Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
1. Name of Property
Inventory No. PG: 82B-015
(indicate preferred name)
historic
Martha Roundell House (preferred)
other
Roundell-Thomas House
2. Location
street and number
16301 Tanyard Road
not for publication
city, town
Nottingham
vicinity
county
Prince George's
3. Owner of Property
(give names and mailing addresses of all owners)
name
Joseph W Thomas
street and number
16305 Tanyard Road
city, town
Upper Marlboro
telephone
MD
state
zip code
20772-8284
4. Location of Legal Description
courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Prince George's County Courthouse
Upper Marlboro
city, town
tax map 148
tax parcel
liber
4594 folio 511
20
tax ID number
04 0266650
5. Primary Location of Additional Data
X
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
Other: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince George's County Planning Department
6. Classification
Category
district
X building(s)
structure
site
object
Ownership
public
X private
both
Current Function
agriculture
commerce/trade
defense
X domestic
education
funerary
government
health care
industry
Resource Count
landscape
recreation/culture
religion
social
transportation
work in progress
unknown
vacant/not in use
other:
Contributing
1
1
Noncontributing
2
buildings
sites
2
structures
objects
4
Total
Number of Contributing Resources
previously listed in the Inventory
2
7. Description
Inventory No. PG: 82B-015
Condition
excellent
good
X fair
deteriorated
ruins
altered
Prepare both a one paragraph summary and a comprehensive description of the resource and its various elements as it exists today.
The Martha Roundell House, also known as the Roundell-Thomas House, is located at 16301 Tanyard Road in
Nottingham, Maryland. The one-story, six-bay building was built c. 1800 on a lot that is currently two acres.
The sloping lot is marked by mature trees and shrubs. The Martha Roundell House is situated to the southeast of
Tanyard Road. A gravel driveway is located to the north and east of the dwelling. Two concrete-block sheds
and two prefabricated sheds are located south of the dwelling.
DWELLING
The Martha Roundell House was constructed c. 1800 with a hall/parlor plan that has been augmented by the
construction of a full-width façade addition and the enclosure of a full-width front porch that is also an addition.
The on-site survey conducted in 1985 documented that the structure “has large corner posts pegged with
wooden pegs.”1 The one-story vernacular building is set on a concrete-block pier foundation. The foundation is
partially obscured by vinyl siding and lattice. The wood-frame structure, originally clad with weatherboard
siding, has been reclad in vinyl siding. The vinyl siding on the main block of the house, the façade addition, the
enclosed rear porch, and the gable ends, varies in width, texture, and color. The side-gabled roof has been
covered in asphalt sheets, replacing a standing-seam metal roof. The building has an exterior-end concreteblock chimney, which replaces a “wide central chimney with double stacks.”2 The concrete-block chimney is
located on the southwest (side) elevation. In the early part of the twentieth century, the full-width façade
addition and rear porch were constructed. The original façade was pierced by two single-leaf entries that
provided access into the two-room interior. The porch was enclosed, possibly in the mid-twentieth century to
provide additional living space.
The façade (northwest elevation) faces Tanyard Road. The single-leaf entry opening has a square-edged
surround with slightly projecting lintel cap and paneled wood door with wood screen door. It is accessed by
make-shift steps created by concrete blocks. The opening is flanked by a 4-light casement window and 2/2
replacement window. Photographs from the 1985 survey indicate the 4-light casement window was one of a
pair to the north of the entry; the northernmost of the casement windows has since been obscured by vinyl
siding. Additionally, a single casement window to the west of the entry depicted in the 1985 photographs was
replaced by the current 2/2 window. A small 1/1 vinyl-sash casement window is located in the northern end of
the elevation. This window replaced a six-light casement window.
The northeast (side) elevation of the enclosed porch has small 1/1 window placed in a larger opening that was
previously filled with a jalousie. The northeast elevation of the main block has a one 1/1 replacement with a
louvered metal vent in the gable end. The double-hung window has false 6/6 muntins. A 2-light casement
window, replacing a six-light casement window, pierces the northeast elevation of the rear addition.
1
2
Marina King, “Martha Roundell House” (PG: 82B-15) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form (1985), 7:1.
Marina King, “Martha Roundell House” (PG: 82B-15) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form (1985), 7:1.
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 7
Page 1
The southeast (rear) elevation has a wood porch leading to the primary entry. The porch was added in the latter
part of the twentieth century. A metal awning with wood brackets extends from the cornice of the roof over the
entry. The asymmetrical façade is unequally fenestrated with a 2-light casement window, single-leaf entry, 4light casement window, and three 1/1 vinyl-sash windows. The three double-hung windows replaced jalousie
windows that existed at the time of the 1985 survey.3
The southwest (side) elevation is pierced by a centrally located 1/1 replacement window with false 6/6 muntins.
