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Marah Finney Collection

7 boxes (2.5 linear feet)

(1748 – 1989)

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 2003.005
Creator(s) Finney, Marah; Hearn, Ebenezer; Hearn, General Ebenezer; Stevenson, John
Acquisition

Donated by Marah Finney from 1992-2006. 
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Samuel Stevens, September 2019
Related Materials

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Pennsylvania Prohibition Flyers (1908 – 1933)

Emily and Bill Briddell Collection (1672 – 2017)
Separated Materials

Oversize Folder: 

  1. Series 1: John Stevenson correspondence, 1802-1825 (oversize)
  2. Series 1: John Stevenson's Will (oversize)
  3. Series 3: General Ebenezer Hearn, correspondence, 1828-1852 (oversize)
  4. Series 5: Ebenezer Hearn debate notes, 1871 (oversize)
  5. Series 5: Pocomoke, Pamphlet, 1879
  6. Series 6:  Miscellaneous, House of Delegates Document, 1853 (ovesize) 
  7. Series 6:  Miscellaneous, Thomas Dixon's Will, 1813 (oversize)
Abstract

This collection contains materials from the Stevenson and Hearn families of Newtown, later Pocomoke City, Maryland from 1748 to 1989. The earliest documents consist of papers of John Stevenson, a doctor who attended the University of Pennsylvania for medicine in 1797 and 1798, studying under Benjamin Rush. Stevenson also settled estates, and the collection includes records detailing some of the accounts he worked. The collection also includes the scrapbooks assembled by Ebenezer Hearn, who was a teacher and involved in the Temperance Movement in the lower Eastern Shore. The scrapbooks contain news clippings related to the local and national Temperance and alcohol prohibition movement, with other clippings of national events, sermons, and education topics.

Biographical History

Marah Finney is the descendent of the Stevenson and Hearn families of Pocomoke City, Maryland. 

 

Scope and Content Note

Series 1 contains documents of and related to Doctor John Stevenson (1770-1826) of Newtown, later Pocomoke City, Maryland. Stevenson attended University of Pennslyvania medical school from 1797-1798. One of his instructors was the surgeon Benjamin Rush, and the collection contains a fascimile of Stevenson's lecture notes. In addition to being the physician of Newtown, he worked in setling estates and the collection contains original documents related to his work in that capacity such as wills and account books. Series 2 contains a list of debts owed to Edward Stevenson, but it is not clear what his exact relationship was to John based on the records in the collection. Series 3 are matierials related to General Ebenezer Hearn. 

Series 4, 5, and 8 consists of records related to the Hearn family of Newtown/Pocomoke. General Ebenezer Hearn married Peggy Stevenson, son of John Stevenson. The fourth series are the records of their son, John Hearn and includes the minutes of the Newtown Debating Society as well as some of his correspondence. The fifth series is the records of his son, Ebenezer Hearn (1860-1944), including the history of Newton/Pokomoke City that he wrote. Hearn was also involved in the Temperance Movement and advocated for alchohol prohibition, and the series contains pamphlets and other matierials related to that. Series 8 consists of the scrapbooks created by Ebenezer Hearn from the 1870s to 1940s. Many of the scrapbooks are pasted over ledgers or printed books, and the exact dates of their creation are not clear. The scrapbooks contain a variety of articles related to local and national events. Education was another topic of interest for Hearn. Of particular note are the clippings with information on the Temperance movement on Eastern Shore, especially in the Snow Hill and Pocomoke areas. 

Series 9 is personal documents of Marah Finney, including her Towson University Alumni Directory page, a church pamphlet she authored, and articles she collected. 

Arrangement Statement

Series 1: John Stevenson 

Series 2: Edward Stevenson 

Series 3:  Ebenezer Hearn

Series 4: John Lowder Hearn

Series 5: Pocomoke City documents 

Series 6: Miscellaneous  

Series 7: Scrapbooks

Series 8:  Publications & Articles

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Education
    • Legal Records
    • Prohibition
    • Scrapbooks
    • Medical History
  • Corporate Names
    • Prohibition Camp Meeting Association
  • Location Terms
    • Newton (Md.)
    • Pocomoke City (Md.)
    • Worcester County (Md.)

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

Box 1: 

1. Series 1: John Stevenson, Personal (1), 1792-1872-undated

  • A manuscript containing the basics of maths, navigation, history and geography, undated.
  • A manuscript of trigonometry, John Stevenson learned the basics of navigation and sailing with Rev. Sam McMaster, 1792. Also included in this manuscript is a ship’s log on a voyage from England towards Madeira, a section of ‘pleasant and diverting questions’ and explanations of basic calculations.
  • 3 sets of photocopies of an excerpt, “A Sketch of John Slemmons Stevenson 1807-1867.” By: John Stenvenson McMaster, undated.

