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(34 Main Street, P.122, Temperance House)
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Historic Record Report
Also known as "The Brick
Hotel", "The Manning House", "The Temperance House",
"The House of the Hinges" and the
"Cyrus Mitchell" House. The current house was likely built by Cyrus Mitchell
between 1793 and 1799. A smaller structure, possibly the kitchen
wing of this house may have been erected between 1786 and 1790 by Charles
Daffin.
See also the
Outbuildings
that were located on the Temperance House property.
The Daffin-Mitchell house is attributed by its current owner as being
built by Charles Daffin and Cyrus Mitchell. James Sulivane sold 4 1/2
acres to Charles Daffin in 1786 for 157 pounds. Charles Daffin sold
the 4 1/2 acres to Daniel Godwin in 1790 for 250 pounds. Daniel Godwin
sold the 4 1/2 acres to Cyrus Mitchell in 1793 for 180 pounds. In the
1790s, one acre vacant lots were being sold by James Sulivane for about 30
pounds.
Cyrus Mitchell bought another acre on the other side of the "Old" road to
form a new tract on the west side of the "new" road (about 5 1/2 acres).
This lot ran from the northeast corner of the Daffin-Mitchell lot to the
southwest corner of the Smith Cottage lot. This bigger lot was later
divided and sold as smaller lots after Cyrus Mitchell died around 1800.
In 1804 the executors of Cyrus Mitchell sold this house & lot (about 2
acres) to Joseph Ennalls for $2000. The exchange rate in 1804 was
about $4.50 to 1 pound. So $2000 would be the equivalent of 444
pounds. From the house being mentioned in the deed and the sales price
data it appears that the current house was built by Cyrus Mitchell between
1793 and
1804. The price data are inconclusive about whether a smaller
structure, possibly the kitchen wing of this house may have been erected
between 1786 and 1790 by Charles Daffin.
From the Annual Candlelight Tour Brochure
sponsored by the East New Market Heritage Foundation 1991
In mid-restoration, this late 18th century house
is an excellent example of the transition from the Georgian to
the Federal style of architecture. Documents newly
discovered reveal that the main section of the house was built
between 1792 and 1796 by Cyrus Mitchell and not by the Sulivane
or Ennalls families as previously thought. Other evidence
indicates that kitchen wing may date as much as 100 years
earlier. Substantial alterations, however, make dating
most uncertain. Although an 1840's Greek Revitalization
and late 19th century Victorianization saw many original features altered, the
present painstaking work has uncovered much evidence upon which the restoration
is based and has seen the return of lost grandeur.
From
"Between The Nanticoke and the Choptank, An Architectural History of Dorchester
County, Maryland" Edited by Christopher Weeks, with contributions by
Michael O. Bourne, Geoffrey Henry, Catherine Moore, Calvin Mowbray, M. Fred
Tidwell.
 One of the most famous houses in Dorchester County, this
substantial brick house sits off of the road shaded by venerable trees.
Locally known as the Brick Hotel, the late Georgian house has a steep roof,
a carved frieze, and a cornice of carved modillions with triglyph, accented
by guttae, all quite correct. The hinges, by the way, have nothing to
do with the house: they are, instead, on the door of an old meat house
located to the rear of the house's one-and-one-half-story kitchen wing.
The prominent Ennalls family is generally credited with building the house.
Later it passed to Anthony L. Manning, an officer in the War of 1812.
In the 1920s it functioned as the East New Market Hotel, but has since been
carefully restored.
[Error Note - House was likely built by Cyrus Mitchell, not the Ennalls family.]
From "Souvenir Program of the North Dorchester Heritage Festival at
Hurlock, Maryland, June 5-11, 1955"
 Another ancient house bears the picturesque name
of "The Old House of Hinges". While to the casual
passer-by the house looks quite recent, owing to extensive
remodeling, the original old part of the house was built by
James Sulivane. Later it belonged to a branch of the
famous Hooper family, of Warwick Fort Manor. On the main street of East New Market is a beautiful
home called "the old Manning property", or the "Brick Hotel".
