Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000)

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1 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) The Clagett Agricultural Area, consisting of approximately 2,700 acres west of Upper Marlboro was named for the Clagett family who owned most of the surrounding land. When originally surveyed and defined in 1987, the community was an example of a rural agricultural landscape in Prince George s County. However, as a result of modern residential development, the area no longer conveys this significance as an agricultural landscape. In the late seventeenth century, Thomas Clagett I purchased a 250-acre tract of land called Weston, which was passed down through several generations of Clagetts. Over time, the parcel was added to and resurveyed, resulting in a parcel of approximately 500 acres. The first brick structure on the property was built ca. 1713, but burned during the Revolutionary War ( ). 1 Circa 1820, Thomas Clagett VI built a Federal-style house on the foundation of this previous building. Called Weston (PG: 82A ), the structure would be the first of several houses built for members of the Clagett family. 2 Thomas Clagett VI and his wife Harriet White Clagett had eight children, six of whom survived into adulthood. After his wife died in 1836, Clagett VI married Adeline Ramsey Mundell and the couple had five children of their own. Throughout the nineteenth century, Clagett VI began purchasing land surrounding his plantation to expand his land holdings and secure property for his heirs. The 1850 census indicates that Clagett VI held $66,140 worth of real estate and reported owning ninety-four slaves that ranged in age from 75 to infants. 3 In 1860, the census reports that Clagett s real estate was valued at $120,000, while his personal estate was valued at $150, Not including the six plantations previously given to his family members, at the time of his death in 1873, Clagett owned over 800 acres of land. 5 Thomas Clagett VI provided farms in the surrounding area for several of his family members, typically coinciding with their marriage. His sons Charles and Robert received The Cottage (PG: ) and Oakland (PG: ), respectively. His daughters Sarah and Adeline received Moore s Plains and Osbourn Farm. Clagett VI also provided houses for two of his grandchildren: Strawberry Hill (PG: ) to Gonzalvo Clagett and Keokuk (PG: a) for Thomas Clagett VIII. Other Clagett homes include Navajo and Ingleside (PG: b), which Charles Clagett (son of Thomas VI) provided for his two sons William B. Clagett and Charles T. Clagett. 6 Martenet s map of 1861 shows the various farmsteads scattered across the community. Prominent families include Clagett, Bowie, Calvert, and Duvall. By 1878 when the Hopkins map was created, the Clagett family farmsteads are well documented. New stores, residences, and a schoolhouse were established along the Washington and Marlboro Turnpike (now Route 4/Pennsylvania Avenue) between Centreville and Upper Marlborough, providing additional amenities for members of the community. 7 1 Susan G. Pearl, Weston, Maryland Historical Trust, National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (December 1987), 8: Pearl, Weston, 8:3. 3 Maryland State Archives, Thomas Clagett, Archives of Maryland Biographical Series, U.S. Federal Census, Marlboro, Prince Georges, Maryland, p. 149, line 9, Thomas Clagett. 5 Maryland State Archives, Thomas Clagett, Archives of Maryland Biographical Series, 6 Pearl, Weston, 8:1-4; Susan G. Pearl, Navajo, Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Site Inventory Form (July 1985). 7 Simon J. Martenet, Atlas of Prince George s County, Maryland, 1861, Adapted from Martenet s Map of Prince George s County, Maryland (Baltimore: Simon J. Martenet C.E., 1861); G.M. Hopkins, Atlas of Fifteen Miles Around Washington, Including the County of Prince George Maryland (Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, C.E., 1878).

2 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 2 There are five designated Historic Sites in the community: PG: , Cottage & Outbuildings (NR), Old Marlboro Pike PG: , Strawberry Hill, Old Marlboro Pike PG: , Oakland (Good Luck), Brooke Lane PG: 82A , Weston & Cemetery, 6601 Old Crain Highway PG: 82A , Beacon Hill, 5905 Old Crain Highway There are two designated Historic Resources in the Clagett Agricultural Area: PG: a, Keokuk, 4101 Ritchie Marlboro Road PG: b, Ingleside, 4111 Ritchie Marlboro Road Windshield Survey A windshield survey of the Clagett Agricultural Area was conducted in July While the community remains largely agricultural, rapid suburbanization and late-twentieth-century infill have significantly detracted from the landscape. The gently rolling farmland of the community is dotted with wooded areas; however large parcels of this land have been cleared and deforested for new subdivision developments. Several agricultural buildings are extant and include barns and stables that still reflect the agricultural heritage of the community. There are a variety of architectural styles represented in the Clagett Agricultural Area that range in age from 1820 to the 1990s. Styles include Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Colonial Revival, and vernacular and modern interpretations of these popular styles. The majority of structures in the community date from the late nineteenth century and are set far back from the main roads, down private drives. Two Historic Resources have been demolished in the Clagett Agricultural Area. Navajo (PG: ) and the Navajo Tenant House (PG: ) are no longer extant as a result of new construction and development in the Clagett Agricultural Area. In addition, the slave quarters and all outbuildings associated with Keokuk (PG: a) have been demolished. Historic District Evaluation The Clagett Agricultural Area does not meet the criteria for Prince George s County designation as a historic district, nor does the community meet the criteria as a National Register historic district. The increasing suburbanization has detracted from the agricultural community; as a result, the community has lost its integrity of association, feeling, location, and setting. Several houses have been altered with additions, resulting in a loss of materials. Historic resources such as Keokuk and Ingleside have been dramatically affected by the 588-acre Marlboro Ridge subdivision. This planned equestrian recreational community by Toll Brothers features luxury townhouses and single-family dwellings. The once-rural landscape that surrounds Keokuk and Ingleside has been deforested, cleared, and graded. The two houses, now owned by Toll Brothers, appear as oases in the midst of suburban construction. Several barns, a slave quarter, and other outbuildings associated with these buildings have all been demolished. Other large subdivisions continue to encroach on the surrounding agricultural landscape. Although the community still maintains historic significance related to the Clagett family, there are other communities, such as Woodland, that are more intact, have retained their integrity, and are better

3 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 3 examples of a rural agricultural landscape in Prince George s County. In the Clagett Agricultural Area, early-twenty-first-century development has resulted in a discontiguous historic community. Infrastructure needed to support these large subdivisions will result in additional loss of the agricultural landscape and will further detract from the historic structures located within the community. Prepared by EHT Traceries, Inc. November 2007

4 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 4 Clagett Agricultural Area, 2005 Aerial = 2007 survey area = Modern infill and land slated for development

5 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 5 Clagett Agricultural Area, Martenet, 1861 = 2007 survey area

6 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) Clagett Agricultural Area, Hopkins, 1878 = 2007 survey area 6

7 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 7 Clagett Agricultural Area, 1938 Aerial = 2007 survey area

8 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 8 Looking west down New Kent Drive, Winterset Subdivision (EHT Traceries, 2007)

9 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 9 Looking west down Ritchie Marlboro Road (EHT Traceries, 2007)

10 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 10 Looking south, 4505 Ritchie Marlboro Road (EHT Traceries, 2007)

11 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 11 Looking west, Brooke Lane, Dr. Henry A. Wise High School (EHT Traceries, 2007)

12 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 12 Looking southwest, Marlboro Ridge development, 4101 Ritchie Marlboro Road (EHT Traceries, 2007)

13 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 13 Looking southwest, Marlboro Ridge development, 4101 Ritchie Marlboro Road (EHT Traceries, 2007)

14 Clagett Agricultural Area (78-000, , 82A-000) 14 Looking southeast, off Ritchie Marlboro Road, across from Marlboro Ridge development (EHT Traceries, 2007)