A rather quaint designation for a place that bears the indelible stain of history, Rich Hill is more than just a structure; it's a silent witness to a pivotal, desperate moment in American history. Located discreetly northeast of Bel Alton on Bel Alton-Newtown Road, this historic residence in Maryland holds a particular significance that transcends its architectural merits, placing it squarely within the tumultuous narrative of the American Civil War and its immediate, violent aftermath.

Historic House in Maryland, United States

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Show map of Maryland	Show map of the United States	Location	Northeast of Bel Alton on Bel Alton-Newtown Rd., [Bel Alton, Maryland](/Bel_Alton,_Maryland)
		Coordinates	38°28′54″N 76°57′3″W / 38.48167°N 76.95083°W
		Area	15 acres (6.1 ha)
		Built	1825 (1825)
		NRHP reference No.	75000885 [1]
		Added to NRHP	November 12, 1975

Historical Context and the Lincoln Assassination

Rich Hill, a property spanning a rather modest 15 acres (6.1 ha) and established in 1825, might have otherwise remained a footnote in local history were it not for the dramatic events that unfolded there in the spring of 1865. The estate was once owned by Colonel Samuel Cox, a figure whose allegiances were, shall we say, firmly rooted in the Southern cause. As a known Confederate sympathizer, Cox found himself inadvertently, or perhaps deliberately, entangled in one of the most infamous crimes in American history: the flight of John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

Following the fatal shooting of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865, the assassin, John Wilkes Booth, embarked on a desperate, week-long flight through Southern Maryland and into Virginia. Booth, accompanied by his co-conspirator, David Herold, sought refuge among a network of Confederate sympathizers who, even in the war's dying embers, remained loyal to their cause. It was into this perilous environment that Booth and Herold stumbled, eventually finding their way to Rich Hill.

Colonel Samuel Cox, despite the immense danger, provided clandestine assistance to the fugitives. He directed John Wilkes Booth and David Herold to a secluded, marshy area near Rich Hill, a swamp that offered natural concealment from the relentless federal pursuit. For several days, from their arrival until April 21, these two men, now national pariahs, remained hidden within the dense, unforgiving landscape of the swamp, relying on the covert aid of Cox and his associates for sustenance and information. This period of hiding was a tense interlude in a chase that captivated (and horrified) the nation, a testament to the desperate measures taken by those on the wrong side of a rapidly closing chapter of history. On April 21, under the cover of darkness and with the assistance of local guides, Booth and Herold finally departed from the property, making a precarious crossing of the Potomac River in a small boat, continuing their flight further south into Virginia.

Aftermath and Legal Ramifications

The consequences for Colonel Samuel Cox, as one might expect, were swift and severe, though perhaps not as crushing as they could have been. Following the eventual capture and death of John Wilkes Booth, federal authorities meticulously traced the assassin's escape route, uncovering the clandestine network of individuals who had provided aid. Colonel Cox was apprehended, tried, and subsequently convicted of harboring and aiding Booth. One might find it a peculiar twist of fate that, despite his direct involvement in assisting the assassin of a sitting president, Cox received a comparatively "light sentence." This leniency, a curious detail in a period marked by intense national grief and a thirst for retribution, might be attributed to various factors: the specific legal interpretations of his actions, the political climate of a nation attempting to heal, or perhaps the difficulty in proving his direct complicity in the assassination plot itself, rather than merely aiding a fugitive. Regardless, his conviction stands as a stark reminder of the profound risks taken by those who chose to defy federal authority during such a volatile time.

Architectural Significance

Beyond its rather notorious historical association, Rich Hill holds a quiet significance as an example of regional architecture. Constructed in 1825, the house itself displays the characteristic features of southern Maryland house construction of the early 19th century. These features typically include a symmetrical facade, a practical, often two-story design, and a reliance on local materials. While not a grandiose mansion, its design reflects the prevailing architectural styles of the period, possibly integrating elements of Federal architecture common in the region, which emphasized balance, proportion, and a certain restrained elegance. The structure stands as a physical artifact, offering insights into the domestic life and building practices of its era, predating its infamous moment in the spotlight by several decades. It represents a tangible link to the evolving cultural and economic landscape of the area, a backdrop against which the drama of the American Civil War would later unfold.

National Register of Historic Places Listing

Given its unique confluence of architectural integrity and profound historical significance, Rich Hill was deservedly recognized and added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 12, 1975. The National Register of Historic Places, administered by the National Park Service, serves as the federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance. The inclusion of Rich Hill on this register, with reference number 75000885, acknowledges its dual importance: both as a well-preserved example of regional architecture from the early 19th century and, more compellingly, as a site directly linked to the dramatic and tragic events surrounding the Abraham Lincoln assassination and the desperate flight of his killer. It ensures that this silent observer of history will be preserved for future generations, allowing its story to continue to be told, however unsettling it may be.