When you start looking into prominent families that played large roles in settling this part of the Ag Reserve back in the 18th century, the White Family comes up frequently. The White-Carlin Farm in Bucklodge represents the initial settlement location for the Whites in these parts. Many of the incredible historic homes in the Medley District of the Ag Reserve were built by individuals who trace their roots back to this farm.
The records are a bit unclear, but we know Nathan S. White came to the area from Annapolis in the 1780s and there is some indication he may have served in the Revolutionary War. In 1787, Nathan married Margaret Presbury Chiswell, the daughter of the prominent Stephen Newtown Chiswell – builder of Chiswell’s Inheritance. In the early 1790s, Stephen gave his daughter and new son-in-law the 192 acres upon which they farmed and eventually built their stone home around 1793. Nathan and Margaret had 5 children, to include Benjamin White (builder of Inverness) and Dr. Stephen Newton White (who lived at Annington).
Remaining in the White Family until 1839, the home was then sold to the McAtee Family before being passed to a few different owners, to include the Carlin Family in the early 20th century (hence the name “White-Carlin”).
The home, built with sandstone, is remarkably similar in design to the Robert Dawson stone home in Sugarland that was torn down in the 1980s (see April 3rd edition of the Monocle for more on that home). This makes sense when you realize that Margaret’s sister was married to Robert Dawson. As I always remind others, all of the historic homes in the Ag Reserve are linked to eachother through familial connections. My guess is that after completing his own home in 1800, Nathan helped Robert build his home in the same style in 1808.
In addition to the home, the summer kitchen, detached and to the rear of the home, remains intact – one of very few historic homes in the Ag Reserve with the summer kitchen still standing (date of construction unclear). Inside the kitchen is a large fireplace with a swing-arm where enslaved peoples would have cooked meals for the White Family. The property also includes the original springhouse, smokehouse and one of the largest historic barns in the Ag Reserve.
I’d argue this is one of more important homes in the Ag Reserve in regards to understanding our historic roots. After sitting empty for many years, in the early 2000s the current owners added a rear addition to provide the infrastructure of a modern house while preserving and restoring the historical elements of the house built by Nathan and Peggy White. Paying close attention to materials and interior designs from the early 1800s, the owners have worked tirelessly to uncover original paint colors in the rooms, ornate woodworking designs around mantles, and stone-settings on the exterior. We’re incredibly lucky that this home will remain with us for a long time to come.
