Doughoregan Manor is a former plantation in central Howard County that was home to the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence and the only Catholic, Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Originally over 10,000 acres, Carroll grew tobacco and later wheat, primarily using enslaved labor. He also partnered with the Ellicott Brothers to build the first national road, Frederick Road, which connected the plantation to the town of Ellicott Mills so that wheat could be delivered directly to the grist mills.
Financial and property records for these plantations were typically recorded in an account book or ledger. The Howard County Historical Society partnered with the Johns Hopkins University Conservation Lab to remediate mold and digitize the Doughoregan Manor Account Book for the years 1819–1834. This new digital version is incredibly clear and replaces an earlier version that was difficult to read. In addition, the Conservation Lab has strengthened the physical document through the application of chemical baths. The process is now complete, and the ledger has been returned to our Historical Center and Archives.
This is perhaps the most important document in our collection and researchers are preparing to examine this digital version and discover new information about the daily workings of the farms and the people enslaved there. This is now posted on our internal database and available to the public. The physical copy will eventually be on display at Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus for the 100-year celebration of the Homewood location. Homewood was built in 1801 by Charles Carroll and later given to his son and daughter-in-law.
Mark J. Stout is the Executive Director of the Howard County Historical Society. He spent the previous 33 years in the Howard County Public School System in a variety of roles.
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