Maryland Historical Trust



Maryland Historical Trust Inventory No. PG: 83-009

Maryland Inventory of

Historic Properties Form

1. Name of Property (indicate preferred name)

historic Dr. William G. Hardy House (preferred)

other Kuehn House at Ellerbrook Farm

2. Location

street and number 16100 Old Marshall Hall Road    not for publication

city, town Accokeek    vicinity

county Prince George's County

3. Owner of Property (give names and mailing addresses of all owners)

name Bernard Kuehn, et al/Bernard Kuehn Living Trust

street and number 16300 Old Marshall Hall Road telephone      

city, town Accokeek state MD zip code 20607-2404

4. Location of Legal Description

courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Prince George's County Courthouse liber 5294 folio 522

city, town Upper Marlboro tax map 150 tax parcel 25 tax ID number 05 0339903

5. Primary Location of Additional Data

   Contributing Resource in National Register District

   Contributing Resource in Local Historic District

   Determined Eligible for the National Register/Maryland Register

   Determined Ineligible for the National Register/Maryland Register

   Recorded by HABS/HAER

   Historic Structure Report or Research Report at MHT

X Other: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince George's County Planning Department

6. Classification

Category Ownership Current Function Resource Count

   district    public    agriculture    landscape Contributing Noncontributing

X building(s) X private    commerce/trade    recreation/culture 4      buildings

   structure    both    defense    religion           sites

   site X domestic    social           structures

   object    education    transportation           objects

   funerary    work in progress 4 0 Total

   government    unknown

   health care    vacant/not in use Number of Contributing Resources

   industry    other: previously listed in the Inventory

3

7. Description Inventory No. PG: 83-009

Condition

   excellent X deteriorated

   good    ruins

   fair    altered

Prepare both a one-paragraph summary and a comprehensive description of the resource and its various elements as it exists today.

The Dr. William G. Hardy House, also known as the Kuehn House at Ellerbrook Farm, is located at 16100 Old Marshall Hall Drive in Accokeek. The two-story Greek Revival-style dwelling was built around an existing one-story log structure. The structure has a rectangular form with multiple additions. The Greek Revival dwelling is an example of Accokeek’s rural heritage. The farmhouse is sited on the east side of Old Marshall Hall Road, down a long gravel driveway. Mature trees are located along the eastern property line. Farmed fields surround the property in all directions. Three secondary resources are located on the site, including an inaccessible barn (not surveyed) located to the east of the dwelling.

Dwelling

The main block of the Dr. William G. Hardy House was constructed prior to the Civil War (1861-1865). The two-story, five-bay Greek Revival-style farmhouse was built around a one-story, two-room log structure. Inside the southeast corner of the house, log cabin framing is visible, including large, rough-hewn logs filled with wattle and daub.[1] Two different foundations are visible on the south (side) elevation where the coursed stone foundation of the main block meets the uncoursed stone foundation of the log cabin.[2] The log structure dates from the early nineteenth century while the main block of the dwelling dates from c. 1855.[3] The wood-frame structure of the main block is clad in weatherboard siding. The house has an exterior-end and an interior-side corbelled chimney, both of which are brick construction. The interior-side chimney, which is not symmetrically located on the southern elevation as is characteristic of Greek Revival architecture, is likely the chimney of the log cabin. The dwelling has a hipped roof covered in asphalt shingles. The roof has overhanging eaves and a plain frieze. A two-story, one-bay pedimented portico with cavetto-molded cornice is located on the façade (west elevation). The portico is supported by paired wood Tuscan columns. The dwelling is fenestrated by 6/6 windows with square-edged wood surrounds.

The façade (west elevation) of the main block is symmetrically balanced, a typical characteristic of the Greek Revival style. A centrally located hipped hood supported by wood brackets is located above the replacement single-leaf paneled wood door with lights on the first story. The central bay of the second story over the main entry on the first story is marked by a single-leaf wood door with square-edged wood surround. Located on either side of the central entry bay are two 6/6 windows. The windows in the outermost bay have wood louvered shutters.

