Rose Hill saw passing troops and encampments in both 1862 and 1864 as fighting occurred all around Frederick. As the war went on Abraham Lincoln created a military order to allow for the enlistment of African Americans both free and enslaved. David Robinson (formerly enslaved by the Thomas Family), at the time free, his son Adam (18), also free, and his two sons Nelson and James, still enslaved, enlisted in the army in 1863. By fighting Nelson(22) and James (21) would have escaped slavery earlier than their terms of service of 30 years. Due to the fact that Maryland had not seceded from the Union the Emancipation Proclomation had no effect on the status of enslavement for families like the Robinsons. Therefore to prevent their continued enslavement or the chance of being sold away from their families, men like the Robisons took the opportunity to enlist and serve in the United States Colored Troops as a way of ensuring their freedom. Tragically David and Adam were killed in action in the campaign leading to the siege of Petersburg. The grief felt by the Robinson family at this loss can only be imagined. In 1864 when emancipation became effective in Maryland thanks to the efforts of soldieres like the Robinsons there were 12 formerly enslaved individulas living and working here at Rose Hill. They were Miranda (believed to be a Robinson relative) who was 36 years old Ellie, 18 years old Elijah 16 years old Marian 14 years old Annie 11 years old Harriet 9 years old Maria 6 year old Billy 23 years old Mary Nichols 29 years old Lucy Nichols 12 years old George Nichols 5 years old Nannie Nichols 7 months old
Welcome to Rose Hill Manor Park and Museums. The museum was established in 1972 to commemorate a key figure in the American Revolution and founding era, Thomas Johnson, first Governor of Maryland. However, this property was occupied by many families from the 1740s-1960s. Among those that lived here were dozens of enslaved people. Our goal in this tour, as part of our broader mission to tell all the stories of the inhabitants of Rose Hill, is to tell the stories of the free and enslaved African Americans who were part of Rose Hill and how their experiences fit in the larger context of Frederick and Maryland History.
In 1853 David O. Thomas owned Rose Hill Manor. His family owned many nearby farms. The images below tell the story of the Thompson family who were enslaved by the Thomas family for at least 20 years.
The German settlers that first purchased Rose Hill, the Hoffmans, built a log cabin on the property similar to this one. After they sold the property to Thomas Johnson it is believed it was converted into the quarters for at least some of the enslaved people on the property. Frederick County also had a large Free Black population. Many of them worked as laborers on plantations alongside those enslaved. At Rose Hill a man named Osborn Dorsey lived on the property as a free Black in the 1860s. He would have shared quarters like these with those enslaved by the Thomas family.
Transportation was a key part of life in the 19th century. In a time where methods of travel overlapped, Frederick saw itself at the crossroads. Rose Hill itself sat in between two large roads (today Route 15 and North Market Street). The Johnson and Grahame families were heavily involved in developlment of early transporation systems. From work on the Potomac Canal project to the building of the National Road. The enslaved and free populations in Frederick also contributed heavily to those advancements.
Our office building today served as the smoke house and summer kitchen for Rose Hill during the periods when the Grahame and Thomas families occupied the manor house. Animals such as pigs and cattle were raised by enslaved people on the property and then preserved in the smoke house for eating year round. A lot of work went into raising, butchering, and smoking an animal, meaning these cuts of meat were valuable and important to everyone as a main source of their diet.
In April 1831 the barn and tolaces house burned with a pile of rye. The spark was said to be from the chimney of the dwelling or quarters, leading us to believe that at least some of the quarters where those who were enslaved lived were probably near this location.
Many different crops were grown at Rose Hill. Sale advertisements show that enslaved field hands such as Charles, Bill, and George were familiar with growing tobacco, rye, and wheat among other crops. Frederick County had a diverse and changing agricultural make up throughout the 19th century. During the time of John Grahame tobacco, rye, and wheat were all commonly grow. However as the market for tobacco became oversaturated and the soil depleted, farmers transitioned to rye and wheat.
This Tour is a Virtual Museum or Site Tour.
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Rose Hill Manor Parks and Museums is a children's museum-fit for all ages. Explore the lives of those who lived on the property from the 1740s-1960s as well as areas of Frederick County history. Our park includes the Manor House, a Log Cabin, the Carriage Museum, the Farm and Family Building, Historic Gardens, and two barns. Enjoy both the outdoors and our indoor interpretive spaces.
