Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Lot 44

Brookeville, Montgomery County, Maryland
Owned by Brice John Gassaway, c. 1812-1816

Information:

Lot 44 on Market Street in Brookeville was owned by former Anne Arundel County farmer and Revolutionary War soldier Brice John Gassaway. Gassaway purchased a parcel of land containing lots 44, 45, and 46 in May of 1812 for $850.1 His decision to move to Brookeville came after he lost a significant portion of his sizeable Anne Arundel County land holdings. His two oldest sons, Henry and George Gassaway, used their father's land as collateral for an $8,000 loan in 1809, which they then defaulted on three years later.2 He lived on the property until his death in 1816.3

Kyle Bacon, DAR Research Fellow, 2012

Notes:

  1. MONTGOMERY COUNTY COURT (Land Records) May 29, 1812, P, p.619. Deed Samuel Leeke to Brice John Gassaway, lots 44-46 in Brookeville, Maryland [MSA CE 148-16].
  2. ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY COURT (Land Records) December 14, 1809, NH 15, p.506. Loan of $8000 from Fridge and Morris to Brice John Gassaway for the use of his sons, George and Henry [MSA CE 76-43]; April 13, 1812, WSG 1, p.455. Deed, Brice John Gassaway to Alexander Nisbet, surrendering of land due to loan default [MSA CE 76-45]; MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE TAX (Assessment Record), 1813 Tax Assessment (District 4), Lots and Houses in Brookeville MdHR 20,115-3-1 [MSA C1110-3, 01/18/14/019]. The values stated in tax assessments do not necessarily represent true property values, and likely understate values significantly. For example, Gassaway's property, which he purchased in 1812 for $850, was assessed the next year at a $330 value.
  3. MONTGOMERY COUNTY REGISTER OF WILLS (Estate Record) 1813-1816, Liber I , pp. 460, 505-507, 562-565 [MSA C1138-11, 1/17/8/10]; 1816-1817, Liber K, pp.508-509 [MSA C1138-12, 1/17/8/11].



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