History of Area

 

This information was gathered from various sources.

 

In 1608 Captain John Smith of Virginia set out on an expedition from Jamestown. He sailed to the head of the Chesapeake Bay. He also explored part of the Susquehanna River, the North East River and the Elk and Sassafras Rivers. (At this time, the Sassafras was called Togwogh by the native Americans.) Captain Smith and his men were greeted by the native peoples when they arrived in these unexplored regions. Smith and his fellow explorers were the first white people the local native peoples had ever seen. In his journal, Smith states that at first the native peoples wanted to worship them as if they were some kind of gods or spirits. Smith attempted to navigate up the Susquehanna but was forced to turn back at the two mile point because of the river's rockiness. In his account, Smith describes how the native Americans had no difficulty navigating the extremely rocky and treacherous river in their canoes. Smith also, dramatically describes the impressive size, prowess, clothing and the language of the native Susquehannocks:

 

" The Susquehannas met us with skins, bows, arrows, targets, beads, swords and tobacco pipes, for presents. They seemed like giants, and were the strangest people in all the countries, both in language and attire; their language well becomes their proportions, sounding from them as a voice in a vault ... Their attire is the skinnes of beares and wolves, some have cossacks made of beares heads and skinnes, that a man's head goes through the skinnes neck and the eares of the beare fastened to his shoulder, the nose and teeth hanging dovrn his breast, another beares face split behind him, and at the end of the nose hung a pawe, the half sleeves coming to the elbows were the necks of beares, and the armes through the mouth with pawes handing at their noses. One had the head of a wolf, hano-ing in a chaine for a jewel, his tobacco pipe, three quarters of a yard long, prettily carved with a bird, a deare, or some such device at the great end, sufficient to beat out one's braines, with bowes, arrows and clubs, suitable to their greatness."

 

Smith also describes how the Susquehannocks lived. He describes their palisaded towns and their population of about six hundred able men. Their towns were designed to be a good defense against their enemy, the Massawomeckes who lived on the Bush River. (Smith renamed this river, the Willowbye's River.) Smith named the Susquehannocks' River, Smith Falls. He named the North East River, Gunter's Harbor and called the highest point to the north, Peregrine's Mount. (It is disputed which hill in the region is Smith's Peregrine's Mount. Some believe that it is Gray's Hill outside of Elkton. Others believe that this hill is east of North East and now called Beacon Hill.)

 

The Native Americans (Susquehannocks) who greeted Smith when he arrived in this region belonged to the Iroquois group. This group of Native Americans also included the confederacy of the Five Nations, which at Smith's time, inhabited the country north of the lands occupied by the Susquehannocks. This confederacy included: the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Onondagos, the Cayucas and the Senecas. Later, this group also included the Tuscaroras and was then call the "Six Nations". Other Native Americans in close proximity to the Susquehannocks were: the Massawomekes (enemy to the Susquehannocks), the Tockwoghs and the Miniquas, who inhabited the banks of the Christina and Brandywine Rivers. (The Miniquas were part of the Leni Lenape group of Native Americans, which means "original people".)

 

Later records of this region also describe other Native Americans. These records mention the Passayontke, who lived along the shores of the Delaware River, probably near Passyunk Creek. The Shawanese lived along the North East River at Elk Neck and this area was named "Shawnak" after them. The Shawanese had a village a short distance south of Arundel Creek (Arundel Creek is the name of the run in the southern part of the North East River.) The Shawanese were industrious basket makers and proficient fishermen.

 

Some of these Native American groups remained in these regions for many years after it was settled by the European newcomers. Others left the area when the newcomers began arriving and these Native Americans moved to new lands to the West and the South. However, evidences of their longand successful tenure on these lands remain in many forms. Darts, spear-heads, flint implements, tools for grinding corn, stone axes, weapons, culinary utensils and also sculpted rocks remain and can be found even today. Some of these sculpted rocks can be found in the Susquehanna River just a short distance above the mouth of the Conowingo. These rocks depict hieroglyphics with many pictures of cat-like animals. Their history and significance remain unknown, but they remain as evidence of a sophisticated and highly developed culture which existed and prospered in the region long before European settlers stepped on this continent.

 

When Captain John Smith explored the area which is now known as Cecil County, he found the native peoples to be one of his most impressive and noteworthy discoveries.

The first English settlement within Cecil County was on Palmer's Island. This island is now called Watson's Island and is located near the mouth of the Susquehanna River. It is not certain, but it appears most likely that William Coulbourne, a member of the Council of Virginia, who had established a trading post on Kent Island in 1627, also established a trading post on Palmer's Island around this same time period.

 

The island was named Palmer's Island after Edward Palmer, a nephew of Sir Thomas Overbury. Palmer was a man of learning who wished to establish an academy in Virginia. It is believed that Palmer purchased the island to make money in the fur trade to use to construct his proposed academy. However, the venture was never successful. In 1637, when Palmer's Island was taken possession of by Lord Baltimore's agents, only four servants, with a few books remained on the island. These books had probably been Palmer's property which he abandoned when he abandoned this fur trading enterprise.

 

At this time period in the early 1600's, Cecil County was predominantly covered by forests. Deer, bear, wolves, opossums, hares, squirrels, wild turkeys, pheasants, wild pigeons, and many other kinds of animals were plentiful in the massive and dense forests. Therefore, it is understandable that Cecil County was extremely attractive to individuals interested in making money in the fur trade.

 

George Calvert, the first Baron of Baltimore, was the founder of Maryland. He was Catholic and was respected for his piety and his learning. During the reign of James the First in England, George Calvert was called upon to fill many important offices in government. In 1609 he was a member of the Virginia Company of planters. In 1621 he established a colony in Newfoundland and obtained a patent for a territory on that island called Avalon from King James 1.

 

However, the northern climate of Newfoundland was soon found to be too harsh for a successful new settlement. Lord Baltimore, therefore, abandoned this colony. He then visited Virginia in search of a more favorable climate and location. He would have probably settled in Virginia, but because of his strong Catholic faith, Calvert refused to take a required oath of allegiance to the Protestant crown. He then returned to England and applied to Charles I for a grant of land south of the James River, again in Virginia, between the James River and Carolana (now called Carolina). Charles I granted Calvert a charter in February of 1631. However, in England, Calvert was again opposed as a Catholic. (William Claybourne and others worked against him.) Calvert's charter did not stand and again he was forced to search for other lands.

 

He then wrote up a charter for lands north of Virginia in honor of Queen Mary. These lands became known as Maryland. Unfortunately, before the charter had been officially adjusted and sealed, Lord Baltimore became ill and died in London. His eldest son, Cecil Calvert succeeded his father and inherited his titles, fortune and lands. Another charter was drafted on June 20, 1632 investing, Cecil with all the rights and privileges which his majesty Charles I intended to confer upon his father.

 

Cecil sent his brothers Leonard and George on the first expedition to Maryland. They took two ships, the Ark, and the Dove and almost two hundred men. They reached Virginia safely, rested and re-stocked there, and then proceeded to the Chesapeake Bay, up the Potomac River and landed in Saint Maries. The first town in the state of Maryland was founded here on March 27,1634.

 

The English settlers found the native Yoacomacoes to be extremely fearful of the Susquehannocks to their north and west. Therefore, the Yoacomacoes received these newcomers with open friendliness, looking upon them as needed allies in their on-going disputes with the Susquehannocks. However, in a short time, the Yoacomacoes began to demonstrate more hostility toward the English settlers. (This hostile attitude may have been instigated by William Claybourne who had trading posts on Kent and Palmer's Island. This conflict between Claybourne and the Calverts lasted for many years and in many ways retarded the growth of the new colony in Maryland.)

 

The Susquehannocks also became a threat to the new colony. In May 1639, the colony decided to invade Susquehannock territory in retaliation for their constant hostile actions. However, this proposed invasion was reevaluated and was finally never made.

 

In 1652 the colonists made their first treaty with the Susquehannocks at the River of the Severn. (Annapolis is now located at this site.) This treaty designated what lands belonged to what parties. Kent and Palmer's Islands were delineated and the colonists of Maryland defined their claims to their lands.