Vinyl siding covered the two-light window that originally marked the gable end of the main block. The
surround is still evident around the former opening.
The interior of this building was not accessible at the time of the on-site survey. The 1985 survey records that
two stairs, presumably ladders or winder stairs, provided access to the two rooms in the upper story. Alterations
to the floor plan have resulted in the loss of the stairs and original hall/parlor plan.4
SHED (1)
The one-story, one-bay shed is constructed of concrete blocks. This easternmost shed is located to the south of
the dwelling. The shed roof is covered in asphalt sheets. Based on its form and materials, Shed (1) appears to
have been constructed c. 1950. The façade (northeast elevation) of the shed has a single-leaf wood door. The
southeast (side) elevation has a 1-light metal-sash casement window with a rowlock sill.
The interior of the structure was not accessible at the time of the on-site survey.
SHED (2)
The one-story, one-bay shed is constructed of concrete block. This westernmost shed is located to the south of
the dwelling. The shed roof is covered in asphalt sheets. Based on its form and materials, Shed (2) appears to
have been constructed c. 1950. The façade (northwest elevation) of the shed has an entry opening with a wood
surround; the door is not extant. The southeast (side) elevation has a window opening with a wood sill: the
window is not extant.
The interior of the structure was not accessible at the time of the on-site survey.
Two prefabricated sheds of metal with gabled roofs flank the concrete-block sheds. These are non-historic
structures devoid of foundations and window openings.
3
4
Marina King, “Martha Roundell House” (PG: 82B-15) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form (1985), 7:1.
Marina King, “Martha Roundell House” (PG: 82B-15) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form (1985), 7:1.
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 7
Page 2
INTEGRITY
The Martha Roundell House has a low integrity of design, workmanship, and materials because of two additions
and substantial alterations that have resulted in the loss of the original roofing material, double-stack interior
chimney, windows and surrounds, and exterior cladding material. Alterations to the structure and loss of the
agricultural farmland to which the building was historically linked have affected the integrity of setting, feeling,
and association; this building is no longer able to represent the construction techniques employed in such port
communities as Nottingham at the turn of the nineteenth century. Further, the loss of numerous
contemporaneous buildings in Nottingham by fire in 1901 has greatly affected the integrity of setting, feeling,
and association. The building maintains minimal integrity of location as the two-acre property, which continues
to be surrounded by farmed fields within close proximity to the Patuxent River, has been substantially
subdivided.
Shed (1) presents a moderate level of integrity of design, workmanship, setting, function, association, and
location. Replacement of the roofing material has affected its integrity. A common alteration for secondary
structures such as this shed, the replacing of the original roofing material has not compromised the structure’s
integrity of materials.
Shed (2) has a low level of integrity of design, workmanship, materials, association, and feeling. The structure
is no longer in use due to its poor condition at the time of the 2007 on-site survey. The door is no longer extant
and the roof is deteriorated. The structure does retain its integrity of location and setting.
The Martha Roundell House has a low level of integrity, and is therefore, unable to convey its significance as
one of the few extant buildings dating from the turn of the nineteenth century when Nottingham was a thriving
port community and tobacco inspection site.
8. Significance
Period
Areas of Significance
1600-1699
X 1700-1799
X 1800-1899
1900-1999
2000-
agriculture
archeology
X architecture
art
commerce
communications
community planning
conservation
Specific dates
c. 1800; c. 1900
Construction dates
c. 1800; c. 1900
Inventory No. PG: 82B-015
Check and justify below
economics
education
engineering
entertainment/
recreation
ethnic heritage
exploration/
settlement
health/medicine
industry
invention
landscape architecture
law
literature
maritime history
military
X
Architect/Builder
performing arts
philosophy
politics/government
religion
science
social history
transportation
other: Local History
Unknown
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 Martha Roundell House was constructed c. 1800 at 16301 Tanyard Road in the unincorporated community
of Nottingham, Maryland, on property then owned by Captain Robert Bowie. The much-altered vernacular
building is one of six extant historic structures dating from the turn of the nineteenth century in Nottingham, a
thriving port community and tobacco inspection site founded in the first decade of the eighteenth century. The
property, believed to include the modest one-story dwelling, was purchased by Henry M. Chew in 1829 and
placed in trust for his wife, Sarah Chew. Although the Martha Roundell House is a rare example of a domestic
building type constructed in Nottingham in the early 1800s, the building no longer retains sufficient integrity to
illustrate its original construction techniques and early hall/parlor plan because of substantial alterations and
additions.
HISTORIC CONTEXT
The Martha Roundell House is located in the unincorporated rural community of Nottingham, Maryland.
