5SS: LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON. N. J. Purchased by the Mrs. Robert Lenox Kennedy Church History Fund. Division .m Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library https://archive.org/details/firstparishesofp00skir_0 - - — The First Parishes of the Province of Maryland ISLE OF KENT In 1631 Claiborne brought to the “ Isle of Kent ’’ from Hampton, Virginia, the Rev. Richard James, a minister of the Church of England, who conducted there in the virgin forest along the shores of Eastern Bay the first Christian Services held in the territory now within the bounds of Maryland. THE FIRST PARISHES Of the PROVINCE of MARYLAND Wherein are Riven HISTORICAL SKETCHES of the ten COUNTIES & of the thirt/ PARISHES in the PROVINCE at the time of the m m ESTABLISHMENT $ M Of the CHURCH of ENGLAND In MARYLAND in l<£>92 # * ALSO AMorf Lfreafise On /fieZfcg/iaious Sifuafion cfn Me province before Me <'&s/aJ5/isAmenf tfogeMer HAM 56 J££5USLTLRATJ0M &A COJLOV&Sb WAV By PERCY G SEIRVEN BALTIMORE THE NORMAN, REMINGTON COMPANY JS 547 NORTH CHARLES STREET * Copyright, 1923, By THE NORMAN, REMINGTON CO. Baltimore, Md. Printed in the United States of America at the Press of G. ALFRED PETERS CO. To the memory of my beloved son THOMAS WILLIAM SKIRVEN, whose sweet and sterling character has ever been an inspiration, this book is affectionately dedicated . I CONTENTS PART I Historical Notes, 1634-1692 . 1- 19 PART II Papers relating to Religious Conditions Prior to the Establishment Queries about Maryland, 1676 . 23- 25 Religious Conditions in the Province, 1676 . 26- 27 Meeting of the Lords of Trade and Plantation, 1677 . 28 Lord Baltimore’s Statement of Religious Condi¬ tions, 1677 . 29- 30 Lord Baltimore’s Answers to the Queries about Maryland, 1678 . 32- 34 Address to King William, 1689 . 35- 36 Instructions to Gov. Lionel Copley, 1691 . 37- 38 Names of the Associators, 1690 . 39 Names of Council and Assemblymen, 1692 . 40- 43 Repeal of Former Laws . 44 PART III First Law Establishing the Church of England, 1692 . 47- 58 Taxables . 59 Sheriffs’ Jurisdiction . 60 PART IV Instructions to Vestrymen . 63-68 PART V Law under which the Church Functioned for sev¬ enty Years . 71- 94 Papers relating to the Validity of the above Law. 95- 97 Disposition of the “Forty per Poll” Tax . 98-102 PART VI Counties, Parishes, Hundreds, Churches, Vestry¬ men, Ministers, etc . 105-164 PART VII Papers relating to the Establishment . 165-167 Acts of Assembly, 1698-1765 . Census of Maryland, 1696 . Parishes of Maryland and the District of Colum¬ bia, 1922 . INDEX: Names, Counties, Court Houses, Hundreds, Par¬ ishes, Churches, Geographical names and Mis¬ cellaneous Subjects . MAP of the Province of Maryland, 1692 (also shows location of Churches in 1922) . : ILLUSTRATIONS Church County Page Isle of Kent . .Kent Island . . Queen Anne’s . Frontispiece St. Mary's River . . St. Mary’s City. . . . .St. Mary’s . 6 Old Oak Tree . .St. Paul’s Cemetery . Kent . . 15 Old Council House . . . .Annapolis . .Anne Arundel . . 62 County Seal . . Kent . . 107 Trinity Church . . .St. Mary’s City. . . . .St. Mary’s . . 110 St. Andrew’s Church. . . Leonardtown . .St. Mary's . . Ill St. George’s Church . . .Valley Lee . .St. Mary’s . . 112 Christ Church . , .Chaptico . .St. Mary’s . . 113 Emmanuel Church . . . . . Chestertown . . Kent . . 114 Vestry House . .St. Paul’s Church. . . Kent . . 115 Christ Church . .Stevensville . .Queen Anne’s . . 116 St. Paul’s Church . . . . .Fairlee . . Kent . . 117 State House . .Annapolis . .Anne Arundel . . 118 St. James’ Church. . . . .Herring Creek . .Anne Arundel . . 120 All Hallows Church. . . .South River . . Anne Arundel . . 121 St. Ann's Church . .Annapolis . .Anne Arundel . . 122 St. Margaret’s Church. Westminster . .Anne Arundel . . 123 Middleham Chapel . . . . Lusby . . Calvert . . 124 St. Paul’s Church. . . . .Prince Frederick. . . .Calvert . . 125 Christ Church . .Port Republic . .Calvert . . 126 All Saints Church. . . . . Sunderland . .Calvert . . 127 St. Paul’s Church . . . . . Baden . .Prince George's . . 128 All Faiths Church. . . . .Mechanicsville . .St. Mary's . . 129 St. Paul’s Church . . . . . Rock Creek . . District of Columbia . 130 Christ Church . . Wayside . .Charles . . 132 Christ Church . . La Plata . .Charles . . 133 Christ Church . . Grayton . . Charles . . 134 St. John's Church. . . . . Broad Creek . . Prince George’s . . 135 All Saints' Church. . . . . .Frederick . . Frederick . . 136 Rectory . .St. Paul’s Parish. . . . Baltimore City . . 137 Vestry House . .St. George’s Parish. .Harford . . 138 St. Thomas’ Church . . , .Garrison Forest. . . . .Baltimore County. . . . 139 St. Paul’s Church. . . . . Baltimore City . . 140 St. John's Church. . . . .Kingsville . .Baltimore County. . . . 141 St. George’s Church. . .Perryman . .Harford . . 142 Christ Church . , . Easton . .Talbot . . 143 Old Wye Church . . .Wye Mills . .Talbot . . 144 St. Paul’s Church . . . . .Centerville . .Queen Anne’s . . 145 I LLUSTRAT I ONS— Concluded Church Ruins of Whitemarsh. .Hambleton. . . Christ Church . St. Michael’s. . St. Andrew’s Church . . Princess Anne . St. Martin’s Church. . .near Berlin. . . All Saints’ Church . Monii . Ruins of Coventry Ch. . Rehoboth .... Stepney Church . Green Hill. . . All Hallows Church. . .Snow Hill. . . . Site of St. Paul’s . Vienna . Christ Church . Cambridge . . . Trinity Church . Church Creek. Trinity Church . Elkton . St. Mary’s Church. . . .Northeast . Shrewsbury Church . . . Locust Grove . St. Stephen’s Church. .Earleville . St. Barnabas’ Church. .Leeland . St. Luke's Church . Church Hill. . . County Page Talbot . 146 Talbot . 147 Somerset . 148 Worcester . 149 Somerset . 150 Somerset . 151 Wicomico . 152 Worcester . 153 Dorchester . 154 Dorchester . 156 Dorchester . 157 Cecil . 158 Cecil . 159 Kent . 160 Cecil . 161 Prince George’s . 163 Queen Anne’s . 164 PREFACE This book is the embodiment of a desire to make available for reference the data concerning the Establish¬ ment of the Church of England in the Province of Mary¬ land, which was authorized by an Act of the Provincial Assembly in 1692. Where possible, information has been added concerning the formation of the parishes with their original metes and bounds, the first Churches built, the first ministers who preached in Maryland and the first vestry¬ men who served the Church of England in the thirty parishes which were then laid out. The encouragement given the author by the present Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland, the Rt. Rev. John Gardner Murray, D. D., is gratefully acknowledged. The valuable advice of Mr. Lawrence C. Wroth, Historiographer of the Diocese of Maryland, now Librarian of the John Carter Brown Library, Providence, R. I., the Rev. James M. Magruder and the Rev. Dr. Frank M. Gibson made the work of compiling this book easier and is deeply appreci¬ ated. It was only through the enterprise of The Norman, Remington Company that the publication of this book was made possible. It is the author’s hope that this fresh evi¬ dence of their interest in Maryland historical writings will meet with the appreciation it deserves from the book buy¬ ing public. The author deeply appreciates the generosity with which they have treated him at every stage of the book's progress. To Mr. Albert B. Hoen for the valuable advice and assistance given the author in making the map of Mary¬ land (which accompanies this book) his sincere thanks are extended. Percy G. Skirven Baltimore, Maryland May 24th, 1923 >• 1 ' PART I. HISTORICAL NOTES HISTORICAL NOTES The Protestant Reformation in England resulted in the entrenchment of the Church of England as part of the government of the Kingdom and the consequent displace¬ ment of the Roman Catholic Church and the political and social disability of its members. At a later period the Puritan Churches also found themselves under distasteful restrictions and numbers of their adherents began to seek asylum from what they deemed unjust persecution. Coin¬ cident with the conception of America as the land of material opportunity had grown the idea of it as a place of refuge, and we find almost from the beginning of the American settlement the two motives animating the suc¬ cessive colonies. The first of these, however, was without religious motive. Virginia had been settled as a commer¬ cial venture. New England had meant opportunity and refuge to the Puritans, while the Province of Maryland meant opportunity and refuge to the Roman Catholic colonists whom Lord Baltimore led to the shores of the Chesapeake. Virginia, settled in 1607, was a stronghold of the Church of England, and Maryland, being a provincial grant to a Roman Catholic, was received by the Roman Catholic Church as an opportunity for initial establishment of its power in this part of the New World. No such event took place, however, for it was not possible to