There are two "New Year's Gifts" in Howard County. "Linden Grove" was built by Capt. John Worthington Dorsey in 1817 near Ellicott City (now Columbia area). The other, "Villa de Speranza," (image on left) was built circa 1730 as a log house, with 1788 additions in the western part of Howard County. Linden Grove
from: Warfield'sFounders of Anne Arundel -
“"New Years' Gift," a tract granted to Edward Dorsey and to
Charles Carroll, of Annapolis, by their friend, the Proprietary, as a New
Years' gift. The whole tract was bought by Caleb
Dorsey, of "Hockley," [1683-1742; he bought Carroll’s share] who transferred
it to his son John [1708-1765], in
1732;
John Dorsey, son of Caleb," located on "New Years' Gift."
…[sons] Caleb, John, Richard… His will was dated 1765;
Caleb [“Wild Caleb”] was made executor and inherited the homestead and
lands in Frederick County. All of the remaining estate was left to John and
Richard, who removed to their inheritance upon the Westminster road.[Rt 97 from
Glenwood to Roxbury] Caleb, at the time
of his will, held lands near Shafersville. … [and divided land among his five
sons] George”…the eldest, sold his share to his cousin Caleb Dorsey (son of
Thomas Beale Dorsey, son of CD of Hockley) when he moved to West Virginia.
Captain John Worthington Dorsey, the son of Caleb (son of T.B.Dorsey),
was given the land in 1817 and built the first section of the house. He is buried in St. John's Cemetery in Ellicott City.
5790 Tamar Drive, ColumbiaNew Year's Gift or Villa de Speranza c1730, 1788
“It is believed that the log cabin west of the house dates
from the 1730s. A date of 1788 on the
keystone of the fireplace in the old kitchen dates this part of the house,
originally used as a kitchen…. Lying north of this single room is the main body
of the house built shortly after this.” HO-10
“New Year’s Gift it appears, has been confused with the
tract of land by that name near the Old Brick Church, now Christ Church,
Guilford, which was owned by John Dorsey of Hockley, who also bought land in
Western Howard County." HO-10
John Dorsey, (of "New Year's Gift") son of Caleb (of "Hockley") will of 1765 gave the homestead to his eldest son Caleb. "All of the remaining estate was left to John and Richard, who removed to their inheritance upon the Westminster road [Rt 97]." [Warfield]
The house was once owned by Dennis Poole Gaither (1834-1917) and later his son Daniel.
Rt 97 in Cookesville.
SOURCES
Warfield, Joshua Dorsey. The Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. Baltimore: 1905
Maryland Historical Trust. National Register of Historic Places HO-10, HO-84
©2018 Patricia Bixler Reber
Forgotten history of Ellicott City & Howard County MD
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