It was constructed in the latter part of the eighteenth century by
Major Anthony Manning. Major Manning fought in the War of
1812, and
afterwards retired to East New Market to live the life of
a country gentleman. The house was inherited by the major's
son, Dr. Anthony Manning, who was a surgeon in the Civil War.
He lived there a long time, and, indeed, the house remained in the
Manning family until about 1924. After that it was used as a
hotel for a short time.
[Error Note - House was likely built by Cyrus Mitchell, not James Sulivane.
The house was also never owned by the Hooper family.]
From New Revised History of Dorchester County, Maryland by Elias Jones,
Tidewater Publishers, Cambridge, Maryland - 1966, Chapter X, East New Market, by
Miss Emma Edmondson Jacobs 1925
Some of the most beautiful homes have been well
kept. One of the most striking residences in the town is
the Manning property; it is over 125 years old, and was built by
Major Anthony Manning, who fought in the War of 1812.
However, it remained longest in the possession of his son, Dr.
Anthony Manning, who was a surgeon in the Civil War. Until
the year 1924, this property remained in the family; but has
lately been converted into a hotel, the only hotel in East New
Market.
[Error Note - House was likely built by Cyrus Mitchell, not Major Anthony
Manning.]
From The Daily Banner, July 30,
1923 - Historic Homes
Major Anthony Manning built the Old
Brick Hotel over 130 years ago. He was active in the war of 1812, and
has been kept in the family of the Manning's until within the last year,
when it was purchased by Mr. Charles Hubbard of Philadelphia.
[Error Note - House was likely built by Cyrus Mitchell, not Major
Anthony Manning.]
1922 vs. 1877
The properties
labeled Dr. A.L. Manning and Temperance House in 1877 were owned
for a period of time by the same person. In 1922, one
person owned both properties, thus a property line did not
separate the two. In 1922 the main house was labeled as a
Hotel. The property was known as the Brick Hotel for a
while and used as such. The smokehouse behind the the main
house in 1922 and the cluster of outbuildings to the rear of the
property are not pictured on the 1877 map. The mapmaker in
1877 primarily depicted residential and commercial structures.
In 1922, the large structure south of the main house is labeled
'D' for dwelling in 1922. The large structure abutting the
road in 1877 is thought to be the same dwelling. Several
properties were moved in East New Market, and this structure is
thought to have been moved back from the road. The small
structure at the southeast corner of the lot in 1877 is though
to have been an commercial building that was later moved or torn
down.
 
Census Records
1850 Census - possibly Dwelling
#1227, the household of Ann Manning
1860 Census - possibly Dwelling #756,
Vance Edmondson or #781, the hotel of George Stephens
1870 Census - Possibly Dwelling #356,
the hotel of James L. Colston or #369, the hotel of Mary Bramble.
1880 Census
- Possibly Dwelling #16, the hotel of John F. Ryan or #18, the hotel of
Mary Bramble.
The Laskowski Papers by F. Arthur Laskowski - Old Manning Property
On the west side of Main St. in East New Market and about 100 yards south
of its intersection with Railroad Ave. is a 2 ˝ story brick dwelling, which
is the old Manning property.
That the Mannings were early inhabitants of Dorchester is attested by the
fact that in the early land records we find land transactions by the Manning
family. We also find that in 1779 Nathaniel Manning was a Captain in the
Revolution. While the Mannings were active in military affairs, they do not
seem to have been generally active in the political phase of the county.
During the latter part of the 18th century, Major Anthony
Manning built what is now called the "Old Manning Property". This large
brick dwelling is on the main street of East New Market and until a short
time ago was known as "The Brick Hotel", although now it has once more
reverted into a private dwelling.
During the War of 1812, Major Anthony Manning was actively engaged in
fighting with the American Army against the British. After the war, he
retired to his home in East New Market to live the life of a country
gentleman.
