Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
1. Name of Property
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
(indicate preferred name)
James Christmas House
historic
other
2. Location
street and number
7201 Crain Highway
not for publication
city, town
Upper Marlboro
vicinity
county
Prince George's
3. Owner of Property
(give names and mailing addresses of all owners)
name
Richard A. and Marian L. Bolton
street and number
7201 Crain Highway
city, town
Upper Marlboro
telephone
MD
state
zip code
20772-4239
4. Location of Legal Description
courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Prince George's County Courthouse
Upper Marlboro
city, town
tax map 110
tax parcel
liber
5
5487 folio 471
tax ID number
15-1712843
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
3
3
Noncontributing
buildings
sites
1
structures
objects
1
Total
Number of Contributing Resources
previously listed in the Inventory
3
7. Description
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
Condition
excellent
X good
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 James Christmas House is located at 7201 Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The two-and-ahalf-story, three-bay single-dwelling is sited north of the intersection of Old Crain Highway and South Crain
Highway (US 301). Set prominently at the top of a small hill, the James Christmas House property includes a
paved driveway with access to both Old Crain Highway and South Crain Highway. Mature trees and shrubs dot
the sloping lot, while foundation plantings are located around the dwelling. There are several secondary
resources associated with the dwelling. These include a well, a barn and a shed.
DWELLING
The James Christmas House was constructed c. 1897 by James Miller Christmas.1 The two-and-a-half-story,
three-bay Queen Anne-style dwelling has a rectangular form. Set on a stretcher-bond brick foundation, the
wood-frame structure is clad in German siding with corner boards. Four stretcher-bond brick chimneys with
corbeled caps pierce the east, north, and west planes of the roof. The dwelling is capped by a flat-on-hipped roof
covered with non-historic asphalt shingles. The roof features overhanging eaves as well as exposed rafters and a
plain frieze on all elevations. Fenestration consists of 2/2 windows featuring square-edged wood surrounds,
cyma recta lintels, and metal storm window frames. Several of the windows are paired, with decorative
chamfered mullions. The dwelling features a one-story wrap-around porch that extends the width of the façade
(south elevation) and three-quarters of the east (side) elevation. The wood porch rests on a brick pier foundation
and the hipped roof is supported by wood posts. The porch features overhanging eaves and exposed rafters.
Based on its form and materials, it appears the porch is original to the house.
The west bay of the façade (south elevation) features a two-story, one-bay semi-octagonal projecting bay. The
bay pierces the roof of the porch and continues up to a pyramidal roof. Fenestration on the bay consists of 1/1
windows flanking 2/2 windows. The semi-octagonal bay is balanced by a two-story, one-bay projecting frontgabled bay in the east bay. Fenestration consists of 2/2 windows on the side elevations and paired 2/2 windows
on the front. Fenestration on the main block of the façade (south elevation) between the two projecting bays
consists of paired 2/2 windows centrally located on the second story and a double-leaf paneled wood door with
a 2-light transom. The entry features a square-edge plain surround while the transom features a cyma recta
lintel. A front-gabled dormer is centrally located on the façade (south elevation). The cheeks of the dormer are
covered with German siding while the tympanum is clad in diamond-cut shingles. Fenestration of the dormer
consists of paired 2/2 windows.
The east (side) elevation consists of four symmetrically placed 2/2 windows on the first story. Fenestration of
the second story consists of paired 2/2 windows in the southern most bay flanked by three single 2/2 windows
in the northern most bays. A front-gabled dormer is centrally placed and covered with German siding on all
elevations. The dormer has paired 2/2 windows.
Susan G. Pearl and Shirley Baltz, “James Christmas House,” (PG: 82A-8) Maryland Historical Trust Historic Sites Inventory Form
(1985), 8:1.
1
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 7
Page 1
The north (rear) elevation features a bulkhead centrally located on the foundation wall. Fenestration on the first
story consists of two single-leaf paneled wood door and two 2/2 windows. The doors feature a square-edged
surround. The second story is fenestrated by four symmetrically placed 2/2 windows.
