The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-01-02
The Residence of Jno. W. McFadden


For natural fertility and strength of soil
this farm is acknowledged to have few
superiors in Western Maryland, and is
among the most productive, yielding hber-
ally in return for the care and labor be-
slowed upon it. Mr. John W. McFadden,
the present proprietor, will doubtless keep
it up to its former standard Of excellence
and productiveness.
In the days of David Kephart, the for
mer owner, Trevanion was known as Brick
Mills. The name of Trevanion was given
to the property by Mr. William Dallas
1t contains 368 acres, and is situated in
Uniontown district, with some fifty or sixty
acres of the estate in the contiguous district
of Taneytown. Its about equidistant from
the villages of Uniontown and Taneytown,
being about three miles from either place
Big Pipe Greek flows through portion of
it, receiving the tributary waters of Meadow
Branch. the two streams watering the prop
erty in very desirable way for convenience
of pasturage. The farm was a notable one
in the early history of Frederick county
of which that portion Of Carroll formed a
part. 1t was the property Of Mr.. David
Kephart father of Mr.. George kephart,
who inherited it from his father and sub
seouently sold it to Mr.. VIM. Dallas for
the sum of $4,000. The old brick man
sion upon the estate at the time of its sale
to Mr.. Dallas was large and substantial
structure, but scarcely up to the require
ments of the aesthetic tastes of its new
proprietor, who built large square orna-
mental tower to the facade or front of the
building, and a large addition in the rear,
which gave to the whole edifce quite an
imposing appearance, and made it far more
commodious than formerly. 1t has 26
rooms, all finished in the best manner, the
windows and doors all having marble lin
tells. There is a fine cellar under the whole
house, which adds much to its general con-
veniences. These additions to the mansion
were built in 1857. A fine lawn sur
rounded the mansion, which was laid out
in handsome walks and kept in the best
manner, the grass closely shaven, the trees
carefully trimmed and pruned Of all redun-
dant branches A handsome arched gate
way was added, and broad grayelled
drive led up to the mansion. The out
buildings around the mansion are numerous.
The stable and carriage house are separate
and distinct from those appropriated to the
use of the farm, and the mill, barn and
tenant house are separated from the man
sion by the county road which runs be-
tween Uniontown and Taneytown. Some
distance from the rear of the mansion
stands brick one-story building, with attic
lighted by dormer windows. 1t was used
as a poultry house, but was formerly prob
ably occupied by domestics. In the dor
mitory of this building Mr.. Dallas kept
through the winter, large number of
cartridges, which he fed until the return OF
pleasant weather in spring, when he set
them at liberty upon the estate.
In 1856 Mr.. Dallas erected a large grist
and saw mill. 1t was built by Mr.. james
II. Taylor, who still runs the mills and has
charge of the mansion in Mr.. McFadden's
absence 1t is ornate in appearance, and
was built at cost of $4,000. Its capacity
for grinding is about forty or fifty barrels
per day, but its business is confined to the
ordinary grist and lumber trade of the
neighborhood. The saw mill has fine
Page circular saw, which does its work ad-
mirably, and is great convenience to this
region. Mr.. j. H. Taylor also built the
barn, which is perhaps the handsomest
building of its class in the county. 1t
stands on the opposite side of the road from
the mansion, on gently rising ground
which slopes gradually to the road, with a
wide area in front, probably containing an
acre or more. 1t is 81 feet long by 81
feet wide, and will accommodate IA head
of horses and 80 head of cows. There is
also a. shed attached which will house Is
head additional, generally used for fattenine
steers, when fed upon the estate for the
shambles.
In addition to the saw and grist mills
there is blacksmith shop and postofiice
of which Mr.. McFadden is the postmaster
Mr.. Taylor acting as the deputy. These
are conveniences to all the neighborhood
around. and enhance the value Of the prop
erty considerably. A fine wooden bridge
spans Pipe Greek at this point, the point
of confluence between it and Meadow
Branch
A handsome and sizable tenant house is
well located, at some distance from the
barn, at the upper end of the area before
alluded to. on line with the barn anc
fronting towards the public road, but stand
ing some distance from it. This property