Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission

the Preservationist
Summer 2006
Blockhouse Point Conservation Park
and the Camp at Muddy Branch
by Don Housley, Vivian Eicke and James Sorensen Branch was preoccupied with stemming the raids of
Confederate partisan units led by Colonel John S.
A team of archaeologists and volunteers from
Mosby and Lieutenant Elijah Viers White.
Montgomery County Park and Planning has begun
excavations at Blockhouse Point, a conservation The most significant event associated with
park owned by M-NCPPC. Documentary research Muddy Branch and the blockhouses was the result
and a new non-invasive archaeological technique of General Early’s attack on Washington in July of
– gradiometric surveying – are helping to uncover 1862. With Early’s forces on the doorstep of D.C.
the fascinating history of the site. and all the Union forces recalled to the defense
of the Capital, Mosby took advantage by burning
At the beginning of the Civil War, the
the temporarily-vacated blockhouses along the
nation’s capital and its approaches were virtually
Potomac. On July 12, Mosby found the camps at
unprotected. As a result of Confederate raids across
Blockhouse Point and Muddy Branch abandoned
the Potomac and the Union disaster at First Bull
and burned their equipment and supplies.
Run, Washington became one of the most fortified
U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant cities in the world. In addition to forts ringing Gradiometric mapping of shovel test pits on the
Robert Gould Shaw the city, blockhouses were built to serve as early site of the soldiers’ camp at Blockhouse Point in
described Muddy Branch as warning stations along the Upper Potomac to the fall of 2005 showed the location of disturbances
“the worst camp we have protect the canal and the river crossings. From 1862 in the soil of the earth’s magnetic fields. Magnetic
ever had.” to 1865, the blockhouse at Blockhouse Point, along field gradient data measure deviations from a field
with two others at Pennyfield and Seneca Locks, of zero. Those areas which have archaeological or
In This Issue: served as outposts for the camp at Muddy Branch. geological anomalies deviate from the uniformity of
the hypothetically smooth magnetic field. The map
• Montgomery Heritage The camp at Muddy Branch was first occupied
below shows the southwest quadrant of the camp
Days. by Colonel Fletcher Webster’s (son of Senator
with solid lines indicating pit and berm features
Daniel Webster) 12th Massachusetts Infantry
Page 2 visible on the surface. Dash-dot lines indicate
in September of 1861. A brigade under General
mounds and trenches. The concentrated light
Alpheus Williams moved to Muddy Branch after
• Celebrate the the Union defeat at Ball’s Bluff (October 21, 1861),
colored areas indicate naturally igneous dykes (hard
County’s 230th rock formations) or possible fire pits.
just north of the camp on the Virginia side of the
birthday. Potomac River. Serving in one of the regiments, 1st It is hoped that modern technology will
Page 2 Lieutenant Robert Gould Shaw, later a colonel in help us to learn more about this important piece
the 54th Massachusetts Colored Regiment, wrote of Montgomery County’s Civil War history.
• 2007 Preservation “We are in the worst camp we have ever had. It Information and artifacts that are unearthed will
Grants available. is a hallow, where the dampness collects. . .” The be included in future exhibits that will help all our
Page 2 brigade was followed by the 19th Massachusetts citizens learn more about the region’s rich heritage.
Infantry which built three blockhouses
•Underground Railroad during the winter of 1862.
incident at Jesup Blair Each blockhouse was in the form of
House. a Greek cross, 48 feet each way, with
Page 3 loopholes for infantry arms. While no major
battles were fought at Muddy Branch, the
• Archaeology summer Union forces reported on Confederate
program expanded. troop movements before and after the
Page 4 battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. For
nearly a year after Gettysburg, a battalion
of the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry at Muddy
 Historic Preservation
News and Notes Celebrate County’s Founding
Attend the big celebration of Montgomery
Montgomery County Heritage Days County’s 230th birthday from 2 to 5 PM on
Montgomery County Heritage Days continues Sunday, September 10, 2006, at the Beall-
to grow every year. This year, 37 historic sites Dawson House Historical Park, 103 West
will be open from 12 noon to 4 PM Saturday, Montgomery Avenue in Rockville. Explore
June 24 and Sunday, June 25. Under the musical the county’s history through exhibits by local
performance theme, many the sites will offer historical groups, living history presentations,
musical presentations in addition to their usual videos, an archaeological dig, tours of the
A child discovers tours and demonstrations. From Blues guitar to house, and historical games. There will be
Montgomery County history Latvian folk dancing, you will be sure to find historical music and, of course, a birthday cake.
at Archaeology Camp. For a musical genre that appeals to your melodic Come enjoy a fun and educational experience
the 2006 summer workshop senses. Afternoon tea (by reservation only) for the whole family. This annual event is
schedule for both children will be held at the Gaithersburg Inn and at co-sponsored by the Montgomery County
and adults, see the calendar Woodlawn Manor. Historic Preservation Commission and the
on page 4.
Never seen before as part of this annual Montgomery County Historical Society. For
heritage event will be: more information call 301-762-1492 or go to
www.montgomeryhistory.org.
• Boyds Negro School
• Clarksburg 2-Room School 2007 Historic Preservation
• Latvian Museum, Rockville Grants Available
• Lock House #8, C & O Canal , Cabin John The Montgomery County Historic
• Olney Theatre, old and new Preservation Commission administers a
Historic Preservation Grant Fund of $30,000
• Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, Comus that will be available for disbursement in fiscal
• St. John the Evangelist Church, Forest Glen year 2007. These grants are given to non-
• Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Bethesda – the late profit groups or municipal governments for
18th century house and attached kitchen of non-capital historical activities and must be
the Riley plantation where Josiah Henson, matched with local funding or in kind services
the model for Uncle Tom lived for 35 years by the group. These grants cannot be used for
capital projects or staffing.
For more information call 301-515-0753 or go 2007 Grant Fund Schedule
to www.heritagemontgomery.org. Maps of this Early August 2006: Applications mailed to
year’s tour can be found at libraries, parks and interested parties, advertisements placed in
recreation centers, or at participating sites. newspapers.
September 30, 2006: Deadline for completed

