Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
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 on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
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. Marker 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.
 
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.
 
Prized Property Marker with the Java Mansion ruins in the background image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
2. Prized Property Marker with the Java Mansion ruins in the background
Java Mansion Ruins-front view image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
3. Java Mansion Ruins-front view
Java Mansion Ruins-side view image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
4. Java Mansion Ruins-side view
Contee Watershed Trail information image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
5. Contee Watershed Trail information
Java Farm building-ruins image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
6. Java Farm building-ruins
Java Farm-Rhode River in the background image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
7. Java Farm-Rhode River in the background
Java Farm barn ruins image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
8. Java Farm barn ruins
Sign at the entrance to the Java Farm-Smithsonian Environmental Research Center image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
9. Sign at the entrance to the Java Farm-Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
The Capture of HBM. Frigate Java by the U.S. Frigate Constitution image. Click for full size.
Library of Congress
10. The Capture of HBM. Frigate Java by the U.S. Frigate Constitution
Sarony & Major, ca. 1846.
Pugnando. Inter Const. Nav. Ameri. et Jav. Angli. Die XXIX DECEM MDCCCXII Furst. F. image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 1, 2018
11. Pugnando. Inter Const. Nav. Ameri. et Jav. Angli. Die XXIX DECEM MDCCCXII Furst. F.
Medal commemorating defeat of HMS Java
Close-up of photo on marker
Java by M.F.<br>1884. image. Click for full size.
Library of Congress
12. Java by M.F.
1884.
This drawing identifies the kitchen on the left, the library on the right and the dwelling house in the middle. Between the library and the dwelling house is a storage room.
Java<br>The Contee Mansion image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 1, 2018
13. Java
The Contee Mansion
Steel framing, completed in 2017, shows the outline of the house and stabilizes the ruins.
Java image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 1, 2018
14. Java
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 687 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on September 1, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.   2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 15, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland.   10, 11. submitted on September 1, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.   12, 13, 14. submitted on September 4, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=80857

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 28, 2024