The west (side) elevation features a three-story, one-bay projecting bay. The octagonal bay is clad with German
siding on the first and second stories while the third story is clad with an alternating pattern of square-butt wood
shingles and diamond-shaped wood shingles. The bay is capped by a pyramidal roof. Fenestration consists of
1/1 windows flanking a 2/2 window. Fenestration of the first story on the main block of the west (side)
elevation consists of two 2/2 windows set to the left of a single-leaf paneled wood door. The door is flanked by
1-light sidelights and features a square-edge surround and a cyma recta lintel. The second story is fenestrated by
two 2/2 windows and paired 2/2 windows, reading from north to south. A dormer is located on the west (side)
elevation. The front-gabled dormer is covered with German siding and features paired 2/2 windows.
The interior of the dwelling was not accessible at the time of the 2007 on-site survey.
WELL
A well is situated to the north of the dwelling. Based on its form and materials, the well appears to have under
gone extensive reconstruction c. 1980. Set on a concrete slab, the circular well has a new stretcher-bond brick
superstructure and a canopy roof supported with wood posts. The gable ends are clad with weatherboard while
the roof is covered with asphalt shingles and features exposed rafters.
It could not be determined at the time of the 2007 on-site survey if the well was functional.
SHED
The shed that is associated with the James Christmas House is in poor condition. Located to the north of the
dwelling, vegetation and trees have compromised the architectural materials of the shed. Constructed c. 1950,
the structure is set on a concrete-block foundation and appears to have a front-gabled roof. A one-leaf door
opening is located on the façade (south elevation).
The interior of the shed was not accessible at the time of the 2007 on-site survey.
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 7
Page 2
BARN
A barn is located to the north of the dwelling. Based on its form, materials, and a review of aerial photographs,
the barn appears to have been constructed c. 1965.2 The two-story, one-bay barn is constructed of corrugated
metal panels. The front-gabled roof is covered with standing-seam metal. The roof features overhanging eaves
on the west and east (side) elevations. A sliding metal door is centrally located on the façade (south elevation).
The door is composed of the same corrugated metal sheets utilized to construct the barn.
The interior of the barn was not accessible at the time of the 2007 on-site survey.
INTEGRITY
The James Christmas House retains a high level of integrity. The dwelling is an excellent example of rural
Queen Anne-style architecture found in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Set on a small hill overlooking the
intersection of two prominent roads in Prince George’s County, the dwelling retains its integrity of location.
Although reduced from its historic acreage, the property remains surrounded by agricultural fields and mature
woodlands, effectively retaining its integrity of setting, feeling, and association. The dwelling remains primarily
unaltered since its construction c. 1897, resulting in a high level of design, materials, and workmanship. The
replacement of the original wood roof shingles with asphalt shingles has affected but not compromised the
dwelling’s integrity of materials as it does retain its German siding and wood windows.
The well associated with the James Christmas House retains a low level of integrity. The materials,
workmanship, and design of the well have been compromised due to the recent construction of the well hood.
This is not uncommon however due to the deteriorating nature of wells. Yet, the well does retain its integrity of
location, setting, association, and feeling, located in close proximity to the dwelling.
The shed retains a low level of integrity due to its deteriorated structure. The shed’s integrity of design,
materials, workmanship, association, feeling, and setting are non-existent due to non-functional condition. The
shed retains its integrity of location.
The barn is a non-contributing resource due to its c. 1980 construction date.
Overall, the James Christmas House and associated resources retain a high level of integrity.
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, “Prince George’s County GIS,”
http://162.84.98.236/mncppc/default.aspx (accessed November 2, 2007).
2
8. Significance
Period
Areas of Significance
1600-1699
1700-1799
X 1800-1899
1900-1999
2000-
agriculture
archeology
X architecture
art
commerce
communications
community planning
conservation
Specific dates
c. 1897
Construction dates
c. 1897
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
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
James Miller Christmas
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 James Christmas House, located at 7201 Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is an excellent
example of a late nineteenth-century rural Queen Anne-style farmhouse. The large, two-and-a-half-story, threebay dwelling was constructed c. 1897 by James Miller Christmas. Christmas established himself in Prince
George’s County as a successful businessman, and owned a sawmill and lumber company in Croom,
Maryland.3 The James Christmas House represents the economic prosperity Prince George’s County
experienced at the turn of the twentieth century. The dwelling is notable for its architectural details and historic
context. The building retains sufficient integrity to convey the characteristics of a late-nineteenth-century
farmhouse that illustrates fashionable elements of the Queen Anne style as constructed by James Miller
Christmas.
