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

Java Plantation Life

Life on the Quarter

Photographed by Don Morfe, February 10, 2015

1. Java Plantation Life Marker

Inscription. While the plantation owner’s house was situated on a hill, African American slaves had to live in less desirable surroundings. Slave quarters were built in low, marshy area near the water. Mosquitoes and damp living conditions were a constant problem.

The quarters usually were one or two room houses built of wood and mud with dirt floors. Fireplaces and chimneys, if present, were also made from mud and sticks. Glass was expensive and difficult to get, so there were no windows.

Houses were crowded; space was at a premium. Children slept on boards that leaned against the wall or fireplace. Can you imagine sleeping like that? African Americans had to make their own furniture and utensils. Although the plantation owner supplied the slaves with a basic diet of corn and porK, most slaves added extra foods by gardening, fishing, or trapping.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Colonial Era.

Location. 38° 53.355′ N, 76° 32.929′ W. Marker is in Edgewater, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is on Dock Road.

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The marker is affixed to the wall of the Java Farm Tobacco Barn. It 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,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: A different marker also named Java Plantation Life (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Java Plantation Life (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Java Plantation Life (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Java Plantation Life (a few steps from this marker); Prized Property (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indians of the Chesapeake

Java Plantation Life Marker affixed to the Tobacco Barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, February 10, 2015

2. Java Plantation Life Marker affixed to the Tobacco Barn

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Java History Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Old South River Club (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edgewater.

Photographed by Don Morfe, February 10, 2015

3. Java Plantation Life Marker

Five Generations of an African American Family, 1862 image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

4. Five Generations of an African American Family, 1862

by Timothy O'Sullivan.

A Maryland Slave Cabin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, September 1, 2018

5. A Maryland Slave Cabin

Photograph by Carroll Hughes.Close-up of photo on marker

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, September 1, 2018

6. Interior

Illustration by Tim Kestel.Close-up of image on marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 727 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 16, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 7, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.