Leatherwood - Dirca palustris

Boy, that was quick!
Right you are Smivies. I imagine that in your area this shrub is not uncommon.
In my state it is Rare, Threatened & Endangered (RT&E) listed. Perhaps it was never common in the mid-Atlantic.
Cullina says it's bark was once used for bowstrings????

When you're living off the land you use everything you can for something.

if i recall...propagation is tough. that most likely has more of a limiting factor. the fact it's a hard sell is jsut icing on the cake...er, nail in ....yeah...no more alcohol and metaphors