Two symmetrically placed 6/6 windows are located on the first and second stories of the south (side) elevation of the main block.

A one-story porch is located on the east (rear) elevation of the main block. The centrally placed porch has a half-hipped roof supported by paired wood Tuscan columns. Two 6/6 windows are located on either side of the porch. Five 6/6 windows are symmetrically located on the second story. A front gable dormer pierces the roof of the east (rear) elevation.

There are no windows on the north (side) elevation of the main block due to the addition of a one-story side gable wing. Based on its form and materials, the wing appears to date from c. 1930. The wing is clad in weatherboard siding and has an interior brick chimney. A single 6/6 window with a square-edged wood surround is located in the center of the west, north, and east (side) elevations of the wing. The interior of the dwelling was not accessible at the time of the on-site survey.

Barn (1)

A one-story, four-bay barn is located to the northeast of the dwelling. Based on its form and materials, it appears the barn was constructed c. 1940. It is clad in weatherboard siding and covered by a side gable metal corrugated roof. The roof overhang is supported by wood posts. Two single-leaf wood doors are located on the façade (south elevation). The interior of the barn was not accessible at the time of the on-site survey.

Barn (2)

A one-story barn is located to the southeast of the dwelling. Based on its form and materials, it appears that the barn was constructed c. 1920. The wood-frame structure is clad in horizontal wood boards. The side gable roof is covered in corrugated metal panels. A shed roof extension on the south elevation is falling down due to a lack of structural support. The building is covered in overgrown vegetation that obscures the window and door openings. The interior of the barn was not accessible at the time of the on-site survey.

Barn (3)

A barn is located to the east of the dwelling across farm fields. The barn was inaccessible to survey due to briar patches and was barely visible due to mature trees. This barn may date from c. 1875 based on the fact that two large structures were located on the property in 1878, and the other two extant barns closer to the dwelling do not appear to date from that time period.[4]

Integrity

The Dr. William G. Hardy House retains a high level of integrity, by retaining its original Greek Revival form and materials. The dwelling retains its integrity of design and workmanship. The rural property retains its integrity of setting and location. The property, a 171.86-acre working farm, retains its integrity of feeling and association. Rolling hills and cultivated farm fields surround the property.

Barn (1) retains a moderate level of integrity, by retaining its original design. Although the structure has a replacement standing-seam metal roof, the extant building materials retains the structure’s integrity of materials and workmanship. The barn, still in use, retains its integrity of setting, location, feeling and association.

Barn (2) retains a low level of integrity. Although the barns’ integrity of design, materials, and location are preserved, the building currently serves no function. The barn’s integrity of setting, feeling, and association are lost. Barn (3) was inaccessible at the time of the on-site survey. The level of the barn’s integrity can not be ascertained.

The Dr. William G. Hardy House and property retains a high level of integrity.

8. Significance Inventory No. PG: 83-009

Period Areas of Significance Check and justify below

   1600-1699    agriculture    economics    health/medicine    performing arts

   1700-1799    archeology    education    industry    philosophy

X 1800-1899 X architecture    engineering    invention    politics/government

X 1900-1999    art    entertainment/    landscape architecture    religion

   2000-    commerce recreation    law    science

   communications    ethnic heritage    literature    social history

   community planning    exploration/    maritime history    transportation

   conservation settlement    military    other:      

Specific dates c. 1855 Architect/Builder Unknown

Construction dates c. 1855, c. 1920, c. 1930, c. 1940

Evaluation for:

   National Register    Maryland Register    not evaluated

Prepare a one-paragraph summary statement of significance addressing applicable criteria, followed by a narrative discussion of the history of the resource and its context. (For compliance projects, complete evaluation on a DOE Form – see manual.)

Statement of Significance

The Dr. William G. Hardy House was constructed c. 1855 at 16100 Old Marshall Hall Road in Accokeek. The dwelling is an excellent example of the Greek Revival style, which was popular for American domestic architecture from 1825 to 1860.[5] The house embodies distinctive characteristics of the Greek Revival style such as a two-story portico and symmetrical elevations. The high-style Greek Revival architecture of the farmhouse is unique in Prince George’s County. The building retains sufficient integrity to convey the characteristics for which it is significant.

