Browse Items · Nabb Research Center Online Exhibits

Land Patent

Land patent for Gray’s Woodyard in Worcester County, Maryland, dated October 10, 1743. Land was purchased near St. Martins River by Joseph Gray from Joseph Scroggin and was located adjacent to James Stephen Bridell’s plantation. This land deed is…

Map Making

Map makers would have used drafting tools, like the ones displayed here, from the late 1700s to the early 1800s

Nova Terra Maria Tabula Map

John Ogilby’s 1671 map of Maryland is oriented with north to the right, reflecting the purpose of chart design for ship captains approaching the entrance at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Ogilby’s map is significant because it is the first to name…

This 18th-century Philadelphia secretary desk has raised panel doors, pigeon-hole interior, original brass hardware, and three secret drawers. The ownership of the desk can be traced through multiple generations of the Morris/Pollitt family. Paul Morris (donor) inherited the desk from his father, Louis Paul Morris Sr. upon his death in 2005.Louis Paul Morris Sr. inherited the desk from the estate of Dorothy Catherine Morris upon her death in 1985. Dorothy C. Morris inherited the desk from her father, Levin Merrill Morris, upon his death in1946. L. Merrill Morris inherited the desk from his father, Thomas Covington Morris, upon his death in 1911. Thomas C. Morris inherited the desk from his father, James Morris, upon his death in 1873. Itis believed that James Morris likely inherited the desk from his uncle, William Pollitt, upon his death in 1816. An 1816 inventory of William’s estate includes a desk and bookcase. William’s father was Thomas Pollitt – an inventory of his estate in 1788 lists a desk and bookcase. It is believed that this is the desk and bookcase listed in the Thomas Pollitt inventory in 1788.

Desk owned by multiple generations of the Morris/Pollitt Family.

Linen Press originally from Accomack County Virginia and most likely made in the late 18th century and moved to the Liberty Hall plantation home in Somerset County, Maryland, by the Whealton family. Linen presses were typically designed for storing sheets, napkins, clothing, and other textiles while cupboards were typically designed for displaying dishware, including plates, cups, and saucers.

The linen press and corner cupboard are originally from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and were most likely made in the late 18th century

Maryland Homestead

Various homestead artifacts, ranging from cooking implements to furniture.

Wharf Desk

This oak desk was used by H. Fillmore Bounds at the Mt. Vernon steamboat wharf in Princess Anne, Maryland, during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Farming Tools

A rack, pitchfork/hayfork, corner sheller and barrel, used as tools for farming,

Fishermen's Tools

Turtle pot, which was converted from a crab trap, Oyster Tongs, a tool used to gather/harvest oysters, Eelpot, a wicker trap used to catch eel, often used as food and bait, and a hickery oyster mop, used to sweep homes and scrub boats.

Oyster Shucking Stand

This oyster shucking stand is similar to those in the images from Rock Point, Maryland, (Charles County) used by workers as they shucked cans upon cans of oysters.

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