 

The first permanent settlement in Cecil County was made in 1658 on land a short distance northwest of Carpenter's Point, not far from the mouth of Principio Creek. This initial settlement was on part of a tract of four hundred acres that was patented on July 20, 1658 by William Carpender under the name of Anna Catherine Neck. Other settlements were probably made about this same time period along the Bay shore west of Principio Creek and some settlers from Kent Island had settled on the main land in the southwestem part of Kent County.

 

Also during this time Nathaniel Utie settled on Spesutia Island (Spesutia means Utie's hope,) opposite Turkey Point. Nathaniel Utie is believed to have come from Virginia and was most likely related to John Utie, whose name is well-known in Virginia history during the years of 1623 to 1635. Nathaniel Utie was appointed councilor, May 6, 1658 and was licensed to trade with the native peoples of the region. Utie was a bold and decisive man, and thus aroused the concem of the Dutch Governor Stuyvesant, who also had interests in the region. Govemor Stuyvesant sent Augustine Hermen and Resolved Waldron to the area to negotiate with Utie.

 

After these negotiations were concluded, Waldron retumed to New Amsterdam but Hermen went to Virginia. During this period of time Hermen worked on his famous map of this entire region.

 

Augustine Hermen (Herman) also became one of the early settlers of Cecil County. Hermen was bom in Prague, a city in what was then known as Bohemia. He was employed by the West India Company when he came to this new continent. Hermen never was successful in his trading endeavors and in September of 1652, he became a fugitive from his creditors. By March 18, 1651 Hermen married Jannetje (Jane) Varlett, a native of Utrecht. They had five children: Ephraim George, Casparus, Anna Margaretta, Judith and Francina. As reward and payment for the detailed and well researched map that Hermen made of the region, he received Bohemia Manor and Middle Neck. Hermen's map was extremely useful at this time because it accurately depicted all of Delaware and large portions of other states next to Maryland. It gave individuals of this time period a better understanding of the lands of Maryland, Delaware and surrounding areas. Hermen's map was engraved and published by Faithorne of London in 1672.

 

When Augustine Hermen received Bohemia and Middle Neck, he proposed to Lord Calvert the erection of a town called Ceciltown and the establishment of a county called Cecil as a foundation and model for other townships and regions. Hermen's proposal to Lord Calvert is the first reference to Cecil County in early records of the area.

After Hermen's proposal, other town centers were established in Cecil County. In 1659 a tract of land containing four hundred acres was patented at Frenchtown on the Elk River and called Thompsontown. During this same period English forts were located on Watson's Island and probably on Spesutia Island. English forts also more than likely existed at this time on Sassafras Neck, near the junction of the Great and Little Bohemia Rivers.

 

The period of the 1660's until the 1680's were turbulent years in Cecil County's early history. These were years of constant disputes between the native peoples, the Dutch, the Swedes, and the English. All these groups had conflicting interests in this region. At different times during these decades opposing factions met to negotiate, plan strategies for peaceful co-existence, enact compromises and agree on settlements and treaties. These groups were interested in the same lands because of the abundance of rich resources, so therefore, constant conflicts arose and needed to be confronted and hopefully resolved.

 

In 1660 Hermen applied to the region's council for a patent of naturalization for himself, his children and also for John Jarbo, Anna Hack and her sons George and Peter. Hack's Point on the south side of the Bohemia River, nearly opposite where Hermen's manor house stood is named for these early settlers.

 

Four years after Hermen received his patent of naturalization (1664), King Charles II of England gave his brother James, Duke of York a patent for all the lands from Connecticut to the Delaware Bay. Shortly after this grant was made, war was declared between the English and the Dutch. This same year (1664), New Amsterdam surrendered to an English expedition under the command of Colonel Richard Nichols. New Amsterdam was then called New York by the English.

 

After the surrender of New Amsterdam, an English expedition under Sir Robert Carr was sent to the Delaware Bay. The English without much bloodshed then took possession of this area. The Dutch town of New Amstel became known as New Castle. New York, New Castle and surrounding regions were in the possession of the English until 1673 when war again broke out and the Dutch regained possession of this region. During this tumultuous period, Hermen somehow managed to remain on good terms with his neighbors on the Delaware even as these neighbors constantly changed their allegiances. In 1671 the authorities of New York ordered the authorities of New Castle to clear one half of a road to Herman's property. Marylanders cleared the remaining half.

 

During this year, Hermen obtained a grant of St. Augustine Manor from Lord Baltimore. This grant induded lands which extended from the mouth of the Appoquinimink Creek and west from the Delaware River to the ancient boundary of Bohemia Manor. This grant also included lands east of Bohemia Manor from the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (which did not exist at this time) to the head of Apoquinimink Creek and from the ancient eastern boundary of Bohemia Manor east to the Delaware River.

 

A canal to connect the waters of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays was talked about even at this early date in the region's colonial development. Hermen, no doubt, selected these lands because he believed that they were the best lands suited for a canal in this area of the peninsula. Hermen was wisely positioning himself to benefit from the possible construction of this proposed canal.

 

In 1674 thirteen years had passed since Hermen had proposed to Lord Baltimore that Cecil County be established. For fifteen years before this (from 1659 to 1674) the land on the Westem shore from the mouth of the Patapsco River to the head of the bay and on the Eastern shore from the head of the bay as far south as Worten Creek including the land along the rivers of the Eastem Shore was described as being in Baltimore County. In 1674 Govemor Charles Calvert finally proclaimed the boundaries of Cecil County. He proclaimed them as the following:

"From the mouth of the Susquehanna River down the eastem side of the bay to Swan Point, thence to Hell Point, and so up the Chester River to the head thereof."

 

In his proclamation Governor Calvert made no mention of the eastern or northern boundaries of Cecil County because these boundaries were still being disputed and determined.

 

About this same time period, the first Cecil County courthouse was erected on the north side of the Sassafras River, a short distance east of Ordinary Point at what was later called Jamestown. This courthouse was built by Casparus Hermen in 1692. Before this building was erected the court met in local private homes including the homes of Thomas Jones, Shadrack Whitworth and Matthias Matthiason.

 

Augustine Hermen made out his will on September 27, 1684. He had fully intended to leave his tobacco plantation, slaves, possessions and valuables to his eldest son Ephraim George. However, Ephraim had previously left his wife to join a religious sect, the Labadists. The founders of the Labadists, Peter Sluyter and Jasper Danckers had come from Denmark to establish a religious colony in America. Ephraim had become a devoted convert to this religion and therefore had little interest in his father's lands or possessions.

 

It is believed that Augustine Hermen died in 1686. His oldest daughter Anna Margaretta married Matthias Vanderhuyden (probably from Holland) who was naturalized in America in 1692. Vanderhuyden became prominent in Cecil County political life and was one of the justices of the quorum. He died about 1729. Anna Margaretta and Matthias had three daughters. Their eldest daughter married Edward Shippen of Philadelphia of whom Benedict Arnold, the colonial traitor was a descendant. Augustine Hermen's second daughter, Judith married John Thompson. His descendant, Samuel Thompson, lived on part of the Hermen lands. Hermen's daughter Francina married a Mr. Wood. They also had several children. Augustine Hermen and his descendants played a major role in the early history of Cecil County.

 

In 1672 war again broke out between the English and the Dutch. The country from the Connecticut River to the Delaware River again became the possession of the English as a result of this conflict. In 1681 William Penn received a charter for Pennsylvania from King Charles II of England. In 1682 Penn received an additional grant from James II, the Duke of York of the land on the West bank of the Delaware River and Bay. Penn took possession of this land after he had appointed his cousin, Wilham Markham governor of Pennsylvania. At about this same time, Penn appointed three commissioners to lay out the city of Philadelphia.

 

In Maryland, Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore and founder of Maryland died on November 30, 1675. Cecilius was succeeded by his son, Charles Calvert who had actually been governing the region since 1661. Charles Calvert returned to England for a short time and then returned to Maryland in 1681 to govern his lands with the help of George Talbot. For his help and aid to Lord Baltimore, Talbot received a patent for Susquehanna Manor in 1680. Talbot had ambitious plans to bring many more settlers to Maryland and he needed extensive lands to support them. These new settlers were to come from England and Ireland.

