Solomon Collmus

• Updated from 1900 United States Federal Census by SmartCopy: Sep 8 2015, 3:18:00 UTC

From Sallye Wilkinson: LETTER TO LEVI FROM SOLOMON Mr. Levi Collmus Mott St 2 doors from Gay St. O. T. [Old Town] Baltimore MD [from envelope]

U.S. Ship Pensylvania May 5th 1842

Dear Father I embrace the present opportunity of addrefsing these few lines to you hopping they may find you in as good health as i am at present i find every thing here exactly suiting to my mind i am very contented with my lot and as happy as i would wish to be i would have writ this letter a great deal sooner had i not to have found ink so very scarse i have got every thing i would wish to have for the present few months i don't drink my liquor I can get my tea and sugar for it the only thing a person wants is money which I see is very useful down here a body can buy things enough down here to last him his whole cruise very near for nothing that is for a little cash money men gets liberty to go on shore after they have been here 5 or 6 months and for the sake of getting some cash they almost give clothes away. tea sugar and soap you was talking about sending down here i do not want the soap will be of no use to me because you cannot wash well in salt water with it i have not had a chance to write to Jacob since i have been here nor do i think i will have for a week or two yet as there is very little chance here to write if you can make it any way convenient to send me some ink and still pens you would oblige me greatly i would like you to send me some newspapers down i like to have some Russia sheeting and some blue dundree for to make some shirts if you will go to W. Franciscus [sp?] where i worked at and tell cyrus (Phelps) to give me that play book and send me some books or any little thing about the house you think i would want please put them in a box and send them on board the Recieving Brig F P and direct it to me any letters papers or any thing direct it to the Recieving ship Pensylvania off Norfolk I have been promoted to Cook since i have been here my Rations have been stopt which make my wages about 16$ a month Tom and me are coming on highly here i don't think we will go off before July and i think we will be together you wishd me to let you know the know the Captains name on board of this ship the fitting captain name is Zantringer the sailing captains name is Gardner their is from 5 to 6 hundred men on board all letters and papers you send please pay the postage on the -- Give my love to all inquiring friends particulary the one you get the Book from tell him to give our best Respects to the boys and tell thomas Mealey mother he is well and Give my best Respects to all home write opon Recipt of letter and put the box on board befor friday week X and believe me to be ever your Affectionate Son Soloman Callmus Recieving Ship Pennsylvania Norfold [sic]

* From Leroy Collmus Opened harness shop 1847 on Front St. near Musgrave Tan Yard.  About 1849 leased #325 N. High St. near Gay St. for residence and shop.  Bought in 1852.  He evidently remained there until he retired 1885?  About that time he bought #406 N. High at (on the other side of Gay or Bridge St.) where the family lived when we were boys - and where I was born.  

I believe that Musgrave & Mason had a hide and leather shop next (would be #327)?

I have a picture of Grandma and Grandpap in the doorway of #406 - also an old picture of the harness shop at #325. In his youth he was in the U.S. Navy for a short while 1842-1843, a cook on the U.S. Ship Pennsylvania in the Norfolk area. His Father evidently knew some prominent member of Congress, and for a small discharge payment was released so he could begin to learn his trade.

Went to Europe in 1870 with Andy Snyder (who died and was buried at sea). Trip was cancelled and Grandpap returned home - except that he went to Bremen and saw the house where his father had lived before coming to this country.

Attended McKim School in Baltimore. Charter Member Old Town National Bank.

