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Freedom Ainsworth papers

10 boxes, 4 oversize folders (21.75 linear feet)

(1766 – 1999)

bulk 1967-1994

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 1999.008
Creator(s) Ainsworth, Freedom
Acquisition

The Freedom Ainsworth papers were donated to the Nabb Research Center by Allison Ainsworth, 1999.
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Leslie M. Van Veen McRoberts, March 2014.
Related Materials

Diary of Freedom Hutchinson (1870)

The Memorial of the Merchants and Traders of the City of Baltimore (1806)

Wilmer O. Lankford III papers (1894 – 2008)

Michael Owen Bourne Collection (1960 – 2020)
Separated Materials

Oversize Materials have been housed in the Nabb Research Center's Flat File system. 

Library materials have been cataloged and shelved with the Nabb Research Center’s non-circulating collection.
Abstract

The Freedom Ainsworth papers document the restoration and preservation efforts of three of the Manokin Historic District’s oldest structures Beckford Manor, Almodington and More And Case It (also known as Holly Hurst), located in Princess Anne, Md. The materials date from 1766-1767, 1803-1999 with the bulk of the material dating from the purchase and restoration of the three structures, 1967-1994. Restoration activities, as well as property histories, are documented via correspondence, detailed measurements and notes, architectural drawings, and photographs. Also documented through a series of ledgers are the accounting transactions of Henry Smith Lankford and H. Fillmore Lankford as well as various merchants from Somerset Count including Teackle Dennis and Teackle.

Biographical History

Freedom Ainsworth (1915-2008) was born in Massachusetts and raised in New York City. He was a Harvard trained engineer and preservationist who also invented the gas station fuel blending pump. He met and married Norma Ruedi (1911-1987) who was born in Missouri and became the Head of the Information Staff at the Bureau of Land Management in Washington, D.C. Together they restored and preserved Beckford Manor, Almodington and More And Case It

Scope and Content Note

Series I: Historic Properties, documents properties on the Eastern Shore predominately in Somerset County, Maryland. Records include maps, articles and photographs. Preservation guidelines for easements, restoration and landscaping are also of note.

Series II: Beckford Manor, documents the property history and restoration. It is further subdivided into three subseries, Restoration, Lankford Family and Somerset County Ledgers. The Restoration subseries documents the ownership history of the property as well as the restoration and preservation efforts through research notes, chain of ownership title, detailed dimensions and notes regarding the restoration with corresponding photographs. The Lankford Family subseries documents Lankford family history as well as the business accounts and correspondence of H. Fillmore Lankford, who acquired the Beckford property in 1887. Also included are the ledgers of Henry Fitzsimmons Lankford and Henry Smith Lankford. Lastly, the Somerset County Ledgers includes merchant ledgers from known and unknown goods and services providers including Brig Peggy trade ship and Teackle, Dennis and Teackle.

Series III: Almodington, documents the history and extensive restoration of the historic structure. Records include correspondence, restoration reports and analysis, blueprints, detailed measurements and photographs.  

Series IV: More and Case It, documents the purchase of the home and includes contracts, the chain of ownership and line drawings for possible renovations. Records include correspondence, blueprints and photographs.

Series V: Personal Papers, documents the lives of Freedom and Norma Ainsworth through correspondence, ephemera from their travels and interests, a memory book and photographs.

Arrangement Statement

The Freedom Ainsworth papers have been arranged into five series, HISTORIC PROPERTIES, BECKFORD MANOR, ALMODINGTON, MORE AND CASE IT, and PERSONAL PAPERS.

The intellectual arrangement of the materials reflects the physical arrangement. 

Folders are listed by their location in each box; any given subject may be dispersed throughout the entirety of the collection.

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Architecture
    • Dennis Family
    • Elzey Family
    • Historic Buildings
    • Historic Preservation
    • Lankford Family
    • Ledger
    • Littleton Family
    • Maritime
    • Marshall Family
    • Pinckard Family
    • Porter Family
  • Corporate Names
    • Knights of Pythias
  • Personal Names
    • Ainsworth, Freedom (1915-2008)
    • Lankford, Catherine F. (1883-1937)
    • Lankford, Henry Fillmore (1856-1935)
    • St. Paul's by the Sea Episcopal Church
  • Location Terms
    • Princess Anne (Md.)
    • Somerset County (Md.)

