Beall-Dawson House: Slavery in Rockville

History: The Beall-Dawson House was built in 1815 for Upton Beall, his wife and daughters, and designed to impress visitors inside and out, reflecting wealth and socioeconomic status. The Beall sisters lived here their entire lives and were later joined by a cousin, Amelia Somervell Dawson, and her family. The Beall sisters were slave holders until April 1862 when Congress abolished slavery in Washington, D.C. Therefore, the sisters qualified for compensation from the government for their 17 slaves and received $9,400. However, many slaves in Rockville took advantage of the chaos that the war brought to the area and fled at the first opportunity.

More to Explore: The Montgomery County Historical Society is now located at the Beall-Dawson House. Discover more Civil War stories or follow your own local ancestry by looking through your personal family file at the Research Library! Bullards Park is very close by providing picnicking opportunities and an outdoor grill for barbequing. Or jump on the MARC train to another part of Rockville and enjoy the city's many shopping centers.

Photo Credits:

1. "Beall-Dawson House in Winter"
2. "Side View of Beall-Dawson House" Photos Courtesy of Peerless Rockville.