Located in southeastern Prince George’s County, Nottingham was established when the General Assembly of
the Province of Maryland passed the “Act for the Advancement of Trade and Erecting Ports and Towns” in
1706 and 1707 in order to establish commercial centers along the rivers in Maryland. In 1747, Nottingham was
designated as an inspection site for tobacco. In order to protect the quality of tobacco being shipped to England,
all tobacco grown in Maryland had to pass through inspections sites at Nottingham, Piscataway, Upper
Marlboro, or Bladensburg before it was allowed to be publicly sold. 5 Between 1791 and 1801, Nottingham
exported more than 8,340 hogsheads of tobacco.6 These small landing communities grew as commercial activity
was drawn to tobacco warehouses located on the banks of rivers and creeks. It was during this period of
prosperity in Nottingham that the Martha Roundell House is believed to have been constructed. Beginning in
Marina King, “The Tobacco Industry in Prince George’s County, 1680-1940,” in Historic Contexts in Prince George’s County:
Short Papers on Settlement Patterns, Transportation and Cultural History (Upper Marlboro, MD: Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, 1991), 69-71.
6
John Sherwood, “…On the Banks of the Patuxent,” Maryland Journal (16 October 1986).
5
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 1
the late eighteenth century, Baltimore began to develop as a large port, resulting in more farmers using
Baltimore for the inspection, sale, and shipping of their tobacco. As Baltimore grew, the smaller river
communities began to diminish as centers of commercial activity.7 Further, as the Patuxent River depth
diminished, so too did the size of the vessels that could navigate the waters. By the late nineteenth century,
Nottingham began to decline and the population steadily decreased as families relocated to other areas. A
devastating fire in 1901 destroyed most of the buildings in the small community, leaving only a few extant
structures, including the Martha Roundell House.8
The construction date of the Martha Roundell House cannot be precisely ascertained, although the construction
techniques and the original hall/parlor plan suggest it was erected around the turn of the nineteenth century
when Nottingham flourished as a port community and tobacco inspection site. Martha Roundell was granted the
land where the building is located in the latter half of 1773. The land that she inherited was part of “Mansfield,”
a tract patented in 1663 and acquired by Roundell’s father, Gunder Erickson, in the early eighteenth century.9
The tract of land owned by Roundell was improved at the time of her death circa 1810, although the exact
location of the structure has not been determined. However, Roundell sold two parcels of land in August 1785
to Captain Robert Bowie, a prominent merchant. Both parcels were historically part of two tracts known as
“Mansfield” and “Collins His Comfort.” Consisting of 77-1/8 acres, Parcel 1 was specified in the deed of sale as
“part upland and part marsh.” Parcel 2 contained just over 19 acres. It was on this tract of land that the one-story
vernacular dwelling at what is today 16301 Tanyard Road was constructed, presumably during the ownership of
Captain Robert Bowie.10
Construction of the Martha Roundell House around the turn of the nineteenth century coincides with a period of
tremendous growth in Prince George’s County, largely because of tobacco. “Tobacco provided modest
livelihood for small farmers and even served as legal tender for debts. Tobacco also created a prosperous,
sophisticated society which traded its staple with English and Scottish merchants for goods from all over the
world.”11 Yet, “beginning in the 1790s and accelerating after 1800, the importance of the small landing towns in
the County diminished.”12 The decline of such communities as Nottingham after 1800 also accounts for the
modest form and the lack of stylized ornamentation of the Martha Roundell House, which was completed at a
time when many local families were relocating to other more economically stable areas.
King, “The Tobacco Industry in Prince George’s County,” 69-71.
Susan G. Pearl, “Early Towns in Prince George’s County, 1683-1787,” in Historic Contexts in Prince George’s County: Short
Papers on Settlement Patterns, Transportation and Cultural History (Upper Marlboro, MD: Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, 1991), 1-6.
9
Marina King, “Martha Roundell House” (PG: 82B-15) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form (1985), 8:1.
10
Marina King, “Martha Roundell House” (PG: 82B-15) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form (1985), 8:1.
11
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Historic Inventory of Historic Sites in Prince George’s County, 2006, 7.
12
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Historic Contexts in Prince George’s County, (1991), 70.
7
8
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 2
The property remained in the Bowie family until 1829, when Bowie’s grandson, Robert Ghiselin, sold it for
$3,000 to Thomas Bruce, who was acting as trustee for Henry M. Chew. The 1829 deed of sale described the
property as being “that parcel of land left of the road from Nottingham to Magruder’s Ferry…”13 The deed also
specified the property was to be held in trust for Sarah P. Chew, wife of Henry M. Chew, and their children
upon her death. Thomas Bruce conveyed the property in 1854 when Bettie and Sara Jane Chew became of age.
