Thurmont in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Watchful Eye
Catoctin African American Cemetery Interpretive Trail
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2021
1. The Watchful Eye Marker
"This is, indeed, gross ingratitude It would be a serious loss to me, if they would leave for Pennsylvania."
John McPherson Brien, 1848, owner of Antietam Ironworks, Catoctin Furnace, and more than 60 enslaved men, women, and children, expressing his dismay that enslaved workers wished to leave Catoctin Furnace.
You are looking directly at the site where some of the enslaved residents of Catoctin Furnace lived. The three-bay stone building with three chimneys was torn down in the early twentieth century, but the picture to the left shows what it looked like. Imagine parents weeding their vegetable garden plot after a long day's work at the furnace and in the Ironmaster's Mansion. While their toddlers may have had a few years to play, an enslaved child's workload began as early as age six, with tasks such as winding thread and carrying water. Notice the ruins of the Ironmaster's Mansion, uphill to your left. It was situated so that furnace bosses had a view onto all aspects of their enslaved workforce's lives. The second floor, south bedroom was claimed by the master. (1.) This room with windows facing south and east would have afforded an unparalleled view day and night of the operation and workers.
(1.) Based on analysis by Reed, D. (1981)
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 39° 34.864′ N, 77° 26.042′ W. Marker is in Thurmont, Maryland, in Frederick County. It can be reached from Catoctin Furnace Road (Maryland Route 806) 0.2 miles north of Catoctin Hollow Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12698 Catoctin Furnace Rd, Thurmont MD 21788, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Catoctin Furnace African American Cemetery Interpretive Trail (a few steps from this marker); Dirty and Dangerous (a few steps from this marker); Catoctin Iron Furnace (a few steps from this marker); A Diverse and Skilled Workforce (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Catoctin Iron Furnace (a few steps from this marker); Catoctin Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); Ironmaster's Mansion
Another marker is no longer nearby. Prosperity and Power (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2021
3. The Watchful Eye Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 21, 2021
4. Mule Barn / Slave Quarter
» Evidence shows that this structure housed enslaved workers before slavery's abolition. It was then repurposed several times, serving as both a mule barn and a blacksmith's shop.Close-up of photo on marker.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2021
5. Ironmaster's Mansion
» The 17-room ironmaster's Mansion was built ca. 1785. Enslaved domestic servants laid fires in the 10 fireplaces, prepared food, washed clothes and linens, cleaned rooms, and served as nannies for the children.Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2021
6. Catoctin Furnace Village
» This early 20th century view shows the proximity between the former enslaved quarters, the furnace office, and the Ironmaster's Mansion. The panoptic view of the master was designed to control the behavior of the workers at all times. The former quarters, which was being used as a blacksmith shop, was torn down shortly after this photograph was taken.Close-up of photo on marker.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2021
7. Freedom Seeker Advertisements
« Freedom seeker advertisements such as these were placed in newspapers, offering large rewards. Researchers have found six advertisements, ranging from 7780 to 1846 for 76 freedom seekers from Catoctin Furnace. Doubtless there were more.Close-up of articles on marker.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 30, 2024
8. The Slave Quarters
This rendering brings the slave quarters back into the landscape and into our memory.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 30, 2024
9. The Watchful Eye Marker
This marker has been reframed to display a ghost image of the slave quarters.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 376 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 21, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 21, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8, 9. submitted on November 2, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