the Preservationist applications.

September/October: Applications processed.
The Preservationist is the official publication of the Montgomery County Historic October: A committee of Historic Preservation
Preservation Commission, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone:
301-563-3400. Statements herein do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Commission members reviews applications
Commission. Created by the Historic Resources Preservation Ordinance (Chapter and makes recommendations to the full
24A, Montgomery County Code) the Commission is responsible for identification, Commission, who then votes on the proposals.
designation, and regulation for purposes of protection, preservation, continued use,
and enhancement of sites and structures of historical, archeological, architectural, October 31, 2006: Applicants notified of
or cultural value. Commission members are appointed by the Montgomery County awards. Notice to proceed with the respective
Executive and confirmed by the Montgomery County Council. project(s) is around January 1 depending on
completion of executed documents. Completed
Commission projects are due the end of December 2007.
Julia O’Malley, Chair Jef Fuller, AIA, Vice Chair
Nuray Anahtar, AIA Lee Burstyn Caroline Alderson David S. Rotenstein If you would like to receive an application for
Timothy J. Duffy Thomas C. Jester Warren Fleming an HPC Historic Preservation Grant please
Historic Preservation Coordinator Gwen Wright call: 301-563-3400
Requests to be on the mailing list and content information
should be directed to the Commission.

2
The Jesup Blair House and
the Underground Railroad
Attempted escape from slavery
ended in shootout and arrest of
noted abolitionist in front of Blair
family’s Silver Spring retreat.
Originally known as “The Moorings,” the
distinguished Jesup Blair House in Silver Spring
was built by the Blair family in 1849 as a summer
retreat. The square, two-story frame house
incorporates elements of the Federal and Greek
Revival styling. For many years the residence
was home to Mary J. Blair, daughter-in-law of
Francis Preston Blair, whose Silver Spring estate, William Chaplin was a leader of the Liberty Above: Artist’s rendering
located on the opposite side of Georgia Avenue, Party and active in the Albany Vigilance of the arrest of abolitionist
became the source of the community’s name. Committee. He had come to Washington from William Chaplin near the
Mrs. Blair maintained a Washington residence New York four years earlier to take the place of District Line. Below: The
in addition to this summer home. Postmaster Charles Torrey, an abolitionist and operative on Moorings (now known as
General Montgomery Blair, brother-in-law of the Underground Railroad, who died in prison Jesup Blair House) in Silver
Mary Blair, resided at the Moorings in the 1860s. in 1846. Chaplin was the mastermind behind Spring.
The property remained in the family until 1937 the ill-fated flight from Washington, D.C. of 77
when Violet Blair Janin, grandchild of Francis enslaved people aboard the ship Pearl in 1848.
Preston Blair, dedicated the property to the State
of Maryland as a memorial to her brother, Jesup
Blair. The state then turned the property over to
Montgomery County in 1939. This was the first
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission Park in Montgomery County.
Although the Blairs were probably unaware
at the time, an important incident involving the
Underground Railroad occurred right in front
of the house on August 8, 1850, when a hired
carriage was forcibly stopped by a Sheriff’s posse
from Washington, D.C. and a shoot-out ensued.
Since there was originally some dispute
The carriage was driven by William Chaplin,
over whether the arrest took place in D.C.
who was unarmed, and was carrying two men
or in Maryland, Chaplin was imprisoned in
attempting to escape from slavery: Garland
Washington for six weeks and released on
White, belonging to Senator Robert Toombs
