PUCKUM

PUCKUM

Yes, I know Hal Roth wrote “You can't get to Puckum from here” as

have may other items been found in newpapers, books and the internet

on the ' subject' . Lot's of Dorchester native born have said Puckum

is not a place, but an area. I am OK with that.

What I do know is; At Eldorado , say crossroads if you want, it is a small

community with history and a grave yard with my ancestors buried there.

So, it's part of “ me “. At Eldorado, there is a road headed north by the

name of Puckum Road. As I say it is a north and south running road,

which crosses over Puckum Branch before it stops at an east and west

road named Wesley Road which is off of the Finchville to Eldorado Road.

Wesley Road goes toward the Nanticoke River, I suppose I should say the

Marshy Hope Creek, but as I said I am from Dorchester county and call

things as I wish. Anyway, at the 'Creek' Wesley turns north to end at the

Harrison Ferry to Finchville Road, right near Hurlock. South of where

Wesley Road turns north, is some wild county forest lands, and two or three

miles back toward Eldorado or Brookview Bridge, once Crocthers Ferry,

flows the Puckum Branch before it dumps into the river or creek. Puckum

Branch is short. Less that 7 miles long.

So, I am going out on the limb and say I 'consider' Puckum, an area and

not a place, between the Harrison Ferry to Finchville Road and Wesley

Road intersection, south to wild lands and where Puckum Branch flows

into Marshy Hope Creek. Ok. That my Puckum.

According to many of Dorchester, Puckum is where you just passed

through or is just down the road a piece. On the south of Puckum Branch

was a 1732 plantation, Hackett's Adventure, I think the grave yard I have mentioned is on this land, and the ruins of a brick chimney was found that

indicates there was once someone who inhabited this land, maybe Puckum

Another good bet, the Nanticoke Indian tribe had a village on the east side

of the Nanticoke River near what was later Barrens Creek that had the

name Puckamee. There is more to come about “Puckum”

Abstract: Salisbury Daily Times, August 18, 1998, Hal Roth's column .