HA-1929

Wilson-Halsey Stone House

Architectural Survey File

This is the architectural survey file for this MIHP record. The survey file is organized reverse-

chronological (that is, with the latest material on top). It contains all MIHP inventory forms, National

Register nomination forms, determinations of eligibility (DOE) forms, and accompanying documentation

such as photographs and maps.

Users should be aware that additional undigitized material about this property may be found in on-site

architectural reports, copies of HABS/HAER or other documentation, drawings, and the “vertical files” at

the MHT Library in Crownsville. The vertical files may include newspaper clippings, field notes, draft

versions of forms and architectural reports, photographs, maps, and drawings. Researchers who need a

thorough understanding of this property should plan to visit the MHT Library as part of their research

project; look at the MHT web site (mht.maryland.gov) for details about how to make an appointment.

All material is property of the Maryland Historical Trust.

Last Updated: 02-03-2017

MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FORM

NR Eligible: yes

no

Property Name: Wilson-Halsey Stone House Inventory Number: HA-1929 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Address: 3962 Street Road Historic district: yes x City: Street Zip Code: 21154-1318 County: Harford

Property Owner: Gloria Lloyd Halsey, Trustee, and Sherry Hope Fullerton Tax Account ID Number: 05-016282

Tax Map Parcel Number(s): 0060 Tax Map Number: 00 lO ~~~~~~~~-

no

Project: MD 165 TMDL Planting Areas Map Area 201-13 lB Agency: Maryland State Highway Administration

Agency Prepared By: Maryland State Highway Administration

Preparer's Name: SHA Consultant Architectural Historian Rebecca Crew Date Prepared: 12/ 11 /2014

Documentation is presented in : Survey and Registration Files

Preparer's Eligibility Recommendation: Eligibility recommended x Eligibility not recommended

Criteria: A B c D Considerations: A B c D E F G

Complete if the property is a contributing or non-contributing resource to a NR district/property:

Name of the District/Property:

Inventory Number:

Site visit by MHT Staff yes X no

Eligible: _ yes

Name:

Description of Property and Justification : (Please attach map and photo)

Listed: yes

Date:

The Wilson-Halsey Stone House is described in the MIHP form prepared in 1996 by Dianne Klair of Harford County Planning and Zoning. No changes were apparent from the 1996 description and photographs in the MIHP form . The Wilson-Halsey Stone House is a two-story fieldstone masonry dwelling with asymmetric openings and mid-twentieth-century additions. It is an example of rural vernacular architecture, and it sits on a 181.43-acre parcel, most of which is cultivated fields . A ca. 1934 store (Halsey's Store, HA-1930) is located on the parcel north of the house, and agricultural buildings including a bank barn, gable-roofed machinery shed, and a chicken house are southwest of the house. A large pond is located east of the house . A ca. 1900 two-story cross-gabled frame dwelling and associated outbuildings are located on the parcel some 2,000 feet southwest of the Wilson-Halsey Stone House; they were not accessible during the survey.

Andrew Wilson originally amassed a large amount of land at this location, and the land passed through several hands before Paul and Hollis Halsey purchased the house and farm in 1927. The couple, natives of North Carolina, built Halsey ' s Store in 1934 as a general store and ice cream shop; they added a public pool next to the store in 1936 which functioned until ca. 1946. New farm buildings were added during the mid-twentieth century, and are evidence of Paul Halsey 's primary occupation as a general farmer.

The Wilson-Halsey Stone House retains integrity of location and setting in a rural hilltop location . Its design has been obscured by

MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST REVIEW

Eligibility recommended Eligibility not recommended )(_

Criteria: A B c D Considerations: A B c D E F G

MHT Comments:

Date

I A Revi , National Register Program Date

NR-ELIGIBILITY REVIEW FORM

HA-1929 Wilson-Halsey Stone House

Page 2

the addition of porch and side wing. It retains exterior fieldstone walls, which are character-defining, yet its windows have been replaced with vinyl sashes, its roof has been replaced with asphalt shingles, its chimneys have been rebuilt, and its doors have also been replaced . Thus the integrity of materials does not remain. The quality of workmanship has also been diminished through the replacement of original materials; the stone masonry remains in good condition, but stone masonry houses are common in this part of Maryland. Just in Harford County, at least seven stone masonry houses with sections dating from the nineteenth century are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Vineyard (HA-417), Woodside (HA-693), Woodview (HA-1228), Webster's Forest (HA-442), Beast Endeavor (HA I 0-56), Gladden Farm (HA-1600), and the Norris-Sterling House (HA-155). In comparison, the Wilson-Halsey Stone House is an undistinguished example. The Wilson-Halsey House conveys the overall feeling ofa nineteenth century farmhouse heavily renovated in the twentieth century, while its associations with agriculture and with Halsey's Store are retained .

