Richard Snowden
Encyclopedia
Richard Snowden is the grandson of Richard Snowden Sr (1640–1711), one of Maryland's early colonists, who arrived in 1658. Richard founded the Patuxent Iron Works, on the site of Maryland's oldest iron forge. This founded one of Maryland's first industries, and settled the land now known as Laurel, Maryland
, and Sandy Spring, Maryland
.
On this land, the Quaker Richard Snowden Jr. built the plantation "Birmingham Manor".
On Aug 14, 1688 Snowden acquired 800 acres (3.2 km²) called Godwell.
On April 19, 1715 Snowden purchased 300 acres (1.2 km²) called "Burgess Choice".
On Dec 10, 1715, 1000 acres (4 km²) of land known as "Snowden's Manor" were surveyed for Richard Snowden near Ashton, Maryland
.
Altogether, Richard Snowden Sr. amassed an estate worth over 2000 pounds by 1715.
At Richard Snowden's death, his estate included Snowden Hall
, Fairland
, Montpelier, Oakland, Snow Hill, Avondale
, Woodland Hill, Alnick, Elmwood, Brightwood, Maple Grove, and most of the land that comprises modern Laurel, Maryland
.
Richard Snowden is buried in the family cemetery on the grounds of the former Birmingham Manor. The Snowden family cemetery sits just to the east of modern Suburban Airport
, within the traffic pattern.
Laurel, Maryland
Laurel is a city in northern Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland, United States, located midway between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Incorporated in 1870, the city maintains a historic district including its Main Street...
, and Sandy Spring, Maryland
Sandy Spring, Maryland
Sandy Spring, Maryland is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Maryland.The community was founded by Quakers who arrived in the early 18th century searching for land where they could grow tobacco and corn. One of the very early land owners in the Sandy Spring area was Richard Snowden,...
.
Foundation
On the 11th of January 1669, 500 acres (2 km²) of land called "Iron Mine" were patented from George Yate to Richard Snowden Sr. and Thomas Linthicum, "farmers" for 11000 lb (4,989.5 kg). of tobacco. Linthicum sold this land to Snowden in 1675. In 1685 King Charles (via Lord Baltimore) granted Richard Snowden Sr. 1976 acres (8 km²) of land on the Patuxent river (Robinhood's Forest).On this land, the Quaker Richard Snowden Jr. built the plantation "Birmingham Manor".
On Aug 14, 1688 Snowden acquired 800 acres (3.2 km²) called Godwell.
On April 19, 1715 Snowden purchased 300 acres (1.2 km²) called "Burgess Choice".
On Dec 10, 1715, 1000 acres (4 km²) of land known as "Snowden's Manor" were surveyed for Richard Snowden near Ashton, Maryland
Ashton, Maryland
Ashton is an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland. The commercial center of Ashton lies at the junction of Route 108 and New Hampshire Avenue ....
.
Altogether, Richard Snowden Sr. amassed an estate worth over 2000 pounds by 1715.
Richard Snowden III
- In 1719 Snowden Jr. was granted 10000 acres (40.5 km²) in Maryland.
- 1720 Richard Snowden III inherited Birmingham Manor and all the accumulated lands of his father.
- 1723 in October, Snowden Hill is surveyed and granted to Richard Snowden, this included 646 acres (2.6 km²) of land by the Columbia road with the West Point Branch running through it.
- 1724 Richard Snowden sends workers to build a log core that became "Greenwood", north of Brookeville, MarylandBrookeville, MarylandBrookeville is a town located twenty miles north of Washington, D.C. and two miles north of Olney in northeastern Montgomery County, Maryland. Brookeville was settled by Quakers late in the 18th century, and was formally incorporated as a town in 1808...
establishing Sandy Spring'sSandy Spring, MarylandSandy Spring, Maryland is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Maryland.The community was founded by Quakers who arrived in the early 18th century searching for land where they could grow tobacco and corn. One of the very early land owners in the Sandy Spring area was Richard Snowden,...
and Montgomery County'sMontgomery County, MarylandMontgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
oldest surviving residence.
- 1736, Snowden, Joseph Cowman, and three other partners founded "Patuxent Iron Work Company", Maryland's first ironworks. The ironworks were built on the site of an even older forge that predated it by some time.
- 1737 Richard Snowden partners with his son-in-law James Brooke to build a grist mill and biscuit factory on the Hawlings RiverHawlings RiverHawlings River is a tributary of the Patuxent River in Montgomery County, Maryland. The watershed covers an area of about . The headwaters of the river originate in the area north of Laytonsville, and the river flows southeast, entering the Patuxent about below the Triadelphia Reservoir. Portions...
.
- 1743 March 5, "Snowden's Manor Enlarged" including the original "Snowden's Manor" is resurveyed. This totalled Nine Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Five acres. A "Laurel road" (now Sandy Spring roadMaryland Route 198Maryland Route 198 is an east–west state highway in the central part of the U.S. state of Maryland that connects Fort Meade at Maryland Route 32 to Maryland Route 28 and Maryland Route 650 near Spencerville.-Spencerville Road:...
) was described.
- 1748 Richard Snowden sells 1029 acres (4.2 km²) of land called 'Snowdens Fourth Addition" to his son-in-law and daughter, Samuel and Mary Thomas in Colesville, MarylandColesville, MarylandColesville is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland in the USA.-Geography:As an unincorporated area, Colesville's boundaries are not officially defined. Also, many residents consider the town to be one of the many neighborhoods of Silver Spring, Maryland...
. Samuel was a Quaker minister, and founder of the Sandy Spring meeting of friends.
At Richard Snowden's death, his estate included Snowden Hall
Snowden Hall (Laurel, Maryland)
Snowden Hall is a historic home located on the grounds of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, outside Laurel in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. It stands on open rolling ground approximately ¾-mile west of the Patuxent River...
, Fairland
Fairland, Maryland
Fairland is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States.-Geography:As an unincorporated area, Fairland's boundaries are not officially defined...
, Montpelier, Oakland, Snow Hill, Avondale
Avondale Mill
The Avondale Mill was a large gable-front stone structure, three stories in height, and 10 bays long by three wide. It was located on the bank of the Patuxent River in the city of Laurel, Prince George's County, Maryland. It was constructed in 1844-1845. At that time it was provided with the...
, Woodland Hill, Alnick, Elmwood, Brightwood, Maple Grove, and most of the land that comprises modern Laurel, Maryland
Laurel, Maryland
Laurel is a city in northern Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland, United States, located midway between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Incorporated in 1870, the city maintains a historic district including its Main Street...
.
Richard Snowden is buried in the family cemetery on the grounds of the former Birmingham Manor. The Snowden family cemetery sits just to the east of modern Suburban Airport
Suburban Airport
Suburban Airport is a public-use airport located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, two miles southeast of the central business district of Laurel...
, within the traffic pattern.