 

Therefore, at this time in this region there were two powerful men with grand plans for their respective territories: Lord Baltimore in Maryland and William Penn in Pennsylvania.

 

When Penn arrived in America, he realized that Lord Baltimore was a figure of power and leadership in the region so he dispatched two messengers from New Castle to Lord Baltimore. In his message to Lord Baltimore Penn stated that he wanted, "... to ask of his health, offer kind neighborhood, and agree upon a time to better establish it." No record of Lord Baltimore's response to Penn's dispatch is recorded; however, by judging subsequent actions, the authorities and leadership in Maryland did not look favorably upon Penn as a possible ally or friend. In one such action, Talbot went to Philadelphia to demand of William Penn the lands west of the Schuykill River and south or the fortieth degree of north latitude. Talbot made this trip in September, 1683. He was not successful in getting the Pennsylvania authorities to grant his demand and when he returned to his lands in Maryland he immediately indicated his own boundary line by notching trees on the northern limits of his property. When Talbot marked his northem boundary at this time, he marked his lands about one half smaller than was appropriated in Lord Baltimore's original grant. Talbot seems to have been feeling doubtful about his ability to defend his most northern territories from the intrusions of Penn and/or the intrusions of native Americans.

 

Lord Talbot had a turbulent history during his years of leadership over the Nottingham lots. These tumultuous years finally culminated with Talbot stabbing a collector of the King's customs, Christopher Rousby, in Maryland on board Captain Allen's ketch, the Quaker. After this incident, Captain Allen set sail for Virginia with Talbot in irons on board. Upon reaching Virginia, Captain Allen handed Talbot over to the custody of the governor of Virginia. The House of Baltimore, without any real power in this situation, petitioned Virginia to release Talbot. Virginia promptly ignored Maryland's meaningless petition and Talbot remained a prisoner in Virginia. However, in 1685 in the coldest days of the winter in January, Talbot's friends, Phelim Murray and Hugh Riley, and Talbot's wife enacted a daring plan to help Talbot escape. These bold individuals sailed a vessel to the Patuxent River and anchored about fifteen miles from St. Mary's. Mrs. Talbot waited here while Murray, Riley and the ship's navigator, Roger Skreen sailed on to the Rappahannock River and landed about twenty miles away from the Gloucester prison in which Talbot was being held. Murray and Riley then rode to the prison and amazingly were able to get Talbot released, returned him safely to his wife and the waiting ship which quickly set sail for the eastern shore. They reached Susquehanna Manor in February, 1685. A few days later Lord Howard of Virginia petitioned the Maryland authorities to release the fugitive, Talbot. The council of Maryland agreed to Lord Howard's demands and Talbot went into hiding. It is believed that during this period, Talbot took refuge in a cave which was later given his name and was located a short distance below Port Deposit on the east side of the Susquehanna River. This cave was close to the water's edge and immediately above the mouth of Herring Run. (It now no longer exists, having been destroyed by water action.) Eventually, Talbot tired of his life in hiding and probably began to feel the burden of helping a fugitive was too hard and heavy upon his family and friends, so he surrendered to Maryland authorities. Talbot was returned to Virginia and tried for the murder of Rousby on April 22, 1686. He was convicted of this crime but was pardoned almost immediately. He then returned to Susquehanna Manor and deeded Clayfall to Jacob Young. This particular deed mentions an iron mill, an apple orchard, horses, cattle, hogs, malt, bread and corn and gives one a vision of the type of community Talbot and his fellow English and Irish settlers had made out of the Maryland wilderness in their short tenure on these lands.

 

Talbot eventually returned to Ireland and was a participant in the struggle between James II and the Prince of Orange. After the downfall of the house of Stewart, he joined the Irish Brigade and served the King of France. He was killed during his service to France.

 

Like so many of the early colonial settlers on this continent, Talbot was a bold, daring and often brash man who often acted before thinking matters through completely. However, this decisiveness enabled many of the early settlers to survive and after a time, to flourish in these new lands, which even though abundant in natural resources, could be harsh and cruel to the timid or the slow to act.

 

On August 29, 1683 George Talbot, then Surveyor General of Maryland, certified the survey of a tract of land called New Munster. This tract contained 6,000 acres and its surveying certificate stated:

"Surveyed for Edwin O'Dwire and fifteen other Irishmen by virtue of a warrant from his Lordship, dated 7th of August, 1683. Laid out for him and them a certain tract of land, called New Munster, lying and being in Cecil County, on the main fresh of Elk River, on both sides of said fresh, beginning at a marked poplar on a high bank over the west side of the said main fresh, and about a pistol shot to the mouth of a rivulet, called the Shore, and running west,...containing and new laid out for six thousand acres more or less, to be held of the manor of Cecil which is hereby humbly certified to your Lordship..."

 

The original settlers on New Munster were the Alexanders (James, Arthur, David and Joseph) and other Scottish-Irish. The Scotch-Irish played important roles in Cecil County history. One of the greatest motivations for their active presence in Cecil County was their strong belief in religious and civil liberty. This strong belief in the importance of protecting and defending these freedoms arose from their personal struggles in their homelands of Ireland and Scotland.

 

During the reign of Elizabeth I in England the people of Ulster (a province in northem Ireland) rebelled against the government of England. Their rebellion was not successful and they suffered years of oppression afterwards. Again, during the reign of James I another conspiracy against the English government was undertaken by the Earl of Tyrone and the Earl of Tyrconnel. This conspiracy also was suppressed; the Earls were forced to flee and their estates containing 500,000 acres were confiscated. This episode led to another Irish rebellion, which once again proved unsuccessful and led to more Irish lands being forfeited. This forfeiture was the most extensive up to this point, encompassing nearly six entire counties in the province of Ulster. This acquired property was almost totally depopulated by the English. Then, the English repopulated these areas with Protestants, rather then Catholics. The English hoped that these Protestants would be more sympathetic to English interests. Many of these Protestant immigrants to Ireland came from Scotland. Unfortunately, these new immigrants and settlers in Ireland became as persecuted as the original Irish Catholic inhabitants had been. The House of Steward enacted many hardships upon these new inhabitants of Ireland and some of them fled to America to escape these injustices. It was this background of persecution and injustice which forged their strong beliefs in the importance of individual freedoms. For this reason many of these Scottish-Irish settlers in Cecil County became active and avid supporters of the colonial cause during the American Revolution.

 

The Alexanders and the other Scottish-Irish settlers founded two Presbyterian churches at the "Head of Christiana" and at "The Rock." Their first location of worship was actually outside of Maryland. This was probably due to their lingering fear and distrust of Catholics. (Maryland was a Cathohc colony). The church at the head of the Christiana River was founded in 1708 and the Rock church was founded in 1720.

 

A revolutionary spirit came with these Protestant settlers when they came to this new country. In April, 1689 they formed "an association in arms for the defense of the Protestant religion, and for asserting the rights of King William and Queen Mary to the province of Maryland and all English dominions." In July of 1689 they marched on the city of St. Mary's. The residents of St. Mary's retreated from this strong force, no shots were fired and the protestors issued a declaration. In this declaration they spoke of the tyranny and injustice of Lord Baltimore, the obstacles thrown in the way of collecting the King's tax, the murder of Rousby and the Catholic George Talbot, who was their chief Governor. In this protest these Scottish, Irish settlers gained the respect and the rights accorded all Marylanders, Catholic or non-Catholic.

 

Buoyed by their success in gaining some measure of respect and necessary rights the Scottish and Irish sent an address to William and Mary restating their beliefs about the existing tyranny of Lord Baltimore in Maryland. This incident began a period in Maryland when there were bad feelings between Protestants and Catholics. These feelings rose to such a pitch during this period that some Catholics refused to take an oath of allegiance to William and Mary during these troubled times.

 

During this time King William actually seriously considered taking the charter for the colony of Maryland away from Lord Baltimore. But this was never able to be justified in any binding legal way. Lord Baltimore was permitted to keep the charter. However, he was forced to appoint Protestant governors until 1715 when his son, Benedict Leonard Calvert converted to Protestantism. At this time, Lord Calvert regained complete and full rights to the colony.

