John A. Curtis

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Uncurated Search Results

Type: Schooner

Year: 1874

Builder: D.W. Moore

Location: Laurel

Eastern Shore
Sailing Workboats

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Chesapeake Shipbuilding Project

These records are found in the collection of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland. Uncurated search results are presented to give researchers and interested readers an idea of whether CBMM’s archives contain information about this vessel and whether it may be worthwhile to contact CBMM for further investigation. Uncurated results may be inaccurate or incomplete.

For more information about these items, contact the CBMM curator at collections@cbmm.org, or use the selection buttons below to submit a research request.

Search mode: Exact Name. Search phrase(s): "John A. Curtis"; "John A Curtis". Results returned: 19. Results displayed in this table: 19.

Use these buttons to send uncurated search results to your own app or text document for further research. First, check the box for any row, or click "Select All" then uncheck any rows. Then click "Show Selections". You can then copy your selections from the text box and past them into your app.

Fetch?	Row ID	Catalog #	Object Name	Title	Artist/Maker	Date Made	Place Made	Description	Full Image	CBMM Cat. Page
	1	1975.0012.0001.00	bags	Mementos of Boatswain William E. Davis (father of	Davis, William E __Creator			Mementos of Boatswain William E. Davis (father of donor) who served on Revenue Cutters WINDOM, HAMILTON, and APACHE. Macrame bag made by Mr. Davis, white with blue and red ribbons.		View
	2	8888.0147.0000.00	correspondence by function --papers (document genres)	Ernest Tucker Correspondence	Tucker, Ernest	1958-1986		The contents of this collection include four boxes of correspondence with related boat plans and brochures related to mechanical components for outfitting cruisers. There is an additional box of resource material for yacht design taken from the magazines Rudder, Yachting, and The Chesapeake Skipper.	No image URL.	View
	3	8888.0016.0000.00	documents	Albert E. Brown and Bro Papers<CR><CR>The collection i	Brown, Albert __Creator	Exact 02/01/1988 -		Albert E. Brown and Bro Papers<CR><CR>The collection is comprised of some of the correspondence and business papers concerning the Brown's Sail Loft in Winona, Maryland. Included are many sail plans for work and recreational boats. These papers were retrieved by museum staff from the derelict sail loft with the permission of the owner. Many are damaged or, deteriorated.Biographical BackgroundAlbert E. Brown and Bro/ sail.1oft~:~was located at Wenona, on the southern tip of the island. The Loft was founded in 1870 by Capt. John Stubbs. In 1890 he was bought out by Henry Brown, born in England, and who served as a seaman in the Royal Navy. He learned the art of sailmaking when he came to the United States during the Civil War and joined the United States Navy.Henry constructed the present building. When he retired in 1919 his son Albert took over the sail loft. Albert's son Henry, in turn, started at the loft when he was 12 years old and took over the business in 1956. Henry G. Brown retired about 1980 and the building has stood empty ever since. In 1986 the old sail loft changed hands.In its heyday, the business was one-of the region's leading sailmakers and had a reputation for old-fashioned, quality workmanship. Orders for sails came from all across the country and from overseas.Scope and ContentThis material represents those papers that were salvagable and that remained in the sail loft after the business had closed. They give considerable insight into the operation of one of the country's most well-known sailmakers.The majority of the papers are correspondence written to the sail loft concerning orders for sails, frequently accompanied by a sail plan and an estimate. Of value are a number