Posted by Abby Rose on Thu, Aug 26, 2010 @ 09:24 AM
Many people visit the Eastern Shore to enjoy the quieter side of life. A walk by the water, ice cream at the pier, a nice dinner followed by a relaxing restful sleep at Combsberry Inn. What many people aren't aware of is the fact that Oxford has it's very own talented theatre troupe! As quoted on the TAPS website http://www.tredavonplayers.org/:
"The Tred Avon Players, Inc. (“TAP”) is a non-profit Maryland corporation, organized in 1982 to present plays and musicals in the then newly-renovated Oxford Community Center (“OCC”), an abandoned school building which was saved from the wrecking ball by a group of public spirited citizens. Since the first sold-out melodramas in August of 1982, TAP has grown in community stature and artistic merit to present four (sometimes five) plays and musicals each year for ever-growing numbers of residents on and visitors to the most livable town on the Eastern Shore.
TAP’s mission statement is simple: To motivate and train local volunteers in all the theatrical arts and to present the best possible production of a wide variety of enjoyable shows.
Although a surprising number of our on-stage volunteers have professional training and experience, each one is a true amateur – a lover of the stage!"
Today is the final TAPS Summer Performance of "Leading Ladies" directed by Pat Murphy Sheehy. "Another backstage farce by America’s master of laugh-a-second comedy. A potent mixture of Charly’s Aunt and The Importance of Being Earnest with lots of romantic nonsense and hilarious identity switching that is guaranteed to have you weeping with laughter. If you loved Moon Over Buffalo (and who didn’t?), you’ll die for Leading Ladies."
For the Fall Season, TAPS will be presenting the show "Lives Interrupted", "a World War II Musical Revue, created and produced by Robyn Mendelsohn & Steve Clyburn, directed and book by Betty Dorbin, musical direction by Marcia Gilliam.
All the favorite songs from WW II woven together in a family story that mirrors the experiences all Americans shared. A must for veterans and their families, students (of all ages) and everyone who wants to re-live the moments and hear the music of the Greatest Generation. Friday and Saturday October 22, 23, 29, 30 November 5 & 6 at 8 pm; Sunday October 24, 31 & November 7 at 2 pm; Thursday November 4 at 7 pm."
Who can think of a better way to spend the evening than live theatre, a walk on Oxfords very own Strand Beach, followed by a night in a lovely 1730 Manor House? Not me! Come visit the Eastern Shore and see what all the fuss is all about...
Posted by Abby Rose on Mon, Jun 14, 2010 @ 03:16 PM
This past weekend the city of Cambridge, Maryland hosted the Eagleman Ironman 70.3 Triathlon. It involved 1.2 miles of swimming, 13.1 miles of running and a 56 mile bike ride. Combsberry was the perfect place to get a little R&R for two such competitors.
Melissa and her husband came to us from Fairfax Station, Virginia. Meanwhile, John and his lovely wife were our guests from the rocky coasts of Maine. Both John and Melissa were ready and revved up to go by the time Sunday morning arrived. Both returned a little tired, a little hungry and thirsty - but with a great sense of accomplishment! The course was long, it was hot, and humidity was at a high in Talbot County yesterday yet they both made it through the gruelling course. John, a true inspiration to all, received a medal as he came in fourth in his age group. That age range is 70-74 years young!
We at the Combsberry Inn Bed and Breakfast have been very proud to host these two exceptional athletes. We are even happier that today they are using today as a place of respite before they return home. Needless to say, both are being pampered by our own Innkeeper today - and anything they wish, they receive. Both are extremely gracious and the largest request so far has been simply an extra piece of leftover Crab Quiche.
John very kindly remarked this afternoon that he has traveled the world, has stayed at countless fine Inns and Bed and Breakfasts and Combsberry tops his list! He stated he feels at peace here, as comfortable as if he was in his own home, and also loves the fact that he practically has a wildlife preserve in his very own backyard.
Thank you John and Melissa for choosing Combsberry as your resting place before the big race... We are impressed by your strength, endurance and determination! You are welcome back next year, we will make sure to have plenty of carbohydrate loaded meals for you!