 

The period 1689 to 1715 was turbulent, unsteady and troubling for Lord Baltimore in Maryland. It was during these years that the Nottingham lots and the Welsh Tract, large portions of formerly Maryland territory became parts of Pennsylvania. Lord Baltimore was in no position during these troubled years to dispute William Penn's encroachments upon Maryland territory.

 

Nottingham was developed as an outgrowth of settlements along the Delaware River around New Castle. During this period in colonial history New Castle was second only to New York in commerce and population. The pioneer settlers for Nottingham were too brothers, James and William Brown. In the summer or fall of 1701 they left New Castle on pack horses and set out into the wilderness. They were attracted to the land that they found because of its fertile soil and the size of its forests. They stopped near a large spring on the north side of the present road leading from the now existing Brick Meeting House to the contemporary town of Rising Sun. The brothers began making their settlement here. They quickly ran out of provisions and were forced to return to New Castle. When they returned to Nottingham with new supplies, they also brought Quaker settlers with them. Other settlers followed these first residents and Nottingham township grew and prospered.

 

This settlement at Nottingham was part of William Penn's master plan to initiate a settlement in the colony of Maryland during Lord Baltimore's troubles during the reigns of James II, William and Mary and later, Anne. This was Penn's way of insuring that Lord Baltimore would probably not extend his lands to 40 north latitude.

 

The Friends who settled at the Nottingham Lots were frugal and industrious. Therefore, their community and their farms flourished. They built their first meeting house in 1709 or 1710. (These dates are disputed by some who believe that the dates of 1724 or 1735 are more accurate.) Other meeting houses were constructed after this first one.

 

In 1729 many of the inhabitants of Susquehanna Hundred petitioned the court for a road to be laid out "from the church road by the Indian town, called Popemetto, until it joins unto the road unto the Quaker meeting-house at the west end of Nottingham." (The location of this Indian town is unknown.) This region was getting so many new inhabitants at this period that the established settlers were afraid that the existing road would become clogged and therefore, effectively closed. These new settlers were primarily Scottish, and Irish Presbyterians who settled next to Nottingham and founded the Nottingham Presbyterian Church. The road that the already established settlers wanted to be laid out was a road that ran from the upper ferry (now Port Deposit) to Philadelphia. This road was a continuation of the old Philadelphia road which ran from Philadelphia to Darby, then to Chester, past Concord meeting house to Kennett and New London and reached Nottingham at the Brick Meeting House.

 

One of the early settlers of the Nottingham lots established its first tavern on lot number 35 about 1710. This tavern was the forerunner of the Blue Ball Inn which stands at the junction of the Lancaster county and Nottingham roads. These roads were the great thoroughfares between Lancaster, Nottingham and New Castle during these busy colonial times.

 

During these early colonial years, native peoples still resided in Lancaster County. These native peoples were descendants of the Susquehannocks who had moved here after colonial settlers occupied their lands in other areas. In 1705 they were visited by representatives of William Penn from their settlements along the Delaware River. These representatives made a treaty with these descendants of the Susquehannocks and also with the Senecas and the Shawnees, who also resided in this region. At this same time these native peoples were also visited by the Quaker, Thomas Chalkley of Nottingham. Chalkley was surprised to find these native Americans under the leadership of a woman. When Chalkley and his fellow Quakers asked the native Americans why they were being led by a woman they replied that some women were wiser than some men.

 

In 1701 the Welsh Tract (only a small part of which is in Cecil County) was granted to a colony of Welsh Baptists. Penn was again creating a protective barrier between Pennsylvania and Maryland, this time on his eastern (east of New Ireland) boundary, when he granted this land to these Welsh settlers. Penn granted them thirty thousand acres. Penn was also trying to get closer to the navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay. When the Welsh arrived in these lands they found a few inhabitants who claimed these same lands were granted to them by Lord Baltimore. The Welsh with some difficulty drove these settlers off their newly acquired lands. These Baptists founded a church on Iron Hill. Their church was the third Baptist Church founded in America. The now existing meeting house was constructed in 1747.

 

The Welsh also found iron ore in this region. A furnace and forge was in operation on the Christina Creek near the Iron Hill mine by 1725.

 

The period of time from the late 1600's to the early 1700's saw many new settlements arising in Maryland and in the surrounding region. It was a time period that saw the beginnings of churches, communities, farms, industry and roads in the young colonies. It was also a period of struggle and eventual compromise or coexistence between various factions who wanted the same lands: Penn and Lord Baltimore, the native peoples and the newcomers. The face of the region was changing and growing pains often accompany the face of change.

 

The 1700's up until the outbreak of the American Revolution was a period of rapid growth and development in Cecil County and the surrounding region. The descendants of Augustine Hermen and other colonists of this area expanded and developed their plantations on and around Bohemia Manor. The Hermens leased or sold seventy-five plantations as of 1733. These lands included territory in Elk Neck and acreage between the Conowingo and Octoraro Creeks. From 1700 to 1720 Bohemia Manor and the country south of it leading to the Sassafras River far exceeded the other parts of the county in wealth and importance. Tobacco, the great staple and money crop of the colonies at his time was cultivated in this region of CecilCounty. Tobacco yielded large and profitable returns to the plantation owners. Wheat was also planted in this area but not in the same quantity as tobacco.

 

The planters shipped the tobacco in hogsheads (large casks or barrels) directly to England. The plantation owners relied on slaves to run their plantations and do most of the labor involved in the tobacco trade. The slaves were brought to Cecil County from the coast of Guinea. The ships that brought the slaves for the tobacco trade were the same ships that took the tobacco to London and to Liverpool. They would travel from England to Guinea, pick up their slave cargo, travel up the Chesapeake Bay to the Chester and Sassafras Rivers, stop at the tobacco plantation docks, unload and trade their slaves, load their ships with tobacco and return once again in England. Some of the tobacco was shipped up the Delaware River for consumption in the colonies.

 

During these early colonial years the various areas of Cecil County were organized according to parishes of different religious groups. These Religious groups were primarily: the Reformed Dutch Church of the Hermen's, the Catholics who included, George Talbot, the early members of Lord Baltimore's family and many of the first settlers along the Elk and Susquehanna Rivers, The short-lived Labadist sect, the Quakers of the Nottingham lots, the Scottish-Irish Presbyterians of the area near New Munster, the Welsh Baptists of the Welsh Tract and the Episcopalians of North Elk (North East) and of Port Deposit. (This Port Deposit church was erected as part of the continuing boundary dispute between William Penn and Lord Baltimore during the 1730's.) The populations of these various parishes grew slowly but steadily during this period of time. Life in Cecil County during these early colonial years revolved around the church, the farm and the beginnings of community life and community government.

 

In 1681 William Dare became the proprietor of a tract of land at the head of the Elk Neck River called the Grange. This land extended to the southeast from that part of the Big Elk called the Half Moon and contained approximately one hundred and fifty acres. William Dare also owned seven hundred acres in Elk Neck called Rich Mountain. He sold this seven hundred acre tract to Francis Mauldin in 1702. In 1681 most of the land on the east and south side of the Big Elk between the Grange and Frenchtown was occupied and patented along with much of the land in Elk Neck and along the east side of the Susquehanna River north of the mouth of the Octoraro Creek. (Many of these lands reverted back to William Dare as colonists left the area.) More and more land in Cecil County was becoming the property of colonists rather than just open wilderness, during these developmental years.

 

Elkton was built on part of fourteen hundred acres which was patented to Nicholas Painter in 1681. This tract was first named Friendship. Later, Philip Lynes became proprietor of this tract.

 

William Smith erected a mill at the Head of the Elk before 1706. John Smith, William's son sold the mill to Homas Jacobs. The Jacobs went into partnership with the Hollingsworths in running this mill. The Hollingsworths also built other mills on both branches of the Elk River. The Hollingsworths had a prosperous family business milling wheat for the manufacture of flour. Because of their success in business, the Hollingsworth family became a prominent family in the colonial community of Elkton. Zebulon Hollingsworth was active in the early government of Cecil County. He was a presiding justice of the county court and he was one of the commissioners appointed to lay out Charlestown in 1742. He was also a prominent member of St. Mary Anne's Church in North East.

 

Another early mill at North East was owned by Robert Dutton. Dutton built this mill before 1716 which also had a forge or furnace for iron working.

