Salisbury University Archives.
Salisbury University Libraries Special Collections.
Historical Eastern Shore Newspapers.
The Howard and Marvin E. Cox Ledger and Journal are two separate entries that contain information about the residents of the town of Nanticoke in Wicomico County, Maryland. Recorded are marriages and deaths within the community, with modern additions from Marvin Cox concerning the oyster and construction businesses in Nanticoke and the meeting minutes of the Willing Workers in the 1930s. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2012.058
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Construction, Business, Marriage, Nanticoke,...
Part of the Humphreys Family Collection, this book belonged to Josephine Humphreys and records several family recipes. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2012.048
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Recipes, Salisbury, Maryland, 19th Century
Matthew Wise's history of the Long Family, originally written in 2000 is reproduced and available for the public here courtesy of the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture. Dr. Wise died in 2000, this book was completed posthumously by Pauline Batchelder. Matthew Wise earned his B.A. and M.A. from George Washington University, and completed his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1955. After retirement as a professor and department chair at Roanoke College, he turned his...
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Somerset County, Maryland, Long Family,...
Part of the Freedom Ainsworth Collection, the Brigg Peggy ledger concerns the finances of the trading ship Brig Peggy , including the expenses of building and outfitting the ship, cargo carried, and the commanding officer's notes, as it traded between the Wicomico River and the Caribbean. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/1999.008
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Age of Sail, Sailing, Trade, Slavery, Law,...
This diary belonged to Henrietta Wyeth, and begins in 1861 with her recovering from an eye illness, and her observations during the Civil War. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2013.093
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Civil War, Virginia, Medicine
This transcript is a small part of a larger collection documenting the activities of Red Cross volunteers from Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. The Red Cross Home Service provided disaster relief, home care, and medical services during peace time as well as during the World Wars. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2016.095
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, American Red...
In the early 2000s, T. Aaron Horner and Joan Barnhart transcribed the marriages, baptisms, and gravestones of St. John's United Methodist Church in Deal Island, Maryland. The original records remain at the church.
Topics: church records, Deal Island, Maryland
This transcription consists of the records of St. Peter's Methodist Church in Hopewell, Maryland from 1857 to 1969. Although this transcript only covers baptisms and marriages, the full collection contains finances and memberships. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2000.013
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Somerset County, Maryland, Church Records
The Bethlehem Methodist Church Records document the membership and activities of the Dorchester County church, as well as Taylor's Island's Methodist congregation before the official church's establishment in 1858. Included are baptisms and marriages from 1885 to 1977. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2001.004
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Taylor's Island, Dorchester County, Maryland,...
This transcription contains the records of the African American church, Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church, in Fruitland, Maryland, and the church records of Friendship and Flower Hill churches in Eden and Allen, Maryland. Included are marriages and baptisms from 1889-1917. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2012.061
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Fruitland, Maryland, Allen, Eden, Churches,...
The crop ledger of A.B. Chamberlain documents the crops planted, sold, and processed by A.B. Chamberlain, a farmer in the early 20th century, from 1903 to 1906. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2012.048
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Canning industry, Maryland, Farming,...
This is the ledger of Marcellus Jones, a Whitehaven, Somerset County merchant. The ledger records the list of customers Jones served and their credits, debits, and goods transferred, and information about Jones and his family. Finding aid link: http://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2001.010
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Somerset County, Marcellus Jones, Business,...
The Lieutenant A llan Morton Thomas Jr. Letters consists of letters and personal correspondence from Lieutenant Allan Morton Thomas Jr. , USNR. to his wife Georgia E. Thomas f rom 1942 to 1945. Thomas Jr. was a Lieutenant on LCI(L) - 225 in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Thomas Jr. wrote about his life aboard the ship in the censored locations of the Pacific Theater . Several letters have missing pages and some lines are censored...
