Key date analysis:
The southernmost 2/3 of the Methodist Protestant Parsonage lot was described as a vacant lot when the northernmost 1/3 was sold in early 1883. James & Maggie Dean purchased the lot in 1883, who in turn sold the lot to Andrew F. Dukes in 1884. Dukes built the house known as the Howard Willoughby House in 1885. He split the lot and sold the Howard Willoughby House to Joseph Henry in 1886. Henry sold it to Joseph F. Harris in 1890. Harris sold it again in 1890 to Howard H. Willoughby. Dukes sold northernmost half of the lot to William J. Varnes in 1885. William J. Varnes built the Varnes House in 1884.
A tax record from 1896 describes the lot with $800 in improvements. In 1897 Willoughby mortgaged the house and lot he purchased from Joseph Harris. The Howard Willoughby House and the site of the Varnes House are now part of a larger Zeller property, which includes the Zeller Funeral Home business and associated buildings.
Who built it:
The increase in sales price from deeds in 1883 and 1884 ($300) compared to 1886 and 1890 ($1000, $1100) indicate the house was built around 1885. Andrew F. Dukes likely had the house built shortly after he purchased the property in 1884. Andrew F. Dukes was a Carpenter by trade.
Longest Residents:
The Howard Willoughby family owned the property and lived there for over 80 years.
More Research:
Historic Records:
231 MLB 621 - 31 July 1984 - Leonard D. Zeller and Leonard W. Zeller to Leonard D. Zeller & Christine M. Zeller, his wife, for $0: Lots - one lot on the west side of Main Street in the town of East New Market described in accordance with a plat entitled "Survey of the Lands of Ruth S. Willoughby, Town of East New Market", dated March 7, 1977, prepared by Andrews, Miller, & Assoc., Inc. Engineers-Surveyors, in 19 PLC 41. Beginning on the west side of Main Street at the extreme northeast corner of the land herein intended to be conveyed and at the extreme southeast corner of the land of Reginald A. Mills (138 PLC 667), thence leaving Main Street and running with the line of division between the land herein intended to be conveyed and the land of Reginald A. Mills, N75/32W .31f to a monument, thence N75/32W 257.05f to an iron pipe and to the land of Dorothy W. Groten (Liber 72, folio 94), thence S18/07W 37.27f to an iron pipe, thence with the land of Fred B. Willoughby (Liber 111, folio 106), S74/28E 83.3f, thence with the land of Lawrence Blake Adshead (Liber 164, folio 231), S75/04E 87.19f, thence S15/45W 78.15f to a concrete monument, thence S74/15E 91.99f to the west side of Main Street, thence running with the west side of Main Street N15/45E 214.26f to the place of beginning. The land is the identical property which was conveyed unto the said Leonard D. Zeller and Leonard W. Zeller, by deed dated 16 March 1977 in 199 PLC 169.
199 PLC 169 -16 March 1977 - Ruth S. Willoughby to Leonard D. Zeller and Leonard W. Zeller for $5: [described in 231 PLC 621]. The land is the identical land which was conveyed unto the said Ruth S. Willoughby by two deeds; viz: (A) Deed dated 27 August 1973 from William O. Corkran et al, personal representative to Ruth S. Willoughby in 181 PLC 149. and (B) Deed dated 30 March 1973, from Howard H. Willoughby to Ruth S. Willoughby in 179 PLC 192.
181 PLC 149 - 27 August 1973 - William O. Corkran and Robert W.
Corkran, personal representatives of the estate of Fred B. Willoughby,
to Ruth S. Willoughby for $5: Whereas Fred B. Willoughby departed
this life, testate on 6 January 1973 possessed of the land hereinafter
described. Whereas the said Fred Willoughby by a first codicil to
his last Will and Testament, dated 22 June 1959, did give, devise and
bequeath unto his daughter-in-law, Ruth S. Willoughby, the first and
prior right to purchase at appraised value filed in the Orphans Court
for Dorchester County, all of the real estate, including the funeral
parlor and adjacent dwelling house, land and outbuildings, in the town
of East New Market, together with all the personal property incident to
the operation of said funeral and undertaking business. Whereas
the said Ruth S. Willoughby has notified said William O. Corkran and
Robert W. Corkran, personal representatives of Fred B. Willoughby's
estate, in writing, of her intention to exercise the said option, as
required by said Will. All those three lots within the corporate
limits of the town of East New Market as described.
Lot No. 1: Lot which passed to the said Fred B.
Willoughby by operation of law upon the death of his father, Howard H.
Willoughby. Land which was conveyed unto the said Howard H.
Willoughby by Joseph F. Harris & Sallie J. Harris, his wife, by deed
dated 12 August 1890 in 14 CL 295. Lot lying on the western side
of the county road leading from said town to Cabin Creek at the point of
intersection of division line between the lot now sold and the lot of
ground owned by Mrs. Helen Helsby, then with said division line in a
westerly direction 257f, to the land of Samuel L. Webster, then in a
northerly direction 64f to the lot of ground sold by the said Andrew F.