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

Series I: Historic Properties

Box 1

1.      Appraisal, Fair Market Value, Manokin Historic District, 1991 March 16

2.      Presentation, Sales and Price of Maryland Farm and Open Country Real Estate, Edwin I. Cissel, 1968 February 21

3.      Maps, Somerset County, Princess Anne, Md., undated

4.      Maps, Somerset County Tax Map No. 22, 1970 July 30

5.      Maps, Eastern Shore Waterways, undated

6.      Maps, Location of Farms, Manokin Historic District, 1980

7.      Maps, State Highway Maryland 363,1996-1997

8.      Ephemera, Olde Princess Anne Days, 1960-1980, 1989-1997

9.      Newspaper Clippings, Somerset and Dorchester Counties, 1910-1991

10.  Newspaper Clippings, Princess Anne, Md., 1963-1974, 1979

11.  Article, History of Washington Academy, 1930s

12.  Article, Discovery and Reward: The Story of Restoration of the Teackle Mansion, Robert Laird and Allen Hauck, undated

13.  Article, Somerset Schools, Princess Anne Churches, Restaurants to Integrate, 1963 June 26

14-15.    Articles, Various Eastern Shore Historic Sites, 1980-1997

16.  Articles, Various Eastern Shore Historic Sites, 1980-1997

17.  Guidelines, National Register of Historic Places, 1975

18.  Guidelines, Preservation Easements, Maryland Historical Trust, 1975

19.  Guidelines, Historic Structure Restoration and Masonry Techniques, 1985-1988

20.  Ephemera, Landscaping and Pruning, undated

21.  Bibliography, Kenaf Fibre, 1980

22.  Print, Teackle Mansion, undated

23.  Photographs, Historic Structure of the Eastern Shore, 1963-1972

24.  Photographs, Aerials of Manokin Historic District, 1994 July

Series II: Beckford Manor

25.  History, Beckford Property and Residents, 1973-1980

26.  Photocopy,1894 Crop and Land Use, undated

Subseries A: Restoration

27.  Research Documents, Lankford Family, undated

28.  Research Documents and Notes, Henry Jackson (?-1794), 1973-1975

29.  Family History, Dennis Family, 1963

30.  Chain of Ownership Title, 1973

31.  Purchase Contracts, 1973

32.  Contract of Sale, 1973

33.  Request, Survey of Beckford, 1973

34.  Map, Plat, 1973

Box 2

1.      Map, Plat, 1973 April

2.      Application, Historic Grant Program, 1975

3.      Grant Application, Maryland Historical Trust, 1976-1977

4.      Land Records, Somerset County, 1980

5.      Zoning, Land Trust and Real Estate Markets, 1986-1996

6.      Market Value, Beckford, 1993 May 2

7.      Maryland Property Valuation Record, 1997 November 17

8.      Summary, Pertinent Information for the Partial Development of Beckford, 1997

9.      Easement Donation, 1991

10.  Program, Somerset County Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program, 1987

11.  Conservation Plan, Soil and Water, 1988

12.  Correspondence, From Emily Keating to Norma Ainsworth, 1973

13.  Correspondence, From Various People to Norma Ainsworth, Regarding Beckford, 1973

14.  Correspondence, From Freedom Ainsworth to Ian Crawford MacCallum, 1973-1974

15.  Nomination, National Register of Historic Places, 1972

16.  Old Home Prize Essay, Beckford, Chuck Northam, 1978

17.  Senior Thesis, An Overview of Georgian Architecture and its Influence on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, Lisa Wimbrow, 1980