The Wilson-Halsey Stone House is not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. It is a typical example ofa nineteenth-century farm with farmhouse, bank barn, and newer agricultural buildings . It does not represent significant events or patterns of history and is not eligible under Criterion A. It is not associated with persons significant in history and is not eligible under Criterion B . It is an undistinguished example ofa nineteenth-century fieldstone dwelling, compromised by changes to its materials and design, and it is not eligible under Criterion C. The Wilson-Halsey Stone House was not evaluated under Criterion D as part of this assessment.

The boundary for the Wilson-Halsey Stone House is defined as those parts of Parcel 60 of Harford County Tax Map I 0 located south of Old Pylesville Road and west of Street Road and excepting the area designated for Halsey's Store, immediately south of Old Pylesville Road west of the driveway to the Wilson-Halsey Stone House. The boundary encompasses approximately 125 acres.

MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST REVIEW

Eligibility recommended Eligibility not recommended

Criteria: A B c D Considerations: A B c D E F G

MHT Comments:

Reviewer, Office of Preservation Services Date

Reviewer, National Register Program Date

.294

.. HOLLIS M. HALSEY. I ET AL.

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Project No.: AT068A21

Maryland State Highway Administration Cultural Resources Section

Photo Log

Project Name: MD 165 TMDL Relocation Area Planting Area HA00096R MIHP No.: HA-1929

MIHP Name: Wilson-Halsey House County: Harford Photographer: Rebecca Crew Date: December 1, 2014

Ink and Paper Combination: Epson UltraChrome pigmented ink/Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper

CD/DVD: Verbatim, CD-R, Archival Gold

Image File Name Description of View HA-1929 2014-12-01 01 View facing south towards house . HA-1929 2014-12-01 02 View facing southwest towards house. HA-1929 2014-12-01 03 View facing northwest towards house. HA-1929 2014-12-01 04 View facing southeast towards house. HA-1929 2014-12-01 05 View facing southwest towards bank barn. HA-1929 2014-12-01 06 View facing west towards twentieth-century barn.

Wilson-Halsey House HA 1929

This two story stone house is located near the southwest comer of the T intersection of Street and

Old Pylesville Roads in Pylesville, Maryland. This large stone house was most likely built by Andrew

Wilson during the second quarter of the nineteenth century. The Halsey family has owned the house

and surrounding farm since the 1920's, the name for which the house is more commonly known. The

house is a five bay center hall plan structure built of local surface rock, with large cut blocks forming

the substantial quoins. The original roof of this structure was slate shingled. According to Paul

Halsey, Jr., the original main facade was the southern exposure and a separate kitchen building with

a full basement was located at the west end of this building.

Survey No. HA 1929

Maryland Historical Trust H:?:C'='~ ;:::,~P~R1:Es Magi No.

State Historic Sites Inventory Form

1. Name (indicate pref erred name}

historic

and/or common Wilson-Halsey Stone HOuse

2. Location

street & number 709 Old Pylesville Road

city, town Py lesvi lle

state Maryland

3. Classification C gory

district _ building(s) _structure _site

_object

Ownership -+-public _Y_ private _both Public Acquisition _in process _____j_ being considered ~ot applicable

_ vicinity of

county

St s ccupied noccupied

~work in progress Acpessible Lyes: restricted __ yes: unrestricted _no

DOE _yes no

N..,L..A- not for publication

congressional district 5th

Harford

Present Use _ agriculture _ commercial _ educational _ entertainment _ government _ industrial _military

_museum __}park ~ private residence _religious _ scientific _ transportation _other:

4. Owner of Property (give names and mailing addresses of ..§:!l owners)

name W. P~ul Halsey, Jr.

street & number 3962 Street Road telephone no. : ( 410 ) 4 5 2 - 8 61 0

city, town Street state and zip code Maryland, 21154

5. Location of Legal Description

courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Harford County Courthouse liber HDC 1 2 1 2

street & number 20 W. Courtland Pl. folio 960

city, town Be 1 Air state Maryland

6. Representation in Existing Historica.1 surveys

title none

date _ federal _ state _ county _ local

-~pository for survey records

city, town state

7. Description

Condition --f- excellent -.Lgood _fair

_ deteriorated _ruins _unexposed

Check one __j_ unaltered _V_ altered

C!tck one _ original site _moved date of move

Survey No. HA 1929

Prepare both a summary paragraph and a general description of the resource and its various elements as it exists today.

