Phantom Photography

When coming across a property, it takes much effort to learn about its origins. Tracking down previous or current owners is always a good start. Then combing the grounds for clues like this! One must be leery though, as a clue like this is not always an indication of the beginning. Sometimes it is just one of many chapters in a homesteads book.

Shafer is a well known name in the Frederick and Washington County, Maryland area. The family is one of many that settled the area. They’re name would spread throughout the surrounding communities which include Burkittsville, Middletown, Boonsboro, Funkstown, etc.. Not only did the Shafers’ build properties, they also purchased and helped them grow, creating a legacy.

Here’s a little history on two Shafers’ that forged a name for themselves~

John Shafer, a descendant of early Pennsylvania German family, was a prominent local farmer in Washington County, Maryland. John Shafer was married to Mary Hershey; they had eleven children. John Shafer, like many other county farmers, practiced diversified farming that included animal husbandry and the cultivation of several crop. Corn and wheat were major cash crops in the region prior to the Civil War.

John Shafer, Jr. (1753-1823), and his son Peter Shafer (1802-1895) operated four mills in this area, are described in local history as two of the most important millers in the Middletown area in the 19th century. There success would not only come from the mills, they also established tanneries and were hugely successful farmers.

Peter Shafer, a now wealthy retired farmer, left his valley farm to live in the most elegant Middletown house on the town square of its day, which he purchased from George Stonebraker. Later Shafer was reportedly known as 'Marsa' Pete for his history of ownership of slaves. In a January I0, 1860 deed of manumission to "Sundry Negroes" for his history of slave ownership. Peter Shafer freed four slaves, their freedom beginning in 1865 for Virginia, age 16, and Levi, age 24; eight year old Jeanette was to be freed in 1874 and two year old Wesley in 1882; any children of the female slaves were to serve until the age of 25. All slaves in Maryland were freed by the new 1864 Maryland Constitution, making Shafer's manumission's obsolete, however between the years 1858 and 1864 it appears that Shafer would have needed to house at least four slaves, either on the Middletown property or on his valley farm. In 1895, Peter Shafer, Sr. died at the age of 93, wealthy but childless.

Research is underway to uncover the story behind this stone, and who D Shafer was.

Working on a new project and it included these handsome longhorn steer today! Of course once I learned they were friendly, I jumped right over the fence and had a mini photo shoot.

Stopped by a place I’ve explored before, while researching new properties. The bank barn was built around 1850. Link below of my original post 👇🏼

https://www.facebook.com/114494923310740/posts/126854615408104/?d=n

Even had a group of swan fly overhead, just before heading home.

Schroyer Frontier Home c1790's

Wolfsville, Maryland

Henry and Ann Ludy Schroyer come from a long line of German lineage, being traced back to the 1500's. Based off documents found, it would appear Henry Schroyer is 2nd generation in America through his direct bloodline. Henry's father, Johannes Schroyer SR, born in Germany about 1735 immigrated to the US on the "Forrest" ship. Henry and Ann would marry Septmber 21, 1790, having 5 children.

Through my research I've come across some interesting accounts. It is said that the Schroyer home was built as a true frontier home, rifle slits can even be found in the attic today, though sealed up. Rifle slits you ask?... yes, they're built into the stone wall to "allow' for a "rifle" to take aim behind the protection of the wall. It should also be noted that the house was built over a natural spring fed stream, allowing for the water to be accessed from inside for drinking, bathing and cooking. Just outside the lower level entrance is a wall built into the earth, where the spring fed stream flows out of the ground. This would of been an area for keeping milk, eggs, watermelon, etc. cold. Story has it the house was built into the slope intentionally, allowing the Schroyers to build an elaborate safe area from the Native Indian Tribes near by. It is said the "wall' built alongside the the stream bed was purposeful in allowing the family to "crawl outside to obtain there cold foods, without being seen." Now with that said, I personally cannot find any information to confirm or deny that there was indeed major hostilities between the Indian tribes and the settlers during this period of time. I'm sure there were uncertainties and fears which enables folks to build on the safe side, as this was certainly and time of the unknown and uncertainty.

One last thing about this house, there was an interesting little nook in the windowsill on the second level. A secret hideaway! I’ve never seen one of these before, with both wooden functioning pieces still there. I can only imagine what life was like back then, everything you have being held within the walls of your home, you’ve built. Not knowing who or what could happen at any time. No bank, no safe deposit box, just a little hideaway in your windowsill. Perhaps covered by pots and pans, presumably to hide it.

**UPDATE**
I just learned from the owner that the hideaway in the windowsill was created during the Civil War. They carved this hideaway out to hide their small valuables from both the Confederate and the Union troops!

I will tell you, this house gave me weird feelings! The first level in particular had the hairs on my neck standing up.