18.  Essay, Beckford Manor, undated

19.  Publications Mentioning Beckford Manor, 1967-1982

20.  Newspaper Clippings, 1965-1999

21.  Estimates, Exterior Restorations, 1972-1992

22.  Estimate, Interior Ornamentation, 1975

23.  Specifications, Restoration Contractor, 1974

24.  Progress Notes, Rehabilitation and Construction, 1974-1976

25.  List, Work to be Completed, 1973 December – 1974 January

26.  List, Work to be Completed, 1976 May 20

27.  Interior Descriptions, undated

28.  Elevation Drawings, Restoration and Alteration, 1976 March 22

29.  Dimensions, Interior and Exterior, 1973-1974

30.  Dimensions, Foundation and Parlor Floor, 1973

31.  Dimensions and Notes, Interior Bathrooms, 1976

32.  Dimensions and Notes, Interior Drawing Room, 1976

33.  Dimensions and Notes, Interior Great Room, 1976

34.  Dimensions and Notes, Turnbuckle Braces, 1976

35.  Dimensions and Notes, Hand-Forged Ironwork, 1976

36.  Dimensions and Notes, Storm Windows, 1974-1977

37.  Dimensions, Storm Windows, 1975

38.  Dimensions and Notes, Storm Windows, 1975-1977

39.  Directory, Windows for Historic Buildings, 1994

40.  Dimensions and Notes, Hardware and Electrical to be Installed, 1974-1976

41.  Adjustments, Antenna and Amplifier, 1994

42.  Specifications, Electrical, Plumbing and Heating, 1974

43.  Notes and Drawings, Well and Suction Line, 1976 August 25

44.  Dimensions and Notes, Heating and Cooling Grates, 1976

45.  Statistics and Notes, Heating and Cooling System, 1975-1981

46.  Manuals and Notes, Heating and Cooling System, 1979-1999

47.  Manuals and Notes, Heat Pump and Chimneys, 1988-1991

48.  Circuit and Fail Coil Labels, undated

49.  Inquiry, Plumbing Restoration, 1973

50.  Proposal, Exterior Gutters, 1978 February 24

51.  Drawings and Notes, Gutters and Platforms, 1978-1979

52.  Drawings and Notes, Route 13 Tree Fence, 1974-1978

 

Box 3

1.      Dimensions and Notes, Smokehouse and Woodshed, 1976

2.      Photographs, 1900-1920s

3.      Photographs, Before Restoration, 1973

4.      Photographs, 1973-1980

5.      Photographs, House and Property, 1974

6.      Photographs, Construction, 1973-1975

7.      Photographs, Keystones and Lintels, 1974, 1976

8.      Photographs, Interior Restoration, 1976

9.      Photographs, Waste Pump Excavation, 1974

10.  Photographs, Restoration, 1977

11.  Photographs, Interior  and Exterior Holiday Decorations, 1989-1991

12.  Photographs, Exterior, Fall and Winter Seasons, 1994

13.  Photographs, Aerial View, 1995

14.  Photograph Album, 1924-1927, 1958

15.  Post Cards, 1920s

Subseries B: Lankford Family

16.  Family History, Littleton Family, undated

17.  Family History, Marshall Family, undated

18.  Family History, Pinckard Family, undated

19.  Family History, Porter Family, undated

20.  Poetry and Songs, Sallie Mills Porter, undated

21.  Obituaries, 1880s

22.  Copies, Probation of Will, Smith, Marshall and Caldwell Families, 1713-1814

23.  Correspondence, From Polly Allen to her Mother and Father, 1800 January 30

24.  Correspondence, From Mame to Dr. Catherine F. Lankford, 1919 October 21

25.  Correspondence, From H. Fillmore Lankford to William H. Polk, 1908-1914

26.  Correspondence and Receipts, H. Fillmore Lankford Services Rendered, 1899-1925

27.  Ledger, Henry Smith Lankford Accounts Receivable and Payable, 1862

28.  Ledger, H. Fillmore Lankford Accounts, 1886-1893

29.  Ledger, H. Fillmore Lankford Accounts, 1899-1925

30.  Ledger, H. Fillmore Lankford Accounts, 1910-1919

31.  Ledger, Henry Fitzsimmons Lankford, Income and Expenses, 1958-1959

 

Box 4

1.      Ledger, Henry Smith Lankford, Sundries to Stock/Cash, 1862 September – 1867 December

2.      Ledger, Henry Smith Lankford, Accounts and Expenses, 1862 September – 1867 December

 

