Ritchie's Place, Rich's Dance Hall, Richardson's Gas Station, Warner's Tavern
Key date analysis:
When Julian Richardson bought this lot in 1922, three structures occupied the larger current property. The Dorchester House, the Old Trading Post, and a shop for Wagon Repairing. A fourth rectangular building was next to the Wagon Repairing building, but was actually on the rear part of a lot extending from Railroad Avenue. In 1922 the future site of Johnny's Tavern was a large vacant area. The 1914 fire had destroyed all buildings at the front of the property including the J. Millenson & Son store building. Julian Richardson built the current building as a service station in the 1920s, added gas pumps around 1930, and expanded the building and added a tavern after prohibition ended in 1933. Johnny Warner purchased the property in 1972. In 1978, he bought the adjacent lots which were the former sites of The Dorchester House and the Old Trading Post and formed the larger Johnny's Tavern.
Who built it:
Julian Richardson built the current building in the 1920s and added to it in the early 1930s.
Longest Residents:
Julian Richardson owned for 37 years. Johnny Warner owned for 35 years.
More Research:
I believe a good photo of the gas station from the 1930s or 1940s still exists.
Historic Records:
[P18] PLC 204/483 - 4 April 1978 - Phillip Burton & Sadie Burton, his wife to John S. Warner & Margaret A. Warner, his wife for $5: Two lots on the east side of Main Street, being known as the Old Tavern Property, being bounded on the north by the lands of W. Howard Blake, Frances Wiggins Anderson, and Iva L. Collins, and on the south by the land of John Abbott Burton, and on the east by the former Hicks land, and having a depth of approximately 470 feet, more or less. Being the same property which was conveyed unto the said Phillip Burton and Sadie Burton, his wife, by deed from Bessie H. Schoenfeldt and Gordon T. Schoenfeldt, her husband, dated 18 September 1974, PLC 186/624.
[P19] 206 PLC 273 - 16 August 1978 - William B. Collins of Wilmington, DE, to John S. Warner & Margaret A. Warner, his wife, for $10,000:
[P19] 205 PLC 739 - 21 June 1978 - Iva L. Collins to William B. Collins for natural love & affection:
[P19] 184 PLC 496 - 15 March 1974 - Walter H. Bounds, Herman C. Bounds Jr., Hubert W. Bounds, Florine Bounds Groff, Edna Bounds, Charles C. Bounds, Irving P. Bounds Jr., Lucille B. Parella, Dorothy B. Majors, Liston Bloodsworth, Clifford Bloodsworth, Ronald Bloodsworth, Patricia Bloodsworth Rickwood, and Edna Pauline Bloodsworth Beckwith, all part owners, to Iva L. Collins and William B. Collins for $1: Whereas, Etha A. McAllen departed this life during the year 1934, possessed of land conveyed to her by the County Commissioners for Dorchester County, by deed dated 7 August 1934 in 31 JFD 295. Whereas the said Etha A. McAllen left surviving her Iva L. Collins, Herman C. Bounds, Harry Bounds, Liston Bounds, and Edna Bloodsworth, as her only heirs-at-law. Whereas, prior to the death of Etha A. McAllen, her daughter, Iva L. Collins made certain arrangements with her and with her brothers and sisters about becoming the sole owner of the hereinafter described property, and has entered into such ownership many years ago, has maintained the property, paid the taxes, and considered it her own since 1934 without realizing she did not have a valid deed of conveyance. Whereas the said Iva L. Collins now desires to own the said property as joint tenants with her son William B. Collins, has requested a deed of conveyance from the other grantors. Lot which was designated as Lot No. 92 in a deed from A.S. Hopkins, Treasurer to the County Commissioners for Dorchester County, said deed being dated 7 June 1934 in 31 JFD 147. Lot No. 92 - assessed to William T. Collins, being lot on Main Street adjoining lands of Julian Richardson and Mrs. Adeline Dick, with buildings thereon in East New Market.