Dukes & Mary E. Dukes, his wife, to William J. Varnes, then with said
lot 257f to the county road, and from thence with said road 64f to the
place of beginning.
Lot No. 2: Lot which passed to the said Fred B.
Willoughby by operation of law upon the death of his father, Howard H.
Willoughby. Land which was conveyed unto the said Howard H.
Willoughby by Thomas D. Hooper & Lulu Hooper, his wife, by deed dated 12
October 1905 in 31 CL 308. All the carpenters shop now occupied by
the said Willoughby on the west side of the county road running from
said town to Cabin Creek and on the lot belonging to Mrs. Emma H. Smith
between the dwelling house formerly occupied by Cassidy C. Rawlings and
the dwelling of the said H.H. Willoughby.
Lot No. 3: Lot which passed to the said Fred B.
Willoughby by operation of law upon the death of his father, Howard H.
Willoughby. Land which was conveyed unto the said Howard H.
Willoughby by Emma H. Smith & James M. Smith, her husband, by deed dated
31 July 1916 in 3 WHM 431. Beginning at a point on the western
side of Main Street 20f north from the dwelling formerly occupied by
Cassidy C. Rawlings, and from thence running with said Main Street in a
northern direction 73f, thence west to the property occupied by Saxton &
Parker, thence with same in a southern direction 73f, and thence in a
straight line to the place of beginning.
1940 Census
Dwelling #5, household of Howard H. Willoughby
1930 Census
Dwelling #
1920 Census
Dwelling #
1910 Census
Dwelling #
1900 Census
Dwelling #
7 CL 10 - 29 September 1897 - Mortgage - Howard H. Willoughby & Addie Willoughby, his wife, owing to William E. Johnson: All that house and lot purchased by Howard H. Willoughby of Joseph I. Harris & Sallie J. Harris, his wife, situated on the west side of Main Street in the town of East New Market, joining the land of William J. Varnes, the lands of Samuel Webster, and the land of Hellen Helsby, and more fully described in a deed from Joseph F. Harris & wife, in 14 CL 295.
1896-1910 Tax Record
H.H. Willoughby
1896 - lot in ENM on west side of road from ENM to Cabin Creek $100
Improvements $800
1896 Tax
Record
H.H. Willoughby
1 lot situated in the town of East New Market on the west side of the
road leading from East New Market to Cabin Creek $100
Improvements $800
Commercial Directory - East New Market
A.F. Dukes, Carpenter
14 CL 295 - 12 August 1890 - Joseph F. Harris & Sallie J. Harris, his wife, of Atlantic County, New Jersey, to Howard H. Willoughby for $850: Lot together with the improvements thereon in the town of East New Market lying on the western side of the county road leading from said town to Cabin Creek at the point of intersection of the division line between the lot now sold and the lot owned by Mrs. Helen Helsby, then with said division line in a westerly direction 257 feet to the land of Samuel L. Webster, then in a northerly direction 64 feet to the lot sold by Andrew F. Dukes & Mary E. Dukes, his wife, to William J. Varnes, then with said lot 257 feet to the county road before mentioned and from thence with said county road 64 feet to the place of beginning. Being the same land conveyed by Joseph E. Henry & wife to the said Joseph F. Harris by deeded dated 17 April 1890 in 12 CL 270.
12 CL 270 - 17 April 1890 - Joseph E. Henry & Nettie W. Henry, his wife, to Joseph F. Harris for $1100: Lying on the western side of the county road leading from the town of East New Market to Cabin Creek at the point of intersection of a division line between the lot now sold and the lot owned by Mrs. Helen Helsby, then with said division line in a westerly direction 257 feet to the land of Samuel L. Webster then in a northerly direction 64 feet to the lot sold by the said Andrew F. Dukes & Mary E. Dukes, his wife, to Wiliam J. Varnes, then with said lot 257 feet to the county road before mentioned, and from thence with said county road 64 feet to the place of beginning. Being a part of the lot purchased by the said Andrew F. Dukes of James A. Dean & wife, by deed dated 25 September 1884 in 6 CL 503
9 CL 241 - 19 November 1886 - Andrew F. Dukes & Mary E. Dukes, his
wife, to Joseph E. Henry for $1000: Lot with all improvements
thereon situated in the town of East New Market lying on the western
side of the county road leading from said town to Cabin Creek, at the
point of intersection of the division line between the lot now sold and
the lot owned by Mrs. Helen Helsby, then with said division line in a
westerly direction 257 feet to the land of Samuel L. Webster, then in a
northerly direction 64 feet to the lot sold by the said Andrew F. Dukes
& wife to William J. Varnes then with said lot 257 feet to the county
road and from thence with county 64 feet to the place of beginning.
Being part of the lot purchased by the said
Andrew F. Dukes of James A. Dean & wife, by deed dated 20 September 1884
in 6 CL 503.