Topics: World War II, Personal Correspondence, United States Navy
The letters of Elijah T.P. Gibbons document the lives of several of his family members during the Civil War. Gibbons had a cousin, Alexander King who served in the Union Army, and other letters document the thoughts of friends and family on the Civil War, the draft, debts, and bond statements. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/1990.028
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Civil War, Kentucky, Tennessee, Military
This transcription was written originally by Caleb C. Cooper, who was asked to write what he remembered his ancestors and family history in 1961. Cooper's family history starts in 1806 with the birth Elijah Cooper, an Englishman, and ends with him reminiscing about his own life. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2007.110
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, James River, Family History
Edgar Noble fought for the Union Army in the Civil War, and this diary concerns his actions from January to July of 1863 including his participation in the Battle of Antietam. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2007.053
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Civil War, Antietam, Falmouth, Virginia
The Journal of Clara Gunby is part of a larger collection of papers pertaining to the Gunby Family. Clara Gunby started her journal in 1853, and was a Southern sympathizer during the Civil War - ultimately leading to her arrest for defiance and disrespect of Union soldiers. After the war, Clara Gunby married and moved to Allen, Maryland. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/1995.012
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Civil War, Fortress Monroe, Allen, Maryland
Isaac Handy's diary records his time as a servant in the Philadelphia home of Mrs. Frank Haseltine. Handy, an African American man who was a native of Wicomico County, Maryland, recorded events in and around the home as well as national events such as the election of Grover Cleveland. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2015.125
Topics: Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Domestic life,...
William F. Robinson was a bootmaker from the Delmarva Peninsula during the mid-nineteenth century. Operating from Dorchester County, Maryland (1847-1854) before relocating to Sussex County, Delaware (1868-1872), these ledgers document Robinson's business transactions and customers. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2015.029
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Dorchester County, Maryland, Sussex County,...
This ledger contains the church record of the Madison Circuit of the Delaware Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was an African American church in Dorchester County Maryland that included Malone Church. Included are baptisms from 1883 to 1893 and marriages from 1883 to 1894. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2003.003
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Religion, Churches, Dorchester County,...
The L.J. Wilson Ledger belonged to L.J. Wilson, who recorded the debits and credits of his customers in and around the town of Princess Anne, Maryland for his general store. According to available census records, Wilson's store was in operation from 1880 to roughly 1910, and he had effectively retired from the business by 1920. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2006.313
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Princess Anne, Maryland, Business, Wicomico...
Matthew Wise's history of the Boston Family, originally written in 1986 and long out of print, is reproduced and available for the public here courtesy of the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture. Matthew Wise earned his B.A. and M.A. from George Washington University, and completed his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1955. After retirement as a professor and department chair at Roanoke College, he turned his attention to his native Eastern Shore, documenting the...
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Somerset County, Maryland, Roanoke College,...
The Brattan-Taylor ledgers are ledgers from a store located in Mardela Springs (then called Barren Creek), Maryland. The ledger is archived on microfilm at the Edward H. Nabb Research Center. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/1985.023
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Mardela Spings, Maryland, Business, Ledger
This ledger transcription concerns the activities of Sarah M. Tarr, a bonnet maker in the 19th century. The ledger contains descriptions of work done, the name of the clients, dates, credits, and debits from 1842 to 1850. Finding Aid portal link: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/2014.125
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Worcester County, Maryland, Fashion, Women,...
On July 12, 2005, Randall Parker was interviewed by Charles and Karen Smith in connection with the Teaching American History program. In the interview, he discusses his experiences growing up near San Domingo and attending segregated schools, as well as serving in a segregated army unit in the Second World War. This interview is part of the Teaching American History Program. For more information, see the Edward H. Nabb Center Finding Aid: ...
Topics: San Domingo, Maryland, World War 2, segregation
This interview was conducted with Alfred David Tuttle, Jr., from Crisfield MD. Tuttle grew up in Crisfield in the early 1970s. In this interview, he describes his childhood in great detail, describing life as a child in Crisfield at that time, the various child groups that existed, and some of the activities he and other children partook in during their free time. He also describes life around Crisfield and the conflicts that occurred, noting that general race relations were good. He also...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Crisfield MD, Education, Bullying, Race Relations
On July 15, 2004, Anna L. Lee was interviewed by Penny Grande at Parkside High School in connection with the Teaching American History program. Lee worked as a teacher for 22 years at Bennett Middle School and Wicomico Middle School, serving for 15 years as an administrator. She details her childhood as an African American child in segregated Fruitland and Salisbury, including her experiences of Wicomico County's segregated schools and her decision to go into education. This interview is part...
Topics: Salisbury, Maryland, segregation, Wicomico County Education
In 2004, G. Ray Thompson (professor of history at Salisbury University) transcribed over 300 inventories dating between 1665 to 1700 primarily in the Bogerternorton Hundred, though also other surrounding areas of old Somerset County, Maryland. Included are introductions to the transcription, which was made from microfilm copies held at the Nabb Center.