The Major’s son, Dr. Anthony Manning, was a surgeon in the Civil War.
When the property came into his hands, he retained it for a long period of
years and it is said that the property was in the hands of some branch of
the Manning family until 1924. After that time it was converted into a
hotel, but remained a public hostelry for but a few years.
In a previous generation when gentlemen of the so-called sporting class
of a community gambled handsomely, though not wisely, the owner of this
property (Mr. Hamil Smith’s grandfather) lost it one night in a poker game.
While stories like this may sound romantic to us, there is little beauty
attached to the scene of a family leaving its ancestral home because of the
flip of a card by the so-called "head of the family." We may berate the
modern flapper for her rouge and short skirts, but at least she has the
sense and spirit to resist any attempt of evicting her from her home because
of her husband’s love of gambling – and more power to her.
During many years of its existence, like many old houses, it has had a
varied career, and is now occupied by A.S. Bramble.
Building – The dwelling facing east and west is almost a duplicate of the
house on the Goose Creek Farm. To the front is a hall extending across the
front of the building. The stairway is to the left as one enters, and the
woodwork and paneled doors are typical of the colonial period. Back of the
hall are the large living rooms with fireplaces.
On the second floor, the hall is to the front, the large comfortable bed
rooms opening upon it. In the large attic are comfortable rooms. Like most
old dwellings of this type, there is a large one-story brick wing to the
south.
Grounds – These are now limited to a small area between the house and
street. In former days spacious gardens extended on the sides and to the
rear. This land, however, was sold off in the course of time and buildings
now occupy the space.
References:
Mr. Hamil Smith, East New Market, Md.
Mr. A.S. Bramble, East New Market, Md.
History of Dorchester County
From the Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites
Inventory Form
Popularly known as the "House of the Hinges,"
but also called the Manning house or the Temperance Hotel, this
two-and-a-half story, four-room plan brick house stands in the
center of East New Market, Dorchester County, Maryland. The
Flemish and common bond brick house faces east with the gable
oriented on
a north/south axis.
Built around 1795-1800, this two-and-a-half, four-bay brick
house is supported by a raised three-course common bond brick
foundation that boasts a molded watertable. The front and side
walls are laid in Flemish bond, while the west (rear) wall is a
laid in common bond. The steeply pitched gable roof has been
recently resheathed with slate. Attached to the south end of the
main block is a story-and-a-half three-course common bond brick
kitchen that incorporates fragments of an earlier structure of
undetermined date. Standing behind the kitchen is a pyramidal
roofed log smokehouse.
The east (main) facade is an asymmetrical four-bay elevation
that has been recently restored with a new double-door entrance
and flanking twelve-over-eight sash windows. The raised-panel
double doors, located in the second bay from the south, have
been interpreted with flanking pilasters and an elaborate
modillion block cornice. The cornice profile was taken from the
original block cornice surviving on the dormers. Each of the
window openings are topped by carefully executed jack arches.
The second floor is marked by four window eight-over-eight
window openings. The second bay from the south had originally
been a window opening, but was changed to a door opening and
then back to a window opening. Stretching across the base of the
roof is an intricate cornice with an elaborate series of
moldings. The modillion blocks have a delicate tapered profile,
and a row of candlestick punch and gougework enhance the bed
molding. Distinguishing the steeply pitched roof are a
pair of gabled dormers that boast modillion cornices and
original arched sash windows. The sides to the dormers are
covered with diagonal board sheathing. Piercing the foundation
are segmental arches cellar window openings with restored
horizontal bar grills.
The north side of the house is an asymmetrical elevation as well
with a single twelve-over-eight sash window marking the west
bay, and a pair of eight-over-eight sash windows lighting the
second floor. Six-over-six sash windows light the attic to
either side of the tall, interior end brick stacks that
are finished with corbeled caps. The gable end is flush and
trimmed with a molded bargeboard.
