Near Edgemere in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Heavy Price
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
1. A Heavy Price Marker
Private Bernard Todd paid dearly for having his home used for military purposes. When the British threatened Baltimore in 1813, it was headquarters for American troops who guarded the Patapsco Neck. Todds property also served as a signal house and horse courier station. Three mounted sentries stationed here on September 11, 1814, hurried to announce that the British had arrived. In retaliation, enemy soldiers torched the house and some buildings.
Todds is a commodious two story frame house, with a large stable capable of accommodating in it and under its sheds at least thirty horses.
Major William Barney to Brig. Gen. John Stricker, March 23, 1813
[Captions:]
Couriers stationed at the Todd family home rushed north to warn Baltimore that a British fleet had anchored off North Point.
The 21-inch Todd telescope is made of wood with a brass draw. Image/Courtesy Star-Spangled Banner Flag House.
Family Heirloom
This telescope passed through several of 10 generations of Todds who owned this land. Made by Beilby Proctor & Co., operating in England 1787-1817, the telescope could have been used here during the war.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
this page online
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 date for this entry is March 23, 1813.
Location. 39° 12.834′ N, 76° 26.286′ W. Marker is near Edgemere, Maryland, in Baltimore County. It is at the intersection of North Point Road and Avenue C, on the right when traveling north on North Point Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9000 North Point Rd, Sparrows Point MD 21219, 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 walking distance of this marker: Todds Inheritance (within shouting distance of this marker); The Presbytery of Baltimore (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Howard Veterans Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Landing (approx. 0.3 miles away); Unexpected Resistance (approx. 0.6 miles away); War in the Chesapeake (approx. 0.6 miles away); "O! say can you see " (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edgemere.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Todds Inheritance (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
2. A Heavy Price Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
3. Todd Home
Photographed by Don Morfe, December 18, 2014
4. Todd's Inheritance Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 21, 2014
5. Courier
Couriers stationed at the Todd Family home rushed north to warn Baltimore that a British fleet had anchored off North Point.Close-up of Gerry Embleton painting on marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 21, 2014
6. Family Heirloom
This Telescope passed through several of 10 generations of Todds who owned this land. Made by Beilby Proctor & Co., operating in England 1787—1817, the telescope could have been used here during the war.
The 21-inch Todd telescope is made of wood with a brass draw.Close-up of photo on marker
Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
The 21-inch Todd telescope is made of wood with a brass draw.
Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 18, 2011
7. Todd's Inheritance
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 21, 2014
8. Todd's Inheritance
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 21, 2014
9. Todd's Inheritance
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 21, 2014
10. Todd's Inheritance
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 20, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on December 23, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