2. Series 1: John Stevenson, Personal (2), 1823-1828

  • A journal of annual family expenses, 1823
  • 1st Account for John Stevenson, Executor is Dr. Ebeneezer Hearn, November 1828

3. Series 1: John Stevenson, Personal (3), 1957

  • A bound copy of Dr. Stevenson’s notes from medical school lectures by Dr. Benjamin Rush at the University of Pennsylvania, 1797-1798

4. Series 1: John Stevenson, Absalom Pettit records, 1794-1796

  • Account book, 1794-1795
  • An Inventory for the Goods and Chattel of Absalom Pettit, Feb. 13th 1796
  • A document certifying John Stevenson to be Executor of Absalom Pettit’s estate, 1796

5. Series 1: John Stevenson, Correspondence, 1802-1825 (separated)

6. Series 1: John Stevenson, Constitution, By-Laws and Minutes of the Newtown Debating Society, 1842-1845 

7. Series 2: Edward Stevenson, 1806-1816

  • A list of desperate debts due the estate, 1806-1816

8. Series 3: Ebenezer Hearn, Estate, 1833-1860

  • Account & Distribution of Ebenezer Hearn, April 24, 1860
  • Ebenezer Hearn’s Inventory, January 26, 1854
  • An Act to incorporate a company for the purpose of making a canal to connect the waters of Lewes Creek with Indian River and the Chesapeake Bay by the Pocomoke River, February 6, 1833

9. Series 3: Ebenezer Hearn, Correspondence, 1828-1852 (separated)

10. Series 3: Ebenezer Hearn, Notes and Publications, 1870-1944

  • Notes from donor/family members, undated
  • Ebenezer Hearn’s school notebook, geography, science, poetry, 1870
  • “Old Newtown and New Pocomoke City Maryland,” Chapters 1-25 By: Eben Hearne, early 20th century.
  • Newspaper clippings announcing Eben Hearne’s death, June 16th 1944
  • Original and transcribed notes for the History of Pocomoke and a photo of a young Ebenezer Hearne, undated

11. Series 3: Ebenezer Hearn, Programs and Events, 1880-1942

  • Temperance/Prohibition Camp program, directory and program of exercises, 1891-1893
  • Newtown Highschool Commencement Exercises, July 31 1872
  • Program for the 22 anniversary of Western Maryland College, 1889
  • Newspaper clipping of the Preston Newspaper, August 20th 1942
  • A speech, Sept. 17 1880 and a letter from the White House, December 21 1922

12. Series 3: Ebenezer Hearn, Invitations, 1880-1890

13. Series 3: Ebenezer Hearn, Debate, January 6, 1871, (separated)

14. Series 4: John Lowder Hearn, Certificates, 1844-1846 

  • Certificates of completion for medical school classes at University of Maryland, Department of Physic, 1844-1846

15. Series 4: John Lowder Hearn, Correspondence, 1852-1865

Box 2: 

1. Series 5: Pocomoke City, 1897-1927

  • Photocopy of a photograph of a Negro baptism at Winter Quarters
  • A letter from a beaux to Sarah Ward, April 13, 1897
  • Postcards of Pocomoke City after the fire, 1922
  • Catalogue for the Great Pocomoke Fair, 1903
  • Tidewater Times, August, 1974 with notes from the donor
  • Postcard of the Pocomoke High School Soccer Team, 1927 with names

2. Series 5: Pocomoke City, Cowley, 1748-1911

  • Documents, deeds and hand drawn maps relating to the property known as Cowley in Pocomoke City, MD

3. Series 5: Pocomoke City, Pamphlet, 1879 (separated)

4. Series 6: Miscellaneous (1), 1794-1915

  • Medical diploma for G. Atkinson, 1886
  • Edward Murray’s Last Will and Testament, 1794
  • A letter detailing travel and expenses from William B. Vane, 1893
  • Genealogical research for DAR admittance, Dixon Family of Worcester County, 1915

5. Series 6: Miscellaneous (2), 1900-1908

  • Copyrights from the Library of Congress for Mrs. Fannie C. Barclay for 8 dramatic, romantic and comedic compositions

6. Series 6: Thomas Dixon, Will, 1813 (separated) 

7. Series 6: House of Delegates Document, 1853 (separated)

8. Series 7: Clips from "Collegian" notebook, early to mid 20th century

  • Newspaper clippings from a variety of papers covering local and regional news

9. Series 7: Clips from Green Striped scrapbook, 1944

  • Baltimore Sun, Feb. 15th 1944

10. Series 7: Clips from Green Book, 1940s

  • Baltimore Sun, Crisfield Times, ‘Aunt Het’ comics, Aunt Pricilla recipe, politics and news

11. Series 7: Clips from Brown Scissor scrapbook, 1940’s

  • Classifieds, news, politics, poems, obituaries

12. Series 7: Copies of Scrapbook Contents, early to mid 20th century

13. Series 7: Red Album Scrapbook Contents, 1895-1891

  • Handwritten poems, clippings of biographies

14. Series 7: Hearn Scrapbook with gold edge pages (1), 1940’s

  • Newspaper clippings of Eben Hearn's columns

15. Series 7: Hearn Scrapbook with gold edge pages (2), 1940’s

Box 3: 