Topics: court records, colonial America, Maryland
On July 12, 2005, Newell Quinton was interviewed by Jan Robinson in connection with the Teaching American History program. Quinton talks about his education in the segregated San Domingo school for African American children and, later, at Salisbury High School. In particular, he discusses how community life in San Domingo shaped his development and the differences between his experiences and the experiences of current youth. This interview is part of the Teaching American History Program. For...
Topics: San Domingo, Maryland, segregation, Wicomico County Education
In this interview, Betty Roberta Smith recalls her memories of growing up in the era of segregation in Salisbury, MD. She recalls her time at Fruitland Elementary and Salisbury High School as well as her memories of the Civil Rights movement and its legacy in Princess Anne, south of Salisbury. This interview is part of the Teaching American History Program. For more information, see the Edward H. Nabb Center Finding Aid: https://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/finding-aid.php?id=1550
Topics: Segregation, Integration, Desegregation, Fruitland Elementary School, Maryland State College...
This interview was conducted with Christine Tyler, Executive Director of the Crisfield Heritage Foundation in Crisfield, MD. In the interview, she speaks about her life on the Eastern Shore and in Crisfield, as well as her introduction to the Heritage Foundation, eventually becoming its Executive Director. She speaks about the various activities that the foundation sponsors, including the Oyster & Bull roast and the Hard Crab derby, each bringing quite a bit of participation from the...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Crisfield MD, Tourism, Crisfield Heritage Foundation
The 1981 Jame M. Bennett Voyager yearbook commemorates the varsity football team's status as city champions for the second year in a row, and JV football's 6-1 season.
Topics: James M. Bennet Senior High School, Yearbooks, Salisbury, Maryland, 1981
The 1951 Wicomico High School Tom Tom was put together by the Class of 1951, and details the Wicomico High School classes of 1951-1955. Several students express their wish to serve in the Korean War.
Topics: Wicomico High School, Yearbooks, Korean War, Salisbury, Maryland, 1951
In 1997, G. Ray Thompson (professor of history at Salisbury University) transcribed over 80 inventories dating between 1721 to 1740 (with 12 inventories from the period 1693-1719) primarily in the Bogerternorton Hundred, though also other surrounding areas of old Somerset County, Maryland. Included are introductions to the transcription, which was made from microfilm copies held at the Nabb Center.
Topics: court records, colonial America, Maryland
These two indexes provide references and abstracts of records documenting land records, court transactions, and more records in Somerset and Worcester counties (including present-day Wicomico County) before 1870. The document includes two separate indexes, originally handwritten by John E. Jacob Jr. and transcribed by Jane Burt: the first arranged by location and the second by surname. The original indexes are found in the John Jacob Collection at the Nabb Research Center. For more...
Topics: land records, Maryland, Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, colonial, Delmarva, court records
This interview was conducted by Kelly Feltault with Jay Cherrix in Chincoteqgue Island, Va. In this brief interview, Jay describes a mural he created on the ceiling of his workshop. He describes the meaning behind the mural, involving angels, peace, love, heaven, Christ, and other images. He describes his style and design and his inspiration for painting and art. He also describes his favorite tool, the "wrasp", and the uses it has in art, as well as the use of art in expressing...
Topics: Delmarva Folklife Project, Religion, art, Chincoteague (va.)
This interview was conducted with Dennis E. Smith, manager at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, MD. In this interview, Smith discusses the scope and role of tourism in Crisfield MD as well as the involvement of Somers Cove Marina in that tourism. He discusses the activities that Crisfield had, including food and boating, and the importance of the marina in maintaining that interest in the area, especially for activities on the water. He also describes the marina itself, its construction, and...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Crisfield MD, Somers Cove Marina, Tourism
This interview was conducted with Binky Dize, a lifelong waterman and Smith Island native who gives lectures at the Crisfield Heritage Foundation and Museum. In the interview, Dize talks about his upbringing and the history of his family on Smith island, dating back to the 1600s. He talks about his life as a waterman and the lessons he learned from his father, as well as how this culture is reflected in Crisfield. He also talks about his ties to both Smith Island and Crisfield, participating in...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Smith Island, Crisfield MD, Watermen
In 1997, G. Ray Thompson (professor of history at Salisbury University) transcribed over 80 inventories dating between 1721 to 1740 (with 12 inventories from the period 1693-1719) primarily in the Bogerternorton Hundred, though also other surrounding areas of old Somerset County, Maryland. Included are introductions to the transcription, which was made from microfilm copies held at the Nabb Center.