 

In 1722 Stephen Onion & Co. leased land from Ebenezer Cook. These two tracts of land joined Dutton's mill dam and probably extended below the present limits of North East. These tracts were called Vulcan's Rest and Vulcan's Trial. At about this same time, they also leased a tract of two hundred acres in Susquehanna Manor which was called Diffidence. This tract was on the north side of the main branch of the North East. They leased all these lands in order to organize and set up the Principio Company to manufacture iron. (The father and brother of George Washington had an interest in this company.)

 

The iron works of the times were extremely simple in design. The blast was often constructed by means of a circular bellows which was propelled by a water-wheel. Each bellows and hammer had its own water-wheel for propulsion.

 

During this same period, even though agriculture was growing and industry was developing, extensive areas of Cecil County remained in large part wild, uncultivated and undeveloped. This characteristic of Cecil County during these changing colonial years is evident in a description of a visitor to Cecil County in 1744. In this year, William Black, then secretary of the Commissioners appointed by the Governor of Virginia to unite the commissioners of Pennsylvania and Maryland in a treaty with the Six Nations of Indians at Lancaster, visited Cecil County. He described is visit:

"We sailed up the bay and landed at Turkey Point, and I never saw a country so overgrown with woods. About sundown we came to anchor before North East town, which is composed of two ordinaries, a grist mill, baker house and two or three dwellings. Notwithstanding we were lying before a town, the commissioners and all the rest of the company chose to be on board, as the place by its appearance did not promise the best of entertainment. The next morning we went on shore and breakfasted at the public house, where I drank the best cask cider for the season that ever I did in America."

 

Black visited Principio Company's iron works because they were considered at this time to be the most complete iron works on this continent.

 

This time period was also a period of increased immigration to the colonies and a period of growing and expanding agriculture.

 

Many individuals from England and Ireland came to Maryland. In order to pay for their passage across the Atlantic ocean they indentured themselves as servants or laborers to wealthy or well-to-do colonial landowners. Their periods of service would vary according to their ability to pay the price of the voyage. It was common during this period for a ship to land at a colonial port with large lots of Redemptioners (indentured immigrants). They would turn these Redemptioners over to "Soul-drivers". These "Soul-drivers" would march their indentured servants through the local towns and farmlands hoping to find interested merchants, millers, farmers or plantation owners. Court records of this time record the many disputes which occurred between master and servant during the years of contracted servitude.

 

In 1715 laws were enacted in Cecil County and surrounding regions which stated that all persons who intended to leave a province must give three months notice of their intentions by affixing a notice on the door of the county courthouse. After the three month period if no one had raised any objections, a pass would be granted by the court to the person leaving. This legislation was specifically enacted to reduce the incidences of runaway indentured servants. However, indentured servants found other methods of escaping unjust masters such as the underground railroad. This was the beginning of an underground railroad system which was later utilized by escaping, runaway slaves.

 

In 1731 the inhabitants of Upper Ferry (or Port Deposit) petitioned for a road from the ferry to Philadelphia. Many of the important early roads of Cecil County were constructed at this time.

 

During the early colonial times in Cecil County agriculture was always the most important industry. However, agriculture was not the only industry in the county. Other industries such as: grist milling, iron forging, the indentured servant trade, transportation and commerce flourished and grew in colonial Cecil County.

In the beginning of its settlement by European colonists, Cecil County was divided into five hundreds. These included: South Sassafras, Worten Creek (south of the Sassafras River), North Sassafras (which included land between the Elk and Bohemia Rivers), Bohemia Hundred (which included land between the Elk and Bohemia rivers), and Elk Hundred (which contained land north of the Elk River). As the population increased, these hundreds were again divided. Each hundred had a constable whose duties were to make an annual return of taxables, to collect taxes, and to keep order among the residents, servants and slaves. Many of these early constables were paid in tobacco. These constables were appointed by the justices' court and were commissioned by the county clerk for one year terms. The justices' court also appointed one or more overseers of the roads for each hundred. These overseers were to make sure that the heads of rivers, creeks, branches and swamps were passable by horse or on foot.

 

In 1770 Cecil County was divided into thirteen hundreds: North Sassafras, West Sassafras, Bohemia, Middle Neck, Bohemia Manor, Back Creek, North Milford, South Milford, North Susquehanna, South Susquehanna, Elk, Charlestown and Octoraro. The justices' court also appointed a person to serve as ferryman at each of the public ferries. These appointed ferrymen fixed the rates to be charged for passage. These ferrymen also often received their wages in tobacco, in addition to their received fares.

 

In 1720 the Maryland General Assembly passed an act empowering the country courts to enact the rules, regulations and fees for the running of their own court transactions.

 

During these early colonial years, the qualifications for practicing law in Cecil County were not at all stringent. For example, one individual petitioned the court in order to become a lawyer on the basis that he possessed several law books and had studied them during the preceding year. Another individual wanted to become a lawyer because of his inability to find a competent attorney. He needed to represent himself in his legal transactions. Both these petitions were granted by the Cecil County court.

 

Early government in Cecil County as in the other colonies was organized according to necessity and utility with very few precedents or preconceived ideas or statutes.

The colonial settlers along the James and Delaware Rivers turned their attentions very early to the establishment of towns. Jamestown and New Castle were founded very early in colonial history. In Lord Baltimore's province, the early settlers were more involved in establishing their own tobacco plantations than in the founding of towns. Only St. Maries came into existence before 1682. St. Maries was founded in large part because of troubles with the native peoples. St. Maries began as a fortress against the aggressions of local natives. The colonists in other areas of Maryland developed better early relationships with the native peoples and therefore, fortresses elsewhere were usually not necessary.

 

In 1682 the provincial legislature of Maryland became concerned about Maryland's lack of town centers and set about a plan to change this situation. However, the legislature overdid this plan and set out so many imaginary towns that not one of them ever actually attained any size or importance. The legislature's act of 1682 provided for the erection of thirty three towns or ports of entry.

 

The first town that Cecil Countians attempted to establish was Ceciltown. Their many early efforts, however, ended in failure.

 

On December 11, 1736 Fredricktown on the Sassafras River was laid out. This location was previously called Pennington's Point or Happy Harbor. Georgetown, opposite Fredricktown, on the other side of the river, was laid out in the same year. These towns grew slowly.

 

Charlestown was incorporated in 1742. However, this community never became a lasting success because its founders were never able to divert enough trade which originated in the northern parts of Cecil County from the towns along the Delaware River (like New Castle). Despite the immense efforts of Charlestown's founders, Charlestown never rivaled New Castle in these early colonial years.

 

Early settlers in Cecil County were too involved in establishing successful and strong individual farms and plantations to be overly interested or involved in founding towns which at first were created as mere facades rather than built on firm foundations.

 

Between 1687 and 1718 border disputes between Maryland and Pennsylvania were minimal. However, in 1721 a major border dispute began to erupt. Adam Short who lived on a tract of land called Green Meadows on the border of the Welsh Tract complained to the council of Maryland that he had been threatened by Davy Evans (of the Welsh Tract) and eight or ten additional men. They had threatened him with two horses harnessed to a log sledge and they demanded possession of his premises. He refused to relinquish them, but was then forced to leave and left seeking help from the local Maryland magistrate. In his absence, the intruders built a log cabin on his lands. Upon his return, he protested their actions. They ignored his protests, finished their cabin and gave this newly erected cabin to a man named Rice Jenkins. Outnumbered and overpowered, Adam Short finally relinquished Green Meadows to these intruders.

 

This incident was just one of many which occurred frequently during this time. Even though Cecil County had been in existence for more than half a century at this time period, its boundaries were not legally defined. These boundary disputes continued for many years, and were instrumental in pointing out the need for the Mason and Dixon lines which were surveyed years later.

 

In 1732 John, Richard and Thomas Penn (descendants and sons of William Penn) entered into an agreement with Charles Calvert, the fifth Lord Baltiniore. The purpose of this agreement was to adjust the Maryland and Pennsylvania borders. This agreement stipulated the following:

 

First, a circle of twelve miles radius should be delineated around the town of New Castle.

 

Second, a due east and west line was then to be drawn across the peninsula from the eastern most part of Cape Henlopen to the Chesapeake Bay and from the middle of this line another straight line was to be drawn in a northerly direction to form a tangent to the straight line.

