Dickerson in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Washington's Farm

519 Acres Owned 1794-1799 by the First President

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 2, 2008

1. Washington's Farm Marker

Inscription. Thomas Sprigg, Jr., patented in 1725 as "Woodstock" 1,102 acres here, inherited in 1782 by Sprigg's three granddaughters, Sophia, Rebecca, and Elizabeth. Sophia married John Francis Mercer (later Governor of Maryland, 1801-1803.) in 1794. Nearly half of the property was conveyed to George Washington to settle a debt owed by Mercer's father. Washington owned this land at his death in 1799.

Erected by Maryland Bicentennial Commission and Maryland Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the George Washington Slept Here series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1725.

Location. 39° 11.869′ N, 77° 25.714′ W. Marker is in Dickerson, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Darnestown Road (State Highway 28) 3 miles south of Martinsburg Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20501 Darnestown Road, Dickerson MD 20842, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Brewer Farmstead (approx. 0.7 miles away); Equestrian Heritage (approx. 0.7 miles away); African American Soldiers from Montgomery County (approx. ¾ mile away); Linden Farm

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(approx. 1.1 miles away); Seneca Stone Barn (approx. 1.1 miles away); In Loving Memory (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Country Store (approx. 1½ miles away); The Darby Family (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dickerson.

Additional commentary.
1. Previous marker
According to the Maryland Historical Trust Historic Sites Survey, a previous version of the marker read:

Woodstock

1102 acres patented 1725 by Thomas Sprigg, Jr. Three of his grandaughters - one of whom, Sophia, married John Francis Mercer, later Governor of Maryland - inherited it and in 1794 conveyed 319 acres to George Washington.

— Submitted March 4, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 2, 2008

2. Washington's Farm Marker

Washington's Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed By M. Dwyer, June 1, 1973

3. Washington's Farm

Woodstock (Washington's Farm) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 2, 2013

4. Woodstock (Washington's Farm)

20501 Darnestown Road. The aluminum siding and cedar shingles have been removed showing the long tall log structure.

Thomas Sprigg (1747 – 1809) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Wikipedia

5. Thomas Sprigg (1747 – 1809)

Captain Thomas Sprigg by Joshua Johnson, between circa 1805 and circa 1810 — Frick Collection.

John Francis Mercer image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

6. John Francis Mercer

John Francis Mercer, after the miniature, 1803, by Robert Field.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,144 times since then and 167 times this year. Last updated on June 22, 2020, by Mary-margaret Boblitt of Dickerson, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 4, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 4. submitted on June 3, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on January 31, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.