HISTORIC CONTEXT
The James Christmas House is located approximately three miles southwest of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in
the central portion of Prince George’s County. Settlement in Upper Marlboro began 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 in Maryland. 4 The town continued to grow
throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries due in large part to tobacco farming and the trade associated
with its cultivation. Martenet’s Map of 1861 shows a well-developed small town, mostly centered on Main
Street. Most of the residential buildings are located at the western end, while the commercial development was
primarily located at the eastern end. This is a common pattern for developing communities in America due in
large part to air quality concerns. Upper Marlboro provided a number of shops and amenities for its residents
Susan G. Pearl and Shirley Baltz, “James Christmas House,” (PG: 82A-8) Maryland Historical Trust Historic Sites Inventory Form
(1985), 8:1.
4
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.
3
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 1
and visitors. The town was served by several hotels, multiple law offices, and other stores that included a
barber shop, carriage factory, tailor, cabinet maker, tinner, doctor’s office, and the offices of the Planter’s
Advocate and the Marlboro Gazette. Just a few years later Hopkins Map of 1878 documents considerable new
growth in the town. The town’s prosperity during the Reconstruction period brought newcomers in the late
nineteenth century, including James Miller Christmas, who came to Maryland c. 1890.5
James Christmas was born c. 1872 in Washington, D.C.6 The James Christmas House probably is located on a
parcel of a tract of land called “Greenland,” which had earlier been the home farm of the Leonard Taylor
family.7 In 1892, Christmas purchased 154 acres of Greenland at a public auction.8 The auction came when the
previous owners, Leonard and Jane Rebecca Taylor, defaulted on their mortgage.9 Christmas married Mary
Margaret Duvall in 1895 and by 1897 they had completed the large Queen Anne-style dwelling.
Christmas sold his property in 1914 to Leo F. Corcoran. The 1920 U.S Federal Census lists Corcoran as a
general farmer living by himself in Prince George’s County. 10 Corcoran owned the property until 1939 when
he sold it to Norman E. Ryan.11 Ryan would own the property until 1945, selling it to Henry P. Smith.12
According to an interview with the present owner as well as a former owner, for a short period after World
War II, the house served as a small private dining hall.13
The property was divided in the 1950s and changed hands numerous times. The owners at the time of the 2007
on-site survey, Richard A. and Marian L. Bolton, acquired the property in 1962, and have continued to live
there since.14
Susan G. Pearl and Shirley Baltz, “James Christmas House,” (PG: 82A-8) Maryland Historical Trust Historic Sites Inventory Form
(1985), 8:1.
6
1880 U.S. Federal Census, Washington, District of Columbia, Series T9, Roll 123, Family History Film 1254123, Page 83.4000,
Enumeration District 47, Image 0168, James Miller Christmas.
7
Susan G. Pearl and Shirley Baltz, “James Christmas House,” (PG: 82A-8) Maryland Historical Trust Historic Sites Inventory Form
(1985), 8:1.
8
Charles Clagett and Samuel B. Hance to James Christmas, Prince George’s County Land Records, JWB 23:316.
9
Charles Clagett and Samuel B. Hance vs. Leonard and Jane Rebecca Taylor, Prince George’s County Land Records, Equity #1988.
10
1920 U.S. Federal Census, Mellwood, Prince Georges, Maryland, Series T625, Roll 674, Page 7B, Enumeration District 90, Image
794, Leo Corcoran.
11
Leo F. Corcoran to Norman E. Ryan, Prince George’s County Land Records, 515:53.
12
Norman E. Ryan to Henry Pope Smith, Prince George’s County Land Records, 786:399.
13
Susan G. Pearl and Shirley Baltz, “James Christmas House,” (PG: 82A-8) Maryland Historical Trust Historic Sites Inventory Form
(1985), 8:1.
14
Carl Edward Smith to Richard A. and Marian L. Bolton and Lucille B. Woodson.