This two story stone house is located near the southwest comer of the T intersection of Street and Old Pylesville Roads in Pylesville, Maryland. Built on a solid stone foundation, the house is five bays wide and of a center hall plan, with two interior endwall chimneys for three heating fireplaces. Walls are comprised oflocal rock which was blasted from a nearby deposit1 and field stone. The massive substance of the structure is augmented by quoins of large cut stone. Considerable modifications have occurred to both the interior and exterior. Exterior additions include an enclosed porch and second story deck on the north, main facade and a one story gable roof projection on the west endwall which wraps around to the western most bays of the south side. The original slate roof has been replaced by modem asphalt shingles. A tum-of-the-century barn and four more recent outbuildings, to include two machinery sheds, one shop, and one chicken house, are included on the premises.

The north, main facade consists of central upper and lower entrances, with remaining bays containing replacement 1/1 sash windows (with the exception of the upper right middle bay which has been sealed over with stone for interior modifications). The added enclosed porch runs the length of the first story central three bays and is accessed from the right end. A simple cornice and painted trim provide accent against the stone walls.

With the exception of two small square windows on either side of the chimney at the gable, both endwalls are blind. The one story gable roof addition is located at the right endwall, and wraps to the south side western two bays. The painted rakeboard is flush with the endwalls. An entablature at the right endwall gable peak gives the date of remodelling as 1957.

The southern facade, and original main facade, retains its central entrance. With the addition covering the lower left bays, only the right windows windows are exposed. All upper five windows remain intact.

According to Mr. Paul Halsey, Jr. who grew up in the house, the interior underwent substantial modification in the 1957 remodelling. Though the two rooms of the first floor remain the same, renovations for a bathroom required that the central staircase be re-oriented 180 degrees. The original stairs, which had one landing midway and then turned, were replaced with a similar configuration leading from the new north entrance. Paneling, crafted bookcases, a kitchen within the addition at the southwest comer, a powder room beneath the stairs, and replaced mantelpieces at both of the first floor end fireplaces are modem interior elements which made this house more comfortable for its owners. The second floor, originally divided into four small rooms, now has been turned into two large ones. The fireplace on the second story right gable is still exposed.

1Conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Paul Halsey, Jr. January 24, 1996.

8. Signi1ficance Survey No. HA 1929

Period _ prehistoric - - 1400-1499

1500-1599 - 1600-1699 -I- 1700-1799 _}j__ 1800-1899 _1900-

Specific dates

A1reas of Significance-Check and justify below __ archeology-prehistoric _community planning _landscape architecture_ religion __ archeology-historic _conservation _law _science --r agriculture _ economics _ literature _ sculpture -¥- architecture _ education _ military _ social/ __ art _ engineering _ music humanitarian __ commerce _exploration/settlement _ philosophy _ theater __ communications _ industry _ politics/government _ transportation

_ invention _ other {specify)

Builder/ Ar.chitect

check: Applicable Criteria: and/or

A B V~ D

Applicable Exception: A B C

Level of Significance: national

D E F ;-state _{_local

G

Prepare both a summary paragraph of significance and a general statement of history and support.

This large stone house was most likely built by Andrew Wilson during the second quarter of the nineteenth century, as per the stone markers described throughout the title chain marked A.W. "near the house". Andrew Wtlson amassed over one hundred acres of land from land tracts "Wilson's Chance", "Genoa", and "Scheming Defied". The Halsey family has owned the house and surrounding farm since the l 920's, the name for which the house is more commonly known.

The house is a five bay center hall plan structure built of local surface rock, with large cut blocks forming the substantial quoins. The original roof of this structure was slate shingled. According to Paul Halsey, Jr., the original main facade was the southern exposure and a separate kitchen building with a full basement was located at the west end of this building.