Historic Context

The Dr. William G. Hardy House is located in Accokeek, Maryland. Accokeek is located in the southwestern portion of Prince George’s County, directly east across the Potomac River from Mount Vernon in Virginia. Settlement in Accokeek began in the early years of the eighteenth century and was largely due to the presence of the King George’s Parish “lower” chapel, as it was known at the time. The chapel was sited between the Piscataway and Mattawoman creeks.[6]

The Dr. William G. Hardy House, sited atop a hill at the long end of a gravel road, was an early structure in the Accokeek area. The two-story, five-bay Greek Revival-style farmhouse was built around a one-story, two-room log structure. Inside the southeast corner of the house, log cabin framing is visible, including large, rough-hewn logs filled with wattle and daub. The Greek Revival-style dwelling first appears on the 1861 Martenet Map of Prince George’s County, suggesting Hardy likely built the main block of the dwelling that stands today.[7] Based on the form and materials of the dwelling, it appears to date from c. 1855. The 1860 census notates William G. Hardy, age 50, working as a farmer in the Accokeek area living with his 35-year-old wife Matilda Hardy, their four young children, a domestic servant and a farm laborer.[8] In 1870 the Hardys were identified as farmers in the Accokeek area.[9]

In 1866, the Hardys defaulted on a private loan from Mason L. Weems and their property was placed in the care of trustee Peter W. Crain. Crain conveyed the property to the Weems sisters and heirs Georgianna Williams and Matilda S. Forbes in 1875.[10] The sisters sold the property to Fendall Marbury a mere two months later.[11] The 1878 Hopkins Map of Prince George’s County notates Fendall Marbury owning the property, which at the time consisted of two large structures - the dwelling and what was likely a barn.[12] Marbury was living in the Nottingham area at the time of the 1880 census so it is unclear if he ever occupied the property. Marbury, a 51-year-old lawyer, was living with his wife Sarah C. Marbury, age 40, their four teenage children and three of Mrs. Marburys relations in 1880.[13]

Henry Ellerbrook came into possession of the 459-acre property in 1881.[14] In 1911, the property was split between his children, Minnie, George, and James Ellerbrook, with his daughter Minnie Ellerbrook Thomas receiving 296-acres that contained the dwelling.[15] Margaret (Minnie) E. Thomas, age 40, and Edward W. Thomas, age 43, were living in Talbot, Maryland, at the time of the 1910 and 1920 census and likely did not reside on the property.[16]

Edward W. Thomas sold the property and dwelling in 1915. It went through two different owners over a short period of time until Walter A. Kuehn purchased the 296-acre property in 1921.[17] Walter Anthony Kuehn was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 27, 1886.[18] He was a farmer living in the Piscataway area with his 68-year-old mother Susanna in 1930.[19] In 1942, Kuehn was living in Accokeek where he had a lumber business located on Bryan’s Road. That same year, he registered for World War II, at the age of 55.[20]

At the time of Walter A. Kuehn’s death on February 24, 1963 his real estate, which consisted of 167 acres on Old Marshall Hall Road was placed, in trust, with his wife, Frances K. Kuehn, as an administrator. There was a stipulation that the property could not be sold until at least 10 years after his youngest son reached maturity.[21] Frances Kuehn sold the property to her sons, George and Bernard Kuehn, in 1980.[22] Currently, Bernard P. Kuehn currently resides in the dwelling.

