Bacontown’s history recognized

By KATIE V. JONES

Mary Gibson never thought she would see the day when the community of Bacontown, located on the Anne Arundel County side of Laurel, was recognized for its importance to the Black community.

Bacontown occupies some 30 acres that were given to Mariah “Ma” Bacon,by the Dorsey family in April 1860 after Bacon and her daughters were manumitted  by Acksah Dorsey in February 1860. Gibson, a direct descendant of Bacon, is well-versed in the area’s history but knows others are not. That is about to change.

“I am just so proud, so proud,” Gibson said, after she and family members, along with other supporters and community leaders gathered on Dec. 2 to celebrate the installation of a signboard explaining the area’s history.

The signboard sits in front of Henson House, which originally was the home of Bacon’s daughter Mary Elizabeth Henson, Gibson’s great-great-great-great grandmother. Gibson has fond memories of visiting her grandparents at the home when she was a child.

“We had so much love in this house,” Gibson said. “They had an outhouse, as there was no running water. Her outhouse was beautiful. At wintertime, there was heat.”

Gibson’s grandparents moved out of Henson House when she was in her early teens. Another family member now

owns the property and lives in a home behind the house, which has fallen into disrepair. 

“We can’t do anything with it,” said Rev. Jerry Colbert, pastor at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church (Mt. Zion UMC), which is directly across the street from Henson House. For the last year and a half, Colbert has made it his mission to honor Bacontown’s history.

“It would be great to restore [Henson House] and rebuild it, but it is still in the family,” Colbert said. He is pleased, however, that the church was given permission to place the signboard on the property.

“What I am most interested in, is saving Anne Arundel history,” Colbert said, as he addressed the gathering in early December. “So many of my [congregation] members are direct descendants of Ma Bacon. Save what we have.”

Mt. Zion UMC was founded as Bacon Chapel in a log cabin that stood where Mt. Zion is now. Graves of slaves are in the church’s cemetery. The property is also home to St. Jacob’s Lodge, number 28, which served as an elementary school for the local Black population. Gibson’s mother, and her aunts and uncles all attended classes there. 

“I pray the community will hold onto it,” Gibson said. “Keep houses looking nice, a community to be proud of.”

A number of grants, including one from Anne Arundel County, funded production and installation of the signboard.

“These historic communities are so important for history and legacy,” Anne Arundel County Councilmember Julie Hummer (District 4), said at the event. “This is a way to share the history.”