"With its simple pleasing lines, (Brooke Meadow) is one of the most attractive of the many brick houses in the Sandy Spring community," stated historian Farquhar. Built in 1823 by David Frame, it soon passed to Samuel and Sallie Duck Ellicott, who owned it when gold was discovered in 1849. Miners dug a shaft 60 feet down, then an exploratory tunnel 30 feet laterally, but found only a few thousand dollars worth of gold. Today a slumped pit, a historical marker, and the name Gold Mine Road recall the strike. Brooke Meadow later passed to the Janney family and now is owned by Vincent Joseph Wilson,Jr.

Totally blind since birth, Samuel Ellicott of Brooke Meadow led a productive life: successful farmer and businessman, incorporator and director of the Insurance Company. Several times a week the dauntless Quaker walked the two miles to Brookeville to fetch the mail. Samuel Ellicott died in 1880.