• "U.S. Steamer Union Washington N.Y. 17 October 1843 Solomon Colimus, Lands(?),has this day been discharged the U.S. Naval Service by order of the Secretary of the Navy through the Com'dt.(?) of this Station. Charles Murray(?) Purser. H.H. Bell Lt. Court (?) (Handwritten statement in possession of Sallye Wilkinson 2002)
• Receipt dated July 18, 1844 for and $8.00 payment to Charles I. Spies, Dr. Professor of Dancing, Central Hall, corner of Baltimore and Charles Sts. Paid by S. Collmus (In possession of Sallye Wilkinson 2002)
• "S. Collmus Worth" January 20, 1860 House No. 126 Gay St. 6500.00 House No. 144 Gay St. 2500.00 Lot on High St. 1800.00 (??) 1279.04 C.A. Adams 500.00 Mr. Moryingo (sp?) 217.75 Cash in Franklin Bank 152.52 Cash in Oldtown Saving Inst? 155.00 Cash on hand 50.00 Bills unpaid from July 1 to Oct 31 375.00

                      ___________

                      13427.31 [something scratched out]  346.28

                      __________

                       13183.03 House and Stock          3000.00

                      ___________

                      16183.03

* United States Passport: Issued 4/29/1870 "in the 94 Year of the Independence of the United States"

"Description" Age 48 Years Stature 5 Feet 7 Inches Eng Forehead High Eyes Brown Nose Small Mouth do Chin round Hair black & gray Complexion fair Face full

No. 5999 Signed by the Secretary of State Hamilton Fish

(in possession of Sallye M. Wilkinson 2002)

• Green Mount Cemetery Admit (ticket) "Admit Solomon Colmus owner of Lot No. U in Area 45 with the immediate family" Regulations on back: Tickets are not transferable and ___ will not be admitted on borrowed tickets. Renewal of tickets, if lost or mislaid, discretionary with the board. Persons are not admitted on horseback or with a dog. Smoking is prohibited within the Cemetery. Children must be in charge of a responsible adult. Carriages must not be driven faster than a walk. Horses must not be fastened to any tree or enclosure nor must they be left unattended by the driver. Defacing structures, breaking trees, shrubs or plants, pulling flowers and all other violations of correct deportment, are offences punishable by a fine of fifty dollars."
• Recpt for $200 to the Proprietors of the Green Mount Cemetery on 12/1/1911 ... "they have agreed, and hereby agree with the Heirs of Solomon Collmus and their representative to keep Lot No. 45 Area U in good order, having regard to its sightly and respectable appearance in perpetuity."
• "His 83rd Birthday" Many of Mr. Solomon Collmus's Friends Congratulate Him.

Mr. Solomon Collmus, who enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest residents of Oldtown, celebrated the eighty third anniversary of his birth yesterday at his home, 406 North High street. During the day a number of friends called and extended congratulations, and Mr. Collmus was the recipient of several presents. In the evening the members of his family tendered him a reception.

Mr. Collmus was born in Baltimore, and has always made his home in this city. He was born on Richmond street, near Howard, and is the son of Levi Collmus, an Old Defender, who participated in the defense of the city, as a member of the United States Artillery, when the British made their attack. Mr. Collmus retired from business a number of years ago, and he has resided in Oldtown since he was 3 years old. Mr. Collmus' wife still lives and he has four sons and six grandchildren, the sons are Messrs. Robert S., Samuel L., William and C. Carroll Collmus.

• Obituary The funeral of Mr. Solomon Collmus, aged 88 years, who died suddenly in hi home, 1829 North Caroline Street, on Wednesday, took place from his home yesterday afternoon, at 3 o'clock. The services were conducted by Rev. William H. Baylor, pastor of Grace Baptist Church. Interment was in Greenmount Cemetery. The active pallbearers were Messrs. J. George Gehring, Henry O. Redue, Robert Fusselbaugh, J. Frank Robinson, Charles W. Hatter and Samuel M. Rankin, Jr. The honorary pallbearers were Messrs. Jacob W. Hook, J. Henry Snyder, E. Mason, Duane H. Rice, Michael Sheehan and Robert F. Holland. Mr. Collmus was one of the best-known residents of Northeast Baltimore. He was one of the charter members of the Old Town National Bank. 41. *Martha Ann Webster FISH[61] was born 1833 in Beverly, Washington Co., Ohio. She died 1916 in Baltimore, MD.