Box 5

Subseries C: Somerset County Ledgers

1.      Ledger, Brig Peggy, 1766-1767

 

Box 6

1.      Ledger, Teackle, Dennis and Teackle, Merchants, 1801

 

Box 7

1.   Ledger, Marriage Licenses Issued, 1797-1831

2.      Ledger, Accounts Received, 1803-1821

3.      Ledger, Ledger, Accounts Paid for Goods and Services, 1812-1825

4.      Receipts, Payment Received, 1812-1825

5.      Ledger, Accounts received, 1881-1887

 

Box 8

1.      Ledger, Merchandise Accounts, 1895-1897

2.      Ledger, Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 77, Meeting Minutes, 1898-1902

3.      Ledger, Accounts and Goods Sold, 1898-1903

4.      Ledger, E.O. Smith Accounts, 1900-1913

 

Box 9

1.      Ledger, Index of Somerset County Individuals and Entities, circa 1900-1910

2.      Ledger, Accounts for Goods Purchased, 1903-1904

3.      Ledger, Debt Book, 1907-1912

4.      Ledger, C.H. Weaver Accounts, 1911-1912

 

Series III: Almodington

5.      History of Almodington, undated

6.      Property Appraisal, 1992

7.      Estimate, Real Estate Fair Market Value, 1992 January 20

8.      Appraisal, Post-Fire House, Out Buildings and Land, 1994 September 22

9.      Advertisements, Real Estate, 1992-1994

10.  Marketing Materials, Historic and Classic Properties, 1993

11.  Press Releases, 1994 July 28

12.  Nomination, National Register of Historic Places, circa 1974-1976

13.  Certificate, National Register of Historic Places, 1976 June 29

14.  Correspondence, From Norma Ainsworth to Mrs. Arcy Hall, 1983 November 30

15.  Correspondence, From Almodington Visitors to Freedom Ainsworth, 1985, 1991-1994

16.  Correspondence, From Marshal Fritz to Beatrice Epstein, 1993 October 25

17.  Correspondence, From Freedom Ainsworth to Roy Beauchamp, 1991 June 20

18.  Correspondence, From Freedom Ainsworth to Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1982 September 11

19.  Correspondence, From Metropolitan Museum of Art to Freedom Ainsworth, Almodington Room Measured Drawings, 1991, 1993

20.  Newspaper Clippings, 1968, 1992

21.  Newspaper Clippings, Real Estate Auction, 1979-1980

22.  Newspaper Clippings, 1992 October

23.  Work Completed, Restoration, 1972-1973

24.  Notes, Restoration, 1980-1983

25.  Estimates and Appraisals, Rebuild and Restoration, 1980-1981, 1991-1993

26.  Repairs and Estimates, Restoration, 1994-1995

27.  Feasibility Study, Restoration, 1992

28.  Report, Dining Room Fireplace Restoration, 1980 July-August

29.  Report, Main House and Site, 1993 October 20

30.  Report, Restoration of Existing Structure, 1995 February 7

31.  Report, Main House and Site, 1993 October 20

32.  Report, From ALM Bricks and Mortar, 1995 January 22

33.  Report, From Smith and Merrill Masonry, 1995 January – February

34.  Report, Masonry Analysis, 1995 January – March

35.  Blue Prints, Descriptive Plat, 1952 April 15

36.  Blue Prints, Almodington, 1981 June 2

37.  Blue Prints, Manor House, As-Is Plans 1981 June 2

38.  Blue Prints, Manor House, As-Is Plans, Second Floor, 1981 June 4

39.  Blue Prints, Main Stair Hall, Turnbuckles, 1981 July 5

40.  Blue Prints, Pipe Chase and Steel Supports, 1981 July 23

41.  Blue Prints, First Floor and Grounds, 1981 August 24

42.  Blue Prints, Wall Outlets and Switch Locations, 1981 August 24

43.  Blue Prints, Fan Coil Locations, 1981 September 23

44.  Blue Prints, Hydronic Piping, 1981 September 27

45.  Blue Prints, New 2nd Floor Path, 1982 July 18

46.  Measurement Sheets, 1981-1983

47.  Measurement Sheets, Electrical, 1981-1982

48.  Measurement Sheets, HVAC – Smoke House, 1980-1989

49.  Measurement Sheets, Bathrooms and Heating, 1980-1984

 

