Edmonston in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Adam F. Plummer
1819-1905
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
1. Adam F. Plummer Mural
Adam Francis Plummer Founder of Present Day Edmonston
Born into slavery to the powerful Calvert Family, literate and educated, Adam Francis Plummer rose to become the foreman for Charles Benedict Calvert (founder of the University of Maryland and member of Congress). Working on the nearby Riversdale plantation, he kept a diary of family life and attempted several escapes without success. At the close of the Civil War, Plummer and his wife Emily set out to reunite his family after several had been sold to the deep south during slavery.
In 1870 Plummer purchased 10 acres on the south end of the plantation (present-day Edmonston) to establish a settlement for his newly freed family. With an expertise in horticulture and a fondness for roses, he named the community Mt. Rose after the gardens established here.
A century later Adam Francis Plummer became a figure of major historical significance when his diary was found to be the only diary of any slave in U.S. history. The diary is now in the care of the Smithsonian.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 38° 56.997′ N, 76° 55.783′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the 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 City of Hyattsville (approx. 0.6 miles away); Route One, Our Hometown Main Street (approx. 0.6 miles away); This Demiculverin (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Riversdale Dependency (approx. 0.7 miles away); Welcome to the Riversdale Garden (approx. Ύ mile away); Betty's Garden (approx. Ύ mile away); Signs of War (approx. Ύ mile away); Welcome to Riversdale (approx. Ύ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edmonston.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Remarkable Plummer Family (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Edmonston Veterans Park (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. This painting was originally placed on the chain link fence of the Edmonston Pumping Station on the boundary between Riverdale Park and Edmonston. It was located at approximately 38° 57.093′ N, 76° 56.04′ W. It was on Taylor Road near 50th Avenue, on the left when traveling south. The chain link fence of the Edmonston Pumping Station is
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
2. Adam F. Plummer
and the Inscription
and the Inscription
Also see . . . Adam Francis Plummer: Champion of faith, family and freedom. Washington Times website entry (Submitted on April 17, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. The historical mural has been moved
This historic mural has been moved from the Edmonston Pumping Station to the town hall of Edmonston.
— Submitted January 25, 2025, by Chyna Mae of Edmonston, Maryland.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
3. Patriarch Adam Francis Plummer Family
Patriarch Adam Francis Plummer surrounded by his family outside his home, Mount Rose. Standing, left to right , Robert Francis, Nellie Arnold, Margaret Jane, Nicholas Saunders. Sitting, Sarah Miranda, Adam Francis, Henry Vinton, Margaret's daughter, Nellie. Photo from a display in the Riversdale Visitor's Center
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
4. The Plummer Family
Emily and Adam; Sarah Miranda, Church founder, wife and mother; Henry Vinton, First African American Army Chaplain; Elias Cupid Quincy, Shoolteacher and church worker; Julia Ann Caroline Maria, seamstress, nurse and wife; Nicholas Saunders, Coachman; Marjory Ellen Rose, Died in infancy; Margaret Jane, Wife, mother, and housekeeper for her father; Nellie Arnold Author and Schoolteacher; Robert Francis PharmacistPoster in the Riversdale Dependency
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 24, 2013
5. Adam F. Plummer Mural
This photo shows the mural at its original location at the Edmonston Pumping Station.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,495 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 25, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the mural at its new location • Can you help?