9. Major Bibliographical References Survey No. HA 1929

See attached sheets

1 O. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 1 8 1 • 4 3 acres Quadrangle name Fawn Grove Quadrangle scale ___,2~Ll~, =O~O~O~---

UTM References do NOT complete UTM references

ALi_J I I I I sw I I I I I I I I I Zone Easting Zone Easting Northing

c LiJ ._I ............ ____ -.i D l.iJ I I I I E Li._J ._I .............. _____ _ F LL_j I G Li.J ._I ----

H LL_j

Verbal boundary description and justification

Parcel 60, Tax Map 5

List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries

state code county code

state code county code

11. Form Prepared By

name/title D i an n e K 1 a i r

organization Harford County Planning and Zoning date March 1996

street&number 220 S. Main Street telephone ( 4 1 0 ) 6 3 8 - 3 1 0 3

city or town Be 1 Ai r state Maryland

The Maryland Historic Sites Inventory was officially created by an Act of the Maryland Legislature to be found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Article 41, Section 181 KA, 1974 supplement.

The survey and inventory are being prepared for information and record purposes only and do not constitute any infringement of individual property rights.

return to: Maryland Historical Shaw House 21 State Cir Annapol" , aryland 21401 (3 269-2438

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PS-2746

HDC 1212/960

GRG837/448

GRG837/446

(1) 100 acres

DGW203/171

DGW 195/481

DGW 186/431

JAR 158/252

WSF 122/174

HA 1929

WILSON-HALSEY STONE HOUSE Title Search

November 3, 1983

January 19, 1970

January 19, 1970

April20, 1927

February 24, 1926

April 5, 1924

January 5, 1918

October 15, 1907

Grantor: W. Paul Halsey, Jr. as Representative of Estate of W. Paul Halsey, Sr.

Grantee: W. Paul Halsey, Jr. Granted: 181.43 acres with improvements

Grantor: Zero, Inc. Grantee: W. Paul Halsey, Sr. Granted: One half interest of two land tracts totalling 185

acres to W. Paul Halsey, Sr. and one halfinterest of same to Hollis M. Halsey.

Grantor: W. Paul, Sr. and Hollis M. Halsey Grantee: Zero, Inc. Granted: 185 acres with improvements

Grantor: Thomas M. and Sarah Fender Grantee: W. Paul and Hollis M. Halsey Granted: 100 acres composed of tracts "Wilson's Chance",

"Genoa", and "Scheming Defied".

Grantor: Philip H. Close, Attorney for Joseph L. and Emma Cockerham of North Carolina

Grantee: Thomas M. and Sarah Fender Granted: same, which had been sold at auction to the

Cockerhams on February 20, 1926 for $12,000.00.

Grantor: Joseph L. and Emma Cockerham Grantee: Beaufort and Jennie Cockerham Granted: same

Grantor: William F. and Maggie B. Stubbs Grantee: Joseph L. and Emma Cockerham Granted: same, for $9,000.00

Grantor: Samuel W. and J. Mollie Wilson Grantee: William F. Stubbs Granted: same, for $3800.00

WSF 96/187

WSF 93/385

ALJ 69/71 (A)

HD 29/90

ALJ 50/464 (B)

WHD 19/96 (C)

WSF 75/95 (D)

ALJ 65/151

March 16, 1899 Grantor: James W. Davis et al. Grantee: J. Mollie Wilson

HA 1929

Granted: 100 acres for $900.00, no improvements mentioned. Land described as adjoining lands of Nathan I. Pyle.

January 25, 1898 Grantor: James W. McNabb and Stevenson A. Williams, Trustees from Equity Case on May 20, 1897

Grantee: James W. Davis and William B. Davis Granted: 113 and 3/4 acres, land of the late George A. Davis,

and described in the following four deeds (A,B,C,D).

June 20, 1879 Grantor: Robert and Elizabeth Caskey Grantee: George A. Davis Granted: 90 acres, "Wilson's Chance", "Genoa", and

"Scheming Defied"

November 22, 1843 Grantor: Andrew and Elizabeth Wilson Grantee: Robert Caskey Granted: 103 and 1/2 acres with improvements for $1,800.00

See (D3).

August 26, 1884 Grantor: Stevenson A. Williams, Trustee Grantee: George A. Davis Granted: 3 and 3/4 acres, improvements mentioned, part of

"Wilson's Chance"

May 30, 1867 Grantor: John T. and Demelia V. Streett Grantee: George A. Davis Granted: 13 acres and 5 perches, part of "Genoa" for

$521.25

September 17, 1892 Grantor: James W. and Bertha G. Davis Grantee: George A. Davis Granted: 20 acres for $550.00, no improvements mentioned.

