy, Hillside Dairy, Purity Creamery and Woodlawn Dairy.

http://delmarhistoricalandartsociety.blogspot.com/2011/07/woodlawn-dairy-1921.html

1923 ad  Homestead Dairy farms employed a number of men for both the dairy and the farm.  They were given lodging and board.   My uncle, Charles Bayly , worked on the farm in the early 1940s.  while working there he made friends with Charle K. Shirey  who came from Hartford County to work on the farm.   He would marry my Aunt Ethel G. Bayly.

1921 ad H. S. Lowe takes over the Delmar Milk Route

Harry L. Van Horn

Wm. H. Jackson, Stanford Culver, Dank Melson, George Williams,