Topics: court records, colonial America, Maryland
This excerpt from a Baltimore Afro American issue dated 12 December 1931 highlights the lynching of Matthew Williams in Salisbury, Maryland on 4 December 1931. Included are images of the violent racial terror attack and testimony from family members, as well as information about an unidentified man who was lynched the same night as Williams. Only an excerpt is provided under fair use.
Topics: lynching, racism, Salisbury, Maryland
This interview was conducted with Pastor Dorothy Mae Holden from Highway Holiness Church in Hopewell, MD. In this interview, she talks about how she and her husband created the Highway Holiness church in 1968, mentioning how the congregation and community grew and some of the activities they hold, including a Fellowship dinner. She describes the youth program they employ and the need to get younger people to begin and stay in the community so it may last. She also speaks about the religious...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Religion, Highway Holiness Church
This interview was conducted with Louis "Mac" Simpson in Ocean City, MD, on July 6, 1999. Mac works at a condo/marina in West Ocean City. In this interview, Mac describes working on the water on the eastern shore. In part 1, He describes his family's movement to the eastern shore from North Carolina back in the 1920s, the history of his parents, and their connection to the fishing and seafood industry, noting his father's profession as a commercial fisherman. He describes his father's...
Topics: Delmarva Folklife Project, water work, watermen, regulations, Ocean City (md.), fishing industry
The Beacon was the yearbook for Salisbury High School, Wicomico County Public Schools’ segregated high school for African American students. The yearbook includes faculty and staff, student portraits, club and athletic photos, and advertisements. Yearbooks were loaned to the Nabb Research Center by Shanie Shields for digitization in 2021.
Topics: salisbury, maryland, wicomico, education, yearbook, african american, segregation, Salisbury high...
This interview was conducted by Kelly Feltault with Preston and Sally Cherry in Berlin, MD. In this interview, he describes his upbringing as a farmer and his various employments over the years, most notably for the Baltimore Eastern Railroad company. He describes the work he did for the railroad including laying track and repairing tracks. He also describes working on derailments, sharing stories of derailments in Cherriton, Delaware, and Easton. He describes the methods and tools he and other...
Topics: Delmarva Folklife Project, religion, farm life, family life, Berlin (md.), railway work
The Beacon was the yearbook for Salisbury High School, Wicomico County Public Schools’ segregated high school for African American students. The yearbook includes faculty and staff, student portraits, club and athletic photos, and advertisements. Yearbooks were loaned to the Nabb Research Center by Shanie Shields for digitization in 2021.
Topics: salisbury, maryland, wicomico, education, yearbook, african american, segregation, Salisbury high...
The Beacon was the yearbook for Salisbury High School, Wicomico County Public Schools’ segregated high school for African American students. The yearbook includes faculty and staff, student portraits, club and athletic photos, and advertisements. Yearbooks were loaned to the Nabb Research Center by Shanie Shields for digitization in 2021.
Topics: salisbury, maryland, wicomico, education, yearbook, african american, segregation, Salisbury high...
This interview was conducted with Valerie Mason, Office Manager of the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce in Crisfield, MD, and daughter of Austin Cox, Sr. In this interview, Mason describes her role in the Chamber of Commerce and what some of the responsibilities of that organization are, as well as some of the events they sponsor to generate revenue. The largest event they sponsor is the Crab Derby, bringing around 10,000 participants and thousands of dollars in revenue. Other popular events...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Tourism, Crisfield MD
In 1929, the Del-Mar-Va Eastern Shore Association published this brochure to promote a summer White House on the Delmarva Peninsula, specifically targeting President Herbert Hoover with reasons why the region would be suitable. Included are photographs and written explanations about the following reasons why the Delmarva Peninsula offers the best summer White House: Proximity to Capital Accessible by water, rail, motor and air Privacy insured Geographic location Climatic conditions Attractive...
Topics: white house, president, delmarva, hoover, maryland, delaware, virginia
Ruth Diggs was a career seafood picker and worker before she moved to other employment. In this interview, she talks about her upbringing in Crisfield and her early experience with the seafood industry, working in numerous seafood houses. She describes the various jobs she and others had at those houses, from shucking oysters to wrapping soft-shell crabs. She also talks about the degradation of Crisfield and the decline of the seafood business in the area, leaving the town mostly out of work....
Topics: Seafood Industry, Crisfield MD, Crisfield Traditions in Time
This interview was conducted by Kelly Feltault with Mary Lowery on January 30, 1999. Mary Lowery is a water worker from Tilghman Island, MD. In the interview, she describes her love of the water and the various methods and stories that surrounded her years of work on the water. She describes how working with her father hooked her interest and taught her the methods of the trade, which she continued until her father passed away and restrictions got tighter. She would creab and work as a...
