Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Protecting the Records and Papers

Upper Marlboro in 1814

— Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail —

Protecting the Records and Papers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, July 21, 2024

1. Protecting the Records and Papers Marker

Inscription. On June 25, 1814, the clerk of the County Court arranged for the county and state records, which had recently been moved from Annapolis, to be moved to a safe place, “upon the alarm that the British were approaching Upper Marlboro.” The place chosen to store the records was the house now known as Mount Lubentia, then owned by Dennis Magruder, north of the town on the old road to Bladensburg and Georgetown, D.C., (now Maryland Rte. 202).

Within two months, a British invasion force marched through Upper Marlboro on the way to Washington. The troops veered west and north toward Bladensburg where a battle was fought on August 24.

Returning by a different route a few days later, the British marched past here, apparently unaware of the presence of the important records stored at Mount Lubentia.

What were probably fragments of these records were found by the present owners during the restoration of Mount Lubentia in the late 1990s.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

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series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 25, 1814.

Location. 38° 48.854′ N, 76° 45.468′ W. Marker is in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in Prince George's County. It is on School Lane. Behind the Upper Marlboro Town Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14211 School Ln, Upper Marlboro MD 20772, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: A British Encampment (here, next to this marker); At a Crossroads of Travel and Trade (a few steps from this marker); Marlborough (approx. 0.2 miles away); Baltimore-Southern Maryland Trunk Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thomas John Claggett, D.D. (approx.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, July 21, 2024

2. Protecting the Records and Papers Marker

¼ mile away); British Disgrace (approx. ¼ mile away); Tomb of Dr. William Beanes (approx. 0.3 miles away); Traband House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upper Marlboro.

Mount Lubentia image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

3. Mount Lubentia

“…upon an alarm that the enemy was approaching the town of Upper Marlborough, the records and papers were removed by the Registrar of Wills and the Clerk of the County Court to a house in possession of Dennis Magruder about eight miles from Upper Marlborough…”
Prince George’s County Court Records, June 25 1814

Photo by Jack Boucher HABS/HAER, Library of Congress

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 23, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.