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Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance, Inc. |
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Handsell pictured at left in 2007, ready for restoration. Today, 1,400 acres surrounding Handsell is farmland recently placed in a conservation easement. This, together with the creation of the NHPA, Inc., to restore the house guarantees this site will be forever protected. |
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In 1665, Thomas Taylor was granted 700 acres of Land called “Handsell” along the Nanticoke River in the location of Chicone Indian town. In 1704 this land was made part of an Indian reservation by an Act of the Maryland Assembly. Handsell is one of the last remaining 18th c. brick dwelling houses in Dorchester Co. Most likely a two story structure originally, a fire at Handsell, possibly in the early 1800’s, gutted much of the interior and weakened the rear exterior wall, causing a partial collapse of the structure. After the fire, it is believed Handsell was rebuilt to the one and one-half story structure we see today. Much of the existing interior woodwork at Handsell dates from c. 1810-1820. This brick dwelling house exhibits a unique façade with a protruding pavilion and Flemish bond brickwork, indicating the builder’s knowledge of contemporary design trends. Handsell is now listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places!!! Click on About Handsell House for complete history. . |
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Attention Genealogists: We intend to develop and publish the ancestry of the NUTTER, RIDER, STEELE, TAYLOR, PINDER, JACKSON & THOMPSON families in the Vienna area, as well as other African American and Native American descendants. Please contact us with any family information!!! Thank you! |
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Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance, Inc. A non-profit 501 (3) (c) organization Trustees: Jack Meyerhoff, President Jeanne Bernard, Vice-president Robert Davis, treasurer Margaret W. Ingersoll, secretary George Ames Ted Boettger Richard Bright Gene Brite Shirley Jackson John Lewis Robert Macdonald Maureen McKetchnie Mike Nicholas Miriam Zijp |
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Pictured ABOVE: Linda Kemple, a visitor and bird-watcher from southern New Jersey enjoys a visit to Handsell and a day of paddling on the Chicone Creek, May 2006. |
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Click on Special Events to see what’s going on at Handsell!! |
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The NHPA recently acquired 107 original letters and papers of the Steele Family, dating from 1786-1865. In this collection was the missing 1816 Will of James Steele, which lists his children and the property they would inherit. Below is an excerpt showing that Handsell was devised to Isaac “Nevett” Steele, then only 7 years of age. Isaac’s brother-in-law, John C. Henry (son of Governor Henry, husband of Mary Nevett Steele) was assigned as the child’s guardian. |
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Handsell is featured in the April issue of Maryland Life Magazine ! On the newsstands March 14 ! Every year the magazine announces the “Endangered Maryland” list of the 10 most threatened historic sites in the state. This year, the Maryland Historic Trust and Preservation Maryland chose to include Handsell on the list because of the importance of the house and its need for restoration. |
