The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-01-30
FARMS OF CARROLL.
Written for the Democratic Advocate.
SPRINGFIELD.
The Country Seat of Frank Brown.

This fine estate is one of the most notable
and probably the most extensive in area
of any in Carroll county. In preparing
this sketch of Springfield we have availeC
ourselves extensively of the History Of
Western Maryland, as well as of our OWL
notes and observations made while on re
cent visit to the place, when, through Mr.
Browns polite attention, we were afforded
every desirable facility for gathering mate
rial for the purpose.
The history of Springfield is inseparable
from the history of its several proprietors,
and they are both blended together in the
work above referred to. We annex, there.
fore, the sketch as it appeared in Mr..
Scharf's second volume, with such addi-
tons, alterations and engagements as the
merits Of the subject seem to require, so as
to present to our readers, who have never
seen the estate, as graphic and comprehen-
sive portraiture as practicable.
George Patterson, the late proprietor of
Springfield, was the youngest son of VIM.
Patterson, well-known in Baltimore, and
possessed of large amount of real estate
in that city. He was the brother of Mrs.
Elizabeth Patterson, the first wife of the
late Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the
great Napoleon Mr.. Patterson took pos
session of his estate in Carroll county, con-
tanning about three thousand acres of land,
in 1924, and made it his home until the
time of his death, which occurred Novem-
Der 10, 1869, in his seventy-fourth year.
He was possessed of considerable wealth,
and was largely engaged in importing and
raising improved stock, both cattle and
horses. He was an extensive exhibitor at
the agricultural fairs held in the state, but
never competed for premiums, taking pride
only in adding to the interest of the show
by the presence of his fine animals, his
herd having no superior, if any equal, in
the state. This herd, we think, has some
times numbered as high as one hundred and
thirty, though we are without definite in
formation upon the subject.
Springfield is situated near Sykesville,
post town and place of considerable trade
and importance, having station on the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which road
passes through the town. Indeed, por-
ton of the estate adjoins the town, and is
made an addition to it, Mr.. Frank Brown,
the enterprising proprietor, having erected
twenty handsome cottages on one acre lots,
the past summer, enclosed the same with
picket fences, laid out broad avenues, and
whitewashed the dwellings, which, in the
summer season, in contrast with the verdure
around them, look like cluster of snow
drops in the midst of field of emerald
Springfield is one of the most admirable
and complete farming establishments in
Maryland. 1t is conveniently located and
contains about two thousand acres of land,
fifteen hundred of which are under cult
walton. 1t is furnished with -four mill, a
saw mill and large number of outbuildings
for varied uses. The mansion is commo-
dious; it stands on an eminence overlooking
the farm and the surrounding country, en-
bracing the loveliest of landscapes, stretch
ing out for miles in southerly direction,
like broad panorama, delighting the eye
with its verdure of field and forest, and
presenting as varied an aspect as kaleido-
scope. Extensive lawns, embellished with
parterres of flowers, surround the mansion
on all sides. Immediately in front is a
large ellipsis of coleus, whose brilliant
colors, in season, garnish the lawn, and pre-
sent striking contrast to its closely-shaven
velvety verdure. A little to the rear, and on
one side of the mansion, stands conservato-
ry, or building for growing fruit under glass
It's sixty or eighty feet in length, and af-
fords choice grapes for table use. The
walks around the mansion are paved with
brick, so that one need not set foot in the
mud, and the carriage-way is grayelled and
smoothly graded, afording easy access to
the premises. The mansion is one hundred
and seventy-fve feet front by fifty feet
deep. The front has broad two-story
verandah, supported by pillars, with an or
namental facade. The building, which is
somewhat classical in style, is unique in its
and perfect country home,
with ample space for the comforts of the
and room enough to satisfy the
claims Of generous hospitality.
More than forty years of Mr.. Patterson's
life were spent in changing the excellent
from "a naked surface, inca
pable almost Of cultivation, to rich, highly
cultivated farm ssTime and grass were
at the bottom of all'' his achievements in
this respect. Every field has had two
hundred bushels of lime to the acre, and
each "passed six years of nine in grass. |