Key date analysis:
The real property tax assessment records for Dorchester County contains
an entry for 18 May 1904 that reads “Lida M. Smith, New House $1,200.”
Who built it:
Lida M. Smith & Louis L. Smith built this house in 1904.
Longest Residents:
Medora Moore Gray lived in the house for 54 years
More Research:
The land history is essentially complete from 1805 forward. The records before 1805 need research..
Historic Records:
244 PLC 102 - 3 April 1987 - Medora M. Gray, widow, to Philip L. &
Barbara Torbert, his wife for $47,000: All that lot on the
northward side of Railroad Avenue in East New Market, being the same
land which was conveyed unto Annie B. Johnson by Emerson C. Harrington,
assignee of mortgage for the purpose of foreclosure 24 December 1932 in
29 JFD 392. Known as the home property of the late B. Walter
Sherman.
(1) all the lot conveyed unto the said B. Walter Sherman by Sarah C.
Fletcher and husband by deed 4 December 1909 in 1 WLR 449.
Beginning at a point on the northern side of Railroad Avenue 30 feet to
the East of the southeast corner of the lot formerly belonging to Ida
Bramble, and from thence runs in a northern direction parallel with the
east line of the said Bramble lot 300 feet (so as to leave Cleveland
Street 30 feet in width), thence in an eastern direction and parallel
with Railroad Avenue, 3 feet to the northwest corner of the lot just
bought by the grantee of Lyda M. Smith and husband, thence in a South
direction with the West boundary of the said Smith lot 300 feet to
Railroad Avenue, thence in a western direction with said Avenue 3 feet
to the place of beginning.
(2) All that lot which was conveyed unto B. Walter Sherman by Lyda M.
Smith and husband, by deed 7 December 1909 in 1 WLR 465. Beginning
at a point on the north side of said Railroad Avenue 30 feet from the
southeast corner of the lot formerly belonging to Ida Bramble, thence
runs near north with the east side of Cleveland Street 300 feet,
thence near east parallel with the said Railroad Avenue 60 feet to the
lot belonging to Everett Holland, thence with the west line of the said
Holland lot 300 feet to Railroad Avenue, thence 60 feet with the north
side of Railroad Avenue to the place of beginning. The above described
lots being the same property which was conveyed unto the said T. Hamil
Smith by Moss Sherman and W. Raine Sherman, executors of B. Walter
Sherman, deceased, by deed 27 March 1925 in 16 JFD 262. Being the
same identical land and property, which was conveyed unto Medora M. Gray
(as Medora Moore) and Evelyn Ausmussen (as Evelyn Moore) by deed 23
January 1933 in 29 JFD 503. By a deed dated 1 October 1947 in 64
RSM 229 Evelyn M. Ausmussen & Frederich Ausmussen, her husband, conveyed
their interest in said property unto Medora M. Gray & Leon Gray, her
husband. The said Leon Gray died 23 March 1987, and the sole
ownership of said land became vested in Medora M. Gray.
[Medora Gray, wife of Leon (Lee) Gray, and
Evelyn Ausmussen, wife of Frederick (Fritz) Ausmussen were sisters.
Their maiden name was Moore. The Ausmussens never lived in the
house but rather Medora & Leon Grey. See also notes from interview
with Mrs. T. Hamill Smith a.k.a. Elizabeth or Miss “Bootsie” Smith on
property page.]
[On 24 December 1932 Annie Baker Johnson
foreclosed on a mortgage granted by her husband, William E. (Capt.
Billie) Johnson to T. Hamill Smith Sr. She is the sister of John
Anthony Baker.]
[East side of lot] 1 WLR 449 - 4 December 1909 - Sarah C. Fletcher and William M. Fletcher of Cambridge to B. Walter Sherman for $12.50: (Pages 450 & 451 missing from 1 WLR.) This lot lot measures 3 feet x 300 feet.
[West side of lot] 1 WLR 465 - 7 December 1909 - Lida M. Smith & Louis L. Smith, her husband, to B. Walter Sherman for $5: lot in town of East New Market on the northern side of Railroad Avenue. Beginning at a point on the north side of said Railroad Avenue at the southeast corner of Cleveland Street and the said Railroad Avenue, 30 feet from the southeast corner of the lot formerly belonging to Ida Bramble, thence runs near north with the east side of Cleveland Street 300 feet, thence near east parallel with the said Railroad Avenue 60 feet to the lot belonging to Everett Holland, thence with the west line of the said Holland lot 300 feet to Railroad Avenue, thence 60 feet with the north side of Railroad Avenue to the place of beginning. Being the identical property conveyed unto Lida M. Smith by Sarah C. Fletcher & William M. Fletcher, her husband, by deed 1 June 1903 in 28 CL 426.