Posted by Abby Rose on Tue, May 18, 2010 @ 01:06 PM
A few weeks ago one of our guests noted as she and I were walking outside "There are so many stars here"! This statement took me by surprise at first, as I have always been used to seeing the stars. It is something that I take for granted... I can look into the sky most every evening and point out Cassiopeia, Perseus and of course both the Ursas. However, I know that many people in the city rarely see the stars and if they do - they certainly aren't able to see the glitters and sparkles that blanket our night skies at the Combsberry Bed and Breakfast.
From the sprawling deck of the Magnolia Suite; the porch on either the Carriage House or Oxford Cottage; or simply walking across our thirty five acres - one can gaze up at the nights sky and become acquainted with these legends of Greek Mythology. Book a room at the Combsberry Inn now and you too may spend the night under the stars on Maryland's Eastern Shore... What a fabulous way to spend a romantic weekend getaway! No telescope necessary.
"We had the sky up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on our backs and look up at them, and discuss whether they was made or just happened." ~Mark Twain
Posted by Abby Rose on Fri, May 07, 2010 @ 10:05 AM
As promised, here is the sequel to the history of the Combsberry Inn Bed and Breakfast. It has been confirmed that Jeanne did compile this information. Great work, Jeanne, I am very impressed at the time and effort that went into this! Thank you!
"John Oldham was in Oxford as early as 1700 when he bought two lots from Nicholas Lowe. He was described as a whitesmith, or one who worked in the light metals such as silver, tin or pewter. After his move to his Manor House, he was elected as a delegate from Talbot County to the House of Burgess. During this time he was chosen by the Assembly as one of seven "visitors" to purchase 100 acres for the use of a public school. It is interesting that the thought of a public school was being considered or even as being needed so early in the development of this pioneer settlement.
In 1729, death claimed John Oldham. He devised all his property to his only son, Edward, who took on the management of the plantation. Like his father, he too made his name in the public sector. He served in the House of Burgess and as a Justice for Talbot County. His first wife was Mary, a daughter of the Nicholas Lowes who lived at nearly Anderton. There were four children of this marriage, only one of whom survived after her mother's death in 1745. It would be another ten years before he took a second wife, Ann Goldsborough, the daughter of Nicholas and Sarah who lived in Otwell.
As the years went by the domestic scene began to deteriorate. Perhaps it was the pressure of public life or the fact that all of his children has been daughters. In any case, in 1773, his wife finally took him to Court and him declared "lunatic by reason of his sotted condition" as the language of the day described. He was put in custody under the guardianship of his two sons-in-laws. Poor old Edward no longer had control of his property or person. He died the following year.
Ann Oldham, Edward's widow, continued to live on at Combsbury until her death in 1792. The plantation then went to their third daughter, Hannah, who had married Nicholas Martin and was living a bit further up the Choptank at a Martin home, "The Wilderness". Hannah and Nicholas immediately turned the entire property over to their eldest son, Nicholas Jr. This young man is listed as the owner and occupant of Combsbury in the 1798 Tax Assessment. However, he was on a trip to the Caribbean when he succumbed to a fatal disease and the plantation reverted back to his father. When Nicholas Sr. died in 1808 he divided his holdings amongst his various children and his eldest daughter, Harriot, inherited Combsbury. She immediately moved here with her mother, as her brother Daniel has possession of "The Wilderness".
Harriot made this her home for the rest of her life. She ran the plantation and cared for her mother until the latters' death in 1828. The news of her brother Daniel's sudden death while serving as Governor of Maryland must have staggered her. She never married. She lived here alone for the next fifty years in spite of a declining economy. It was a remarkable achievement in an era so dominated by men. However, the clouds were gathering. The work force was restless and Harriot finally faced the reality, though it must have saddened her, when she wrote in her will that her real estate be sold. Thus, the Oldham/Martin ownership came to an end.
