LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS-L Archives

From: "Mike Hitch" <>
Subject: Re: [LDR]
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 20:29:09 -0100
References: <000a01c0c688$f5796740$269f1718@vbch1.va.home.com>

Thx! The other person is John Polk of Havre De Grace. The project covers
all of old Somerset which includes modern-day Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester
in toto and a good chunk of modern-day Sussex. It is a huge effort as John
will testify to but engagingly interesting (actually addicting). It will be
an invaluable tool for genealogical study as well as local history. To me,
it has been very interesting how ponds, branches and roads have changed
names over the years. For instance, in the very early days there are
several references to "Parson Henry's Road" which later became "the road
leading from Saulsbery (sic) Town to Mitchell's Bridge." By piecing
together these old patents, one can finally conclude that this road is
modern-day MD 346 or "Old Ocean City Road" that parallels US 50 between
Salisbury and the Pocomoke River to the north (the Mitchell family kept a
bridge over the Pocomoke River there in olden times). The track of the old
road meanders quite a bit from the modern version but one can compare to the
1877 maps and see its evolution since then.

Another extremely interesting thing about the old patents is their reference
to "dwelling" houses and plantations and "improvements" including fencing,
houses, orchards, and cultivated acreage. This MAY eventually allow one to
develop a map similar to the 1877 county-wide maps for earlier periods (esp.
the 18th century). Mr. Lyon is the chief architect of the effort (maybe
"slave-driver" is a better word? :-)) and he is leveraging existing
resources and creating more as the project builds momentum. He definitely
deserves a round of applause - if that is possible over the mailing list!

Thanks,
Mike


----- Original Message -----
From: Gregory Selby <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 2:21 PM
Subject: [LDR]


> Rooters -
>
> Once again I had the opportunity last week to research at MSA. Ran across
John Lyon who brought me up to date on his project to chronicle land
transactions in 3 of 23 Maryland counties (all on the Eastern Shore).
>
> When last at MSA in August he and his interns had input approximately 600
properties. Last week he indicated that they have passed the 6,000 mark.
Plans are to add 4 interns this summer.
>
> Also, John indicated that Mike Hitch has joined the effort who himself has
added over 1,000 properties to the data base. John also indicated that
another individual has joined the project as well. Sorry I forgot his name.
So if you get to MSA, stop by table 30 where you may find John on most days.
>
> Congratulations John, Mike and the rest who are putting together a first
class project that should be viewable to the rest of us in some way, shape
or form in the future.
>
> Well done group!
>
> Greg Selby
> Virginia Beach, Virginia
>
>
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This thread:

• [LDR] by "Gregory Selby" <>

  • Re: [LDR] by "Mike Hitch" <>