Microfilm Box 50.14 1876-95 & 1895-1908, Election District 2 page 270 - 18 May 1904 - Real property tax assessment records for Dorchester County - Lida M. Smith, New House $1,200.
[West side of lot] 28 CL 426 - 1 June 1903 - Sarah C. Fletcher, & W.M. Fletcher, her husband, to Lida M. Smith for $250: a building lot or lots in East New Market. Beginning on the north side of Railroad Avenue at the southeast corner of Cleveland Street, 30 feet from the southeast corner of the lot formerly belonging to Ida Bramble, thence runs near north with the east side of Cleveland Street 300 feet, thence near east 60 feet to the lot sold to Everett Holland, thence with the west line of the said Holland lot 300 feet to Railroad Avenue, thence 60 feet near west with the north side of Railroad Avenue to the place of beginning. Being lot No. 1 and No. 58 on a map of survey made by Thomas Leckie being part of the property conveyed to Sarah C. Fletcher, W.M. Fletcher, and John W. Fletcher as Trustees for Major S. Fletcher in 20 CL 226.
[West side of lot] 22 CL 141 - 7 March 1898 - William M. Fletcher and John W. Fletcher, trustees, to Sarah C. Fletcher for $95: Whereas by deed of trust 28 August 1889 in 13 CL 3 to Major S. Fletcher & Willie K. Fletcher, his wife, conveys to the said William M. Fletcher and John W. Fletcher in trust as trustees for the benefit of the creditors of the said Major S. Fletcher, all of the real estate belonging to the said Major S. Fletcher. Whereas the said Sallie Carmine & her husband, Shadrach Carmine, have assigned her interest in said property to William Charles. Whereas William W. Charles and Annie E. Charles, his wife, have assigned the said interest unto Sarah C. Fletcher. And whereas the said trustees are authorized to convey said premises to the said Sarah C. Fletcher. Building lot in the town of East New Market. Beginning at the northeastern corner of Railroad Avenue and Cleveland Street as laid down on the map of the Major S. Fletcher lots by Thomas Leckie (surveyor), thence running in a northward direction and binding with the eastern side of said Cleveland Street a distance of 150 feet, thence in an eastward direction and parallel with said Railroad Avenue a distance of 60 feet, thence in a southward direction and parallel with the first mentioned line a distance of 150 feet to said Railroad Avenue, and thence in an westward direction and binding with a northern line of said Railroad Avenue a distance of 60 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same lot that is described in the aforesaid map of Thomas Leckie as building lot No. 1, also being a part of the same land that is described in a deed to the said Major S. Fletcher from William Christopher dated 1 April 1867 in 7 FJH 32.
[East side of lot] 20 CL 226 - 1 April 1896 - William M. Fletcher and John W. Fletcher, Trustees in Trust to S. Catherine Fletcher for $5000: Whereas by deed of trust 28 August 1889 in 13 CL 3 to Major S. Fletcher & Willie K. Fletcher, his wife, conveys to the said William M. Fletcher and John W. Fletcher in trust as trustees for the benefit of the creditors of the said Major S. Fletcher, all of the real estate belonging to the said Major S. Fletcher. On 1 July 1891, they did sell to S. Catherine Fletcher (1) parts of land known as "Epping Forest" "Rawleigh's Conclusion", "Ennalls Woodyard Regulated", and "Wallace" for $1500; (2) lots on the right hand side of the road leading from the rail road depot at East New Market to the village of East New Market and being lot No. 9 and 10 contained in the report of sales filed by said trustees in No 1536 Chancery in the circuit court of Dorchester County for $3500. Part of the same land conveyed to the said Major S. Fletcher by William Christopher and wife by deed dated 1 January 1864 in 5 FJH 497. Also by deed from William Christopher dated 1 April 1867 in 7 FJH 32.
[the Lida M. Smith lot was carved from part of a 47, 50, or 57 acre lot encompassing most of the north side of Railroad Avenue. The large lot was divided and sold by the executors of Major S. Fletcher to pay his creditors. A dwelling did not exist at this location prior to 1904.]
See the Buckland Historic Record Report starting at 7 FJH 32 for further history about this land.