of sail plans for the oyster dredging fleet, that the loft kept on file for repeat orders, and letters concerning well-known Bay yachts. Many of these boats have long since disappeared. Sail Loft Amps (1923 - 1974)Brown Papers, p 2An index of boats is available.Correspondence was filed under boat name where it was known, and by correspondent's last name if-no specific boat was mentioned (except for one" design boats which are filed under class name).Other papers include"account books and miscellaneous business papers which provide an overview of 1"the finances of a traditional sailmaking business.Sub'ectsSailmaking Subject: Albert E. Brown and Bro.	No image URL.	View
	4	8888.0059.0000.00	documents	Captain Irvin S. Wheatley Ship's Papers<CR><CR>Backgro		Range, Cir 01/01/1885 - 12/31/1894		This collection begins on CSC 15D1 and continues onto 15D2.Captain Irvin S. Wheatley Ship's PapersBackgroundA large number of documents were donated to the museum by Karen Potter a descendent of the Wheatleys through her paternal grandmother's family. The papers consist of bills, receipts, invoices, and business and personal papers, mostly related to the activities of the two-masted trading schooner Edward L. Martin during the last two decades of the 19'h century.What is known about Captain Irvin Steven Ralph Wheatley (January 19, 1860-March 14, 1941) can be gleaned from the papers in this collection, U.S. Census records, and an internet genealogy. Born January 19, 1860, he was from a large family of Galestown, Dorchester County, Maryland, about twelve miles from Seaford, Delaware. He was captain of the schooner Hattie C. Wheatley for some time before becoming captain of the Martin from about 1885 until 1894. He owned shares in the Martin varying from one-third to one-eighth at different times during those years. Subsequently he was captain of the schooner John Q. Ferguson from January 1895 until at least December 1896. Irvin Wheatley had five brothers, two of whom died as children. The survivors were: Luther Elijah (June 1858-December 1931); George Edward (November 1856-July 1927); and Albert Ellis (September 1873-February 1955), and Frederick Seth (August 1858-August 1874). Of these, Luther figures most prominently in this collection. From personal letters (Box 7), it appears that while Irvin Wheatley was busy as captain of various ships, Luther managed a farm Irvin owned near Galestown. Irvin Wheatley apparently retired from the sea about 1897 and also took up farming. In 1930 both Irvin and his wife, Effie L. (October 1, 1866-August 11, 1935), still resided near Galestown.The schooner Edward L. Martin's official No. was 135629. She was built by Stephen (?) W. Kinsey in Sussex County, Delaware in 1882. She was of 84.95 gross, and 80.70 net tonnage. Her dimensions in feet were 87.2 length, 23.6 breadth, and 6.8 depth. About 1942, after running through numerous owners, she was bought by John B. Conway, converted to power, renamed Honey B, and put into the "dude" boat trade. In 1953 she was bought by Hugh B. Emmons and was destroyed the same year by fire near Oxford, Maryland.Scope and ContentThe core of this collection is an extremely comprehensive set of commercial shipping documents covering the period from 1885 to 1894. These include shipping instructions from the consignee of cargo, charter parties (contracts between shippers and vessel owners, shipping articles (agreements between ship owners and crews), and numerous other papers relating to the shipping business. Of special interest in this collection are the papers related to two trips made by the Edward L. Martin to the Bahamas to pick up loads of pineapples. These papers include instructions, charter parties, articles, as well as the many customs forms, clearances, quarantine receipts, and health certificates required at U. S. ports and from Bahamian authorities. (At the time the Bahamas were part of the British West Indies.)Sub'ectsMembers of Wheatley family: Effie L., wife of IrvinAddie E., and Roxie E., daughters of Irvin Luther E., brotherPhenie, wife of Luther Albert E., brother George E. H., brotherStella (Estelle S.) sister.Owners of schooner Edward L. Martin (during Wheatley's tenure) Josephus CollinsWm. T. MooreWm. EllisGeorge EllisE. J. EllisIrvin S. Wheatley. Subject: Capt. Irvin S. Weatley	No image URL.	View
