Newburg in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Cliffton

Photographed by Richard White, November 24, 2007

1. Cliffton

Inscription. The home of Major Roderick G. Watson is two miles north of this marker. At the start of the Civil War many persons crossed the Potomac River to Virginia in this area. From 1862 to the end of the war, Thomas A. Jones served as a Confederate agent forwarding mail from the South to the North and Canada. Mary, daughter of Major Watson, hung a signal in a dormer window of Cliffton when it was not safe for the mail boat to cross from Virginia.

Erected 1962 by Charles County Civil War Centennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 38° 22.312′ N, 76° 57.584′ W. Marker is in Newburg, Maryland, in Charles County. It is on Crain Highway (U.S. 301) near Cliffton Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newburg MD 20664, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Southern Maryland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and in the Tidewater.

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 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Potomac Diversion (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named John Wilkes Booth (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ways to Explore Southern Maryland’s Scenic and Historic Routes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Explore your Cheaspeake (approx. 0.2 miles away); Discover Southern Maryland’s Amazing Stories of Exploration, Hope, and Courage

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. John Wilkes Booth (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Cliffton. According to the report in the Maryland Historical Trust Historic Sites Survey, "Clifton No. 2 was first identified in the early 1970's by J. Richard Rivoire just prior to the site's subdivision, now Clifton on the Potomac. At the time it was believed that htis was the home of Josiah Fendall and plans were underway to convert the structure into a museum. Later research revealed that the existing 18th c. structure was likely built as a dependency for a much larger dwelling. After learning this, the building and its plans were abandoned leading to its eventual collapse in the mid-1980's."

Cliffton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, November 10, 2009

2. Cliffton Marker

Looking south along Crain Highway.

Photographed by F. Robby, November 10, 2009

3. Cliffton Marker

Looking west at the entrance to community of Cliffton on the Potomac.