Mount Joy/Santa Fe Farm may have existed as a dependency of "Chews Resolution Manor" as early as 1695. Samuel Wethered is believed to have built an addition to the house in 1860. Nicknamed "Santa Fe Sam," Samuel Wethered was a long-time friend of Kit Carson's and called the home "Santa Fe."

Slaves Likely Lived in Mount Joy's Cabins Read the article from the Baltimore Sun.

The Historic Sites Inventory identifies the stone building lying immediately southwest of the main house as an original slave quarters. Just adjacent to the slave quarters is a log cabin clad in wood siding. This cabin may predate the main house and also may have served as slave quarters.

IN 2001, Mount Joy was scheduled for development. New homes, including single family homes, townhomes, and apartments will soon cover all but a tiny portion of the farm. All the buildings except the main house are scheduled to be demolished. PHC believes that the main house, the stone slave quarters, and the log cabin can all be salvaged, restored, and used as a centerpiece for the new community.

Update
In 2001, PHC worked hard to convince Winchester Homes to find a creative solution to their site development plans. With the encouragement and support of the Office of Planning and Zoning, the County Executive's Office and County Councilman Vernon Gray, Winchester amended their site plan with the intent of saving the log cabin, the stone slave quarters and the main house. Additionally, heirs of the owner and Winchester Homes are working with other local non-profits to find a home for other outbuildings including a bank barn and a peg and beam barn, which are directly in the path of the new development.

This is a fine example of a private developer/builder working together with the County to develop a solution that promotes historic preservation. Winchester Homes and Howard County deserve kudos for this effort.