The
Worthington Farm
Built in 1851 for Griffin Taylor, a wealthy Frederick County agriculturist, the federal style brick farmhouse is representative of the house type common among substantial farmers in Frederick County. Originally known as "Clifton Farm", the house and surrounding 300 acres adjacent to the Monocacy river was sold to John T. Worthington in 1862. Renaming his new property "Riverside Drive and Farm", John Worthington enjoyed success in farming until his death in 1905. The farm remained in the Worthington family until 1953.
Checkout the
new
Worthington Farm Trail
During the Battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864, Confederate troops crossed the Monocacy river onto the Worthington Farm. From the farm fields, the confederates initiated three advances toward the Union line positioned at the neighboring Thomas Farm. Heavy casualties resulted in these actions and the Worthington house and yard turned into a field hospital. After the battle, John Worthington and his wife Mary provided much needed assistance to the wounded.
A Confederate artillery piece unlimbered in the front yard of the Worthington home during the battle provided an amusing aside to the horrific fighting. Every time the gun fired, the Worthington's rooster would crow!
worthington farm house 1999
As the battle raged throughout the day, John Worthington and his family took refuge in the cellar of the house. Although the cellar windows had been boarded up prior to the battle, there was still enough room between the boards to peek out. Six year old Glenn Worthington watched intently as the soldiers swayed back and forth in front of the house. Impressed with a scene that was forever etched in his memory, Glenn Worthington grew up to write a history of the battle called “Fighting for Time”. Published in 1932, the book today is still an excellent comprehensive guide to the history of the battle.
“Fighting
for Time”
is available at our Bookstore.