 

Third, from the tangent point a due north line should be run until a point, fifteen English statute miles south of the most southerly part of Philadelphia was reached.

Fourth, a due east and west line should be run from the last named point as far west as the provinces extended. It was also stipulated that if the due north line beginning at the tangent point cut a segment from the twelve mile circle that this segment should belong to New Castle County.

 

Commissioners were then appointed to supervise these determined and agreed upon boundaries. However, at this point in the negotiations, the whole agreement fell apart.

 

Again, disputes and skirmishes arose at the boundary lands between Maryland and Pennsylvania. One of the largest of these actions was led by Thomas Cresap, proprietor of the ferry form Port Deposit to Lapidium. Cresap led a group of men into Pennsylvania to drive out the German settlers who occupied what is now York County, Pennsylvania. Finally after many such troubling and tiresome disputes, King George II in 1737 ordered the governors of Maryland and Pennsylvania to end the disputes and no longer grant any lands in disputed territories to any newcomers. The King's decree had a calming effect and finally Maryland and Pennsylvania agreed to begin surveying final and official boundaries.

 

Surveying began in 1750. In 1763 Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon arrived in Philadelphia to complete the surveying work begun in 1750. Mason and Dixon were excellent mathematicians and astronomers and their survey remains amazingly accurate even when checked by present day more highly technological methods. The surveyors finished their work on September 25, 1766 and the line that forms the boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania and continues to the Delaware River became known as the Mason and Dixon Line. The boundary disputes between Maryland and Pennsylvania were finally put to rest.

 

In 1800 Cecil County was divided into four election districts. The first election district included all the land south of Back Creek and the Elk River and elections were held in Warwick. The second district included all the land north of Back Creek and east of a northerly line running from Elk Ferry until it struck the North East Creek and it continued up the creek to the fork and then up the eastern branch until it forked in a northerly direction to the state line. Elections were held in the second district at Elkton. The third district included Elk Neck west of Elk Ferry and the land between the western boundary line of the second district and Principio Creek. It also included land on a northerly line from near the head of Principio Creek to the state line. The third district held its elections at Charlestown. Finally, the fourth district included all the land west of the third district of Cecil County and their elections were held at Battle Swamp.

 

By an act of 1797 five persons were to be appointed by the county executive as "Commissioners of the tax". It was their job to levy the tax and do other county business which had previously been done by the justices' court.

 

In 1835 the county was divided into seven districts and in 1837 it was again divided into nine districts.

 

During this period as the government of Cecil County was becoming more clearly defined, expanding its responsibilities, organizing and becoming more effective in governing the county, the farms, forges, mills, roads and communities of Cecil County were also expanding, and growing.

 

Before the Civil War in 1860 a census was taken in Cecil County. This census gives a good overview of the businesses, farms, population, wealth and products of this time period in Cecil County. In the years directly preceding the American Civil War almost 142,000 acres of Cecil County's more than 225,000 acres were listed as improved acres used in farming. The total value of these farming acres was listed as $8,168,950, which was the highest worth of acreage on the Eastern Shore. (At this time, the farm acreage in Kent County, a smaller county than Cecil County, was valued at $6,877,930.) In addition, Cecil County led the Eastern Shore counties in the numbers of horses, milk cows and other cattle. (Oxen were not included in these estimates.) Cecil County was also first in oats, potatoes, barley, buckwheat, pounds of butter and cheese, hay, clover seed, grass seed, hops, gallons of sorghum and molasses and was second in wheat, orchard products and in the value of its animals slaughtered. It was third in rye and corn and fourth in wool.

 

In 1860 the population of Cecil County was about 20,000 with 2,918 free blacks and 950 slaves. Only 849 men and 109 women of this total population were employed in industry. In industry at this time, employees earned $264,981 annually and produced $1,655,595 worth of products from a total industrial expenditure of $895,200. At this same time, Cecil County farms including acres, livestock, commodities, implements and machinery, were worth $8,456,938 or about ten times as much as Cecil County industry was worth.

 

In 1860, there were 190 industries in Cecil County. Each of these industries employed from one to 134 employees. These industries included thirty six flour and meal mills, twenty six blacksmiths, twenty three saw mills, seven manufacturers of farm implements and seventeen boot and shoemakers. Cecil County had two mines, four brick kilns, one clothing manufacturer, five herring fisheries, two cabinetmakers, eight iron works and two printers. The county also had two stone quarries, five tin, copper and iron sheet makers and fifteen wagon makers. Two of Cecil County's largest employers were the iron works and the cotton goods mills. The county also had a chrome mine and a sash, door and blind company. During and after the Civil War some of these once prosperous Cecil County industries began to decline. The reasons for this decline are several. First, the basic culture in Cecil County was rural and agricultural; so much of the emphasis and interest of the leaders in the community was placed upon farming rather than upon industry and business. Secondly, the psychology of the County, especially after the Civil War was a feeling of mobility and movement, a thrust towards expansion and a searching for opportunities in other places. If a business failed in the County, people involved with the business were often inclined to move and travel to other places, such as the western areas of the country. Those who remained in the County were often those individuals who were deeply rooted residents, usually those individuals who owned property or land.

One of the biggest blows to Cecil County's economy after the Civil War was the failure of the iron industry. This industry failed primarily because of the discovery of higher quality iron ores in the west. These western iron ores were far superior to Cecil County's siderite shale iron.

 

Also, after the Civil War the volume of traffic on the Susquehanna and Chesapeake and Delaware Canals began declining. This reduction in traffic on these canals occurred even as the function of their locks improved and transportation through them became faster and more dependable. The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal was nationalized finally in 1929 and made into a much more efficient sea level canal. Nevertheless, traffic along this canal remained steady or in some instances lessened. In the years following the Civil War Port Deposit, Chesapeake City, Frenchtown, and Elkton gradually became less bustling as they slowly lost their positions as stopping and starting places. This occurred because rail transportation became more efficient and more rapid, and was re-routed. It also occurred because more goods began to be transported by the more efficient and faster railroad systems, rather than by the slower and therefore more expensive ship, coach, canal or road transportation systems. Baltimore became the stopping and starting point for these regional railroad systems and the city benefited as a result.

By 1888, Cecil County's population had been also to decline. During this period the population dropped from 27,108 in 1880 to 23,612 in 1920. However, from 1920 to 1940 the population began to slowly increase to 26,407.

 

However, the period of the 1860's to the 1920's was not a period of complete decline. Cecil County also experienced many new innovations and initiatives during these years. In 1860 the Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad (known locally as the Baltimore Central) opened a new rail line that went through Rising Sun. This was an extremely exciting development at the time for this small community.

Another exciting initiative which occurred in Cecil County during this time was the organization of the Cecfl County Board of Health in 1886. As a result of the work of the Board of Health, Union Hospital was opened in 1908.

 

Also, in 1908 a Cecil County Governor of Maryland, Austin L. Crothers established the State Roads Commission and initiated Maryland's first State Roads System. In 1905 the mileage of Maryland State Roads totaled approximately 220 miles and cost about $665,000 or an average of $3,000 per mile. In order to supply the public with the cars that they now needed to drive on Maryland's new roads Duyckinck Sterrett and Co. established Cecil County's first car dealership in Rising Sun in 1909. This car dealership sold Hupmobiles, Invincible Schachts and Oakland machines. It was located in the Rising Sun depot warehouse which adjoined the Philadelphia, Baltimore, Central Railroad Station. In 1913 Warren Boulden Sr. unloaded the first freight car full of model T's at the depot on Railroad Avenue in Elkton. Warren and his mechanic, Archie Bryant assembled these Model T's in Boulden's Elkton garage and then paraded them down Main Street on a Saturday to the marching strains of the Elkton Cornet Band.

 

In 1876 Day Basket Factory was established in North East. Also near North East at Hances Points, Bay Boat Works was established in 1928. This company serviced and sold boats and related marine hardware. These two businesses typify the character of industries which arose in Cecil County during the 1860's to the 1920's. These businesses were established by resourceful Cecil County residents who capitalized on the special resources and natural attributes of their county. The Day Basket Factory built a successful business on the utilization and revitalization of centuries old basket makino, techniques which had been originated by the native American peoples who had prospered in this region years before any Europeans even set foot on this continent. Bay Boat Works capitalized on the rich resource of the county's waterways, its fishing and boating to create a prosperous business.