establish an ex¬ clusively Roman Catholic colony under the English rule at that time. To this fact may be assigned the primary cause for the “Religious Liberty" enjoyed for nearly half a cen¬ tury by the settlers in the Province of Maryland. i 2 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND Prior to the landing of Lord Baltimore’s colonists at St. Mary’s there were no settlements within the limits of the Province as specified in the Charter with the exception of those on the ‘‘Isle of Kent” and on Palmer’s Island. The latter was within the mouth of the Susquehanna river. Eight years prior to the landing of the colonists, whom the fancy of one of Maryland’s brilliant historians1 has led him to call “Pilgrims,” William Cleyborne traded, under license, with the Indians in the upper Chesapeake bay, establishing in 1631 a Trading Post on the “Isle of Kent.” In that year there were about one hundred souls in that settlement and in 1632 the settlers sent a representative to the Virginia Assembly at Jamestown.2 In that year, 1631, Cleyborne brought to the “Isle of Kent” from Hampton, Virginia, the Rev. Richard James who conducted there the first service of the Church of Eng¬ land said to have been held in the territory now lying within the borders of Maryland. As this minister went to Virginia from England, “certified” by the Bishop of London, and thence to the ” Isle of Kent,” it will be observed that this was the first regular planting of the Church of England on what is now Maryland soil. It is quite probable that Mr. James conducted these services in the small fort which had been built on the extreme southern end of the island as a protection against the Indians. The poet tells us that the “Pilgrims” of New England went to that land seeking “Freedom to worship God,” but it was to the Province of Maryland, first of all the American colonies, that all creeds went assured of their freedom to worship as their conscience dictated. McMahon says “Re¬ ligious liberty was subject only to the restraints of Con¬ science.”3 Very naturally the question arises how such a 1 McMahon, History of Maryland, p. 198. 2 Chalmer's Political Annals of United Colonies, p. 206, also Elennir.g’s Statutes at Large, Vol. 1, p. 154. 3 McMahon, History of Maryland, p. 198. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 3 condition was brought about since George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, was an avowed Roman Catholic and Ce- cilius Calvert, his son, who succeeded to his father’s titles and estates, becoming the second Lord Baltimore, was also a Roman Catholic. Born of Church of England parents at Kipling, York¬ shire, England, in 1582, George Calvert early developed into a man of large capabilities. James I, recognizing in him the qualities of an excellent business man as well as an astute politician, made Calvert one of his Secretaries of State in 1619. 1 In frankly announcing his conversion to the Roman Catholic Church he so impressed the King with his honesty that he was continued in the Privy Council and later, in 1625, made Baron Baltimore of Baltimore, in the County of Longford, Ireland. Having failed in a former endeavor toward colonizing in bleak Newfoundland2 George Calvert made a voyage, in 1629, to the Southern mainland of North America. Being impressed with what he saw, during this visit, in the Virginia Colony he asked for the territory now known as Maryland. There he had expected to offset the loss of the money sunk in his ill-fated project at Avalon and to build a fortune for himself and his family. There was also another object that he had in mind. As a secondary con¬ sideration he wanted to establish a refuge for his Roman Catholic friends — a place where they could practice their religious ceremonies without interference. Destined never to realize his cherished ambitions George Calvert died in April, 1632, before his promised charter to Maryland received the Great Seal. The death of George Calvert did not prevent King Charles from signing the Charter on June 20, 1632, grant- 1 Ency. Brit., 9th Edit., Vol. IV, p. 713. 2 The Charter to Avalon, Newfoundland, was a gift from King James in further recognition of George Calvert's faithful services. 4 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND ing to Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, all that his father had asked. In giving him the Province of Maryland Charles I placed Cecilius Calvert in absolute ownership of all the land1 lying within the bounds of the Province. McMahon says “this Charter was the most ample and sovereign that ever emanated from the English Crown.”2 In the Charter appears the following: “And We do by these Presents . . . make, create and constitute Him, the now Baron of Baltimore, and his heirs, the true and absolute Lords and Proprietaries of the Region [Maryland] aforesaid . . .”3 There would seem to be nothing to prevent Cecilius Calvert from using his authority, thus conferred, to adopt any religious policy for his Province that his ambitions dictated. True there was a provision in the Charter which held in check any very radi¬ cal change from the laws of the mother country. The pro¬ vision read in part: “So nevertheless, that all Laws afore¬ said be Consonant to Reason and be not repugnant or contrary, but (so far as convenient may be) agreeable to the Laws, Statutes, Customs and Rights of this Our Kingdom of England . . . “4 In recognition of the magnificent gift, the Province of Maryland, and in acknowledgment of the overlordship of the King, Cecilius Calvert was required to yield “there¬ fore unto US, our Heirs and Successors, two Indian Ar¬ rows of those parts, to be delivered at the said Castle of Windsor, every year on Tuesday in Easter-week: and also the fifth part of all Gold and Silver Ore, which shall hap¬ pen from time to time, to be found within the aforesaid Limits.”6 1 McMahon, History of Maryland, p. 167. 2 McMahon, History of Maryland, p. 155. 3 Charter, Section V. 4 Charter, Section VII. 6 Charter, Section V. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 5 The second Lord Baltimore, Cecilius Calvert, was a great-hearted far-sighted nobleman endowed with good common sense. He realized that he possessed an exceed¬ ingly valuable gift in this fine domain, interlaced as it was with beautiful rivers and divided by the great Chesapeake Bay. He appreciated fully the meaning of the various provisions of his Charter. He also realized that he held this Charter under a Protestant government and owing to the existing religious feeling in England it was impossible, "Absolute Lord” though he was, to establish an exclu¬ sively Roman Catholic colony. He shrewdly adopted as his policy "Religious liberty," for by doing so he avoided all conditions that tended to mar the success of his under¬ taking1 of colonizing Maryland. He made no misstep, nor did he miscalculate his plans, for he was in possession of all the knowledge we now have bearing on those times, and also had the advantage of breathing the atmosphere of English politics of the day. Second only to the territory itself Calvert’s policy of "Religious liberty" was his most valuable asset. Like all good business men he looked after his business assets with great care. The encouragement given Cecilius Calvert by the gift of so generous a "grant" was sufficient to induce him to make a great outlay of money to fit out two vessels, the "Ark" and the "Dove," and also to provide nearly 300 colonists for the voyage to the Province in North America. The expedition left England on Saint Cecilia’s Day, No¬ vember 22nd, 1633, and Leonard Calvert, a brother of the Proprietary, was sent out as governor of the Province. After a long and stormy voyage by way of the West Indies they came into the Chesapeake on the 27th of February, 1 “The system of toleration was co-eval with the colony itself; and sprang from the liberal and sagacious views of the first proprietary.” McMahon's Hist, of Maryland, p. 226. 6 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 1634. After sailing about the bay looking for the best place to found the city which they intended to build in the Province, they decided to land on an island in the Potomac River which they named "St. Clements.” Having made the selection of that place, they waited a day or two, prob¬ ably in order that they might land on Lady’s Day, the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th, 1634. Upon going ashore they erected a cross and took possession "In the name of the Savior of the World and of the King of Eng¬ land." This was nearly three years after the Rev. Richard James, Priest of the Church of England, first ministered on the Isle of Kent. The numerical majority of those who came to the Province in the "Ark" and the "Dove” were of the Anglican Faith.1 The principal adventurers were Roman Catholics and as a consequence the religious tone of the early province was Roman Catholic. There does not appear to be any record of an Anglican Clergyman among them nor of services held according to the rites of the Church of England very soon after the landing of the colonists. It is generally believed that Anglicans and Roman Catholics for some years used the same chapel at St. Mary’s for worship. Doubtless the Anglican Church services were read by lay readers or by visiting clergymen from the neighboring colony of Virginia.2 Under the date of the 13th of November, 1633, Cecilius Calvert had given instructions to Governor Leonard Cal¬ vert and his two Commissioners, before they sailed from England for the Province, as follows: — 1 Johnson's Founders of Maryland, p. 22. 