Federalsburg Historical Society
&
Museum

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Exeter Open House
The Federalsburg Historical Society will host multiple open houses at Exeter.
Click for more infomation.

EXETER is one of the oldest remaining structures in the southern part of
Caroline County, dating back to around 1800. Many of its early residents
were millers who worked in the grist mill across the road on the Marshy
Hope Creek.


According to land records, Reverend Thomas Dill (Dell) was granted a survey
certificate and patent for fifty acres of land in Dorchester County, now
Caroline, on the Marshy Hope Creek of the Northwest Fork of the Nanticoke
River. He named the property Exeter, honoring the name of the beautiful
cathedral back in his county seat of Devonshire, England.


The tract of land changed ownership numerous times, however, in 1799
Abraham Lewis sold part of Exeter's property. Solomon Bartlett, the mill
owner, also leased a portion of Exeter land that was located between his two
mills. It is believed that this mill owner built the home. In 1857, the land and
house across the road from the mill, through various transactions, was
purchased by John Elliott, mill owner at that time. Three generations of his
family were said to have lived there, as well as three generations of the White
family.


Robert and Mary B. Holt of Federalsburg purchased the house on 408 Old
Denton Road in 1967 and over time restored the structure back to its
original appearance. Upon extensive research and application, the house
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. A major
renovation project began in late 2002. The building never has had indoor
plumbing and only during this time was electricity introduced to the first
floor.


In December of 2011, the property was deeded to the Federalsburg
Historical Society by the Holt Family Trust. It was always Mary Holt’s
dream to open Exeter to the public as a museum. While the house still
needs some renovation, FHS holds Saturday open houses throughout the
year.


For further information or for other tour opportunities, please contact the
Federalsburg Historical Society at 443-434-3114 or by e-mail at
federalsburgmuseum@comcast.net.

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"Preserving the Past for Those of the Future"