Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1924-05-31

boys jumped on the rear of the
gig, upset it and the "Parson'
in puddle of water-whereupon
the ''Parson" good naturally re:
marked, ''Well boys, you are
trying to make a Baptist Of
mew
Like the Scotch preachers OF
the day, he had his toddy fol
Christmas and other great days,
and without bringing reproach
on the church or the ministry,
played upon the flute and violin
Notwithstanding the existing
prejudice against "Fiddling."
In May 1911 at his farm near
Pocomoke, "Parson'' McMaster
died at the age of sixty-seven.
In strong contrast with the
old feudal display of Bohemia
Manor and such homesteads as
Beverly and it's neighbors be-
yond the Virginia line, in Acco-
mac, was the far smaller plan
tation of Major Joshua Pride
aux, in Worcester county. Born
in 1857, he must have been at
his death, seventy years later,
a curious blend of the two CEN
turtles which had shared his life.
Major Prideaux' title may have
been won in the War of 1912,
but it was more probably an
honor that went with his men,
bership in the Governors Coun-
Gil.
To the Major the "home
place" was one of many duties
and preoccupations. He not on
ly grew crops and managed the
mill, but kept, or at least owned,
a country store, where he sold
whiskey by the gallon. He also
built ships, bred Muscovy ducks
and fancy cattle, and had his
share in the local administration
of church and state.
Major Prideaux was not a
hard taskmaster, but like other
slave holders, he sometimes hir-
ed out his human chattels, TAX
ing pay for their sweat.
Life at the plantation was
perhaps not Intellectually stimu-
lating. There was the drive to
church, and now and then a min
isterial guest, almost certainly
'Parson" McMaster of Rehob-
9th. Chance visitors often drop
ped in for the midday dinner or
the ample evening supper, for
the abundance Of the Majors
table and his hospitality was
known all over the county.
Although Major Prideaux
was said to have married two
fortunes, and seemed to have
busted himself in many occupa-
tions, he did not die rich, the
main reason for this being his
open hospitality.
Another celebrity is Col. Pur-
nell Postley, an Elder in the
Buckingham Church at Berlin.
At his death in 1916, he left a
fund of about Four Thousand
Dollars ($4000.00) for the edu-
cation of poor children. and this
fund is still doing it's benefcent
work. Many of the children of
Maryland owe great thanks to
this fund. Rev. l.. P. Bowen
brought about the erection of
granite monument to his name
in 1909, and delivered the dedi-
cation address.
Another famous man of Wor-
cester county was General John
Gunby, buried to our shame, in
an unmarked grave near Snow
Hill. He was one of the most
brilliant Revolutionary officers,
and belonged to the famous
"Old Maryland Line" Our coun-
ty ought to be very proud of
him, and so erect a monument
to his worthy name.
Last but not least, there is
Stephen Decatur, born in '79, on
January 9Th. The building is
still standing, although during
the last few years it has rapidly
decayed. He left Maryland at a
very early age and went to
Philadelphia where he received
his education. He achieved great
fame in the May because of his
noted work on behalf of the Uni
ted States against Algiers, Trip