The west (rear) elevation is a three-bay facade with a raised
ten-panel door flanked by restored twelve-over-eight sash
windows. Three eight-over-eight sash windows light the second
floor, and a pair of new dormers are centered on the roof. The
cornice is less elaborately finished with more standard bed and
crown moldings than the front cornice.
The south side of the main block is partially covered by a
story-and-a-half three-course common bond brick kitchen that
incorporates the remnants of an earlier brick structure of
undetermined date. The balance of the south wall of the main
house includes an original eight-over-eight sash window that
lights the first stair landing and restored eight-over-eight
sash windows that illuminate the south rooms. The attic wall is
pierced by a pair of six-over-six sash windows to either side of
the large interior end brick chimney. The gable end is finished
with a molded bargeboard. An exterior cellar entry is located in
the east bay and is sheltered by a gable roofed frame entry.
The east (main) three-bay elevation of the kitchen is a
symmetrical facade with a center four-panel door entrance and
flanking six-over-six sash windows with jack arches. The entire
south wall is sheltered by an engaged porch that is supported by
square tapered piers set on marble blocks. The center opening of
the porch is distinguished by a segmental arch. The porch
ceiling is vaulted, and the floor is brick paved. Centered on
the roof are a pair of six-over-six sash dormers with simple
pilasters trimming the corners, and diagonal board side walls.
The south end of the kitchen is dominated by a partial exterior
brick chimney with corbeled shoulders. The chimney is laid in
five-course common bond. Evident in the brickwork is a
slight raising of the roof to include the engaged porch in
front. A four-over-four sash window pierces the upper gable east
of the brick stack, and the end wall of the porch is covered
with Flush beaded boards.
The west side of the kitchen is a three-bay facade with a center
four-panel door and flanking six-over-six sash windows.
The interior finishes of the main block are undergoing an
extensive restoration that is focused on returning the house to
its turn of the nineteenth-century finish. Much of the house had
been extensively reworked around 1840 in Greek Revival taste.
Despite ambitious interests to redesign the interior at the
time, much of the original woodwork was left in place or reused
in other situations throughout the house.
The first floor is divided into four unequal sized rooms. The
squarish entrance hall, comprising the southeast quarter of the
first floor, is dominated by the decorated quarter-turn stair
that rises in the southeast corner of the entrance hall. The
slender turned newel post and the series of turned balusters
support a molded handrail. The stringer below is decorated with
a delicate scroll design with the end of the S-shaped curve
embellished with a gougework star. Below the stringer the large
triangular space is divided by a series of flat panels. The
stair soffit is finished with the same flat panels. The soffits
of the second floor run of steps were fitted with reproduction
flat paneling as well. The entrance hall walls were originally
fitted with flat-panel wainscoting as well, a section of which
survives against the south wall rising with the stair. The
wainscoting is embellished with a punch and gougework row
imitating classical swags. The entrance hall has been refitted
with restored six-panel doors framed by crossetted surrounds
with ovolo molded backbands.
The northeast room has been extensively reworked with the
restoration of the hearth wall. The chimney breast had been
stripped of its mantel and eighteenth-century overmantel.
Original cupboards to either side of the hearth had been altered
as well. The Federal mantel, the profile of which follows the
paint ghost of the original, has been applied along with a
crossetted overmantel. The cupboards to either side have been
rebuilt as well with the beaded board shelves inserted where the
earlier ones had been. The ceiling is trimmed with an original
cornice that stretches across the distance of the north wall. An
unusual feature of the front parlor uncovered during the
restoration process is the partially whitewashed finish of the
interior parlor walls. The whitewash only rises to the height of
a chair rail. Painted overmantels executed during the early
nineteenth century were removed and installed in the Maryland
Historical Society.