Nathaniel Leonard was the buyer. There have been many owners since. The kitchen wing to the east was added by the Wingard family in 1877. They probably added the bank-type barn so reminiscent of the Pennsylvania country where they had come from. The library wing to the west was built by the Stanley Coxes in 1927, but it was the Oldham/Martin families who have left their enduring legacy."
Thus, we are wrapping up another week at the Combsberry Inn. It was a productive and fun filled week with events that still have Megan and myself giggling. I am still in the process of planning new Spring/Summer menus and will be posting them soon. Also, I met a wonderful boat Captain yesterday who will be able to offer guests rides from our very own dock to the destination of their choosing... More details to follow, and stay tuned for our exciting summer specials! Come visit soon, you definitely need a vacation and there is no better place to enjoy some R&R than on the hammock of the Combsberry Inn.
Posted by Abby Rose on Mon, May 03, 2010 @ 09:35 AM
Often times I walk around Combsberry Inn and wonder what these walls would say if they could talk. The home is nearly 300 years old - it was erected during the early settlement of our country, it had been a place to sleep for General Lee during the Civil War, it was standing during the rise and fall of slavery. Combsberry is drenched in history and indeed would have a great deal to say...
On that note, I would like to share with you all a history of Combsberry that is neatly kept in a scrapbook in our library. I am not sure who actually put together this in depth piece of work, but have a suspicion it is Jeanne - Ann's sister. I by no means will take credit for this impressive account of Comsberry, I simply read it from my comfy abode late at night. The history gathered is quite inclusive, and a bit lengthy as it spans 300 years, so I will share it a little bit at a time.
"A short sail up the Great Choptank River from Oxford, Maryland is an inlet called Island Creek. As you turn in, directly ahead stands an impressive old plantation home - The Historic Combsberry Inn Bed and Breakfast. It is steeped in history. The last owner of the original families lived here until death claimed her in 1859.
In 1649 Josias Cooper was awarded a grant of 100 acres "Combsbury", for transporting he and a woman to Maryland. The grant was later reassigned to William Riche in 1664, a planter who owned the adjacent property. Riche was living on the neighboring land, and used the plot deemed "Combsbury" for production purposes. In 1685, his will read that his eldest son William shall inherit "all that parcel of land by the name Combsbury whereon I now live." William continued caring of the land which included 150 acres plus more that he purchased, houses and other various outbuildings. When William Jr. passed, his will stipulated that the house and all land be sold.
In 1718, John and Mary Oldham, purchased "Combsbury" for the price of 21,000 pounds of good, marketable tobacco and fifty pounds silver of the Province. What Mr. Oldham must have purchased had been acreage and some worn down houses since the land had been paid for with mainly tobacco. Usually the more expensive plots were purchased with only silver and gold. Mr. Oldham immediately set about building an imposing brick house for himself and his family. This house has survived the years and is one of the finest examples of early architecture in Talbot County, Maryland.
There were no architects in the colonies at this time and a builder had to depend on pattern books brought over from England. John Oldham built with an exquisite sense of proportion and a restrained use of curvilinear for embellishment. He started with a deep cellar, a "Great Room", a dining room with a stair tower above it. The two rooms have fireplaces with huge oval openings, the windows also have arched brick openings and the wide pine floors that you still see today, are original. Two bedrooms grace the second floor, and two more on the third story.
This house is similar to "Troth's Fortune" further up the Choptank, as they are the only two houses in Talbot County with a stair tower. The exterior of the home is laid in header bond on the water side and English bond elsewhere. Many of the headers are glazed. This is a house that lets the sunlight in, the breezes through and seems planned for gracious living and hospitality. Beyond the dining room was the original kitchen with its big cooking fireplace and loft above for the cook. This was still standing until the late 1970's but is gone now. This was one of the earliest two and a half story houses to be built in the county."
This shall be continued as I have a garden to finish planting! Thank you again to whomever put together this fine piece of history. I imagine it was loads of work. And thank you, Combsberry, for still standing beautifully and gracefully in the waterfront spot you were placed nearly 300 years ago. Take a walk back through history and come visit this little slice of heaven on the Eastern Shore.
