Near Dargan in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
John Brown
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
1. John Brown Marker
and his associates collected arms and ammunition on the Kennedy Farm (Samples Manor) in Maryland for months prior to the raid on the arsenal at Harpers Ferry, October 17, 1859
Erected 1938 by State Roads Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 17, 1920.
Location. 39° 22.851′ N, 77° 42.779′ W. Marker is near Dargan, Maryland, in Washington County. It is on Chestnut Grove Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2406 Chestnut Grove Road, Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kennedy Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Invasion (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Brown, 59, Hanged (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Kennedy Farm
this page online
Also see . . .
1. The Kennedy Farm House. John Brown Raid Headquarters website entry:
Details about the site and tour information. (Submitted on October 13, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 25, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. John Brown's Body, Stephen Vincent Benιt - 1898-194. Poets website entry (Submitted on February 25, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Memorial to John Brown and His Followers
Text of the memorial plaque shown on Photo No. 3.
In Memoriam to the Provisional
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
2. The Kennedy Farm
The farm house is a National Historic Landmark and is maintained under the direction of the Maryland Historical Trust, but privately owned.
John Brown, 59, hanged Annie Brown, 16, sent home Martha Brown, 17, sent home John Henry Kagi, 24, killed Aaron Dwight Stevens, 28, hanged Owen Brown, 34, escaped Oliver Brown, 19, killed Jeremiah Goldsmith Anderson, 26, killed John E. Cook, 29, hanged Charles Plummer Tidd, 24, escaped William Thompson, 26, killed Dauphin Osgood Thompson, 21, killed Albert Hazlett, 22, hanged Watson Brown, 20, killed Edwin Coppoc, 24, hanged Barclay Coppoc, 20, escaped John Anthony Copeland, Jr., 25, hanged William H. Leeman, 20, killed Stewart Taylor, 22, killed Osborn Perry Anderson, 29, escaped Dangerfield Newby, 44, killed Lewis Sheridan Leary, 24, killed Shields Green, 23, hanged Francis Jackson Meriam, 21, escaped.
“. . . I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land: will never be purged away; but with blood. I had as I now think: vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed; it might be done . . .”
. . . It can be said . . . it all started here . . .
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
3. Memorial to John Brown and his Men
Just to the side of the footpath to the farm house, this plaque affixed to a boulder memorializes the men who participated with Brown in the raid.
2. Picture of rock with plaque
The names are those of the men staying at Kennedy Farm during the summer of 1859. The women listed are John's daughter, Annie Brown, 16, and Oliver's wife Martha Brown, 17. The men comprised the Provisional Army of the United States.
This marker originally stood at the graveyard in Samples Manor. The State Highway had it moved to Kennedy Farm and renewed at their expense.
— Submitted May 7, 2008, by 'Capt' South T. Lynn of Darnestown, Maryland.
3. JEB Stuart
After the capture of Brown at the engine house in Harpers Ferry, Colonel Lee, US Army, sent Lt.JEB Stuart and a squad of US Marines to Kennedy Farm to find out what was there. Stuart collected anything that might be used in a trial that would surely follow and passed out weapons to the many curious that followed him.
— Submitted June 20, 2008, by 'Capt' South T. Lynn of Darnestown, Maryland.
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 21, 2007
4. John Brown Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,963 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 5, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