2 The Rev. William Wilkinson, Rector of St. George’s Church, Poplar Hill, 1650-1663, had loaned money in this vicinity previous to his moving from Vir¬ ginia to Maryland as a permanent resident and apparently was drawn thither in person by the opportunity of ministering to the adherents of the Established Church of England. VIEW OF ST. MARY'S RIVER AT ST. MARY'S CITY Here Gov. Leonard Calvert landed, in lb34, and here the foundation of Religious Liberty in America eventually was established. — THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 7 “No. 1 Impri. His lordship requires his said Governor and Commissioners that in their voyage to Maryland they be very careful to preserve unity and peace amongst all passengers on Shipboard, and that they suffer no scandal nor offence to be given to any of the Protestants whereby any just com¬ plaint may hereafter be made by them in Virginia or in England. And that for that end they cause all Acts of Roman Catholique Religion to be done as privately as may be, and that they instruct all the Roman Catholiques to be silent upon all occasions of discourse concerning matters of Religion, and that the said Governor and Commissioners treate the Protestants with as much mildness and favor as Justice will permit. And this to be observed at Land as well as at Sea.”1 It is apparent that Cecilius Calvert realized that it was essential that no offence be given to the Protestants. And also that only the fairest treatment of the colonists upon their arrival in the newly discovered country would keep the Province in his hands. Indeed Calvert intended from the moment he conceived the idea of founding the Province of Maryland to insure religious toleration in the province by writing into his in¬ structions orders to that effect. It is evident that he car¬ ried out his intention. As a case in point to show how diligently Leonard Calvert, governor of the province, car¬ ried out the wishes of his brother, that of William Lewis, the steward of Thomas Cornwallis, a Roman Catholic, can profitably be told here. Losing control of himself when two of his fellow servants read aloud from a volume of Smith’s Sermons certain passages reflecting upon the 1 Narratives of Early Maryland (C. C. Hall), p. 16. 8 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND Pope and the Roman Catholic faith, Lewis made the assertion, it was alleged, that all Protestant ministers were “ministers of the devil.” Governor Calvert with a Roman Catholic Court immediately fined him 500 pounds of tobacco and exacted a bond from him for good behavior lest he should “again offend the peace of the colony . by injudicious and unnecessary argument or disputation in matters of religion; ... or use any ignominious words or speeches touching the books or ministers author¬ ized by the State of England.”1 Following up these instructions to his brother Leonard, Cecilius Calvert issued in 1636 instructions for his future governors and also an oath of office which included the following: “ I will not by myself, or any other, directly or indirectly trouble, molest or discountenance any person professing to believe in Jesus Christ for or in respect of religion. I will make no difference of per¬ sons in conferring offices, favors or rewards for or in respect of religion, but merely as they shall be found faithful and well deserving and endued with moral virtue and abilities. My aim shall be public unity and that if any person or official shall molest any person professing to believe in Jesus Christ on account of his religion I will protect the person molested and punish the offender.”2 This oath was the forerunner of the so-called “Tolera¬ tion Act” passed by the Assembly twelve years later. Shortly after promulgation of the Governor’s oath, the first building was erected, in 1642 for the Church of England 1 Arch. Md. Prov. Council, 1637-1650, p. 35. 2 McMahon’s History of Maryland, p. 226. (Chalmers says “this oath was taken by the Governors and Council from 1637 to 1657," sec Political Annals.) THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 9 worshippers in St. Mary’s County — Trinity Church.1 Without the formal induction of a minister, the congre¬ gation worshipped there without interference. Further up the Potomac River and some three or four miles across the St. Mary’s, Poplar Hill (St. George’s) Church was built about the same time. It was in this Church in 1650 that the first permanently settled Church of England clergyman, the Rev. William Wilkinson, began his thirteen years of ministry. Another church was built for the Protestants at St. Clement’s Manor, about the same time as Trinity and Poplar Hill were. This church was built by Thomas Gerrard ‘‘for the convenience’’ of his Protestant wife, her friends and servants. In the building of these churches may be perceived the immediate results of Lord Baltimore’s assurances of protection to the colonists in religious worship. Up to this time no other parts of the colony had attempted the building of a church. While it is true that no churches were built, it is known that there had been places of worship, however primitive they may have been, on Kent Island and in Kent County on the north side of Chester River about the year 1652. As proof of there being no Protestant minister in the colony at that time, a fine of five hundred pounds of tobacco upon a colonist was to be paid to the first Protestant minister “to arrive” in the colony.2 When Charles I3 was deposed, and opposition to the King which culminated later in the establishment of the Commonwealth under Cromwell developed, Lord Baltimore set about to solve the difficult problem of retaining pos- 1 Trinity Church, at St. Mary's City, now stands on the site. There were no churches built for Roman Catholic worship in the Province because of that part of the Charter, Section IV, which expressly says: “The Patronages and advowsons of all churches which within the said Region shall happen to be built . . . the same to be dedicated and consecrated according to the Ecclesiastical Laws of our Kingdom of England." 2 Arch. Md. Prov. Council, 1637-1650, p. 35. 8 Charles I was beheaded 30th January, 1649, Ency. Brit., 9th Edition. 10 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND session of his colony. With characteristic shrewdness he concluded that the best way to do this was to change the “complexion” of the Council so that it would give to the Protestants a majority. Prior to this change (1648) the Assembly, it is said, had been composed almost en¬ tirely of Roman Catholic members. With this exhibition of willingness to satisfy the Protestants, he went further and appointed a Protestant Governor of the colony, William Stone. Feeling that his province was still in danger of confiscation, he urged in 1649 the passage by the Assembly of the “Act Concerning Religion”1 which became known as the “Maryland Toleration Act.” The preamble to the act is as follows : “For as much as in a well governed Xtian Common Wealth matters concerning Religion and the honor of God ought in the first place to be taken into serious consideration and endeavored to be settled. Be it therefore ordered and enacted by the Rc Honblc Cecilius Lord Baron of Baltimore Abso¬ lute Lord and Proprietary of this Province, with the advice and consent of this General Assembly. . . .” The first clause in the “Act” was as follows: “That whatsoever person or persons within the Province and the Islands thereunto belonging shall from henceforth blaspheme God, that is Curse him or deny our Saviour Jesus Christ to bee the sonne of God, or shall deny the Floly Trinity the Father, sonne and holy Ghost, or the Godhead of any of the sd Three Persons or the Trinity or the Unity of the Godhead or shall use or utter any reproachful Speeches, words or languages concerning the said Holy Trinity or any of the said Three persons 1 Arch. Md , Vcl 1, p. 244. