In 1929, Alfred S. and Jessie V. Claggett owned this corner lot of land and sold it to Richard and Mary L. Ward. A newspaper article involving the Claggetts reflects the days of overt racial discrimination. The Morning News from Wilmington, Delaware on November 15, 1933, reported that Alfred S. and Jessie V. Claggett, of Havre de Grace, had filed a bill for an injunction in the Circuit Court for Harford County against Michael H. Fahey and Alexander Anderson [attorneys], seeking to have the court “restrain Negroes from holding property in the Bloomsbury Park development in Havre de Grace.” The bill set forth that property deeds contained “restrictions against Negroes living within the territory, except bona fide servants.” Michael Fahey had leased a lunch room to a “Negro who operated it as a restaurant for Negroes.” The Claggetts were seeking to have the provisions of the deeds observed.

It appears most likely that Richard and Mary Ward built the present house soon after purchasing the land from the Claggetts. Richard, however, died 1934 and the widowed Mary sold the corner property to Dr. Claude L. Cowan. The student newspaper of Knoxville College in Tennessee on June 5, 1936, carried an announcement of the marriage of Dr. Claude Cowan, a “prominent Knoxville College alumnus” to Marion Skinner, a “popular freshman co-ed.” And stated that, “The bride and groom left immediately after the ceremony for their home in Havre de Grace.” And so began the new life of Dr. Claude Cowan, a practicing physician on the first floor here, and Marion Cowan with him on the second floor. In 1946, Dr. Cowan was President of the NAACP at Havre de Grace.

In 1950, the Cowans moved to Washington, D.C. and rented this house to Dr. George T. Stansbury (1922-1996) and his wife, Ruth A. Johnson Stansbury (1932-1972). Dr. Stansbury earned his undergraduate degree in 1944 followed by a medical degree from Howard University School of Medicine. Dr. Stansbury opened his medical practice in this building in July 1950 and was the first African American to be given full staff privileges at the nearby Harford Memorial Hospital, which was then segregated.

As shared by Dr. George’s brother, Russell Stansbury, in a 2002 Harford County Living Treasure interview, blacks were limited to the first floor of the hospital. Even though Dr. George had staff privileges, if he had a white patient who had to be admitted to the hospital, that person had to go to an upper floor and be reassigned to a white doctor. Dr. George couldn’t treat a patient on any floor other than the first. In addition, if the first floor became crowded, black patients would remain on gurneys in the halls even if there were rooms available on other floors. Dr. George Stansbury was President of the Harford County Medical Society and in 1957 was the first African American to be appointed City Health Officer.

In 1966, Dr. Stansbury and his wife, Ruth, had a daughter, Sheila. She was only six years old when her Mom, Ruth, unexpectedly and tragically lost her life in 1972. During what can only be described as a heart-wrenching saga for her family, friends, and Havre de Grace, it was several days before her body was found in the Susquehanna River. Out of respect for the memory of Ruth Stansbury, a photograph of her with her daughter, Sheila, is included here. Raised by Dr. George Stansbury and their large loving family, Sheila graduated from Morgan State University in 1987.

“Doc” Stansbury is remembered with gratitude for many of his attributes including his kindness, visiting people’s homes day and night, treating people even if they couldn’t pay, and for something a little more unusual—his beautiful handwriting! Cindy Lee worked at Green’s Pharmacy on Washington Street and says, “Each of his prescriptions looked like an exercise in penmanship.” Michael Sheppard says, “Back when I was six weeks old he was the doctor that was working in Harford Memorial Hospital in 1963 when my Mom rushed me to the hospital. I was blessed that day with God and Dr. Stansbury’s presence.” For Constance Schaefers he used to go to her house and give her shots for migraines at an early age when she was vomiting because it hurt so badly. She says “I pray he is living with the Lord in Heaven.”

Doc Stansbury died in 1996 after serving his community for 45 years. He left this property to his daughter, Sheila Stansbury, who continues to own it.

County Records
Built 1935. 1806 sq ft, 2 stories with basement, 1 bath, 3000 sq ft lot.