Box 10

1.      Measurement Sheets, Fan Coils, Boilers and Insulation, 1981-1984

2.      Floor Plans, After Fire, undated

3.      Print, Almodington, undated

4.      Photographs, Almodington Room, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1980

5-6. Photographs, Restoration, 1980-1981

7.      Photographs, Restoration, 1980-1981

8.      Photographs, 1991 December – 1992 February

9.      Photographs, Aerial, 1992 October 13

10.  Photographs, 1993-1995

11.  Photographs, Snow Scape, undated

12.  Negatives, Interior and Exterior, undated

Series IV: More And Case It

13.  Bill of Sale, 1960 June 29

14.  Chain of Ownership, Hollyhurst/More And Case It, circa 1967

15.  Research Notes, Chain of Ownership, 1967-1973

16.  Residential Sales Contract, Anderson Road, Princess Anne, Md., 1981 March 5

17.  Certificate, National Register of Historic Places, 1976 June 29

18.  Correspondence and Conversation Notes, Property Purchase and Restoration, 1962, 1967-1968

19.  Correspondence and Conversation Notes, Property History,1967-1968, 1973

20.  Correspondence, From James F. White, Williamsburg to Freedom Ainsworth, 1974 February 11

21.  Correspondence, From Freedom Ainsworth to Shirly Newhall, Foreign Service Journal, 1980 April 4

22.  Blue Print, First Floor, 1956, 1967

23.  Blue Prints, 1967

24.  Blue Prints, Property Survey, 1981, 1992

25.  Line Drawings, Possible Plans, 1967 November 9

26.  Line Drawings and Dimensions, Main House and Tenant House, 1932, 1966-1967

27.  Map, Land Plot, 1958

28.  Map, Land Use Capability, 1964

29.  Map, Highways to Property, 1965

30.  Maps, Survey Plot of Goose Creek Farm, Princess Anne, Md., 1968 March 28

31.  Old Home Prize Essay, More And Case It/Holly Hurst, Deke Sheller, 1960

32.  Old Home Prize Essay, More And Case It, Tracy Moffatt, 1977

33.  Newspaper Clippings, 1980

34.  Photographs, 1964

 

Series V: Personal Papers

35.  Correspondence, From The A.N. Marquis Publishing Company to Norma Ainsworth, 1956 November 21

36.  Correspondence, From Freedom Ainsworth to Joel Posner MD, 1989 July 5

37.  Instructions, Dog and House Care, 1980 October 31

38.  Opinion, War as Economic, 1982 April 8

39.  Newspaper, The United States Gazette, 1846 March 27

40.  Newspaper, The Irish World and American Industrial Liberator, 1888 January 14

41.  Ephemera, The Home Teacher: The Chautauqua Industrial Desk, 1913

42.  Ephemera, Wharton: A Philadelphia Townhouse in the Country, undated

43.  Ephemera, The Community Players, 1947-1948, 1952-1956

44.  Ephemera, Junior Auxiliary Board of Peninsula General Hospital, 1949

45.  Memory Book, Norma Ruedi Ainsworth, 1987

46.  Photographs, Freedom and Norma Ainsworth, 1930s-1960s

47.  Photographs, Ainsworth’s at Beckford, circa 1980-1982

48.  Photographs, Wharton House, Mappsville, Va., 1973

49.  Photographs, Michael Bourne’s House, Sudlersville, Md., 1973

50.  Photographs, Corbett-Sharp House, Odessa, Del., 1976

 

Oversize Materials

1.       Architectural Renderings, Beckford, 1974

2.      Architectural Renderings, Almodington, 1981-1983

3.     Blue Prints, Almodington, 1956, 1981

4.      Architectural Renderings and Blue Prints, More And Case It, 1967-1976

 

Library Materials

1.      Teackle: The Mansion and the Man, Daniel J. Houlihan, 1976

 

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

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