Preston in Caroline County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Linchester Mill
Living Dangerously
— Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway —
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 29, 2014
1. Linchester Mill Marker
Daily life at and around Linchester Mill provided fertile yet dangerous ground for those seeking freedom.
The mill, a general store, post office and homes at this site brought whites and blacks, free and enslaved, into regular contact. Freedom and slavery existed side-by-side in stark contrast. Quakers and free blacks who lived near the mill secretly helped freedom seekers pass through the area. The mill’s dam provided a spot to cross Hunting Creek.
Underground Railroad agent Daniel Hubbard, a free black carpenter and millwright, lived nearby and probably worked at the mill. In order to reside together, Hubbard “hired” his enslaved wife and children from their master. Suspected of helping slaves escape on New Year’s Eve in 1857, Hubbard was forced to leave his family to avoid capture by an angry mob. His fate remains unknown.
[Caption:]
Right: Harriet Tubman frequently put herself in dangerous situations by crossing rivers and streams while assisting others in their quest for freedom.
Erected by America's Byways; Maryland Heritage
![Linchester Mill Marker [Reverse] image. Click for full size.](Photos6/676/Photo676659.jpg?952022124700PM "Linchester Mill Marker [Reverse]. Click for full size.")
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location. 38° 42.084′ N, 75° 53.844′ W. Marker is in Preston, Maryland, in Caroline County. Marker is at the intersection of Linchester Road (Route 817) and Main Street (Maryland Route 331), on the left when traveling west on Linchester Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3400 Linchester Road, Preston MD 21655, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Underground Railroad (a few steps from this marker); Linchester (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Linchester Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Leverton House (approx. half a mile away); Freedom (approx. 0.6 miles away); Preston (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site of Frazier’s Chapel (approx. one mile away); Mt. Pleasant Cemetery (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Preston.
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 29, 2014
3. Linchester Mill Marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 29, 2014
4. F.S. Langrell-Linchester Flouring Mills
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 29, 2014
5. Postmaster's House-circa 1890
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 29, 2014
6. Miller's House-circa 1873
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 29, 2014
7. Hog Island School-1879
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 513 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 1, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 5, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 1, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
