Documentation of the history and physical evolution of Hermitage Farm, Centreville, Maryland

372 Pages·2000·8.5 MB·English

by  Lavoie, Debra Elizabeth

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DOCUMENTATION OF THE HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EVOLUTION OF
HERMITAGE FARM, CENTREVILLE, MARYLAND
Debra Elizabeth Lavoie
A THESIS
in
Historic Preservation
Presented to the Faculties ofthe University ofPennsylvania in
Partial Fulfillment ofthe Requirements for the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
2000
Sum^visor Reader
Jol/n D. Milner, AlA Christa Wilmanns-Wells, PhD
Adjunct Professor in Historic Preservation Lecturer in Historic Preser\ation
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Graduate.Group Chair
FranlTG-Alatero
Associate Professor ofArchitecture
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to my thesis advisor and professor John Milner for introducing me to the Eastern
Shore, the Griffiths and the Tilghmans and for providing me with two great, educational
opportunities. Many thanks to Christa Wilmanns-Wells for her role as my reader and for
reminding me that the landscape surrounding The Hermitage is as significant as the
buildings (a thesis in itself).
Many thanks to the Tilghmans, whose beautiful river shore property was the focus ofthis
study. Specifically, thanks to Anna Tilghman for opening her door and talking with me
about the farm and to Ben & Margo Tilgliman, Ben Tilghman, Jamie Tilghman. Bill &
Juliette Tilghman and Christopher Tilghman who all, in some way, either met with me, e-
mailed me, or spoke with me over the phone to provide information for the report. Many
thanks to Lee Faulkner who met with me on multiple occasions to discuss the history of
The Hermitage and the existing structures.
Special thanks to the Griffith family - Alan & Penny Griffith, Tim Griffith, Charles
Griffith and Tom and Libby Hipp - and to Patsy Nier, all of whom hosted me over the
summer while I learned about the Eastern Shore, whose friendship has been the definite
highlight of my Eastern Shore experience and whose generosity is inspiring. Apologies
to Alan for discovering that the Griffiths were not colonial landholders on the Eastern
Shore, thus the neck should remain "Tilghman Neck" and not be changed "Griffith
Neck."
Thanks to my friends in Philadelphia and elsewhere, especially Frank Lloyd Wright paint
expert Zana Wolfand the Thai-Peruvian connection for their humor throughout the year.
Lastly, thanks to my family for their support during my graduate school years.

1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Acknowledgements
ii
Table ofContents iii
List ofFigures vi
List ofTables viii
Introduction
1
Chapter One: Geographical Context
The Eastern Shore ofMaryland 4
1.1
Chapter Two: History of the Hermitage Tilghmans
2.1 Ownership ofthe Land 1
2.2 Colonial Land Acquisition Maps 25
Chapter Three: The Evokition of Buildings and Farming
3.1 Richard Tilghman I and Richard Tilghman 11: 1667-1740 30
3.2 Richard Tilghman III and Richard Tilghman IV: 1740-1810 31
3.3 Richard Cooke Tilghman: 1810-1853 33
3.4 Richard Cooke Tilgliman. Jr. and Elizabeth C. Tilghman:
1853-1890 38
3.5 Otho Holland Williams and Susan Williams: 1890-1919 41
3.6 Benjamin Chew Tilghman 111 and descendants 1919-2000 46
Chapter Four: Inventory and Study of Existing Buildings
4.1 Main House 49
4.2 Smokehouse 54
4.3 Sheds 56
111