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND II thereof, shall be punished with death and confisca¬ tion or forfeiture of all his or her lands and goods to the Lord Proprietary and his heires.” The law further provided against the calling of names. The enumeration of these is interesting because the list apparently includes the names of some of the sects then within the Province — they are “Heretick, Scismatick, Idolator, Puritan, Independent, Prespiterian, Popish Priest, Jesuit, Jesuited Papist, Lutheran, Calvinist, Anabaptist, Brownist, Antinomian, Barrowist, Roundhead and Sepa¬ ratist.” The Sabbath was not to be profaned. The last clause and most important of all was as follows : “That no person or persons whatsoever within this Province, . . . , professing to believe in Jesus Christ, shall from henceforth bee any waies troubled, Molested or discountenanced for or in respect of his or her religion nor in the free exer¬ cise thereof within this Province or Islands there¬ unto belonging nor any way compelled to the be- liefe or exercise of any other Religion against his or her consent, soe as they be not unfaithful to the Lord Proprietary, or molest or conspire against the civil Government established, or to be estab¬ lished, in this Province under him or his heires.”1 The passage of the “Toleration Act” was published in England and had its effect on the migration to the Province. Men of character and wealth were attracted to this de¬ lightful country of the New World. The numerous religious sects, finding full protection there in their religious worship, lived in harmony with their neighbors. Maryland, first of all the American colonies, had completed all the conditions that afforded to the World what it had for centuries longed for — 1 Arch. Md., Vol. I, p. 246. 12 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND Religious Liberty. By persistently adhering to his original plan Cecilius Calvert had the satisfaction of realizing that his foresight was good in avoiding any condition that would compromise his ownership of the Province. How well he and his successors governed the Province nearly a half century is told by McMahon.1 “Conspicuous above every other colony of that period, for its uniform regard of religious liberty, it had its reward. Harmony, peace and prosperity, were the general results; and this period in the history of Maryland, may be truly styled ‘ the golden age of its colonial existence.’ “ From the beginning of the Province up to the Protes¬ tant Revolution in 1689 the missionary work of the Church of England was productive of very little result. The Church was interested in the missionary work in Virginia2 but the work in Maryland was hampered by the provisions of Cal¬ vert’s Charter. Cooperation between the Proprietary and the Church was practically impossible. Baltimore neglected to appoint ministers of the Church to “livings” in the Province. An effort was made in 1661 in the Lower House of the Provincial Assembly to provide a “maynetenance for ministers,” but two days later, May 1st, 1661, upon the reading of the bill in the Upper House, “It was voted to be altogether insufficient and short of the thing aimed at.”3 However this did not prevent the gradual growth of the Church and throughout the Province the faithful Church¬ men held the regular services . On Kent Island a church was built on Broad Creek about the year 1652. This was near where the Rev. Richard 1 McMahon History of Maryland, p. 228. 2 “In 1629 the Bishop of London announced the jurisdiction of the Church of England over the religious affairs of the Virginia colony on the James River. That was the beginning of the official missionary movement in America," see Hawks, Vol. 1, p. 38. 3 Arch. Md , Vol. I. p. 406. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 13 James had preached eighteen years earlier. Upon the death of the Rev. William Wilkinson in 1663, the Rev. Francis Sourton became rector of old Poplar Hill Church in St. Mary’s County. At a church in Baltimore County on Bush River the Rev. John Yeo preached in 1683. In Cal¬ vert County the Rev. William Mullett held services in 1684. In 1682 in Anne Arundel County the Rev. Duell Pead baptized children. The Assembly at St. Mary’s asked this same minister, in October, 1683 to preach to both the Upper and Lower Houses on October 14th, 1683, which he did and this interesting record of the proceedings of the Assembly of the 20th of October, 1683, gives an insight into the religious conditions that obtained at that time in the province. It is as follows: “Upper House 20th October, 1683. This house having taken into their serious con¬ sideration the great Care and Kindness of Our Sov¬ ereign Lord the King in giving in charge to the Right Reverend Father in God the Bishop of London to Supply this Place with able and Devout Ministers whereby the people may know their Duty to God and their Obedience to their Rulers do request the Lower House of this Assembly to Join with this House in giving thanks to Mr Duell Pead for his Learned Sermon preached before these two Houses the 14th Instant and that some Acceptable Present be given him for the same and this House is willing to concur with them therein. Signed pr. Order Thos. Gounwin, Clerk of Assembly.” The Lower House concurred on the 24th of October, 1683, and gave him a vote of thanks, only. The ministers whom we have just mentioned were among the earliest of the clergy to come to the province to engage in missionary work. 14 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND Before William of Orange ascended the throne, Lord Baltimore is said to have opposed the revolution in England1 which conferred the crown on William. The enemies, in England, of Lord Baltimore induced the King to uphold the “rebellious'’ body of men in Maryland who had overthrown in 1689 the Proprietary’s officials there. The work of the “associators ’’ popularly described as the “Protestant Revo¬ lution’’ (1689) has been overfeatured as a factor in influ¬ encing the King to terminate the rule of the Calverts. It was a factor, but viewed from Whitehall, it was regarded more as an excuse than as a cause. The die had been cast. On the 21st of August, 1690, proceedings were insti¬ tuted at Whitehall, London, against the Charter of the Cal¬ verts in order to “vacate ”2 it and an address to the Colo¬ nists under date of the 12th of March, 1691, was sent to Maryland in which appears the following: . . Wee have thought fitt to take our Province of Maryland under our immediate care and Protec¬ tion and by letters Patents under the Great Seal of England to appoint our Trusty and well beloved Lionel Copley, Esq., of whose prudence and loyalty we are assured, to be our Governor thereof.’’3 This ended the rule of the Calverts as Roman Catholics, and not until 1715, after the accession of King George I, were the powers of government restored to them. The then Pro¬ prietary, Charles Calvert, infant son of Benedict Calvert, Lord Baltimore, had been educated in “the established religion of England and had thus become capable of holding governmental authorities subordinate to the Crown.’’4 He 1 F. L. Hawks, Vol. 2, p. 57, "Ecclesiastical History of the United States. ” 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 8, p. 200. ’Arch. Md., Vol. 8, p. 235. 4 Kilty’s "Landowner’s Assistant," p. 163. Undoubtedly standing at the time of the Establishment, Ib92. It is one of several mammoth oaks that shade this beautiful spot. The circumference of the trunk of this tree, one foot above the ground, is 32 feet. The greatest spread of branches is 128 feet. I THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 15 governed the province under the guidance of his guardian, Lord Guilford. This also was the end of “Religious Liberty” which had been the principal “asset” of the Calverts and to which particular attention has been called.1 “Religious Liberty,” the child of expediency, was supplanted by no weakling when the king extended the jurisdiction of the Church of England to the Province of Maryland. Governor Copley’s commission, dated February 14th, 1691, outlined the policy he was to pursue. The establishing of the Church of Eng¬ land by law was one of the first movements he was to set on foot. The right of induction of ministers was vested in him and upon close examination of his instructions it will be seen that he came to Maryland as the personal repre¬ sentative of both the Crown and the Church of England. Notice what this part of his instructions says: . and you are to enquire whether there be any minister within your Government who Preaches and Administers the Sacrament in any orthodox Church or Chappell without being in due Orders whereof you are to give an account to the said Bishop of London.”2 At the meeting of the first Assembly, May, 1692, at the City of St. Mary’s, after Governor Copley came, the first act passed was for the repealing of all previous laws. This done, the Assembly was presented with the draft of the Act entitled “An Act for the Service of Almighty God and the Establishment of the Protestant Religion within this Prov¬ ince.” The provisions of this Act had been thoroughly discussed during the session, the first mention of the Act being found in the proceedings of May 16th, 1692. On June 2nd the House and Council both assented to the bill 1 See also Act of 1702, p. 71, this book. