~ Isaac McComas Diaries ~

Contributed for use in the MDGenWeb Archives by Charles McComas Robb

Isaac Taylor McComas was born in Harford County in 1828. He and his brothers Jacob and James were apprenticed as bricklayers. All three moved to Baltimore. On Jan. 1, 1854, Isaac began keeping a diary and never missed a day until he died at age 94. In 1854, he struck out for California to search for gold. However, he arrived in Yuba County just at the time that thousands of people were pouring in on the gold rush. When they discovered that he was a Master Mason, he was paid handsomely to build houses, churches, schools, etc.

In 1859 he returned to Baltimore to marry his sweetheart, Sallie Slicer, and returned with her to California where they remained until 1865. They returned to Md., lived in Balt. for a year then Isaac and his brother Jacob bought the mill in Hood's Mill, Carroll Co. That did not work out very well so Isaac went back to Cal. for a year then returned and purchased the Mill in Ijamsville, Frederick Co. Md. The family stayed in Ijamsville for about 15 years then moved to Balt. where he and Sallie kept a General Merchandise store until his death in 1924.

Now, for 70 years, Isaac wrote all about this in detail. His Md. diaries are far more detailed than his Cal. diaries. He writes about folks in his community, church, and who he does business with. He gripes about who will not pay their bills and who is the best Dr. in the neighborhood. I grew up in the areas of Md where Isaac lived. He discusses the families that were in his community at the time. They are the same families that I grew up with 100 years later.

Isaac and Sallie's children:

Ella Frazier McComas b. 1860
Charles Slicer McComas b.1861
Margaret Slicer McComas 1863
Holcombe Rhees McComas 1866-1869
William Gees McComas 1868
Maud Virginia McComas 1871

~ Diaries ~

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