[P20] 173 PLC 115 - 9 March 1972 - Charles C. Powell to John S. Warner & Margaret A. Warner, his wife, for $5: lot in the town of East New Market on the east side of Main Street, bounded on the north by the property of the Masonic Lodge, on the east by the property now or formerly owned by Dorsey & Mary Webster, and on the south by the property of the Choptank Distributing Company, Inc. Beginning on the eastward side of Main Street distant 66 feet from the southeastward corner of said Main Street and Railroad Avenue, and from thence runs and binds S73/40E 158.6f with the northward side of an alley 12 foot in width to a stone, thence S15/10W 62.25f to a stone, thence S89W 165.3f to the eastward side of Main Street, thence running and binding with said Main Street N16/10E 105.25f to the place of beginning. Saving and excepting land conveyed unto the Choptank Distributing Company, Inc. by deed dated 15 October 1964 in 140 PLC 112, subject to an easement granted unto J. Edward Powell on 31 January 1968 in 154 PLC 527. Being part of the land conveyed unto the said Charles C. Powell by deed dated 6 November 1963 in 136 PLC 15.
[P18] PLC 186/624 - 28 October 1967 - Bessie H. Schoenfeldt & Gordon T. Schoenfeldt, her husband, to Phillip Burton & Sadie Burton, his wife (final payment 18 September 1974): Property described as above; Being the same property which was conveyed unto the said Bessie H. Schoenfeldt and R. Alton Hackett, as joint tenants, by Clarence H. Corkran, Trustee, by deed dated 22 April 1967, PLC 152/572, and upon the death of R. Alton Hackett on the 5 August 1967, vested absolutely in the said Bessie H. Schoenfeldt by virtue of the right of survivorship.
[P18] PLC 152/572 - 22 April 1967 - Clarence H. Corkran Jr., Trustee, to R.
Alton Hackett and Bessie H. Schoenfeldt for $1: First, ot
generally known as the Old Tavern Property on the east side of Main
Street being the same property conveyed unto Reuben A. Clausser and wife
by deed from Christine Clausser, dated 7 June 1947, RSM 62/681.
Second, all that lot on the east side of Main Street that fronts 56
feet, 9 inches on said street and runs back therefrom to the Hicks
lands, being bounded on the North by the lands of William T. Collins &
Iva L. Collins, the land of Ada Wright, and Mary K. Willey lands,
on the East by the Hicks land and on the south by the land hereinbefore
described as "First". The said land described is the same, which
was conveyed unto the said Clarence H. Corkran Jr., in trust, by the
deed first hereinbefore mentioned, and is the same which was conveyed
unto the said R. Alton Hackett by deed from Reuben A. Clausser and
Bernice B. Clausser, his wife, dated 17 September 1956, RSM 101/426.
[P20] 136 PLC 15 - 6 November 1963 - Charles E. Edmondson, Assignee, to Charles C. Powell for $4600: Whereas in a mortgage from George W. Weber Jr. & Ann B. Weber, his wife, unto Charles C. Powell dated 28 September 1962 in 127 PLC 1, which mortgage was assigned to Charles E. Edmondson for the purpose of foreclosure and collection in Court Case 9446 Chancery. Lot in the town of East New Market on the eastward side of Main Street and bounded on the North by the property of the Masonic Lodge, on the East by the property of Darcy & Mary Webster, and on the South by the property of Iva Collins. Beginning on the East side of Main Street, distant 66 feet from the southeastward corner of said Main Street and Railroad Avenue, and from thence runs S73/40E 158.6f with the northward side of an alley 12f in width to a stone, thence S15/10W 62.25f to a stone, thence S89W 165.3f to the eastward side of Main Street, thence running with said Main Street N16/10E 105.25f to the place of beginning. Also includes one 18f service bar, 9 bar stools, 2-3 basin sinks, gas hot water heater, 10f soda fountain 8 hole- 6 dispenser, 5 digit National Cash Register, 5 foot candy case, 5f 2 door dairy case, and such other personal property located in the building. Being the same land conveyed unto George W. Weber Jr. by deed from Minnie L. Mowbray, unmarried, and Marguerita E. Kelley, unmarried, dated 28 September 1962 in 129 PLC 534.