 

The period after the American Civil War was a period of limited decline in the industry and in the population of Cecil County. However, these years following the war were also years of innovation and initiative in the county. The residents of Cecil County who were more rooted to this land fostered their reliance on Cecil County's rich, fertile and productive farmland. These resourceful residents also fostered the birth of new industries and businesses which capitalized upon Cecil County's natural gifts and special attributes. Even as some individuals left the county to seek opportunities in other places, such as the west, others saw opportunities here in the county and stayed to take advantage of them. The years after the American Civil War were years of transition and transformation in Cecil County, as well as in the growing and changing nation.

 

As Cecil County entered the twentieth century, the county saw a new wave of immigration which coincided with the reversal of the population decline recorded in the census of 1920. After the turn of the century immigrants from Central Europe came to various areas of Cecil County. Ukrainians settled around Chesapeake City; Finns settled near North East, Cherry Hill, Leeds and Fair Hill and Germans settled in various areas in Cecil County.

 

The Ukranians made their new homes south of Chesapeake City along Back Creek in a tract of land which bordered Randalia. These new residents to Cecil County left Austria-Hungary to avoid service in the Hapsbura armies. When they arrived, most of these new immigrants were extremely poor and they began their lives in Cecil County on subsistence farms. They established an Eastern Rite Uniate Catholic Church near Chesapeake City. Their family names were Luzetsky, Arkitan, Yonko, Hrabic, Hersimsuke and Swika. These new immigrants put a high value on education and hard work. Therefore, they prospered and improved their positions in the county.

Germans also settled during this same period in the Chesapeake City area. Their family names were: Beiswenger, Schafer, Hager and Borget. They also were industrious and prospered in their new home.

 

The Finns arrived in Cecil County during the Great Depression. Many of them started chicken farms in the county. Unfortunately, during, these depressed economic times some individuals in the county viewed these newcomers as competition for limited county resources. A small group of the Ku Klux Klan organized cross burnings as protests against these Finnish immigrants during the 1930's. However, the Finns were resilient and were not driven off so easily. Their chicken and egg, businesses grew and became successful agricultural industries in Cecil County. The Great Depression dealt a severe blow to Cecil County's economy. But, when the United States of America entered World War II Cecil County's economy began to improve.

 

The Elkton area developed a complex of war related industries during America's involvement in World War II. One Cecil County munitions plant employed as many as 12,000 workers during the height of the conflict. To supply the labor for these large and busy munitions factories management recruited people from outside of the local region. The labor force to the south of Cecil County and also to the North was already employed in similar industries in the Baltimore, Philadelphia and Wilmington areas. Therefore, Cecil County workers were recruited from areas to the west, such as the Appalachian region.

 

During this time period workers and their families came from the Piedmont regions of North Carolina and Virginia, and the mountains of West Virginia, western Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Many of these workers were poor and came from extremely deprived environments. They were seeking an opportunity to better themselves and improve their lives. When they arrived in Cecil County they settled in small enclaves throughout the county in areas with names such as: Dogwood Road, Cat Swamp, Farr Creek, Old Route 7, Blue Ball Road, Little Egypt, etc.

After World War II ended people from these deprived and depressed areas to the west and south of Cecil County continued to come to the county in search of better opportunities.

 

Also, during the war years the United States government established several military facilities in the area. In the northwestern part of the county, just outside of Port Deposit, the Bainbridge Naval Training Facility was established. In the neighboring county of Harford County, Aberdeen Proving Ground was constructed. Outside of Perryville at the mouth of the Susquehanna River, Perry Point Veterans Hospital was built. All these military facilities employed (and some still employ) large numbers of military and civilian employees.

 

Another factor which also helped to revitalize the local economy of Cecil County after the war was the steadily increasing numbers of tourists who came to the county to enjoy boating, fishing and water related activities. As the automobile became a more popular form of transportation tourists in larger and larger numbers came to the rivers, Bay beaches and unspoiled forests of Cecil County. Cecil County with the support and assistance of the State of Maryland developed Elk Neck State Forest and Elk Neck State Park to help meet the needs and demands of this increasing tourism to the county.

 

In the 1940's Route 40 was constructed. Route 40 was designed as a modern four lane, unlimited access highway. Route 40 stimulated the local Cecil County economy as motels, restaurants, gas stations, stores and other businesses were built along this busy new thoroughfare.

 

With these developments in industry and business which occurred in Cecil County during the 1940's and 1950's, the emphasis and interest in Cecil County agriculture saw a decline. In the 1960's farm population and employment did not increase. Lower prices per bushel, per ton and per pound of local farm products, because of over production, also hurt Cecil County farmers. Even so, agriculture in 1966 in Cecil County still employed 40% of all the county's workers.

 

The 1970's, 1980's and1990's have also been decades of change and transition in Cecil County. Because of its pleasant rural atmosphere Cecil County has become a desirable place to move to for those who live in more congested areas of the local region. The local leaders of Cecil County have sought to expand upon the county's long-stable agricultural base. These leaders have taken steps to encourage high-tech industries to move to the open countryside of Cecil County. Some of the industries who have done just that are: Thiokol, Gore and Montell Polyolefins, Inc. as well as others. Cecil County has established well respected horse breeding and horse training facilities in the Fair Hill and Chesapeake City areas of the county. The Cecil County Public Schools is also a well respected school system in the state, region and country. Cecil County students perform well above the average on nationally normed tests and criterion referenced tests. Scores on these nationally based tests have increased steadily since the testing began in the 1980's. The county has a strong interest in its history and its cultural heritage. Cecil County has both a healthy and well-supported Historical Society and Arts Council.

With its large areas of unspoiled countryside, farmlands, rivers, headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay, unique and historically proud communities, horse farms and central East Coast location, Cecil County has much to offer its residents.

 

However, this does not mean that Cecil County does not have its share of contemporary problems. Cecil County is troubled by the same problems that exist and trouble communities in contemporary American society elsewhere. Drug and alcohol abuse, dysfunctional home environments, poverty, unemployment, delinquency and crime are problems in Cecil County. But Cecil County has taken positive action in attempting to deal with and solve these contemporary difficulties. The county has active and innovative social service agencies which are confronting these contemporary problems head on. The framework for combating these social ills is in place and working in Cecil County.

 

Cecil County has changed a great deal in many ways from the time in 1608 when Captain John Smith of Virginia set out on an expedition from Jamestown, proceeding to the head of the Chesapeake Bay and up the Susquehanna, the North East and the Sassafras Rivers. When he confronted the Native Americans, the Susquehannocks and was so impressed with their grandeur, their strength and their proud demeanor, Captain Smith could not foresee the grand, strong, diverse and constantly changing county which Cecil County would become. Perhaps, the native Susquehannocks, as Captain Smith saw them for the first time, so impressive and stately, were harbingers or indicators of what could be produced and grown from this land of Cecil County, Maryland. In this way, even though the native Susquehannocks are long gone and their ancestors are now dispersed, no longer existing in the form that Captain Smith first saw, present day Cecil Countians can share, promote and be proud of their legacy. As Cecil County enters the twenty-first century its citizens can value, cherish and celebrate the legacy of this good land that we now call Cecil County.

 

EXCERPTS from the book "Catholics in Colonial Delmarva" published by:

WILLIAM T. COOKE PUBLISHING, INC.

DEVON, PENNSYLVANIA

GILBERT-SMITH-HUDSON

 

Although in 1603 Barthelomew Gilbert , exploring for James I of England, was driven by storms into the Chesapeake Bay and sailed up the coast of the Eastern Shore, the actual extent of the Chesapeake Bay was not known to the English when the first permanent settlement was made at Jamestown in 1607. On his map and in his narrative, Captain John Smith, who had headed the settlement at Jamestown, made two extensive trips up the bay in 1608. He got as far as the shallows where the bay merges into the Susquehanna River. Smith gave names to many parts of the bay and its tributaries, such as the Elk River and Turkey Point.