	5	1994.0016.0001.00	kitchen safes	Pie safe with schooners		1830-1870		Pie safe with schooner images punched into tin panels. 2 front doors, each with 3 vertical panels. Patina on all panels. Crisfield. Said to have come from an African-American household. Condition: good, wood worn on edges, LR two tin panels damaged.		View
	6	2018.0016.0001	log canoe	log canoe Glide	Skinner, Washington Hammond	Circa 1864	Dorchester - Eastern Shore - MARYLAND	Log canoe, Glide, attributted to Washington Hammond Skinner of Dorchester County, c. 1864 and believed to be the oldest surviving log canoe. Length approx. 20 feet on deck, breadth 4 feet, 10 inches. Built of three pine logs, tenon fastened. Complete with 2 masts, 2 spirits, sails by Downes Curtis, rudder and tiller. <br />		View
	7	1968.0124.0001.00	log canoes	Marianne, Tilghman Style three log canoe	Reese, John __Creator ||Reese, John __Designer	c 1916	Queen Anne - MD	Tilghman style three log canoe called Marianne built by John Reese. It’s painted red and white with some natural wood showing. <br /><br />Photograph by Karl Schmid, 2002. Courtesy of the photographer.		View
	8	2003.0013.0001.01	log canoes (model)	BELLE M. CRANE	Lambdin, Robert D __Creator	Circa 1930		Log canoe model of the BELLE M. CRANE, but misspelled on bow "BELL M. CRAIN." Model has white topsides, red bottom, yellow cove stripe and bow sprit braces. Cotton sails, brown with age, two masts, jib boom, gull wing rig fore and main, one hiking board, and an oar, both in boat, cotton string for all lines, rudder, tiller. Interior painted an orange yellow; removeable chocks at both mast partners, centerboard pull, hatch cover over lazarette on skipper's seat. The model was built by Robert D. Lambdin (1849-1938) to represent the then-surviving log canoe, BELLE M. CRANE (built in 1879). Possibly made for owner of the canoe, Ruth Starr Rose, the only log canoe owner and skipper of her day. Model has cradle. Condition: Fair. Sails in disrepair, brown and holes: very fragile. Topside paint chipping. Cotton lines fragile. Sails located in CSA 7A2		View
	9	0000.0923.0015.00	negatives	FREIGHT BOAT JOHN BRANFORD at SMITH'S in Curtis Ba		Range,Exac 01/01/1939 - 12/31/1939	Baltimore - MD	FREIGHT BOAT JOHN BRANFORD AT SMITH'S DOCK IN CURTIS BAY; From old Remarks field: SHOWS A SAIL FURLED ON HER BOOM; FULL-LENGTH VIEW OF HULL Place: BALTIMORE, MD Old Subject Fields: FREIGHT POWER VESSELS		View
	10	0000.0945.0010.00	negatives	DOWNES CURTIS GETTING RECORDS OUT OF A BOX IN HIS	Cane, John W __Photographer	Range,Exac 01/01/1996 - 12/31/1996	No Address - Tilghman Island - Talbot - Eastern Shore - MD	DOWNES CURTIS GETTING RECORDS OUT OF A BOX IN HIS SAIL LOFT; From old Remarks field: SEE A1997.001 AND MS51 Place: TILGHMAN ISLAND, MD Old Subject Fields: SAILMAKING; BLACK PEOPLE Subject: Downes Curtis		View
	11	0000.0945.0018.00	negatives	DOWNES CURTIS STANDING AT A TABLE IN HIS SAIL LOFT	Cane, John W __Photographer	Range,Exac 01/01/1996 - 12/31/1996	No Address - Tilghman Island - Talbot - Eastern Shore - MD	DOWNES CURTIS STANDING AT A TABLE IN HIS SAIL LOFT; From old Remarks field: SEE A1997.001 AND MS51 Place: TILGHMAN ISLAND, MD Old Subject Fields: SAILMAKING; BLACK PEOPLE Subject: Downes Curtis		View