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 8, p. 276. lb THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND and on June 9th, Governor Copley invited all the members of both houses to witness his signature to this Act. The first provision of the Act read as follows : “ Be it therefore enacted by the King and Queens most Excellent Majestys by and with the advice and consent of this present General Assembly and the authority of the same That the Church of England within this Province shall have and enjoy all her Rights Liberties and Franchises wholly inviolable as is now or shall be hereafter Established by Law and also that the Great Charter of England be kept and observed in all points.”1 Under the authority of this Act, the justices of each of the ten counties of Maryland were instructed to meet at their respective Court Houses, having previously given notice to the freeholders also to attend the meeting. With the advice of the freeholders the counties were to be divided into parishes. The vestrymen elected for each parish were to be of the freeholders, six in number, and the orthodox minister to be one of the vestry in his respective parish. Churches were to be built in each parish and a tax of forty pounds of tobacco was to be laid on the people of the province irrespective of creed for the maintenance of the minister. The provisions of this Act were carried out and the work of dividing the counties into parishes was com¬ pleted in the following year, full reports of the work in each county being made to the Governor and Council by the County Clerks. The “instructions” to Governor Copley, given him upon leaving England, included a command to . . take especial care that God Almighty be devoutly and duly served within your Govern- 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 13, p. 425. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 17 ment; the book of Common Prayer as it is now estab¬ lished read each Sunday and Holiday and the Blessed Sacrament administered according to the Rites of the Church of England. You shall take care that the churches already built there shall be well and orderly kept and more built as the Colony by God’s Blessing be improved and that besides a competent mainte¬ nance be assigned to the minister of each church, a convenient house built at the common charge for each minister. You are not to prefer any minister to any Ecclesiastical Benefice in that Our Province without a certificate from the Right Reverend the Bishop of London of his being conformable to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England and of a good life and conversation.”1 The reports to the Assembly in 1694 made by the Justices of the ten different counties of the Province showed that there were then thirty parishes, twenty-two churches and nine ministers. Upon the death of Governor Copley,2 Sir Francis Nich¬ olson was sent out as Governor of the Province,3 and to him the work of building up the Church was a pleasure. He wrote to the Board of Trade and Plantation in March, 1697, as follows: — “There was a law passed in the late Governor Copley’s time for establishing the Church of England which his Majesty in Councill was pleased to disapprove and disallow of <5zc; But there is another law now sent to your Lordships, and you may please to see by the Journals of the Assembly, what difficulties I met with about it. When I came 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 8, p. 276. 2 September 9th, 1693. 3 Gov. Nicholson arrived in the province in July, 1694. 18 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND hither I found very few of the Churches built, but I hope in God that they will be all finished this year, and then we shall want Clergymen, and a Com¬ missary to inspect the Church affairs, for whose maintenance an Act is passed, and now sent to your Lordships. My Lord Bishop of London hath prom¬ ised to send an able Commissary and some good Clergymen.”1 Governor Nicholson took the greatest interest in per¬ fecting the Establishment and offered by way of an in¬ centive “that if a way can be found out to build a house in every parish for the ministers, his Excellency (Nichol¬ son) does propose to give five pounds sterling towards building every such house begun in his Excellency's time.” His influence was the strongest help the Church of England had in Maryland at that time. The expenses of transpor¬ tation of the ministers into the province was allowed them and in the year 1697, nine more clergymen came into the colony, making in all eighteen.2 The time had now arrived for a personal representa¬ tive of the Bishop of London to take charge of the affairs of the Church. Dr. Thomas Bray was one of the greatest of the missionaries ever sent out from England and was noted for his godliness and great intelligence. Born 1656 at Marton, Shropshire, he was educated at Oxford. After serving as rector of Sheldon for a number of years (during these years he was devoting much of his time to collecting libraries for the use of the missionaries), he was sent to Maryland by Bishop Compton, then Lord Bishop of London, to settle the affairs of the infant Church.3 Doctor Bray left England on December 20th, 1699, and arrived 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 82. 2 See Section VII for list of Churches and Clergy in 1696. 3 Encyclo. Brit., ‘‘Dr. Bray." THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 19 in Maryland in March following. Going at once to An¬ napolis, he summoned the clergy to a “visitation,” which was held in that city on May 23rd, 1700. There were present seventeen clergymen representing fifteen of the parishes. To these he delivered a charge and gave them instructions in their clerical work. This good man was able so to impress the importance of the Establishment upon both the clergy and the Assembly that the work received a great impetus. After a short period (less than six months) of hard work in the Province in the interest of the Church, Doctor Bray returned to England to help in getting a law passed that would firmly establish the Church in Maryland. Those laws for the Establishment which the Assembly passed in 1692, 1696 and 1700 had defects which caused their “disallowance” by the King when they were pre¬ sented in council at Whitehall. Doctor Bray, having had the intimate knowledge of the conditions in the Province as well as of the requirements necessary to have the law passed at the King's Council, advised the Assembly at Annapolis first to have the law framed by the Commissioners of Trade and Plantation in England and then to pass it as it came from them. Doctor Bray gave his personal attention to the law, and when the Assembly convened at Annapolis in March, 1702, Governor Nathaniel Blackistone instructed the members of the Assembly to “fill in the blanks and pass the bill without amendment." This was done! The Assembly adjourned on the 25th of March, 1702, having passed the “Act for the Establishment of Religious worship in this Province According to the Church of England and for the Maintainance of Ministers.” By that act the Church in Maryland was governed, for over seventy years — until the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775. • • i - - - - - — - - - - Mdiwieu lewFrci-dbui Muitsville, BdELegroi iGlitasboro &NUEL KBERLAND ST. wjtOREWfS^ v . .fS^- CLEI •Twi^gtowii «owT/ ) ChnwBvillo / , Jaijikal.iwn J / toh m& .« rresapi ^GS ’ { , ; ; ClieriyRt im-mont PENSION Hhjii psteaxlv )ouble Pipe Cl Wolfarville.. Delaware Ci vALi£y WES'rMINSTER' l)uwil«villir' IGUSTI( ITuodsbc IISSION N i'w WLndso? Tlninlui Jonsbon ANDERSON INSBURG rAINTS4 \'' l SloWI Kevv. I'infieldl 'BRUIflETON / Mulrleti >lieinville :cutia 'AfT^EW^CnAPEt CHURCH ^vyi/cir lil.l.'l-O.i'ijfX' Nortt Branch Gams(it »T. .MARK’S 1 i^&ikoKvillf' Rockdale? Bomba . Hook' . Woodstock >T. ^EMENT’! >oksvilic il lUUK CHARl.HSToifN Uiugtou \ KoxbirnpMbht UNITY CHAPEi SIMON )H ....L.-v ill. • /ST. UJKlj* Y)ln**V ji #A/L#*X~. 'Pimlesvilie SOOTH .l.BESHirRcy idwards Ferry »u.-eTTT VlUCOTi ' (pthixcntl. Love Pi MARtjAR! XST.