Edgewater in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William Brown House
Built around 1760 by William Brown, this building was served as a tavern for about thirty-five years and is the only surviving structure from colonial London Town. Taverns often served as community centers where travelers and townspeople could eat, drink, play games, smoke pipes, and stay overnight.
William Brown was a carpenter, ferry master, and tavern owner who relied on the labor of indentured servants, convict servants, and enslaved people to operate his businesses. Based on census information, it appears Brown had around seven bound people in his household at any given time. Brown, his wife Susannah, and their 5 children probably lived on the top floor of the building, while the bound people likely slept in a room in the cellar.
Due to financial difficulties brought on by building such a large and costly structure, Brown received a £500 loan from local businessman, James Dick. Upon Dick's death in 1781, Brown was unable to pay back the debt. His land, tavern, furnishings, and four enslaved people, Sall, Harry, Osborne, and Jacob, were auctioned off to cover the cost of his loan. As Sall, Harry, Osborne, and
this page online
Erected by Historic London Town and Gardens.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1760.
Location. 38° 56.472′ N, 76° 32.38′ W. Marker is in Edgewater, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It can be reached from Londontown Road west of Londontown Court, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 839 Londontown Rd, Edgewater MD 21037, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in the Chesapeake Bay Region, 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
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Almshouse (here, next to this marker); Scott Street (a few steps from this marker); The Carpenter's Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Slavery at London Town (within shouting distance of this marker); The South River (within shouting distance of this marker); London Town Ferry (within shouting distance of this marker); Tobacco Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to London Town (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edgewater.
Other markers no longer nearby. Archaeology at London Town (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Establishing a Colonial Town (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named William Brown House (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Dr. Hill's Medicinal Plants (was within shouting distance of
Additional keywords. enslaved labor
Photographed by F. Robby, November 7, 2007
4. Registered National Historic Landmark Marker
The house is referred to as the London Town Publick House on this plaque affixed to the building.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on September 3, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.
