Ellicott City in Howard County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Court House, 1840:
National Park Service Underground Railroad
— Network to Freedom —
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017
1. Old Court House, 1840: Marker
The first Howard County Courthouse, located in the historic district of Ellicott City Maryland, was a pre-existing structure rented by the Howard District Commissioners from George Ellicott in 1840 to house judicial proceedings of the new Howard District including those involving freedom seekers and enticement to run away. This building, located near the corner of Mercer Street and County Street, was used from 1840 through the fall term of 1842 while the permanent courthouse structure was being constructed on nearby Court Avenue on Capitoline Hill. Although the courthouse was never moved, the streets around the courthouse were moved/changed in the urban renewal of the 1960s. One case involved four enslaved people Bill Plummer, John Wesley Mathews, David Mathews and Basil all of whom belonged to Charles W. Warfield. They were all charged with illegally absconding from their master to Pennsylvania. Subsequently, free black Wesley Green was charged for helping the four escape to Pennsylvania.Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR
this page online
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 39° 16.141′ N, 76° 48.054′ W. Marker was in Ellicott City, Maryland, in Howard County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Main Street (Maryland Route 144) and Ellicott Mills Drive. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 8398 Main Street, Ellicott City MD 21043, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Fells Lane Community (a few steps from this marker); The National Road (within shouting distance of this marker); MaryLandscapes (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellicott’s Mills (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire House Annex (within shouting distance of this marker); New Fire Station & Transit Terminal (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017
2. Old Court House, 1840: Marker
Also see . . . Old Howard County Courthouse. MD Historic Trust. “Standing on the northeast corner of Main Street and Ellicott Mills Drive, the Old Howard County Courthouse was moved to this location between 1969 and 1971. It formerly stood on Mercer Street, which was to the northwest of its current site.” (Submitted on December 22, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Additional commentary.
1. Ellicott City Flood 2018
A recent visit to Ellicott City shows this building and marker are missing, resulting from the May 2018 floods.
— Submitted June 25, 2018, by Andy P of Ellicott City, Maryland.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017
3. Fels lane (ex County Street) Photo c. 1967
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017
4. Old Court House
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017
5. Old Court House
MD Historical Trust
6. Old Court House, 1969
off Fels Lane
off Fels Lane
From the MD Historic Trust Form.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 503 times since then and 105 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 22, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
