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Phyllis Bradley Messick collection

1 box, 1 oversize folder (2 linear feet)

(1962-2012)

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

Identifier 2019.006
Creator(s) Messick, Phyllis Bradley
Acquisition

The collection of Phyllis Bradley Messick was donated to the Nabb Research Center by Cheryl Messick Herbert, January 2019. 
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 Mark Wilson, April 2019.
Related Materials

Audiocassettes of WCAO People's Report and Radio Presentation with Louis Goldstein (1974 – 1977)
Separated Materials

The oversize newspaper has been transferred to the Nabb Research Center's flat file system. 
Abstract

The Phyllis Bradley Messick Collection is composed of newspaper articles, a letter, photographs, yearbooks, and pamphlets all pertaining to the Messick family of Bivalve, in Wicomico County, MD. The articles and other materials encompass the Messick Brothers' Oyster Tong business from 1967-2012, Wilbur Messick's time as post-master of Bivalve, 1962-1998, and the Messick Funeral Home. Also included in the collection are a set of additional materials relating to the family's activities in the town of Bivalve.

Biographical History

Phyllis Bradley Messick was born in Riverton, MD in 1932, to Alice Graham and Harry L. Bradley. She lived in Bivalve, MD with her husband Wilbur, who died in 2008. Wilbur and his older brother Cornelius made oysters tongs by hand, following a family tradition dating back to 1859. The family business starting 1859 also made coffins as the family operated a funeral home known as the Messick Funeral Home. The tong making business known as Messick Brothers Oyster Tongs is still operational to this day being carried on by Phyllis and Wilbur’s son. Phyllis was a retired postal clerk at Bivalve’s post office where Wilbur was once the post-master. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the West Side Fire Department as well as the Bivalve United Methodist Church. Phyllis and Wilbur had two children Wilbur Jr. and Cheryl, four grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Phyllis died in November of 2018 and was interred at the Bivalve Cemetery.

Arrangement Statement

The materials are notated by their location in each box; any given subject may be disbursed throughout the entirety of the collection.

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Oysters
  • Corporate Names
    • Bivalve Fire Department
    • Wicomico High School
  • Personal Names
    • Messick, Cornelius G. (1927-2005)
    • Messick, Phyllis Bradley (1932-2018)
    • Messick, Wilbur Turner (1930-2008)
  • Location Terms
    • Bivalve (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.    Newspaper Articles, Messick Bros. Oyster Tongs, 1967-2012

2.    Newspaper Articles, Post-Master Wilbur Messick, circa 1962-1998

3.    Correspondence, About Wilbur Messick, 1995 December

4.    Newspaper Article, The Daily Times, Messick Funeral Home, 2012 March

5.    Newspaper Articles, About the Daytons, 1997-2012

6.    Photograph, Bivalve Fire Department, circa 1938

7.    Photograph, Nanticoke School House, After Addition, circa 1910

8.    Yearbook, Wicomico High School, The Tomahawk, 1947

9.    Yearbook, Wicomico High School, The Tom-Tom, 1950

10.  Directory, Parsonage Press, West Side Welcome Directory, 1983

11.  Program, Nanticoke Indian Assoc. Heritage Committee, Nanticoke Indian Pow Wow, 1981

 

Oversize

1. Newspaper, Salisbury Advertiser and the Wicomico Countian, 1935 March 28

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

None