	12	8888.0098.0000.00	papers	Burgess manuscript collection				This collection is housed in 24 boxes, starting on CSC 15A2 and continuing on to 15A3, 15A4, 16A1, and 16A2<CR><CR>The collection is broad in scope and content. It includes about 100 trailboards and name boards, and many other artifacts obtained from Chesapeake Bay vessels of all kinds; years of correspondence (covered in this finding aid), much of it acquiring background for and arranging the publication of his books, particularly those about the schooners Albert F. Paul and Purnell T. White; many of his photographs; and numerous clippings containing articles by and about Burgess.Among the highlights of the collection are a number of documents from the late 19th century such as invoices, receipts, and note from George P. Bailey, of Kinsale, VA, a dealer in wood, ties, etc., and the canner of the "Pride of Westmoreland" brand tomatoes and commission merchants Courtney & Kennan (see Box 17). Also, the lengthy correspondence (1946-1969) with the Baltimore Sunday Sun about articles Burgess submitted for publication, including the ""I Remember When" series (Boxes 19 & 20)	No image URL.	View
	13	0000.1134.0353.00	photographic prints	AFTER PART OF DECK BOAT JOHN BRANFORD AT A DOCK AT		Exact 06/15/1941 - 06/15/1941	Baltimore - Curtis Creek - Western Shore - MD	AFTER PART OF DECK BOAT JOHN BRANFORD AT A DOCK AT SMITH'S SHIPYARD Place: CURTIS CREEK, MD Old Subject Fields: FREIGHT POWER VESSELS	No image URL.	View
	14	0000.1441.0052	photographic prints	Twenty men and women standing in front of two wooden cargo ships under construction at Henry Smith Shipyard	Hughes Co.	June 3, 1918	Curtis Bay, Baltimore	Twenty men and women standing in front of two wooden cargo ships under construction at Henry Smith Shipyard; they are identified on back of print: bottom row, second from right, Bill Smith, Sr., fourth from right, John Blome, fifth from right, Kcordilio(?), center, Ellen Smith, wife for KW. Smith Sr. She is holding large bouquet of flowers; they may be gathered to celebrate the launch or christening of a vessel. Print mounted on linen.	No image URL.	View
	15	0000.1441.0074	photographic prints	Smith family group photo	Hughes Co.	April 7, 1919	Curtis Bay, Baltimore	IDs on back of print: Back row Left to right: No ID, No ID, Dick Smith--Bill Jr.'s first cousin. Second row: Lil Smith, No ID, No ID, Doris Lucille Blome Smith--Daughter of Clara & John Blome, Cordilea(?) Smith Gleichman Schwartz, No ID, No ID, Til Smith--Ottlie. Bottom row: Grand Dad Smith Sr. Wm. Anton Smith Sr., Aunt Lilly (Nana's sister) Lilly Blanck Lachen Meyer, (Nana) Clara Johanna Blanck Blome, John H. Blome (husband & wife), George Zirchel (no relation), Henry Smith--Bill Jr.'s first cousin--husband of Lil, No ID. Kneeling: Henry Smith--W. Smith Jr.'s brother. Two children are unidentified. Print mounted on linen.	No image URL.	View
	16	0000.1100	photographs	Herman Hollerith, Jr. (1892-1976) Photo Collection		1890-1970		This is a collection of many photographs, which have not been cataloged individually. Please review the attachments for specific information on the images. <br /><br />Herman Hollerith, Jr. (1892-1976) Photo Collections (1890s--1970s) Biographical Background: Herman Hollerith, Jr. was born in 1892 at 3112 Q St., Georgetown, District of Columbia to Herman Hollerith, Sr. and Lucia Talcott Hollerith. His father invented the punch-card tabulating machine. He sold his company in 1911 to a firm that later became IBM. Other Hollerith children were Nan, Richard, Charles, Virginia and Lucia. The family lived in Georgetown, Garret Park and Montgomery County. In 1908 they bought a summer home in Mathews County, Virginia named Brighton. They spent their summers at Brighton from 1909. The family had a number of boats which were kept at Brighton: a New England dory named LUVINA; a flat bottomed power workboat named BRIGHTON; a 45 foot, gas powered yacht named REGINA, which was later renamed LUVINA and later still renamed MATOAKA, and an 85 foot vacht named LUVINA. The name Luvina was derived from the three daughter's names, Lucia, Virginia and Nan. Herman Hollerith, Jr. attended Worchester Polytechnic College with his borther, Charles, and received an engineering degree in 1917. He worked at