Edgewater in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Prized Property

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— War of 1812 —

Prized Property Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, September 1, 2018

1. Prized Property Marker

Inscription. A victory off the coast of Brazil inspired John Contee to name this property “Java’s Farm.” Contee was a lieutenant on the USS Constitution when it captured and burned the British frigate HMS Java, December 29, 1812.

Contee purchased a plantation here called “Sparrow’s Rest” in 1819. Whether or not he used prize money from the battle with HMS Java, as legend claims, there is little doubt why he chose the new name.

“Mr. Contee took command of the Marines, and I have pleasure in saying that his conduct was that of a Brave good Officer, and the Marines behaved with great coolness and courage during the action, and annoyed the Enemy very much…”
Captain Isaac Hull to Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton, August 28, 1812.

Victories at Sea
Contee was also on USS Constitution on August 19, 1812 when it defeated HMS Guerriere and earned the nickname “Old Ironsides.”

(Inscription under the image of the ships)
Engraving of the capture of the British frigate Java by USS Constitution, created by Sarony & Major, ca. 1846

(Inscription beside the image of the coin)
Medal commemorating defeat of HMS Java. Image/Clements Library, University of Michigan.

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the Interior.

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 series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1897.

Location. 38° 53.487′ N, 76° 32.895′ W. Marker is in Edgewater, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is on Contee's Wharf Road. The marker is on the grounds of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Java Plantation Life (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Java Plantation Life (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Java Plantation Life (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Java Plantation Life (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Java Plantation Life (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indians of the Chesapeake (approx. 0.4 miles away); Java History Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Old South River Club (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edgewater.