Historic 1796 Josiah Bayly House Lists for $777K in Cambridge, Maryland

$777,000 | Built 1796 | 3,392 Sq. Ft. | 4 Beds | 2 Baths | 0.41 Acres

Built by Maryland’s former Attorney General Josiah Bayly in 1796, this historic Colonial home is on the market for $777,000 in Cambridge, Maryland. Listing details: 209 & 211 HIGH STREET, CAMBRIDGE, MD. This property sited across from Dorchester County Circuit Court, includes 209 & 211 High St. on one deed and is just under 1/2 acre (17,871 sq ft). 209-211 are located just 2 blocks from Long Wharf Park on the Choptank River. Enjoy glorious water views plus fishing & crabbing opportunities! You can also view the breathtaking Choptank River Lighthouse; a replica of the historic lighthouse that once guided vessels along the Choptank River. Steps from Long Wharf and Cambridge Yacht Club, is Cambridge Yacht Basin with slips for boats of all sizes. Sail on an authentic 60-ft Skipjack and shop here at the Cambridge Farmers’ Market both from May thru October. Enjoy restaurants, quaint shops, and museum attractions only a few blocks from this property gem!

Cambridge Historical Society’s Archives name this elegant, grandiose property as THE JOSIAH BAYLY HOUSE (209 High St.), and THE JOSIAH BAYLY LAW OFFICE (211 High St.). Visit Maryland Historical Trust website and put in the address: 209 High Street Cambridge. Click on the link that says: D-424 Josiah Bayly House to view the complete 24-page history. Also “search” 211 High Street Cambridge, D-189 Josiah Bayly Law Office to view the 10-page Office History. The Honorable Josiah Bayly purchased land from the Greater Choptank Vestry in the late 1700’s where he built this lovely home (circa 1796) to raise his family. He practiced Law from the office he built (211 High Street, Cambridge, circa 1797), conveniently only steps from his house. Mr. Bayly was a prominent lawyer and was appointed Maryland Attorney General (1831-1846). During his law practice, he was hired to handle the divorce of Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte, sister-in-law to the French Emperor Napoleon.

He was also hired to represent Patty Cannon, who was involved in a family gang. She was arrested with multiple charges and died in prison before her trial. This Historic Property changed hands several times before being purchased in 1917 by Earl W. Orem, Mayor of Cambridge for 16 yrs. Mr. Orem was also Editor of The Democrat News for many years. He raised his family at 209 High Street, Cambridge, then passed the property to Orem heirs. For over 100 yrs., the Orem family cherished many, many celebratory occasions and gatherings at this elegant home. With over 3,300 sq ft of fully finished living space, the house includes 3 bedrooms, 2-full baths (one with a genuine claw-foot tub!), a living room, a library room with built-in glass-enclosed bookshelves, a dining room with built-in corner glass-door China cabinet, an eat-in kitchen with custom-built cabinets, an enclosed sunroom back porch and an open front porch (for “chair-rockin’ “).

Includes 2 “extra” rooms to use as you choose….Maybe to escape and read a good book or to actually write one! There are 6 fireplaces throughout the house and absolutely beautiful hardwood floors, both up and downstairs. Every window is double-paned and insulated. A 200-year old garage still stands in the back of the property. The grounds surrounding the buildings boast English boxwood, a giant fig bush, and mature trees including magnolias, ginkgo, pear, cedar, 100-year-old sycamores, and more. This property also includes a very charming cedar roof and cedar siding Office Building (211 High St.). It too, has double-pane insulated windows dressed with the original early-19th Century outside shutters.

This Building with 489 square feet of finished space, has been rented for well over 50 yrs. The Office has 2 carpeted rooms (15′ x 17′ and 13′ x 18′), two entryways, a powder room and a beautiful fireplace. Directly across the street from this Office on the Courthouse grounds, stands the newly-erected, incredible 13-foot Bronze Statue (Named ‘Beacon of Hope’), honoring Harriet Tubman. THE JOSIAH BAYLY HOUSE AND THE JOSIAH BAYLY LAW OFFICE Own a Genuine Piece of Rich Cambridge History and Let Your Life in Cambridge Begin! The historic home and accompanying law office are on the market for $770,000 with Mary Losty of Compass. Photography by Eve Fishell of Chesapeake Pro Photo.

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