In the mid-18th century, the town became a market center based on the river trade and development of tobacco plantations in the area. Enslaved African Americans were used to cultivate and process this labor-intensive crop, in addition to other farming. The town's trade was augmented by the southward extension of the Eastern Shore Railroad on Maryland's Eastern Shore. At that time, the Manokin River was navigable as far as the bridge at Princess Anne.
In the mID-18th century, the tOwN becaMe A mArket center Based ON tHE RiVER tRaDe anD dEVelopment Of TOBACCo PLANtatIonS in The Area. ENsLaved AfRiCan ameriCanS were usED to cUlTIVatE and pRoceSS tHIs LaboR-IntEnsIve crop, in adDITioN TO OtHER faRmiNg. the town's trade was aUgmenTed BY tHe soUthwARd exTensiON of the eastERn shorE RailRoaD on maryland's eastErn shore. at that time, THe manokin riveR was navigablE aS far As thE bRidgE At princeSs Anne.