Topics: Delmarva Folklife Project, Water working, Tilghman Island (md.), Seafood, Cooking
The Beacon was the yearbook for Salisbury High School, Wicomico County Public Schools’ segregated high school for African American students. The yearbook includes faculty and staff, student portraits, club and athletic photos, and advertisements. This yearbook was loaned to the Nabb Research Center for digitization by Pearlean and Warren White in 2022.
Topics: salisbury, maryland, wicomico, education, yearbook, african american, segregation, Salisbury high...
In 1990, Wilmer O. Lankford transcribed Somerset County, Maryland court records from 1674, which are kept in the Maryland State Archives and accessible on microfilm at the Nabb Research Center. In addition to his transcription, Lankford wrote an introduction to the records.
Topics: Somerset, Maryland, court records, colonial America
This "Sketch of the Early History of Wicomico County and Salisbury, Maryland" was written by Maria Louise Ellegood in April 1923 for the Wicomico Woman's Club. It includes a narrative history of Wicomico County and Salisbury.
Topics: history, Wicomico, Salisbury, Maryland
These 26 ledgers comprise the handwritten records of Parsons Cemetery in Salisbury, Maryland, dating from the 1870s to 2011. Included are lot sale records, burial record ledgers, lot information booklets, lot owner binders, and more.There are both alphabetical listings of lot owners (binders) and lot-ordered listings for both single sites and family lots (ledgers). Listings include financial information for lot sales, internments, and names of deceased. Historic Parsons Cemetery is owned and...
Topics: cemetery, Parsons, Salisbury, Maryland
Jordan Rich was the Co-Owner of MeTompkin Bay Oyster Co. in Crisfield MD. In this interview, he talks about the origin of the business and the history of his family in the seafood business, spanning hundreds of years. He also talks about the changes in the seafood industry in recent years, including the loss of local oyster populations and the introduction of seafood imports from east Asia. He also mentions changes in Crisfield in the past few years and the increase in immigrant workers, noting...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Seafood, Crisfield MD
This interview was conducted by Kelly Feltault with Gary "Rooster" Potter in Perryville, MD, joined by Bob Jobes. In this interview, he describes life as a waterman and changes that have come about over the years. He describes his love of being a fisherman and his work with "fyke nets"; how they work, where he learned the trade, and how to best utilize the nets. He and Bob talk about development in Perryville and the shift away from fishing in the area, noting how people...
Topics: Delmarva Folklife Project, water work, watermen, regulation, urban development
This interview was conducted with Janet Sneade, owner of Trinity Lane Gospel Corner within Precious Gifts and Apparel. In the interview, she speaks of her upbringing in Crisfield in the 1980s, where she met her husband and settled down to have a family. She describes some of the changes she's seen in the area, notably the economic downturn after the local factories closed, but remains hopeful because of the new ferry being built at the time. She also describes the role of religion in her family...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Religion, Crisfield MD
The 1972 Tom Tom yearbook for Wicomico High School continues the trend of streamlining and 70's fashion is becoming more prevalent, with several male students sporting long hair and mustaches. Wicomico High School hosts another exchange student, this time from Brazil.
Topics: Wicomico High School, Yearbooks, Brazil, Salisbury, Maryland, 1972
This interview was conducted by Tom Walker with Russel Dize in Tilghman Island, MD. In this interview, Russel talks about sailing Skipjacks and the traditions and history of Smith island compared to the eastern shore. He talks about his upbringing on Smith island in the mid 20th C., speaking of the water work on the island, the average life there, and the importance of boats to people on the island. He talks of his family's interaction with the water, speaking of his father's work on the water...
Topics: Delmarva Folklife Project, watermen, water work, skipjack, sailing, regulation, Tilghman Island...