[Dukes sold the northernmost half of this lot in 1883. See the
historic record report for the Varnes House for
more information.]
6 CL 503 - 25 September 1884 - James A. Dean & Maggie L. Dean, his wife, to Andrew F. Dukes for $300: Lot in the town of East New Market beginning at the northeast corner of Mrs. H. Helsby's lot on the county road leading from said town to Cabin Creek, and running N77W 13 perches & 23 links to Samuel L. Webster's land, N21.5E 8 perches and 21 links, thence S72E 15.5p to said county road, thence with said road in a straight line to place of beginning. Containing 3 ruds and 11.5 square rods of land.
5 CL 436 - 29 September 1883 - William A. Henry to James A. Dean for
$300: Lot in the town of East New Market beginning at the
northeast corner of Mrs. H. Helsby's lot on the county road leading from
said town to Cabin Creek, and running thence N77W 13p 23links to Samuel
L. Webster's land, then with said Webster's land N21.5E 8p 21links,
thence S72E 15.5p to said county road, thence with said road in a
straight line to the place of beginning. Containing 3 roods and
11.5 square rods.
[Henry sold the northernmost third of this lot
to Andrew F. Dukes earlier in 1883. See the historic record report
for the Methodist Episcopal Parsonage for more
information.]
4 CL 588 - 18 December 1882 - S.S. Ewell, F.T. Turpin, William Layton, Noble H. Collins, James H. Kelly, Trustees of Dorchester Circuit Methodist Protestant Church to William A. Henry for $950: all that property known as the Methodist Protestant Parsonage property of Dorchester Circuit consisting of house and lot situated in East New Market. Being the same lot which was conveyed unto the Trustees of Dorchester Circuit of the Methodist Protestant Church by John W.M. Dean, Trustee, by deed dated 5 July 1876 in 11 FJH 291.
1876 Tax
Record
Trustees of the M.P. Church Parsonage
M.P. Church Parsonage & lot in ENM - $1200
1870 Census
Dwelling #360, household of Samuel T. Graham, minister of Gospel
1867-1876 Tax Record
Louisa LeCompte Heirs, Algernon S. Percy, Admr.
1867 - House & Lot $1000
1866 Tax
Record
Louisa LeCompte Heirs (Algernon Percy admin.)
House & Lot $1000, Total $1000
5 FJH 318 - 20 February 1863 - Mortgage - Louisa LeCompte owing to John Baker and William Holland for $264.09: The first bond to Jamesanna LeCompte for the sum of $264.09. One other note to Theresa L. LeCompte for the sum of $61.03 and one other note to Elba LeCompte for $85.89. In consideration of the securityship, I Louisa LeCompte grant the house and lot in the town of East New Market purchased by me of Richard Moore & wife in 2 FJH 92. Delivered 13 June 1863 to William Holland.
1860 Census
Dwelling #761, household of Louisa LeCompte
1852-1864 Tax Record
Louisa LeCompte, A. Percy admin.
1853 House & Lot in East New Market containing 12 acres $400
.....reduced
Algernon Piercy, admin of Louisa LeCompte
1864 Assets in hand as on register return $375
2 FJH 92 - 9 October 1852 - Richard Moore and Spicy, his wife, to
Louisa LeCompte for $375: tract in town of East New Market. Beginning on
the west side of the road that leads from New Market to Cabin Creek and
at the intersection of the fence of lot and from thence with said lot
N78 1/2W 15 1/4p, then N18E 10 1/2p then S80E 15 1/2p to the said road,
then by said road to the place of beginning. Containing 1 acre.
[Richard & Spicy Moore were African Americans.]
1850 Census
Dwelling #1221, household of Richard Moore, blacksmith
Marriage - 22 January 1840 - Dorchester County
James LeCompte to Louisa Chapman
12 ER 553 - 31 March 1832 - Stephen LeCompte (of L) to Richard Moore for $225: lot in the village of New Market adjoining the lands of Nathaniel E. Greene and adjoining the lot of Samuel Corkran. Tryphena LeCompte, wife of Stephen LeCompte.
10 ER 613 - 14 January 1828 - Morris Roach to Stephen LeCompte (of L.) for $225: lot and premises in the village of New Market adjoining the lands of Nathaniel E. Green and adjoining the lot of Samuel Corkran.
Marriage - 18 April 1825 - Dorchester County
Stephen LeCompte to Tryphena Dixon
27 HD 475 - 12 March 1810 - Henry King to Morris Roach for $88: Beginning at a stone on the side of the road that leads from New Market to Cabin Creek and at the end of the 7th line of Lot number 1 noted on the plat by the letter B and from thence running with lot number 1 reversed north 73 degrees west 15 1/4 perches to a post at the end of the sixth line of lot number 1 then north 18 East 10 1/2 perches to a post then south 80 degrees East 15 1/2 perches to the said road then by said road to the place of beginning. Containing 1 acre 15 perches.
Marriage - 23 August 1804 - Dorchester County
Morris Roach to Margaret Williams