VIENNA, WATER SREET AND CHURCH / HICKS HOUSE

THE VIENNA HOME

OF

GOVERNOR THOMAS HOLIDAY HICKS

Thomas Holiday Hicks, Maryland Governor during the civil War, was born in Dorchester County, on the family estate “Sector”, near East New Market, September 2, 1798 and began a political career as Sheriff of Dorchester County. In 1824. He also was the manager of a deceased brothers shipping business that carried passenger and freight between Vienna and Baltimore.

On October 22, 1850 Thomas Hicks married his third wife , Jane Wilcox, the widow of his cousin Henry Wilcox, who said to have built the home inherited by his wife Jane and daughter, which is our subject..

The two story house, sits on Vienna's Water Street at the corner of Church, and overlooks the swift moving and scenic Nanticoke River. It has also a cellar and a spacious attic, with cooking house and regular necessary out buildings. It is a basic square house, with a cooking house unattached.

Cellars, with outside doorways, were common in early days for keeping food stuff's in the coolness, and other household items in storage.. The first floor rooms have eleven foot high ceilings which were a comfort during the heat of summers but difficult to keep warm during winter months by the in room fireplaces. .. All rooms have 'chair rails' and wide plank floor boards. In the spacious hall is the fine woodwork of the staircase leading to the second floor and attic. The first floor, where entertaining was held, has elaborate carved panels and mantels while they are not so impressive on the second floor. The Pre Civil War door locks and latches are rather interesting also.