| WHAT IS MY HISTORY? |
| by Sally A. Mc Kee |
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What is the history of the property located at 135 East Main Street, Elkton, Maryland? This is one of the most frequently asked questions at The Historical Society. A search of old deeds and other sources tells us many interesting things.
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What is the history of the property located at 135 East Main Street, Elkton? This is one of the most frequently asked
questions at The Society.
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By an indenture dated September 28, 1769, Robert Alexander leased to Abraham Mitchell for a period of 99 years, a lot at or near Glover's Hill at the Head of Elk next to the corner of Tobias Rudolph's lot. Each year on March 1, payment of 3 pounds was due Robert Alexander and his heirs. In 1790, Abraham Mitchell sold his lease to James Partridge, a merchant in Baltimore, and his heirs. According to the land records, this was a messuage piece or parcel of land. In deeds, the word "messuage" means a dwelling house and adjoining land, including the adjacent buildings.
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Daniel Richardson was to have bought the lease from James partridge, but died before taking possession. James Sewell was the highest bidder for the property, and James Partridge granted the lot of ground with messuage and tenements erected thereon to James Sewell. Here the word tenement means anything that may be held provided it be of a permanent nature and is applicable not only to lands and solid objects, but also to offices, rents, commons, etc.
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In 1810, the Elkton Bank was chartered and was the first in the County. In 1816, James Sewell granted the land to the President and Directors of the Elkton Bank of Maryland, who then paid the rent according to the original lease. A deed of mortgage was made in 1819, between the President and Directors of the Elkton Bank of Maryland and the President, Directors and Company of the Bank of Pennsylvania. The Elkton Bank of Maryland owed the Bank of Pennsylvania $16,300.94, so they mortgaged the property to the Bank of Pennsylvania. The Elkton Bank of Maryland failed in 1822. The Bank of Pennsylvania assigned the mortgage to John Glenn of Baltimore in 1832.
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During the 1830's, John Groome had a law office on the property. John Glenn, James Sewell, and Evan Poultney formed a co-partnership for banking. Evan Poultney later sold his interest to James Sewell, and Reverdy Johnson became a partner. When James Sewell died, he had a large balance due his partners, and the banking house and ground were
willed to his daughter Caroline Sewell Oliver.
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Anna M. Sewell, Executrix of James Sewell's will, Thomas V. Oliver and Caroline Sewell Oliver, his wife, were required to account for the balance due John Glenn and Reverdy Johnson. The Court of Chancery in Baltimore required Anna M. Sewell to pay John Glenn and Reverdy Johnson $6,000.00 plus interest. When this payment was received, John Glenn and Henrietta Glenn, his wife, and Reverdy Johnson conveyed the Banking House and other buildings and improvements erected to the lot to Caroline Oliver. This was in 1851. The lot contained not only 135 East Main Street, but also 137 East Main Street.
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During the 1850's, Dr. Joseph Wallace tenanted part of the property and operated a drug store. In 1865, the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Elkton became the National Bank of Elkton. Jacob Tome purchased control of the bank in 1868. The National Bank of Elkton purchased the property from Thomas V. Oliver and Caroline Oliver, his wife, in 1873, and moved its operations to this location. It is stated that the building had a strong fireproof safe.
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The National Bank of Elkton stayed at this location until 1922 when Annie Wells bought the property. By this time, the Bank's land was enclosed by a fence. Annie Wells was also granted a Right-of-Way 10 feet wide along the east side of the property down to the brick and frame stable belonging to John Gonce. At the same time, the National Bank of Elkton deeded the lot on the east side of the lane to John Gonce.
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Annie Wells and Ira Wells, her husband, sold the property along with the Right-of-Way to Henry H. Mitchell in 1925. While owning the property, Henry Mitchell enclosed the porch and built the stone wall in front. Mr. Mitchell was at one time a Mayor of Elkton.
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In 1955, Otho P. Cummings, Executor of the Henry H. Mitchell Estate, sold the property to the Friends of the Library of Cecil County, Maryland, Inc. On October 25, 1955, the Historical Society took official possession of the Ernest A. Howard Room on the second floor of the Library Building. The Historical Society had been incorporated in 1931, and this was its first permanent home since incorporation. When the original kitchen in the basement was restored, possession of this room was also given to the Historical Society. Both the Library and Historical Society
made several additions to the building.
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After the new Cecil County Library was built, the Historical Society was granted additional space on the first floor of the building. Its rooms were completely refurbished and the research library was moved to the first floor where it is more accessible to visitors. The Society retains its rooms and gallery on the second floor and in the basement.
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With the moving of the Library to its new building, 135 East Main Street was deeded to Cecil County, and the Historical Society is only one of its tenants.
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If these walls could talk, I am sure they would be able to tell us many interesting things about this building and property.
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