Sussex Towns Guide
Tourist Guide for Almodington West Sussex
In the early 1650's, John and Peter Elzey born in the village of Almodington (grandsons of John Elzey, a merchant and mayor of Southampton, England) sailed to America. They settled on the Eastern shore of Maryland and were the first commissioners of land in that area. John was always desirous of taking part in public affairs, while PeterÆs interest led him to become a large land owner. The early ElzeyÆs, like the rest of the Eastern Shore people, were planters. They raised tobacco and cotton until it became unprofitable, then turned to growing wheat. They loaded their crops on their own wharves and shipped them to England and the West Indies, accompanied with orders for finery and other luxuries.John built a home on the Manokin River (near Oriole) which he named "Almodington". Almodington, consisting of 1000 acres, was surveyed November 10, 1663 for John Elzey. John Elzey's son, Harold, who figured so highly in the Revolution, is said to have built the big brick house now standing there. The exact date of the building of Almodington, as of other estates, is unknown. By its architectural details, however, it must have been built in the middle of the eighteenth century.