May 13, 1889 Grantor: William B. Davis Grantee: James W. Davis Granted: 48 acres 3 roods and 11 perches for $450.00

Will Record WSR9/404

ALJ 51445 (DI)

ALJ 2/48

HD 29/90

HD 19/277

HD 15/351

HD 15/240

February 16, 1883

April 6, 1855

HA 1929

Will Record of Samuel W. Wallace divides equally part of his estate of approximately 48 acres, composed of three parcels and described as follows, to grandchildren James W. Davis, William B. Davis, and J. Mollie Davis. Wallace devises to daughters Martha E. Davis and Annie W. Wallace the farm on which he resides, except for that part which belongs to wife, Sarah A. Wallace.

Grantor: David W. and Mary Caskey Grantee: Samuel W. Wallace Granted: 15 and 1/4 acres of "Genoa" for $725.00.

Interestingly, a initial parcel marker is described asa "stone set in ground on west side of the public road near the house".

September 4, 1852 Grantor: Robert and Elizabeth Caskey Grantee: David W. Caskey Granted: 15 and 1/4 acres of "Genoa" "beginning at a stone

set in the ground on west side of public road near the house and marked with the letters A.W." for $175.00.

November 22, 1843 Grantor: Andrew and Elizabeth Wilson Grantee: Robert Caskey Granted: 103 and 1/2 acres of tracts "Wilson's Chance",

"Scheming Defied", and "Genoa", improvements mentioned, for $1800.00.

September 17, 1836 Grantor: Archibald (son) and Agnes B. Wilson Grantee: Andrew Wilson (father)

1832

1832

Granted: 103 and 1/2 acres as above. Andrew granted to Archibald "all that farm and land on which he lived", Archibald now desirous that he [Andrew]

have and repossess the same".

Grantor: Andrew Wilson Grantee: Archibald Wilson Granted: 103 and 1/2 acres of the "messuage and farm where

Andrew Wilson now dwells".

Grantor: St. Clair Streett et al. Grantee: Andrew Wilson Granted: 55 and 1/2 acres of "Genoa" for $550.00, no

improvements mentioned.

HD 7/301

HD 5/191

WHD 19/97 (D2)

No reference (D3)

(2) 85 acres

GCB 298/385

WSF 96/190

Will Record WSF 10/33

ALJ 35/497

1824

1821

May 30, 1867

August 1, 1946

May 12, 1899

September 5, 1885

1877

Grantor: St. Clair Streett Grantee: Andrew Wilson

HA 1929

Granted: 5 and 112 acres 72 perches of "Scheming Defied" for $105.00, no improvements mentioned.

Grantor: Samuel Wilson et al. (Archibald Wilson's heirs) Grantee: Andrew Wilson Granted: 41 and 1/2 acres of "Wilson's Chance", no

improvements mentioned.

Grantor: George A. and Janie M. Davis Grantee: Samuel W. Wallace Granted: 13 acres 91 perches of "Genoa" for $542. 75, no

improvements mentioned.

"All that other belonging to me on the north side of the road leading from Pylesville to Wilsons X roads containing 20 acres."

Grantor: M.Corinne Davis (widow of Charles D. Davis) et al. Grantee: W. Paul and Hollis M. Halsey Granted: 85 acres (check for imp.)

Grantor: Calvin C. Davis et al. Grantee: Charles D. Davis Granted: same land as bequeathed to Charles and Calvin

Davis in will of Martha (Davis) September 5, 1885, Will Records WSR 10/133.

Martha E. Davis devises to sons Charles and Calvin 85 and 112 acres which she acquired from father, Samuel W. Wallace, and purchased with sister, Annie W. Wilson (Wallace). To Charles was given 40 acres, to Calvin was given 45 and 1/2 acres. See Will Record of Samuel Wallace February 16, 1883 WSR 9/404.

Grantor: Samuel W. Wallace Grantee: Martha E. Davis

HDG31/409 September 5, 1844 Grantor: Samuel\Vilson Grantee: Samuel \Vallace

HA 1929

Granted: 1/2 interest in all land that Samuel \Vilson owns, no acreage provided, formerly belonging to Andrew \Vilson. See (DJ).

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Paul Halsey, Jr. January 24, 1996

Coversations with Gary and Sherry Fullerton, March 15 and 23, 1995.

Our Harford Heritage, C. Milton Wright. 1967.

Land Records, Harford County Courthouse.

Harford County Historical Society Archives.

Various conversations with area residents for a contextual history of the inventory structures.

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USGS Fawn Grove Quadrangle I : 24000

Wilson-Halsey Stone House HA 1929

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