This interview was conducted with Bart Crockett, a waterman living in Crisfield MD, on the state of the industry and its future in the area. In the interview, he discusses his own business crabbing in the Bay, speaking of the regulations he has to follow and their necessity to preserve the wildlife and watermen's livelihood. He describes the recent economic troubles for crabbers in the area due to a low market price and poor environmental conditions, leading to high mortality rates in crabs...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Watermen, Seafood
In this excerpt of an interview with WM Jackson conducted by George H. Corddry, circa 1980, the two discuss the 1931 lynching of Matthew Williams (1993.18.05a). For more information on this collection, visit the finding aid: http://libapps.salisbury.edu/nabb-archives/local-history-archives/1993.018
Topics: lynching, oral history, Salisbury, Maryland
Jesus Vela and Cear Sarimento are both Mexican-American workers at the MeTompkin Crab and Oyster Processing Plant in Crisfield, Maryland. In this interview, they describe their previous lives in Durango, Mexico, and the circumstances that pushed them to seek work in the United States, helping the families they left behind in Mexico. They describe their experiences in immigrating to the United States and some of the challenges they and other Hispanics face in the area, especially as immigrants....
Topics: Immigration, Hispanic Heritage, Crisfield Traditions in Time
Matthew Wise's history of the Littleton Family, originally written in 1997 is reproduced and available for the public here courtesy of the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture. Matthew Wise earned his B.A. and M.A. from George Washington University, and completed his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1955. After retirement as a professor and department chair at Roanoke College, he turned his attention to his native Eastern Shore, documenting the histories of several...
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Northampton County, Virginia, Nathaniel...
This interview was conducted with Charles Tim Howard, a previous seafood business owner in Crisfield, MD. In the interview, he discusses his family's genealogy and past within the seafood business. He describes their various operations in oyster and crabbing houses, employing many different types of people in their houses. He talks of the growth in diversity in the crabbing houses after desegregation, bringing in more African-American workers. He also talks of the decline in the crab processing...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Crisfield MD, Crabbing, Seafood Processing
This debt book, transcribed by Aaron Horner, documents the rents paid in Somerset County, Maryland by landowners. Each landowner's name as well as the tracts they owned are listed alphabetically and contain acreage.
Topics: Salisbury University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Somerset County, Maryland, Financial Records
This interview was conducted with "Hurricane" Hazel Cropper, a Crisfield native and professional crab picker who won the Crab Derby picking contest ten times at the time of the interview. In the interview, she describes her upbringing and introduction to crab picking, noting her strategies and shortcomings when it came to competitions. She also talks about how her talent benefitted her on the road, demonstrating her abilities in Philadelphia and Baltimore, impressing crowds, and...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, African American History, Crab Picking, Crisfield MD
This interview was conducted with Mark and Dallas Bradshaw, two watermen from Smith Island and Crisfield. In the interview, they describe life on Smith Island and their work as watermen catching crabs. They describe the various methods watermen use to catch crabs, such as "bank traps", and a lot of the difficulties faced by watermen at that time, mostly with finances and regulations. Mark also talks about his second job at the Eastern Shore Correctional Institute and how being on the...
Topics: Crisfield Traditions in Time, Watermen, Tourism
The Beacon was the yearbook for Salisbury High School, Wicomico County Public Schools’ segregated high school for African American students. The yearbook includes faculty and staff, student portraits, club and athletic photos, and advertisements. This yearbook was loaned to the Nabb Research Center for digitization by Catherine Stanley (via Pearlean and Warren White) in 2022.
Topics: salisbury, maryland, wicomico, education, yearbook, african american, segregation, Salisbury high...
The Shoreline is the publication of the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture at Salisbury University. It features regular news from the Center and research conducted by employees and others.
Topics: Edward H. Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University, Newsletters, Shoreline
This medical accounts ledger documents Alexander Hamilton Bayly's medical work in Dorchester County, Maryland from 1835 to 1847. Based in Cambridge, Bayly's patients lived across the county and included slave-owners seeking assistance for their families and slaves, as well as 57 free black people--some of whom have occupations, locations, and family members listed. Additional loose pages detail medical procedures and practices. This ledger was digitized in 2020 and is part of the Bayly Family...
Topics: Cambridge, Dorchester County, Maryland, free black, African American history, Harriet Tubman,...
In 1996, G. Ray Thompson (professor of history at Salisbury University) transcribed over 120 inventories dating between 1701 to 1720 primarily in the Bogerternorton Hundred, though also other surrounding areas of old Somerset County, Maryland. Included are introductions to the transcription, which was made from microfilm copies held at the Nabb Center.
Topics: court records, colonial America, Maryland
William "Butch" Waller was a renowned physical education teacher at Wicomico High School from 1966 until his retirement. He speaks of his experience as a physical education teacher in the midst of integration, his enthusiasm for sports in education regardless of race, and challenges he encountered as a coach after integration. Transcript available as PDF.
Topics: Desegregation, Wicomico County Education, Wicomico County Sports Education
