Mrs. Murphy's Hotel

One Center Street in the heart of the Historic District

Mrs. Murphy's Hotel

One Center Street is probably one of the most historic properties in Port Deposit. It was on Feb 14^th 1789 that the deed was transferred from Isaac Decoo Watson to John Creswell. In a short number of years those 88 ˝ acres would be the tract of land along the Susquehanna that we know of as Port Deposit today. John Creswell was one of the first Sheriffs of Cecil County in the late 1700’s.  His son, John AJ Creswell, when on an illustrious life as a public servant.  A brief biography on him is listed below.

Take a step back into time Mrs. Murphy's offer full rental of the main historic home, with an incredible view of Town Square.

To make B&B reservations or inquiries please email

weriddle@zoominternet.net

 Brief Biography of John AJ Creswell
of 1 Center Street Port Deposit

Honorable John AJ Creswell

John AJ Creswell was born at One Center Street Port Deposit, Maryland on November 18, 1828. He attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA in 1848. Was admitted to the Baltimore bar in 1850, He served on the Maryland legislature from 1861–62

A strong opponent of slavery, he is credited with being the first Representative to speak for the abolition of slavery as a Constitutional Amendment. This was important since at one time prior his was a slave owning family.

Creswell was a member of the Whig Party before joining the Republican Party. In 1862 he was elected to the 38th Congress he took his seat on 9th March, 1863 serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1863–65 and to the U.S. Senate 1865–68. Creswell was considered one of the “Radical Republicans”, whom objected to President Johnson's attempts to veto the Civil Rights Bill and the Reconstruction Acts and he voted for his impeachment in 1868.

In 1869 President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Creswell the first Postmaster General which he served from 1869–70. During that period he completely reorganized and modernized the U.S. Postal system. He introduced Penny postcards, and greatly improved transatlantic mail service.

He served as a counsel on the “Alabama claims case” 1871–76  Which addressed records relating to civil war claims between United States and Great Britain

Later in Life the Honorable Mr. Creswell was head of the Republican Party until his death in 23rd December, 1891.

His home is listed on the National Historic Registry and the Maryland Historic Trust.