Edgewater in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Java Plantation Life
Old Fields to New Plantations
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
1. Java Plantation Life Marker
Inscription.
Java Plantation Life. Old Fields to New Plantations. The needs of the English settlers were similar to those of the Piscataways. As farmers they wanted good soil, so they often settled near “old fields,” areas once used by Native Americans. Look across the field to the ruins of the Java mansion.
Notice that it is built high on a hill, yet close to a navigable waterway. This was a typical location for the 17th or 18th century houses in Maryland. The house was originally built around 1700 by Thomas Sparrow with successive owners adding to it. By the time John Contee named the property “Java” in 1828, the mansion had 2 ½ stories with hyphens and wings on each side.
For most of three centuries Java was farmed as a business venture. The owner lived elsewhere and an overseer was left in charge.
The mansion burned in 1890 and was rebuilt using fire damaged brick. This left it structurally unsound and it was eventually abandoned. All that remains are the ruins you see.
During the War of 18 12, America naval officers were rewarded by Congress for capturing British ships. John Contee served as an officer on the USS Constitution when it captured the HMS Java. According to legend it was with this bounty money that Contee bought this property and named it “Java.”
The needs of the English settlers were similar to those of the Piscataways. As farmers they wanted good soil, so they often settled near “old fields,” areas once used by Native Americans. Look across the field to the ruins of the Java mansion.
Notice that it is built high on a hill, yet close to a navigable waterway. This was a typical location for the 17th or 18th century houses in Maryland.
The house was originally built around 1700 by Thomas Sparrow with successive owners adding to it. By the time John Contee named the property “Java” in 1828, the mansion had 2 ½ stories with hyphens and wings on each side.
For most of three centuries Java was farmed as a business venture. The owner lived elsewhere and an overseer was left in charge.
The mansion burned in 1890 and was rebuilt using fire damaged brick. This left it structurally unsound and it was eventually abandoned. All that remains are the ruins you see.
During the War of 1812, America naval officers were rewarded by Congress for capturing British ships. John Contee served as an officer on the USS Constitution when it captured the HMS Java. According to legend it was with this bounty money that Contee bought this property and named it “Java.”
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture
Location. 38° 53.355′ N, 76° 32.929′ W. Marker is in Edgewater, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker is on Dock Road. The marker is near 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.
4. Java Plantation with the Rhode River in the background
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
5. Java Plantation farm implement
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
6. Java Plantation farm implement
Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015
7. Sign at the entrance to the Java Farm-Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Photographed By Tim Kestel
8. Java The Contee Mansion
Close-up of image on marker
Photographed By Tim Kestel
9. Candlemaking
Close-up of image on marker
J. Coquerel (image courtesy of the Library of Congress), circa 1813
10. Constitution and Java
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 667 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 16, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 8, 9, 10. submitted on September 4, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