[P20] 129 PLC 534 - 28 September 1962 - Minnie L. Mowbray and Marguerite E. Kelley, both single, to George W. Weber Jr. for $3000: Also sold personal property for $1000. [Described in 136 PLC 15]. Being the same property conveyed to Minnie L. Mowbray and Marguerite E. Kelley by Julian M. Richardson 7 Frieda Richardson, his wife, by deed dated 8 December 1959 in 117 PLC 217.
[P20] 117 PLC 217 - 8 December 1959 - Julian M. Richardson & Frieda Richardson, his wife, to Minnie L. Mowbray and Marguerite E. Kelley for $5: [Described in 136 PLC 15]. Same property conveyed to Julian M. Richardson by Edward S. Phillips & wife by deed dated 2 January 1922 in 11 JFD 170.
[P18] 101 RSM 426 - 17 September 1956 - Reuben Clausser & Bernice Clausser,
his wife, to R. Alton Hackett for $5: Two lots on the eastward
side of Main Street in the town of East New Market.
First, lot generally known as the Old Tavern Property on the east side
of Main Street being the same property conveyed unto the grantors by
deed from Christine Clausser, dated 7 June 1947, 62 RSM 681 and being
the same property conveyed unto Andrew Clausser & Christina Clausser,
his wife, by J. Richard Jones, Assignee of Mortgage, by deed dated 3
November 1928 in 22 JFD 649. The entire property was vested in the
said Christine Clausser upon the death of her husband, Andrew Clausser.
Second, lot on the east side of Main Street that fronts 56 feet, 9
inches on said street and runs back therefrom to the Hicks lands, being
bounded on the North by the lands of William T. Collins & Iva L.
Collins, the land of Ada Wright, and Mary K. Willey lands, on the
East by the Hicks land and on the south by the land hereinbefore
described as "First". Being the same property conveyed by deed to
the said grantors from the East New Market Volunteer Fire Department,
Incorporated, by deed from Adeline D. Dick and others, dated 23 January
1945 in 51 RSM 374.
[P18] 51 RSM 374 - 23 January 1945 - Adeline D. Dick & John Dick 3rd, her husband, and Gulia S. Crossette, widow, all of the city of Philadelphia, PA, and John F.S. Collins & Edith Collins, his wife, Thomas W.H. Collins & Bessie H. Collins, his wife, William T. Collins & Iva L. Collins, his wife. Whereas Samuel E. Collins, deceased, by item (3) of his last will and testament dated 23 December 1897 in 2 JWF 144 made the following devise: "I give and devise unto my daughter, Adeline D. Collins, all that lot of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the village of East New Market, in said County adjoining the property of Thomas J. Helsby and wife, the same being my home place which I purchased of Emma V. E. Jacobs, to have and to hold the same forever in fee simple, but if she, the said Adeline D. die without issue living at the time of her death, then I will and devise the said home place to the remaining children which have been born to me and by my present wife Guliaelina W. Collins, share and share alike as tenants in common". Whereas the said Samuel E. Collins had born to him by his said wife, Guliaelina W. Collins, the following children, to wit: Adeline D. Collins, intermarried with John Dick 3rd; Gulia S. Crossette; John F.S. Collins, intermarried with Edith C. Collins; Thomas W. H. Collins, intermarried with Bessie H. Collins; William T. Collins, intermarried with Iva L. Collins; and Bessie Elizabeth Conard, who intermarried with Linwood Conard, the said Bessie Elizabeth Conard, having departed this life many years ago, intestate, leaving her said husband, Linwood Conard, and a son, Linwood Conard, who since the death of the said Bessie Elizabeth Conard, has departed this life, and a daughter Elizabeth Conard, whose whereabouts is at present unknown, surviving her as her only heirs at law. Whereas the the said Adeline D. Dick has sold unto the East New Market Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated, the land and property mentioned in the aforesaid item 3 of the last will and testament of her father, the said Samuel E. Collins, deceased, and in order to convey a good merchantable title thereto, all the of the aforesaid children born to the said Samuel E. Collins by his wife, Guliaelina W. Collins, together with their respective husbands and wives, have agreed to join with the said Adeline D. Dick & John Dick 3rd, her husband, in the execution of these presents. Lot on the east side of Main Street that fronts 56 feet, 9 inches on said street and runs back therefrom to the Hicks lands, being bounded on the North by the lands of William T. Collins & Iva L. Collins, the land of Ada Wright, and Mary K. Willey lands, on the East by the Hicks land and on the south by the lands of Andrew Clausser. Being the same lot which was conveyed unto the said Samuel E. Collins by James T. Jacobs & Emma V.E. Jacobs, his wife by deed dated 20 March 1871 in 8 FJH 44.