 

A year later, on August 28, 1609, Henry Hudson, an English navigator in the service of the Dutch East India Company, sailed into the Delaware Bay. On the basis of this exploration, the Dutch based their claim on the country adjacent to the South River, the name Hudson gave to the Delaware River and Bay. The whole territory appeared to be open to colonization and permanent possession by the Dutch East India Company.

 

Although the Dutch used the name South River, the English early on gave these waters the name Delaware, on the pretext that they were discovered by Lord de la Warr during his voyage to Virginia in 1610. Historians have plainly shown, however, that Lord de la Warr never saw the Delaware Bay. The English captain Samuel Argalls sighted Cape May in 1613 and named the bay and river after Thomas West, Lord de la Warr, the first govenor of Virginia.

 

The waters of the Delaware Bay were unruffled by the prows of Dutch ships for many years after Hudson's voyage. In 1631 the Dutch East India Company made an abortive attempt to establish a colony at Zwaanendael (now Lewes).

FAMILY CHAPELS BUILT ON EASTERN SHORE

(taken from Chapter 4, page 50)

 

Roman Catholics in Maryland had their golden age during the administration of Philip Calvert and that of his nephew, Charles Calvert, who succeeded him as govenor in 1661. Jesuit Father Fitzherbert returned to Maryland with the end of Puritan rule and resumed the work of the early Jesuit missionaries. He found the missions impoverished and in a bad state. In this period of comparitive peace, a number of chapels were built by the Jesuits on their plantations and by lay people for their families and neighbors. A law prohibited public chapels.

 

One chapel built on the Eastern Shore still stands at Rich Neck Manor, located at Tilghman Point on Eastern Bay, across from the southern tip of Kent Island. Some authorities, among them architect Henry Chandlee Forman, author of several books on colonial buildings, assert that this tiny brick stucture was built around 1650, probably by Philip Land, owner of Rich Neck Manor at that time. Philip Land was a Roman Catholic born in England in 1607. He came to Maryland at age 40 with his wife, Anne, and three children: Philip, Thomas, and William. He was an attorney and planter who served in the lower house of the legislature and as sheriff of St. Mary's County.

 

Another Catholic chapel is thought to have been constucted by Henry Morgan at Morgan's Neck as early as 1659. Since Morgan's wife, Francis, and his daughters were staunch Roman Catholics, Henry was probably Catholic also.

 

Henry was granted one hundred acres on Kent Island in 1636, served as High Sheriff for Kent County, and was granted 300 acres in 1650 in Kent County on the Chester River that came to be called Morgan's Neck (now corrupted to Morgnec). In 1658 he was granted another 300 acres on the Wye River (in what is now Queen Anne's County) that also came to be called Morgan's Neck, where he built a family home with a chapel room. Another staunch Catholic, Peter Sayer, married Morgan's daughter Frances and is thought to be the person who constructed the chapel.

 

Other house chapels were owned prior to 1664 by other Catholic families, including the Clarkes on Kent Island. Robert Clarke was a Roman Catholic born in England in 1611. He immigrated as an indentured servant of Father Copely, S.J., but was free by 1638, when he became a member of the Assembly. He served on the Provincial Court with Philip Calvert, and court records note that "Robert Clarke, gent. hath openly in court professed himself to be a Roman Catholic, owning the Pope's supremacy." He also served as surveyor-general for the province from 1648 to 1661 and owned more than 1,000 acres before his death in 1664. By 1669 Raymond Staplefort and Richard Tubman in Dorchester County had Mass celebrated in their homes. Jacob Seth hosted the Jesuits for the celebration of Mass in his home in Talbot (now Queen Anne's) County by 1685.

 

Catholic services were celebrated at these places on occasion by Jesuit Fathers Francis Fitzherbert and Thomas Payton. Father Payton died at sea in 1660, leaving Father Fitzherbert to carry on alone.

 

The offer of free practice of their religion in these chapels, with occasional ministrations of a priest, served as an attraction to Catholics living in the Delaware settlements. As living conditions there worsened, the exodus only increased from New Amstel into Maryland.

 

SETTLEMENT OF CECILTON IN CECIL COUNTY

(From Chapter 8, page 131)

 

Named for Cecil Calvert, second Lord Baltimore, Cecil County was separated from old Baltimore County and formally established in 1674. Augustine Herman was chiefly responsible for its foundation and for the proposal of a town to be named Cecilton. After two failed attempts to establish a town with that name, a third Cecilton survives today. However, like all the earliest towns in Cecil County, it came into being only in the eighteenth century.

 

Augustine Herman completed his historic map of Maryland in 1670. He inserted on the map a then non-existent county and town that he maintained should be named in honor of Cecil Calvert, second Lord Baltimore. The insertion was a reminder to the third Lord Baltimore of a promise made eight years earlier to Herman, Lord of Bohemia Manor and a justice of peace for Baltimore County which then extended southward into present-day Kent County. The promise had been that a new county would be formed in the northeastern corner of Maryland and a town laid out, both to be named , as Herman insisted, after Cecil Calvert.

 

Efforts had been made as early as 1662 to establish a town at the northeast corner of the junction of the Elk and the Bohemia rivers. Phillip Calvert waived his rights to that tract of land granted him in 1658. The Maryland Assembly directed in 1686 that a town called Caecill Towne be laid out at the mouth of the Bohemia River.Though no town was built there, the spot still bears the name Town Point.

 

Governor Charles Calvert eventually issued a decree in 1674, declaring: "I doe hereby declare and publish that from the mouth of the Susquehanough River and so down to the eastern side Chesapeake Bay to Swan Point and hence to Hell Point and so up the Chester River to the head thereof is hereby erected into a county and called by the name of Cecill County."

 

The southern boundary dipped too deeply into the territory of Kent County, and the residents there raised strong objections. Although the proclamation was quickly modified and Kent Couny's western territory restored, it was only in 1706 that the southern boundary of Cecil County was moved north to the Sassafras River.

 

 

Thomas Howell, of Howell's Point near Betterton, was first president of the Cecil County Commissioners, and until his death in 1686, Augustine Herman continued to serve as Lord Baltimore's lieutenant in the new county. Herman had deeded Bohemia Manor to Ephraim, his oldest son, in 1684. Ephraim took charge when his father died and built the first county courthouse in 1692 on Ordinary Point on the Sassafras River. In 1706 the courthouse was moved to what is still called Courthouse Point, near Bohemia manor, on the Elk River. It is interesting to note that Ephraim Herman was accused of papism in 1689.

 

In 1679 Jean de Labadie, once a Jesuit priest but now head of his own religious sect, sent Peter Sluyter and Jasper Dankers, two disciples, to locate a good site for a colony of his followers in America. They came from New York to New Castle, where they stopped at the home of Ephraim Herman. Ephraim became a convert and led them to his father's place in Maryland. Augustine Herman received them and promised them 300 acres. However, soon fearing that the Labadists would secure all his land from Ephraim, Augustine Herman refused to consumate the sale but eventually was compelled by the court to do so.

 

One hundred Labadists arrived in Maryland in 1683. The deed for the Labadist tract was executed on August 11, 1684, but Augustine Herman at once made a codicile to his will, appointing trustees for Ephraim, for fear that his son would give away everything he had. In 1686, Augustine Herman died and Ephraim took charge. The Labadist's colony lasted only 40 years. After Sluyter died in 1732, the Labadists were dispersed for lack of leadership within five years.

 

One of the three executors of Augustine Herman's will was George Oldfield, whom Augustine called a "loving friend and neighbor." Oldfield was a Roman Catholic, commissioned in 1683 to serve as the first attorney for Cecil County. He had immigrated to Calvert County, Maryland, in 1673 and had purchased "Oldfield's Lott" on the west side of the Elk River in 1680. Oldfield's property on the west side of the Elk covered Turkey Point, at the mouth of the Elk. On Augustine Herman's map of 1670, Oldfield's property was designated as "Stonie Point" but now bears the name Oldfield Point, eight miles south of Elkton, opposite Port Herman. "Historic Oldfield" is remembered as the landing site of the British in 1777 and is also revered as a place where the Jesuits celebrated Mass while Oldfield was owner. In 1690 Oldfield refused to take the Oath of Supremacy and moved to Chester County in Pennsylvania, where he found greater religious freedom than in Maryland.