1. Series 7: Green Spine and Marble Scrapbook, undated

  • Newspaper clippings glued over top of household accounts

2. Series 7: Hearn Scrapbook, 1845-1846

  • Newspaper clippings, mostly religious, temperance and morality themed, rhyming poems,

3. Series 7: Eben Hearn’s Scrapbook, "Letters to Young Men,” 1884

4. Series 7: "Collegian" Scrapbook , 1930’s

  • Newspaper clippings, local news and obituaries

5. Series 7: Scrapbook, 1880-1887

  • Temperance Camp program, Stockton Letter clippings, racist cartoon, odes, poems, penmanship practice, report cards and commencement programs, temperance poems

Box 4: 

1. Series 7: Mary Margaret Hearn Scrapbook, 1861

  • Clippings of patriotic poems, odes to America, religion and morality, picture puzzles, recipes

2. Series 7: Ebenezer Hearn’s leather bound scrapbook, 1879

  • This scrapbook is made from gluing clippings of religious and Christmas poems, morality tales and reminiscences in the pages of a published book
  • Clippings of racist poems about African Americans, Native Americans and Germans

3. Series 7: Eben Hearn's Book, Newport Delaware, 1893

  • Newspaper clippings about the World’s Fair, Pocomoke High School including the Rules of the Schools and regulations regarding corporal punishment, historical events, a prohibition rally flyers and National Prohibition Party tickets, sermons, Loudoun County Bush Meeting disaster, official election results for Somerset and Worcester Counties in 1895 & 1896, PHS Commencement program,
  • Clippings of articles written by Eben Hearn regarding prohibition, regional news and history,

Box 5: 

1. Series 7: Green scrapbook, 1930-1940

  • Newspaper clippings of Snow Hill and Pocomoke, a history of the Loudoun County Bush Meeting, Pocomoke City National Bank retrospective
  • Photograph of Dr. William Bell, 1940

2. Series 7: Red-brown horse scrapbook, 1933 (separated)

  • Newspaper clippings of regional, national and international news, Christmas cards, PHS commencement exercises for 1905, financial statement of Whatcoat M. E. Church in Snow Hill for 1931, program for
  • the dedication of Salem Methodist Episcopal Church in 1905

3. Series 7: "Mark Twain" branded scrapbook, 1888-1890s (separated)

  • Newspaper clippings of local news, mainly the Stockton Letter, prohibition and morality themed
  • Prohibition ticket, “For the Home, Against the Saloon,” 1889, concert and preachers’ association meeting, commencement programs, election results for Worcester and Somerset Counties 1887 & 1889, health advice, bank notes

Box 6: 

1. Series 7: Brown Scissors scrapbook, 1940s 

  • Clippings of poems, local news, photograph of Dicky and Alan Jones
  • Clippings of “Some By-Products of Life,” a column by Eben Hearne, a history of Camp Meetings by Eben Hearne, “The Eastern Shore of Maryland” column by Eben Hearne
  • Scrapbook is unfinished

2. Series 7: Dark Green scrapbook, 1941 

  • Newspaper clippings of local news, obituaries

3. Series 7: Green Striped Scrapbook, 1938-1941

  • Regional, national and international newspaper clippings, "Aunt Het" comics, religious and morality poems

Box 7: 

1. Series 7: "Proceedings of the House of Delegates" scrapbook, 1870s-1880s 

  • This scrapbook was created by gluing clippings into an old book, “Journal of the Proceedings of the House of Delegates”
  • Clippings of seasonal poems, heaven poems, morality poems, poems about the evil of women dancing, poems about the evils of alcohol, religious poems, a recipe for unfermented wine
  • Clippings with remedies for illnesses, how-to advice from how to hang a picture, recover an umbrella, planting, introduce people, quizzes and answers, poems of historical events, inspirational poems, racist poems, notice of George Eliot’s funeral, notice of president Garfield’s death, Newtown High School report cards, Newtown HS and other schools’ commencement exercises, constitution of the YMCA Newtown, a chart with the digestion times of foods, chronology of events in Methodist history

Box 8:

1. Series 7: Blue "America First" scrapbook, 1910, 1942 (separated)

  • Newspaper clippings on Pocomoke High School, regional news, ladies’ advice column, temperance news, local concert and play programs

Box 9: 

1. Series 8: Newspaper Articles about Archaeology and Nassawego Furnace, 1974-1978 

2. Series 8: Articles of Local Authors 1974-1976

3. Series 8: One Fold and One Shephard 

4. Series 8: 1989 Towson Alumni Directory 

    Oversize Drawer: 

    1. Series 1: John Stevenson correspondence, 1802-1825 (oversize)
    2. Series 1: John Stevenson's Will (oversize)
    3. Series 3: General Ebenezer Hearn, correspondence, 1828-1852 (oversize)
    4. Series 5: Ebenezer Hearn debate notes, 1871 (oversize)
    5. Series 5: Pocomoke, Pamphlet, 1879
    6. Series 6:  Miscellaneous, House of Delegates Document, 1853 (ovesize) 
    7. Series 6:  Miscellaneous, Thomas Dixon's Will, 1813 (oversize)

    Artifacts

    See Nabb Center Staff

    Attachments

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