The northwest room, the largest first floor space is highlighted
by an elaborate wooden cornice that stretches around the
perimeter of the room. A candlestick row of gougework enriches a
complex molded cornice. The hearth wall is currently being
restored since the eighteenth-century mantel and overmantel were
removed. The flat-panel wainscoting some of which survives is
also being restored on the east wall where a Greek Revival sized
double-door opening has been introduced.
The southwest room is the smallest first floor space. A
southeast corner fireplace is fitted with a Greek Revival style
mantel with simple pilasters and a plain frieze under a thick
shelf. The room is fitted with raised-panel wainscoting, and as
in the rest of the house the doors and windows have been
restored.
The second floor is divided into four rooms that open from a
center passage. The stair that continues to the attic is
less elaborately finished with plain rectangular balusters and a
simpler molded handrail. The upstairs passage is also fitted
with flat-panel wainscoting and crossetted door surrounds. The
door reveals are finished with raised panels, and many of the
original raised six-panel doors survive as well. The finish of
the bedrooms is relatively plain in contrast to the rest of the
house. The southwest room includes a corner hearth. The ovolo
molded firebox surround had been removed and used elsewhere, but
is now being returned to its original location. Beaded baseboard
stretches around the perimeter of the room. The northern two
rooms are in the process of being repartitioned with the
addition of closet space and/or bathrooms.
The attic was finished evidently around 1840 with the space
partitioned into five rooms. Sawn lath and plaster walls with
beaded baseboards were the principal finish. Located in the
southwest room is the enclosed attic stair which carries an
early square newel post and square balusters that support a
molded handrail. A beaded board partition encloses the ladder
stair. The upper attic is unfinished.
The kitchen interior has been heavily reworked through the years
and has now been extensively gutted. Surviving on the south end
wall is a flush paneling framed by beaded edge stiles and rails.
The hearth is framed by a molded surround topped by a molded
shelf, while the enclosed stair is fixed in the southwest
corner. To the east of the chimney pile the niche was
filled with built-in cupboards. The doors as well as some of the
rails and stiles have been removed. The upper floor of the
kitchen is partitioned into two rooms. Interestingly a section
flat-panel wainscoting was nailed to the south end wall and
topped by a hand-carved mantel shelf. In addition a crossetted
door surround removed from the main house was used around the
door opening of the partition.
Standing directly behind the kitchen is a pyramidal roofed hewn
log smokehouse. Supported by the remnants of a continuous brick
foundation, the smokehouse is covered by a pyramidal asphalt
shingle roof. The exposed logs were finished with a beaded
edges, and the corner notching was covered with beaded edge
boards. Piercing the east side is a large board door with long
spade-tipped strap hinges. Along the inside edge of each strap
hinge a tangent section of iron curls out to add further support
for the door. The door is framed by a molded surround. The
cornice above the door is boxed. The side walls consist of
stacked hewn logs with beaded edges, while the west (rear) wall
is pierced by a small window opening framed by a molded
surround. Two sets of iron bars crisscross the window opening
which is covered by a board shutter hung on long strap hinges.
The interior has a loose board floor.
Significance - The "House of the Hinges," also known as the
Manning House, is one of the best known historic dwellings in
Dorchester County. The two-and-a-half story Flemish bond brick
dwelling was built on an ambitious scale with a generous
four-room plan. The interior Georgian and Federal influenced
woodwork equals any similar work known to exist in the area.
Attached to South gable end is a story-and-a-half kitchen that
boasts an engaged tapered post porch with a brick paved floor
and a vaulted ceilings. Standing behind the kitchen is the
structure that inspired the name of the property. The hewn log
smokehouse displays unusually long strap hinges. The beaded
edges of the logs, the beaded edges of the surface trim, and
rare construction features make this turn of the
nineteenth-century smokehouse a highly unusual survival on the
Eastern Shore.
The property was held by the Manning family for much of the
nineteenth-century. In addition to the credit for erecting the
house, members of the Manning family also operated a hotel in
this building through part of the late nineteenth century.
Currently, the house is undergoing an extensive restoration that
is focused on returning the house to its early appearance.
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