Stanley James Hoffman is my 2x great grandfather and the first Stanley in the bunch on my maternal side (that I know of). He was was a waterman all his life, born and raised on Deal Island, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The Manokin River surrounds the south portion of the island nearest to Wenona, the small community Stanley lived and worked for 83 years. To the north of the island, the Fishing Bay, Nanticoke River, Ellis Bay, Wicomico River and Monie Bay run together to ultimately flow into the Tangier Sound, which runs north and south on the eastern sides of the islands lying further off shore. While Bloodsworth Island and Jones Island look to be anywhere from 3-4 miles, Smith Island is about twice the distance. I believe you can only catch a ferry to those islands in a few spots, a couple being one from Crisfield which is directly to Smith Island’s east or Point Lookout to the northwest on Maryland’s Western Shore.
No ferries running from Deal Island, but you could get anywhere if you have your own boat! Just past the islands heading west lies the wider Chesapeake Bay.
Born on July 19, 1887 to Prettyman C. (Carl?) Hoffman and Mary Hester Cooksey Hoffman, the few tales I have of my grandpa’s grandfather are more from newspaper clippings, a few pictures, and the couple of times I spotted him in one of my great grandpa’s film reels.
He married Helen Louise Daniels, who I wrote a bit about in Stanley Jr.’s blog post. This may be their wedding picture, but the year 1918 throws me off, as they would have been married around 10 years by 1918. As you can see, the photo is a bit scuffed up, sadly over Helen’s face. I may need to seek the help of Maureen Taylor’s tips to date it more accurately.
I was told that Stanley built the home on Wenona for he and his new bride to start their family in and be close to the water where he made his living. The house is still standing and I was inside just a handful of years ago, visiting Stanley’s daughter-in-law, my grandpa’s Aunt Alverda.
These three photos below, though 11 years apart, give us an idea of what the area looked like when Stanley Sr. was in his 40s and 50s working on the water.
There are a couple newspaper clippings that give us a peek into moments out on the water.
Stanley took some men out on his boat for a fishing charter in 1930, and Dr. Grambill I learned was 81 and passed away the next year. Hopefully this was a wonderful moment for him getting up in years. Also, if you’re wondering, hardheads are referring to saltwater catfish!
Article from May 25, 1930 The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland)
This article from 1934 was not as pleasant. I don’t know how long he was missing, but because I know he lived until 1971 he wasn’t lost for good. I would have loved to hear more about this harrowing experience in person!
Article from Feb 12, 1934 The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland)
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times/16287455/
Article from Apr 29, 1971 The Daily Times (Salisbury, Maryland)
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