5
9. Major Bibliographical References
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
1920 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.
Baltz, Shirley and Susan G. Pearl. “James Christmas House” (PG: 82A-8) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory
Form, 1985.
Hopkins, G.M. Prince George’s County, from Atlas of Fifteen Miles Around Washington. Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, C.E., 1878.
Martenet, Simon J. Martenet's Map of Prince George’s County, Maryland. Baltimore: Simon J. Martenet, 1861.
Prince George’s County Land Records.
10. Geographical Data
Acreage of surveyed property
Acreage of historical setting
Quadrangle name
10.083
154.25
Upper Marlboro
Quadrangle scale: 1:24,000
Verbal boundary description and justification
The James Christmas House is located in rural Prince George’s County. The south boundary of the property is formed
by Robert Crain Highway (US 301) and Old Crain Highway. Old Crain Highway runs southwest-northeast forming the
southeast border of the property as well. The southwest boundary is marked by a steep slope to the west. The northwest
boundary is deliniated by the termination of an allee of trees into an agricultural field to the north of the barn. The
northeast boundary is also formed by an allee of trees running northwest-southeast. The James Christmas House has
been associated with Parcel 5 as noted on Tax Map 110 since its construction.
11. Form Prepared by
name/title
Paul Weishar, Architectural Historian
organization
EHT Traceries, Incorporated
date
January 2008
street & number
1121 Fifth 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: 82A-008
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 1
CHAIN OF TITLE
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY LAND RECORDS
Deed HB 12:6
December 19, 1876
Charles and Mary Clagett and Samuel B. Hance to Leonard A. Taylor. 154 acres.
Mortgage HB 12:7
December 19, 1876
Leonard and Jane Rebecca Taylor to Charles Clagett and Samuel B. Hance.
Equity #1988
August 25, 1892
Charles Clagett and Samuel B. Hance vs. Leonard and Rebecca Taylor.
Deed JWB 23:316
November 7, 1892
Charles Clagett and Samuel B. Hance to James M. Christmas.
Deed 98:175
January 23, 1914
James M. Christmas to Leo F. Corcoran.
Deed 515:53
January 25, 1939
Leo F. Corcoran to Norman E. Ryan.
Deed 786:399
May 4, 1945
Norman E. and Mary Shipley Ryan to Henry Pope Smith.
Deed 1914:317
September 20, 1955
Henry Pope and Willie Lee Smith to R. Bowie Clagett; 11.07 acres.
Deed 1914:321
September 30, 1955
R. Bowie Clagett to Carl Edward Smith and Henry Pope Smith.
Deed 2713:369
August 7, 1962
Carl Edward Smith, Tenant, to Richard A. and Marian L. Bolton (one-half undivided
interest) and Lucille B. Woodson (one-half undivided interest).
Deed 3536:163
November 18, 1967
Richard A. and Marian L. Bolton (one-half undivided interest) and Lucille B.
Woodson (one-half undivided interest) to Eugene E. Pitrof, Trustee for the purpose
of reconveying.
Deed 3536:165
November 20, 1967
Eugene E. Pitrof, Trustee, to Richard A. and Marian L. Bolton (two-thirds undivided
interest) and Lucille B. Woodson (one-third undivided interest).
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 2
Deed 5487:471
December 22, 1981
Lucille B. Woodson to Richard A. and Marian L. Bolton; grantor’s one-third
undivided interest which grantor acquired by #3536:165. 10.083 acres.
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 3
Photo: James Christmas House, view of the façade (south elevation), looking north. (August 2007)
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 4
Photo: James Christmas House, view of the west (side) elevation, looking east. (August 2007)
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 5
Photo: James Christmas House, view of the rear (north elevation), looking south. (August 2007)
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 6
Photo: James Christmas House, view of the east (side) elevation, looking southwest. (August 2007)
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 7
Photo: Well, looking east. (August 2007).
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 8
Photo: Shed, looking north. (August 2007)
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland Inventory of
Historic Properties Form
James Christmas House
Continuation Sheet
Number 8
Page 9
Photo: Barn, view of the façade (south elevation), looking north. (August 2007)
Inventory No. PG: 82A-008