\AMESt' CHAPEL 0T( iJ^ANN’S ST. LUKE'S i £HAPEL. -YjBay Ridge §ViltNVlll. ihnt 'jM Cecil County, Maryland Kent Queen Annes County, Maryland Talbot Caroline Dorchester Somerset Wicomico Worcester DIOCESE OF WASHINGTON (ERECTED 1895) District of Columbia Montgomery County, Maryland Prince George’s “ Charles St. Mary’s BISHOP'S RESIDENCE, EASTON, MD. BISHOP'S RESIDENCE. MT. ST. ALBAN'S WASHINGTON, D. C. Owing to lack of space the names of churches in Baltimore and Washington are not shown on the map. A list of these churches will be found in the index. SYMBOLS ^ Red church indicates location of parish churches of the 30 original parishes. Same with black cross indicates that churches on these sites are now in use. T Black cross indicates location of churches in 1922. SCALE: GnofmVn - 8 miles = one inch t-T U t-? U T - f c PART II. PAPERS RELATING TO THE RELIGIOUS CONDI¬ TIONS THAT OBTAINED IN THE PROVINCE PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT. Queries from Whitehall and Answers by Lord Baltimore, Address to King William, Instructions to Governor Copley, Names of Associate rs, 1690, Members of Council and Assembly, 1692, Changes in Per¬ sonnel, Laws Repealed, 1692, etc., etc. I QUERIES ABOUT MARYLAND PROPOUND¬ ED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF TRADE AND PLANTATION. “At the Committee of Trade and Plantations, Monday the 10th of Aprill 1676 at the Robes Chamber in Whitehall. Present Lord Privy Seale Earle of Craven Duke of Ormond Mr Secty Williamson Earle of Carlisle There was also prepared the draft of a letter to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, the Lord Baltimore Pro¬ prietor of Maryland, Sir George Carteret Proprietor of New Jersey, and to the Bermudas Company, setting forth how that the plantation business (managed lately by a particular Councill) was now referred by his Majesty to a Committee of his Privy Councill, and that their Lordships might be enabled to inform his Majesty touching the con¬ dition of those Colonies. Their Lordships do send them some heads of Enquiry, upon which they are to return an accompt.’’1 “Their Lordships on the 10th of April sign a Circular letter w1^ severall Heads of Inquiry to the Lord Baltimore Lord Proprietary of Maryland.2 The letter followeth. After our very hearty commendacons to your Lordship. His Majesty having in his wis¬ dom thought fit to supersede the Commission by which his Council of Trade & Forreign Plantations lately acted & thereby restoring all the business of 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 5, p. 125. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 5, p. 128. 23 24 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND that nature to its accustomed Chanel of a Com¬ mittee of his Privy Council. And his majty having more especially committed to a select number of the Board, whereof we are, the care and management of things relating to his Plantations, we have therefore thought it convenient to give your Lordsp advir- tisnfi thereof. And because we do not as yet find ourselves enabled to give his Matie such account of the State & Condition of that Colony as his Royall service <3z the dependence thereof upon the Crown does require. We have therefore thought fit to send your Ldp (as we have done to others) some Heads of Inquiry here anext, the better to guide your Lord- ship in the method of that state and representation of things which we expect from your Lordship, and do desire it may be done with all convenient speed. And soe not doubting of your Lordships care to advise us farther in all matters that may from time to time conduce to his maties service, 8z our better discharge of the trust reposed in us. We bid your Lordship very hearty farewell.” The questions most important to the subject are: “From the Council Chamber at Whitehall1 This Tenth of April 1676” No. 11. Trade Building. What are the principal Towns and Places of trade. And what manner of Build¬ ings are most used in your Colony as to the strength and largeness of them. No. 12. Parishes. How many Parishes, Precincts or Divisions are within your Lordship’s Province? 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 5, p. 128. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 25 No. 18. No. 19. No. 20. No. 26. No. 27. Christenings. What number of Whites, Blacks or Mulattos have been born and Christened for these seven years last past, or any other space of time for as many years as you are able to state an account of? Marriages. What number of Mariages for seaven years last past or any other time, for as many years as you are able to state an account of? Burials. What number of people have yearly dyed within your Province for seaven years past or any other time, for as many years as you are able to state an account of ? Religion. What persuasion in Religious mat¬ ters is most prevalent; and among the varieties which you are to express which proportion in mem¬ bers and quality of people the one holds to the other. Church: What course is taken for the instruct¬ ing of the people in the Christian Religion? How many Churches and Ministers are there within your Province and how many are yet wanting for the accommodation of your Colony? What pro¬ vision is there made for their maintenance as also for relieving the poor decayed and impotent per¬ sons? And whether you have any Beggars or idle Vagabonds?” 26 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS IN THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 1676 Writing from the Patuxent river section of the Province under date of 25th May 1676, the Rev. John Yeo, a Church of England clergyman, labouring as a missionary in Mary¬ land at that time, calls thea ttention of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the religious situation which confronted him. His letter is in part as follows: “Most Reverend Father: Please to Pardon this Presumption of Mine in presenting to your serious view these Rude indi¬ gested lines wch (with humble submission) are to ac¬ quaint yor Grace with the Deplorable estate & con¬ dition of the Province of Maryland for want of an established Ministry, here are in this Province tenn or twelve County’s & in them at least twenty thousand soules & but three Protestant ministers of us th' are Conformable to the Doctrine & Discipline of the Church of England.” He writes of those who pretend they are ministers and states that they are not qualified and “for the most part such as never understood any¬ thing of learning & yet take upon themselves to be Dispensers of the Word & to administer Sacrament of Baptisme sow seeds of Divission amongst the People noe law Provided for the Suppression of such in this Province soe tN here is a great neces¬ sity of able CD . 03 > *_, ^ c: qj ±_* *r ^ T] lC ■ w 0n CO y" l K ^ T> ~0 5, ^ >>. -£: o T3 co fl) O o ° la c E- £> • c ^?Si3il I_ZK C «■§ T3 cc §?>> H 2 D O U H 2 r e2 03 TJ O C q _ _ a TO 12 « O' -C o C “’ou^ o^y“3 L •a o_^ ^ (X o C V ft > C/3 0^0-0 *-* r »- ^ Sug 2-S o® 0.-0 "B r ■ 03 03 *-> o jc 1 ^ r ( ) iP -D f U^f oUU X- VESTRY HOUSE. BUILT I7b6 St. Paul's Parish, Kent County One of two such buildings erected in original parishes in the Province. The other one is in St. George's Parish, Harford County. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 115 Chester River should be and remaine for the future belong¬ ing to that Eastern side of the Bay lately erected and called by the name of Cecill County upon further consideration hereof it is thought most necessary that so much of the Eastern side as was formerly added to Kent County doe still remaine and belong to the said County as afore not¬ withstanding that part of the said proclamation, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the lesser seale of this Province to be hereunto affixed the 19th day of June in the 42nd Yeare of the Dominion of Cecilius, t i i THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 117 ST. PAUL'S PARISH “consists of the rest of the County.’’1 The Chesapeake bay from Worton creek south No. 4 to the Chester river bounded the parish on the west, the Chester river also bounded it on the south and east. The northern line ran from Morgan’s creek, a branch of the Chester river, to the head waters of Churn creek.2 “VESTRYMEN chosen for the sd Parish & Ca viz1 — Mr William Frisby Mr Michael Miller Mr Hans Hanson Mr Charles Til den Mr Thomas Smyth Mr Simon Wilmore” ST. PAUL’S CHURCH is the parish church and stands at the head of Dunn's creek, the Northwest branch of Langford’s bay, amid a grove of giant oaks. The church was completed in 1713. THE REV. STEPHEN BORDLEY was sent in 1697 to the parish to take up the work that had been begun by the Rev.Mr. Lawrence Vanderbush, the first minister. Mr. Vanderbush went to St. Paul’s in September, 1693 and not only preached in this parish but also held services in South Sassafras or Shrewsbury parish. This latter parish was then within the bounds of Cecil county. The Rev. Stephen Bordley incumbent 1696.3 By an Act of the Assembly, passed April 4th, 1697, the division line between this and Shrewsbury parish was determined and a commission appointed to run the line and make a report to the Assembly. The bounds of St. Paul’s parish were changed but little when the line was finally run in 1698; the commission finished its work that year. The following is a partial copy of the Act; ’’That from and after the tenth of June 1698 all that land and inhabitants in Chester river above the riding over of a branch of Morgan's Creek on the east side of William Bate¬ man's house and on the north side of a line drawn from the riding over of the sd branch to the head of a branch of a Creek issueing out of the Bay called Churn Creek, be Always taken and reputed and be in Shrewsbury parish and All the land on the South side of the sd Churn Creek and Branch and Division line down the Bay to the extent of CECIL COUNTY be added to St. Paul's parish in KENT COUNTY on the North side of Chester River and Always to be Reputed in St. Paul's Parish any Law, Custom or Usage to the contrary Notwithstanding.” 