Sparrows Point in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

A Heavy Price

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— War of 1812 —

A Heavy Price Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, December 18, 2014

1. A Heavy Price Marker

Inscription. 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. Todd’s 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.

“Todd’s 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

(Inscription beside the image of a horse and rider)
Couriers stationed at the Todd family home rushed north to warn Baltimore that a British fleet had anchored off North Point.

(Inscription beside the image on the right)
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-United States Department

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of 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 date for this entry is March 23, 1813.

Location. 39° 12.834′ N, 76° 26.286′ W. Marker is in Sparrows Point, Maryland, in Baltimore County. Marker is on North Point Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sparrows Point MD 21219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Todd’s Inheritance (within shouting distance of this marker); The Presbytery of Baltimore (within shouting distance of this marker); The Landing (approx. 0.3 miles away); Unexpected Resistance (approx. 0.6 miles away); War in the Chesapeake (approx. 0.6 miles away); Wetlands (approx. 0.7 miles away); Dreaded Alarm (approx. ¾ mile away); The Rebirth of a Maryland Historical Treasure (approx. 0.8 miles away).

Photographed By Don Morfe, December 18, 2014

2. A Heavy Price Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, December 18, 2014

3. Todd Home

Todd's Inheritance Marker image. Click for full size.

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

Family Heirloom image. Click for full size.

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

Todd's Inheritance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 18, 2011

7. Todd's Inheritance

North Front

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 21, 2014

8. Todd's Inheritance

West Side

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 21, 2014

9. Todd's Inheritance

South Front

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 21, 2014

10. Todd's Inheritance

From the Marshall Adams' “Home of the Brave” mural on the wall of Penny's Bar in Dundalk.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 655 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on February 16, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 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. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.