$6,000 bond, and was subsequently imprisoned
of Georgia, and Allen, belonging to Senator
in Maryland for thirteen weeks and released on
Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia. The posse
$19,000 bond on December 24, 1850. The bond
consisted of six men led by John Goddard who
money was raised by fellow abolitionists. Chaplin
were heavily armed and shot into the carriage
left the area when released, forfeiting the bond,
after stopping it by ramming a fence rail through
and never came to trial.
the wheel spokes. At least one of the fugitives
returned fire before jumping from the carriage The site of the arrest is now #1 on The
and running away. Mr. Chaplin was hauled Underground Railroad: Maryland’s Network to
from the carriage and beaten. Both African Freedom, a map published by the state. Copies
Americans were slightly wounded as was one of can be ordered by calling 1-877-663-UGRR
the members of the posse. Allen was returned to (8477), www.visitmaryland.org.
his owner, and Garland White turned himself in
three days later. White later escaped and served
as chaplain for the 28th regiment, U.S. Colored
Troops in the Civil War.

3
 Archaeology Summer Workshops June
Calendar Responding to the popularity of this annual
program, the Montgomery County Department
21 HPC Meeting, 7:30 PM, MRO Auditorium,
8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Call 301-563-
of Parks Archaeology staff will be offering four 3400. www.mc-mncppc.org
workshops for children and also two workshops 24 & 25 Montgomery County Heritage
for adults this summer. All sessions are at the Days 12 noon-4PM. Countywide www.
Needwood Mansion in Derwood. For registration heritagemontgomery.org. 301-515-0753.
information, please call 301-840-5848.
Archaeology Camps for Children Ages 10 - 15 July
12& 26 HPC Meeting; see June 21 listing.
Additional Session .. June 19–23
Session I ................. June 26–30 August
Session II ................ July 10–14 16 HPC Meeting, 7:30 PM, MRO Auditorium,
Session III ............... July 17–21 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Call 301-563-
Hours: 9 AM – 3 PM; Extended Session 3–5 PM
3400. www.mc-mncppc.org
Fee: $226; Extended Session $55 September
Archaeology Field Sessions for Adults 13 & 27 HPC Meeting; see June 21 listing.
Session I ................. August 7–11
Session II ................ August 14–18 10 Happy Birthday Montgomery County
Hours: 9 AM – 3 PM Celebration, Beall-Dawson House, 111 West
Fees: $30 a day/$80 for 3+ days (each session) Montgomery Ave., Rockville. Call 762-1492.
www.montgomeryhistory.org
Through August 30
Exhibit: Barns of Montgomery County.
October
7 Harvest Festival at the Agricultural History
Photographs of barns by Mike Dwyer and
Farm Park in Derwood. 11 AM. to 4 PM. Call
Don Burgess. Waters House, Milestone Manor
301-670-4661. www.montgomeryparksfnd.org
Lane, Germantown. Wednesdays 2-9 PM,
Saturdays 10 AM-4 PM. Call 301-762-1492. www. 11 HPC Meeting; see June 21 listing.
montgomeryhistory.org

Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission

8787 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Support Acknowledged: This publication has been financed in part with Federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, made available
through the Maryland Historical Trust, a division of the Department of Housing and Community Development, State of Maryland. However, the contents and opinions
do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of these agencies. Nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommenda-
tion by these agencies.
Non-discrimination: The Montgomery County historic preservation program receives Federal funds from the National Park Service. Regulations of the U.S. Department
of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any
person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operation by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Director
of Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC., 20013-37127.