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 21. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 21. 3 B. C. Steiner in Md. Hist. Magazine, Vol. 12, p. 119. 118 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY Named for Lady Anne Arundel, the wife of Cecilius Calvert, second Lord Baltimore. ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY’S (erected 1650) southern boundary was a “line from Herring Creek to No. 3 the head of Patuxant River.’’1 The Chesapeake bay was the eastern boundary and according to the Act of Assembly of 1722, Chap. No. 3, the division between Westminster parish in Anne Arundel and the parish of St. Paul’s in Baltimore county apparently ran from the Chesapeake bay at a point about equidistant from the Magothy river and the mouth of Bodkin creek to about where the present village of Elkridge is situated. This line followed the ridge be¬ tween the Patapsco and Magothy rivers. How long this line had served to divide the two parishes is not known. The following official record shows that part of Anne Arundel belonged to Baltimore county in 1694: “Petition of the Inhabitants Situated upon the South Side of the Patapsco River praying that they may be Re- joyned to the County of Ann Arrundell as formerly they were. Which being Read, Ordered that the said peticon be sent to the house of Assembly for their considercon.’’2 “By the Assembly, Oct., 3rd 1694. The within Petition Read & Considered, Voted whether the South Side of Patapsco River be added to the County of Ann Arrundell or Remaine still as it is. Carried by Majority of votes to Remaine as it is.’’3 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 19, p. 318. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 19, p. 31. 3 Arch. Kid., Vol. 19, p 69. STATE HOUSE Annapolis, Anne Arundel County Here many of the laws affecting the early Church in the Province were enacted. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 119 “ANN ARRUNDEL COUNTY is divided into Six Hun¬ dreds viz1 1. Town Neck Hundred 2. Middle Neck 3. Broad 4. South River 5. West 6. Herring Creek “ 1,1 “ANN ARRUNDEL COUNTY is Divided into Four Parishes vizc — Herring Creek Parish South River Middle Neck Broad Neck “ "2 IN THE REPORT to the Assembly on July 30th, 1694, Anne Arundel was said to contain : “4 Parishes laid out but noe churches built, nor noe Minister.”3 THE PARISHES in Anne Arundel county were divided by the rivers that emptied into the Chesapeake with the exception of Broad Neck, or Westminster, parish on its northern side. This parish was divided from St. Paul's parish in Baltimore county as described on page 138 of this book. Their western boundaries being the line run north from the branch of Matta- woman creek to the northern limits of the Province, as called for in naming the bounds of Piscataway parish in Charles county.4 THE COURT HOUSE for Anne Arundel county was built at Annapolis. 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 25. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 19. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 107. 4 See description Piscataway Parish. Page 135 120 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND "HERRING CREEK PARISH consists of Herring Creek Hundred and the major part of West River No. 5 Hundred.’’1 "Beginning at ye Southmost bounds of South River Parish and bounding on ye East with ye bay of Chesapeake lieing down southerly to ye creeke called Fishing Creek then west with ye Said creeke to ye bounds of Ann Arundel and Calvert Countys to Lyons Creek then with the said creeke to Potuxent then up the said river to ye land called White Plaines to the Southernmost bounds of South River Parish”2 and to the beginning. "VESTRYMEN chosen for Herring Creek Parish, viz1 — Thomas Tench Esqr Mr Seth Biggs Cap1 William Holland Cap1 Robert Lockwood Mr James Rigbey Mr Nicholas Perret.’’3 (Turrett?) HERRING CREEK (now known as St. James’) CHURCH was built in 1 765. The records of the parish go back to 1695. 4 When the vestry assumed charge of the parish they found an old church already standing. It was the church of the original Herring Creek Parish. "The vestry set about building a new edifice, the contract for which was given out in 1695. "5 THE FIRST RECTOR of the parish was the Rev. Henry Hall. He served from 1695 until his death in 1721. He was regularly inducted May 7th 1698. Joseph Tilley was lay reader in 1696 and 1697.6 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 19. 2 Church Life in Colonial Maryland, p. 63. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 19. 4 Old Brick Churches, Ridgely. 6 Church Life in Colonial Maryland, Gambrall, p. 68 &'257 « Allen Ms., p. 18. St. JAMES, BUILT 1765 I Ierring Creek, Anne Arundel County HMIMMS liiPi'I'Hl Ifcwili ALL HALLOWS, BUILT ABOUT 1727 South River, Anne Arundel County This church has been recently repaired. It succeeds one standing at the time of the Establishment. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 121 “SOUTH RIVER PARISH consists of South River Hundred and a Small part of West River No. 6 Hundred.’’1 ’’VESTRYMEN Chosen for South River Parish: Cap1 Hen. Hanslope Mr John Gresham Mr William Roper Mr Edw. Burgess Mr Walter Phelps Mr John Watkins.”2 ’ ‘ALL HALLOWS CHURCH was built about 1 727, succeed¬ ing an earlier one which antedated the Establishment. The Rev. Duell Pead performed the rites of baptism in this neighborhood from 1682 to 1690.”3 He preached by request a sermon, 1683, before the Provincial Assembly4 at St. Mary’s City. THE REV. JOSEPH COLEBATCH served as first rector, beginning his work in 1695. He died in 173 5. 5 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 19. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 19. 3 Old Brick Churches. Ridgely 4 See page 7 of this book. 5 Allen Ms. 122 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND “MIDDLE NECK PARISH is Scituated betwixt South No. 7 River and Severn River.”1 “VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish chosen &ca Vizc Mr Thos. Bland Mr Richd Wharfield Mr Laurence Draper Mr Jacob Harness Mr Wm Brown Mr Corne. Howard.”2 ST. ANN'S CHURCH was begun in 1696 and finished in 1699. Committee appointed by Governor Nicholson reported, October 2, 1696, that “We find by com¬ putation that the Building of the Church [St. Ann's] at Annapolis, according to the modell pre¬ scribed by his Excellency will not cost less than 1200 pounds Sterling.”3 Rebuilt in 1792 and again in 1858. THE REV. PEREGRINE CONY was rector of this parish from 1696 to 1698. The Rev. James Wootton was rector from 1706 to Apr. 19, 1710. 4 1 Arch. Md„ Vol. 23. p. 19. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 20. * Arch. Md., Vol. 19, p. 450 4 Allen Ms. ST. ANN. BUILT 1699. REBUILT 1792 AND 1858. Middle Neck Parish, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County ! [ ! j ) ,7 i i I I ! ST. MARGARET Westminster Parish, Anne Arundel County The first church, built shortly after the Establishment, replaced with brick church, 1731. The present church erected near site of the second church. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 123 “BROAD NECK PARISH is situated on the North Side of Severn River including Town Neck & No. 8 Broad Neck Hundreds.”1 This is now known as Westminster Parish. “VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish Chosen, &ca viz1 Mr John Bennet Mr William Hopkins Mr Rob't Eagle Mr George Eager Mr Hugh Merrican Mr Edw. Fuller.”2 THERE WAS A CHURCH prior to 1692 which stood on Severn Heights. It was destroyed by fire many years ago, the parish records perishing with the old church. A few tombstones and the stone founda¬ tion of the old church remain to mark the site. THE REV. EDWARD TOPP, JR., was the first rector. The Rev. Edward Topp, Jr. was incumbent in 1696.3 Dr. Ethan Allen4 states that he (Topp) was there in 1698. He also states that the Rev. James Wootton was rector in 1705. 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 20. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 20. 3 B. C. Steiner in Md. Hist. Magazine, Vol. 12, p. 119. 4 Allen Ms. p. 18. 