9. Major Bibliographical References Inventory No. PG: 83-009

| |

|1860, 1870, 1880 and 1930 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Online: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Subscription database. Digital scan of |

|original records in the National Archives, Washington, DC. . |

|1942 U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards. Online: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Subscription database. Digital scan of original records in the |

|National Archives, Washington, DC. . |

|In History, “Kuehn House,” June 7, 1969. |

|Martenet, Simon J. Martenet's Map of Prince George’s County, Maryland. Baltimore: Simon J. Martenet, 1861. |

|McAlester, Virginia and Lee. Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1984. |

|Pearl, Susan G. “Kuehn House at Ellerbrook Farm” (PG: 83-9) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form, 1985. |

|Prince George’s County Land Records. |

10. Geographical Data

Acreage of surveyed property 171.86

Acreage of historical setting 459

Quadrangle name Mount Vernon Quadrangle scale: 1:24,000

Verbal boundary description and justification

| |

|The Dr. William G. Hardy House is located on a 171.86-acre parcel that was orginally part of a 296-acre working farm. Mature trees are located to the north and|

|east of the property while farm fields are located to the south and west. |

|The house has been historically associated with Parcel 25 as noted on Tax Map 150 since its construction. |

11. Form Prepared by

name/title Saleh Van Erem, Architectural Historian

organization EHT Traceries, Incorporated date October 2007

street & number 1121 5th Street NW telephone 202.393.1199

city or town Washington state DC

The Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties was officially created by an Act of the Maryland Legislature to be found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Article 41, Section 181 KA,

1974 supplement.

The survey and inventory are being prepared for information and record purposes only

and do not constitute any infringement of individual property rights.

return to: Maryland Historical Trust

DHCD/DHCP

100 Community Place

Crownsville, MD 21032-2023

410-514-7600

Chain of Title

Deed FS 3:541 Thomas Hensen Marshall and John W. Mitchell, trustees, to Matilda M. Hardy,

March 8, 1866 wife of Dr. William G. Hardy. (“Piscataway Manor,” “Birds Retreat,” “Hamsenton” and “Poplar Hill” being approximately 458 acres)

Deed FS 3:661 William G. and Matilda M. Hardy borrowed $2,000 from Mason L. Weems and May 24, 1866 defaulted on the loan, property remains in trust to Peter W. Crain.

Deed HB 9:652 Peter W. Crain, trustee of Mason L. Weems estate, to Georgianna Williams and

February 8, 1875 Matilda S. Forbes, Weems’ daughters. (“Piscataway Manor,” “Birds Retreat,”

“Hamsenton” and “Poplar Hill” being approximately 458 acres)

Deed HB 10:343 Georgianna and Henry Williams and Matilda and Sidney Forbes to Fendall

April 29, 1875 Marbury. (“Piscataway Manor,” “Birds Retreat,” “Hamsenton” and “Poplar Hill” being approximately 458 acres)

Mortgage HB 10:304 Fendall and Sarah C. Marbury to Georgianna Williams and Matilda S. Forbes.

June 26, 1875

Equity #1182 Georgianna Williams et al vs. Fendall and Sarah C. Marbury.

April 11, 1879

Deed WAJ 3:204 Richard W. Templeman, trustee in Equity, to Henry Ellerbrook. (“Piscataway

October 27, 1881 Manor,” “Birds Retreat,” “Hamsenton” and “Poplar Hill” being approximately

459 acres)

Deed 61:328 George and Luella P. Ellerbrook to Minnie Ellerbrook Thomas. (“Piscataway

May 2, 1910 Manor,” “Birds Retreat,” “Hamsenton” and “Poplar Hill” with all buildings and

improvements containing approximately 459 acres)

Deed 69:64 George H. Ellerbrook to Minnie Ellerbrook Thomas. (all undivided interest in January 4, 1911 property)

Deed 69:66 James H. and Fannie L. Ellerbrook and Minnie Ellerbrook Thomas.

January 4, 1911 (Deed of Partition, James held 1/3 undivided interest and Minnie held

2/3 undivided interest containing 296 acres with all buildings and improvements)

Will WAM 1:652 Minnie Ellerbrook Thomas, deceased, devised to her mother, Elizabeth

March 27, 1913 Ellerbrook, life use of her farm in Prince George’s County, after the death of

Elizabeth the property would be conveyed to Minnie’s husband, Edward W. Thomas.

