Westminster in Carroll County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Loom House
This line of bricks marks the location of a log structure that stood behind the Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House.
The one-and-one-half story structure served as a loom house. The 1822 inventory of the estate of Jacob Sherman, the first owner of the house, lists nearly 900 yards of linen and cotton cloth that had been woven by at least one black slave, Lucy Behoe (b. 1802 - d. 1851). When Jacob's wife Elizabeth died in 1842, she bequeathed to Lucy a "Weaver's Loom, leading to the conclusion that Lucy was the weaver in the household . The loom house was probably intended as living quarters for Lucy and her children, William Henry, Mary Ann, and Frances Anna.
In the late 19th century the building appears to have been used as a summer kitchen. It was demolished sometime between 1904 and 1908. Because it was built without a masonry foundation, no archaeological evidence of the loom house remains.
[Captions:]
This detail from the 1887 Sanborn map of Westminster shows the location of the loom house (designated as a kitchen at that time) in relation to the Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House. This map was a key to finding the exact location of the structure.
These c. 1900 images of the Shellman yard show the loom house. The couple in the images are believe to be Elizabeth Tyson and
this page online
Erected 2019 by Historical Society of Carroll County; Eagle Scout project by Connor Burnett, BSA Troop 420.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.
Location. 39° 34.174′ N, 76° 59.444′ W. Marker is in Westminster, Maryland, in Carroll County. It is on Sycamore Street North just south of East Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 206 E Main St, Westminster MD 21157, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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: The Shellman Home and Gardens (a few steps from this marker); Mary Shellman's Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Votes for Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Corbit's Charge (within shouting distance of this marker); American Legion Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Army of the Potomac (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 17, 2021
2. The Loom House Marker and sympathetic outline of the structure
Another marker is no longer nearby. Gettysburg Campaign (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Additional keywords. slave labor
Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 679 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 17, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