William W. Isaac, husband of Sara Jane Chew, purchased one-half interest in the property from Bettie A. and
Andrew G. William in 1858. Upon his death, Isaac devised the property to his sons, who were noted as farmers
in the United States census records. The property was described in that 1861 indenture as “containing 124-1/2
acres including 6 acres of marsh. Also another parcel containing 248 acres in the same area including 5 acres of
marsh.”14 By 1862, the property had been expanded to include 373 acres including 11 acres of marsh land.15
The property changed hands multiple times throughout the nineteenth century. In 1910 the property was
conveyed to Robert Windsor. 16 Windsor, born c. 1858, is listed as a general farmer at the time of the 1930 U.S.
Federal Census.17 The current owner, Joseph W. Thomas purchased the property in 1991.18
Prince George’s County Land Records, Liber AB 5, Folio 480 July 16, 1829).
Prince George’s County Land Records, Liber FS 1, Folio 16 (December 7, 1861).
15
Prince George’s County Land Records, Liber FS 1, Folio 111 (March 29, 1862).
16
Catherine A. Isaac to Robert Windsor, Prince George’s County Land Records, 61:122.
17
1930 U.S. Federal Census,
18
Mary Josephine Thomas and Eunice Windsor to Joseph W. Thomas, Prince George’s County Land Records, VJ 7919:387.
13
14
9. Major Bibliographical References
Inventory No. PG: 82B-015
1850, 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. http://www.ancestry.com.
King, Marina. “Martha Roundell House” (PG: 82B-15) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form, 1985.
Prince George’s County Land Records.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Historic Contexts in Prince George’s County, Maryland, 1991.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Historic Inventory of Historic Sites in Prince George’s County,
2006.
10. Geographical Data
Acreage of surveyed property
Acreage of historical setting
Quadrangle name
2.00
373
Brandywine
Quadrangle scale: 1:24,000
Verbal boundary description and justification
The Martha Roundell House is located on a 2.00-acre parcel with the Patuxent River located due east approximately a mile-and-ahalf. The property is flanked by argrucultural fileds to the north and east with smaller fields located to the south. As a result of
numerous subdivisions in the mid- to late twentieth century, the building, constructed circa 1800, is presently associated with
Parcel 20 as noted on Tax Map 148.
11. Form Prepared by
name/title
Paul Weishar, Architectural Historian
organization
EHT Traceries, Incorporated
date
January 2008
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
Maryland Department of Planning
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032-2023
410-514-7600
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No.
PG: 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 9
Page 1
CHAIN OF TITLE
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY LAND RECORDS
Deed FF 2:371
August 2, 1785
Martha Roundell to Captain Robert Bowie (100 pounds, two parcels of land
containing 96 3/6 acres).
Indenture AB 5:480
July 16, 1829
Robert Ghiselin and Thomas Bruce to Sarah P. and Henry Chew.
Indenture ON 2:51
June 28, 1854
Thomas Bruce to Bettie A. Williams and Sara Jane Isaac.
Indenture FS 1:16
December 7, 1861
Richard Isaac and Grafton H. Isaac, trustees of William W. Isaac and James
W. Isaac.
Deed FS 1:111
March 29, 1862
James W. Isaac to Joseph Isaac (373 acres, $10,000).
WillWAJ 1:332
February 7, 1866
Joseph Isaac to son Richard Isaac (374 acres near Nottingham).
Mortgage HB 1:198
April 9, 1868
Richard Isaac to John L. Turner (Indebted to Turner for $5,000).
Deed 61:122
March 9, 1910
Catherine A. Isaac, widow, to Robert Windsor (259 acres).
Deed 469:378
March 19, 1937
Windsor and Luckett M. Windsor to Robert Windsor.
Equity #13869
May 10, 1946
Real estate of Robert Windsor divided among Thomas D. Windsor, Robert
M. Windsor and Samuel L. Windsor.
Deed 4594:511
March 12, 1976
Rosa Windsor to Josephine Thomas and Eunice Windsor
Deed VJ 7919:387
April 11, 1991
Mary Josephine Thomas and Eunice Windsor to Joseph W. Thomas
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No.
PG: 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 9
Page 2
Photo: Martha Roundell House, view of the façade (southeast elevation), looking southwest. (June 2007)
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No.
PG: 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 9
Page 3
Photo: Martha Roundell House, view of the northeast (side) elevation, looking southwest. (June 2007)
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No.
PG: 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 9 Page 4
Photo: Martha Roundell House, view of the northeast (side) elevation, looking south. (June 2007)
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No.
PG: 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 9 Page 5
Photo: Martha Roundell House, view of the southwest corner, looking northeast, looking east. (June 2007)
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No.
PG: 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 9 Page 6
Photo: Martha Roundell House, view of the southwest (side) elevation, looking northeast. (June 2007)
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No.
PG: 82B-015
Martha Roundell House
Continuation Sheet
Number 9 Page 7
Photo: Shed (1, left), Shed (2, right), view of the northeast elevations, looking southwest. (June 2007)