the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia, and then at the Victor Talking Maching Company, where he was chief engineer and production engineer. During this time he lived in Riverton and Moorestown, New Jersey. He quit the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1928 when it was purchased by RCA. From 1932-1936 Hollerith was president of the Virginia Navigation Company and operated a small passenger steamer under contract to a large corporation. From 1936-39 he did not work during the Depression. In 1939 he moved to Baltimore to work for the Glenn L. Martin Company where he was involved in building airplanes during WWII. Hollerith worked until he was 69 years old. He was married twice. He and Sarah Valentine Fox had four children and were divorced in 1936. In 1938 he married Elisabeth C. Guest. In 1954 he bought a house near Oxford, Maryland and retired there in 1961. Hollerith was active in the early days ofnthe Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and was instrumental in the move of the Hooper Strait Lighthouse to the grounds. Hollerith had a love for boats and owned the ERIC, launched in 1925, until his death. This sailboat was an Atkins design based on a Norwegian ketch. ERIC was the prototype of the Westsai1 32. Hollerith died in 1976. For more information about the Hollerith family researchers should consult: HERMAN HOLLERITH: FORGOTTEN GIANT OF INFORMATION PROCESSING, by Geoffrey D. Austrian; NY: 1982, Columbia University Press. Scope and Content: This collection consists of photos taken or collected by Hollerith. The bulk of photos were taken by Hollerith of scenes from 1915-1940. They feature steamboat and sailboat scenes on the lower Chesapeake. Many of the photos were taken on cruises around Mathews County, Va. Some photos (especially M series negatives) were collected by Hollerith and taken by his father and brothers. The photos depict the agriculture life of the lower western shore and often show the introduction of power. Many of these photos have been published. The water was an important focus for life in Brighton. Mrs. Elisabeth Hollerith supplied a quote from Hollerith about life in Brighton: We did everything by boat, used the daily steamer from Norfolk for transportation to and from Washington and for most supplies including ice. Met the steamer at one of the wharves on the East River each day to pick up mail, visiting friends, etc. The roads were so bad we rarely went inland. Went to church and to visit our friends in a motor boat. In addition to the following subject indices, the researcher should note that Hollerith had his own subject indices. These are available to researchers and especially useful in looking for boat names. They are stored with the negatives. Subjects:Airplanes; Caribbean; C & D Canal; Eastern Shore; Hollerith, Herman, Jr.; Log canoes; Mathews county, Va.; Old Point Comfort, Va.; Sailboats, commercial; Seafood Industry; Steamboats, Chesapeake Bay; Washington, DC; workboats, Chesapeake Bay. Subject: Herman Hollerith Jr		View
	17	8888.0191.0000	research (document genres)	"Notebook on Shipwrecks" research, Moale	Moale, H. Richard	circa 2000s		Research compiled by author Richard Moale while writing "Notebook on Shipwrecks" publishe din 2010. Includes, documentation of vessels, letters, and other data that did not go into the book.		View
	18	1966.0154.0001.00	sextants	Sextant, engraved on arc: "P. Violoin 41 & 43 Quai		Before 01/01/1913 -		Sextant, engraved on arc: "P. Violoin 41 & 43 Quai de la Fosse, Nantes No. 265." From British steamer ALUM CHINE Loaded with dynamite, blew up and burned in Baltimore Harbor March 7, 1913. Condition: fragile, poor. Overly polished, pieces loose, glass broken.		View
	19	1994.0042.0001.00	watercolor paintings	Bugeye T.W. BUSH	Selby, Joe __Artist	1924		Mixed media portrait of bugeye "T.W. Bush" under sail, starboard view. Signed lower right J. Selby in red. Artist dates 1893-1960.		View