Deed 106:4 Elizabeth Ellerbrook to Edward W. Thomas. ($100)

April 1915

Deed 153:38 Edward W. and Norma C. Thomas to Joseph C. Mattingly. ($10, 296 acres)

February 23, 1920

Deed 169:408 Joseph C. and Bessie G. Mattingly to Walter A. Kuehn. ($10, 296 acres)

February 4, 1921

Will WDA 1:652 Walter Anthony Kuehn, who died February 24, 1963, placed his real estate,

April 19, 1963 which consisted of 167 acres on Old Marshall Hall Road, in trust, with his

wife, Frances K. Kuehn, as an administrator and directed that it could not be sold

until at least 10 years after his youngest son reached maturity.

Deed NLP 5294:522 Frances Katherine Kuehn to George Henry and Bernard Paul Kuehn.

July 17, 1980 (173.0177 acres)

Deed of Trust 12565:727 Bernard P. Kuehn does promise to pay George Henry Kuehn for the property.

June 18, 1998

[pic]

Photo: Dr. William G. Hardy House, view of the façade (west elevation), looking east.

[pic]

Photo: Dr. William G. Hardy House, view of the façade (west elevation), looking east.

[pic]

Photo: Barn (1), view of the south elevation, looking north.

[pic]

Photo: Barn (2), view of the northwest elevation, looking south.

-----------------------

[1] In History, “Kuehn House,” June 7, 1987.

[2] During the 2007 on-site survey the owner, Bernard P. Kuehn, noted the 16-feet by 20-feet log cabin structure was still visible in the southeast corner of the main block. He said the log cabin was constructed prior to the Civil War. He also noted that the current main block was constructed around 1865 and the rear porch was added in 1930.

[3] 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).

[4] G.M. Hopkins, Atlas of Fifteen Miles Around Washington, Including the County of Prince George Maryland (Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, C.E., 1878).

[5] Virginia and Lee McAlester, Field Guide to American Houses (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1984), 179.

[6] Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Historic Contexts in Prince George’s County (1991), 67.

[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).

[8] 1860 U.S. Federal Census, District 5, Prince George’s County, Maryland, Series M653, Roll 478, Page 15, William G. Hardy.

[9] 1970 U.S. Federal Census, Piscataway, Prince George’s County, Maryland, Series M593, Roll 592, Page 159, William G. Hardy.

[10] Mason L. Weems to Georgianna Williams and Matilda S. Forbes, Prince George’s County Land Records, HB 9:652.

[11] Georgianna Williams and Matilda S. Forbes to Fendall Marbury, Prince George’s County Land Records, HB 10:343.

[12] G.M. Hopkins, Atlas of Fifteen Miles Around Washington, Including the County of Prince George Maryland (Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, C.E., 1878).

[13] 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Nottingham, Prince George’s County, Maryland, Series T9, Roll 513, Page 85, Enumeration District 124, Fendall Marbury.

[14] Richard W. Templeman, trustee in Equity, to Henry Ellerbrook, Prince George’s County Land Records, WAJ 3:204.

[15] Henry Ellerbrook to Minnie, George, and James Ellerbrook, Prince George’s County Land Records, 69:66.

[16] 1810 U.S. Federal Census, Bay Hundred, Talbot, Maryland, Series T624, Roll 568, Page 2B, Enumeration District 102, Margaret (Minnie) E. Thomas.

[17] Joseph C. and Bessie G. Mattingly to Walter A. Kuehn, Prince George’s County Land Records, 169:408.

[18] 1942 U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, Series WW2, Roll 2242617, Walter Anthony Kuehn.

[19] 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Piscataway, Prince George’s Maryland, Roll 877, Page 8A, Enumeration District 12, Walter Anthony Kuehn.

[20] 1942 U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, Series WW2, Roll 2242617, Walter Anthony Kuehn.

[21] Susan G. Pearl, “Kuehn House at Ellerbrook Farm,” (PG: 83-9) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form (1985), 8:1.

[22] Frances Kuehn to George and Bernard Kuehn, Prince George’s County Land Records, 5294:522.

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