[P19] 31 JFD 295 - 7 August 1934 - County Commissioners of Dorchester County to Etha McAllen: Lot 92 from A.S. Hopkins, Treasurer to the County Commissioners in deed dated 7 June 1934 in 31 JFD 147. Lot on Main Street adjoining the lands of Julian Richardson and Mrs. Adeline Dick with buildings.
[P19] 31 JFD 147 -7 June 1934 - Arthus S. Hopkins, Treasurer & Collector for Dorchester County, to sell property to the County Commissioners of Dorchester County for taxes levied but not collected for the year 1931. Property of William T. Collins sold to pay taxes - among many others.
[P20] 11 JFD 170 - 2 January 1922 - Edward S. Phillips & Mary V. Phillips, his wife, and the Eastern Shore Trust Company to Julian M. Richardson for $5: Whereas Edward S. Phillips & Mary V. Phillips, his wife, executed a mortgage to the Eastern Shore Trust Company dated 27 August 1921 in 11 WHM 154. Lot in East New Market. Beginning on the eastward side of Main Street distant 66 feet from the southeastward corner of said Main Street and Railroad Avenue, from thence runs and binds S73/40E 158f with the northward of a alley 12 feet in width to a stone, thence S15/10W 62.25f to a stone, S89W 165.3f to the eastward side of Main Street, thence running with Main Street N16/10E 105.25 to the place of beginning. Being the same land which is designated as "Lot number 1" in a deed to the said Edward S. Phillips from Minnie R. Hooper & husband, dated 14 June 1921 in 10 WHM 373.
[P20] 11 WHM 154 - 27 August 1921 - Mortgage - Edward S. Phillips & Mary V. Phillips, his wife, owing to the Eastern Shore Trust Company for $6000, which has been paid unto Frederick H. Fletcher and J. Richard Jones, assignees of Mortgage: A lot in Cambridge and a lot in East New Market. Beginning on the eastward side of Main Street distant 66 feet from the southeastward corner of said Main Street and Railroad Avenue, from thence runs and binds S73/40E 158f with the northward of a alley 12 feet in width to a stone, thence S15/10W 62.25f to a stone, S89W 165.3f to the eastward side of Main Street, thence running with Main Street N16/10E 105.25 to the place of beginning.
[P20] 10 WHM 373 - 14 June 1921 - Minnie R. Hooper & Edward L. Hooper, her husband, to Edward S. Phillips for $5: Lot Number 1. Beginning on the eastward side of Main Street distant 66 feet from the southeastward corner of said Main Street and Railroad Avenue, from thence runs and binds S73/40E 158f with the northward of a alley 12 feet in width to a stone, thence S15/10W 62.25f to a stone, S89W 165.3f to the eastward side of Main Street, thence running with Main Street N16/10E 105.25 to the place of beginning. The above described lot is composed, in part, of the three following pieces of land conveyed by Susan J. Wales by the following deed from the grantors therein named as follows (a) from Edward L. Hooper & Minnie R. Hooper, his wife, dated 10 May 1889 in 12 CL 594; (b) from the said Edward L. Hooper & Minnie R. Hooper, his wife, dated 9 May 1893 in 17 CL 403, and (c) from John Gould Francis Leckie & Blanche H. Leckie, his wife, dated 8 December 1902 in 27 CL 337. Said lots were devised unto the said Minnie R. Hooper, wife of the said Edward L. Hooper, by the last will and testament of her mother, Susan J. Wales in 2 RPS 89, reserving however to the East New Market Realty Company, the easement over an alley described in a deed dated 25 May 1915 in 9 WLR 39.
[The history of the parts of this property continues with the historic record reports for the Old Trading Post, the Dorchester House, John B. Leckie & Son, and William Hooper's Store.]