124 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND CALVERT COUNTY Named for the Calvert Family. CALVERT COUNTY (erected 1650) in 1692 was divided from Anne Arundel County “by a line from No. 4 Herring Creek to the head of the Patuxent.”1 On the east the county was bounded by the Cheapeake bay. On the south and west by Pyne Hill creek, then paralleling the Three Notched Road and then on through the woods to the “head of the Patuxent.” Calvert County in 1692 comprised parts of the present counties of St. Marys, Charles, Prince Georges and Anne Arundel. “At that time the Governor decided to — ‘Erect make and appoint both sides of the Putuxent river into one County by the name of calvert county bounded on the Southside with Pynehill River or Creek to the head thereof and from thence through the woods to the head of Putexent River being the Northerly bound of St. Maries County and bounded on the North Side with the Creek upon the Westerne Side of Chesapeake Bay called the Herring Creeke and from thence through the woods to the head of Putuxent River being the Southerly bound of Anne Arundel County’.”2 The two parishes of St. Paul’s and All Faiths which were within the bounds of the old county were laid out on the west side of the Patuxent river. "CALVERT COUNTY is divided into Six Hundreds, vizc — Lyons Creeke Hundred Hunting Creek Hundred Lower End of Cliffs “ Leonards Creek Upper End of Cliffs “ Elton Head “ ”3 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, 2 The Counties of Maryland. Edward B. Mathews. ! Arch. Md.. Vol. 23, p'. 23. MIDDLEHAM CHAPEL, BUILT 1748 Christ Church Parish, Lusby, Calvert County ST. PAUL Prince Frederick, Calvert County THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 125 “CALVERT COUNTY is divided into Four Parishes, viz' Christ Church All Saints St. Pauls All Faiths.”1 REPORT to the Assembly July 30, 1694. “CALVERT COUNTY has 5 parishes laid out, 3 whereof have Churches built, but noe Ministers.”2 THE FIRST COURT HOUSE for Calvert was the church at Mt. Calvert. “Ordered that it be moved to the Burgesses for a law that the church at Mount Calvert be a Court house as well as a Church.”3 Court House at Calvert Town 1694. 4 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 18. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 108. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 284. 4 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 76. 126 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND “CHRIST CHURCH PARISH consists of these following Hundreds, viz' No. 9 Hunting Creek Hundred Leonards Creek Eltonhead Clifts Lower do do do “VESTRYMEN chosen at the time and place [Waring- town], viz': — Mr Richd Smith Cap' Thomas Clegate Mr Henry Firnley Mr Francis Maulden Mr John Manning Mr Samuel Holdsworth”2 “THE CHURCH being already built [1692], called by the name of Christ Church standing on one acre of land gave by Mr. Francis Mauldin for the same Intent and purpose out his tract of land called by the name of ‘Prevent Danger \“3 Christ Church was rebuilt in 1735. THE FIRST MINISTER was the Rev. Dr. William Mul- lett who preached in this vicinity in 1684. 4 The Rev. Mr. Furling was preaching there in 169 1.5 The Rev. Richard Hill was the minister of Christ Church Parish serving there in 1694. 6 The Rev. Henry Hall was rector 1 695— 1 697. 7 ONE SET OF THE LIBRARY books sent over to the Province by the Rev. Thomas Bray was sent to Mr. Richard Smith, a vestryman of Christ Church Parish.8 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 18. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 8, p. 472. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 8, p. 472. 4 Arch. Md., Vol. 17, 6 Allen Ms., p. 1 5. 6 Allen Ms., p. 68. 7 Allen Ms., p. 18. 9 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 212. CHRIST, BUILT ABOUT 1735 Port Republic, Calvert County ALL SAINTS Sunderland, Calvert County I his church succeeds one built prior to 1695. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 127 “ALL SAINTS PARISH consists of these two following Hundreds, viz1 — No. 10 Lyons Creek Hundred and the Upper hundred of the Clifts.’’1 “VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish chosen &ca viz1 Mr Walter Smith Mr William Nichols Mr William Turner Mr John Scott Mr John Leech Junr Mr John Hance. ”2 “AND A CHURCH to be built on one acre of land be¬ longing to Thomas Kemp on the cross Road of Severn Ridge Path and the road leading to Cox town to be called by the name of All Saints Church. ’ ’3 “Petition of the vestrymen of the parish of All Saints in Calvert County sitting forth that they had taken care to build a church within their said parish and had sometimes on Sunday in an after¬ noon the benefit of Mr Hull’s preaching amongst them, etc.’’4 The present church was built in 1815. REV. HENRY HALL officiated in 1694. 6 “Mr Andrew Geddes, layreader at All Saints October 8th 1696.”6 Mr. Thomas Cockshutt was appointed minister in 1697. “AN ACCT OF THE SIX SETS OF BOOKS the Bishop of London sent and where they are and to whom delivered to. To Walter Smith, vestryman of the church newly built in the freshes of the Patuxent where Mr Hull intends to preach..’’7 128 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND “ST. PAUL’S PARISH consists of the following bounds, viz1 No. 1 1 From the Upper Part of M1 Calvert hundred to the main branch of Swantsons Creek.”1 This was decided at a "Court held at Benedict Leonard Town the 14th of February, 1693.” "VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish chosen &ca viz1 Mr Thomas Brooke Mr Thomas Greenfield Mr Thomas Hollyday Mr Richd Charlet Mr William Barton Mr Sam1 Magruther.”2 [Magruder] “THE CHURCH for the same [parish] being already built [1692] at Charles Town called by the name of St. Paul’s Church.”3 REV. MR. TURLING was rector prior to 1691. 4 The encumbent in 1696 was Monsieur Morien.5 Rev. Thos. Davis was rector in 1695 ,6 and the Rev. Robert Owen, from 1700 to 1710. QUEEN ANNE PARISH in 1704 was erected from this parish by Act of the Assembly, Chapter 96. 7 “ONE SET OF" BOOKS to Thomas Hollyday vestry¬ man of the church at Mount Calvert for that church.”8 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 18. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 18. * Arch. Md., Vol. 8, p. 473. 4 Allen Ms. p. 15 5 B. C. Steiner, Md. Hist. Mag., Vol. 12, p. 118. 5 Allen Ms., p. 18. 7 Bacon’s Laws of Maryland. 8 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 212. ST. PAUL, BUILT 1733 Baden, Prince George's County ALL FAITH, BUILT 1765 Mechanicsville, St. Mary's County THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 129 ‘‘ALL FAITHS PARISH consists of the following bounds, vizc No. 12 From the main branch of Swanson’s Creek to the Lower part of Harvy Hundred.”1 ‘‘VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish chosen, viz1 Mr James Keech Mr John Smith Mr Rich’d Southern [Sotheron] Mr John Giliam Mr Charles Askue [Ashcom ?] Cap1 Richd Gardner.”2 “THE CHURCH for the said Parish being already built standing by the fork of Trent Creek called by the name of All Faiths Church.”3 The present church erected 1765. “REV. MR. TURLING minister prior to 1691.”4 The Rev. Thomas Davis went there as rector in 1695.5 TRINITY PARISH was erected out of part of this parish by Act of the Assembly, 1744, Chapter 14.6 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 18. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 18. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 8, p. 474. 4 Allen Ms. p. 15. 6 Allen Ms., p. 18. 6 Bacon's Laws of Maryland. 130 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND CHARLES COUNTY Named for Charles Calvert, Third Lord Baltimore CHARLES COUNTY (erected 1658) in 1692 was bounded on the south and west by St. Mary’s county No. 5 and the Potomac river, on the east by Calvert county and the north by the Maryland- Pennsylvania line. This may be more fully described by quoting from Thomas’ Chronicles of Colonial Maryland: “Charles County bounds, the river Wicomico to its head and from the mouth of that River up the Potomac as high as the settlements extend and thence to the head of Wicomico.’’ In describing the bounds of Piscataway Parish, the north¬ ernmost of the Charles county parishes, Dr. Allen gives practically all of the rest of the Province (not already cov¬ ered by the other nine counties) to this county thereby making it nearly equal in area to all the other counties combined. “CHARLES COUNTY is divided into Seven hundreds, viz1 Lower part of William & Mary Parish Hundred. T T It II II H “ »» * * Upper East Side of Portobacco West Lower part of Nanjemy Parish Upper Upper “ “ King Queen Parish1 Benedict Town being joyned to part of King & Queen Parish.”2 1 This Hundred counted as part of St. Mary’s until 1716. Was also known as Newport Hundred. 2 Arch. Md„ Vol. 23, p. 24. T> W w C C X X — 03 ^ ^ > fc. W) t£ o O c c £ ^ o "O h- es D - C2 Cl < < H ^ 00 111 UJ a: o cC oX 3 fcJD D ' j O U >A £ O H U S^ll > ^ aJ > 03 T3 aj ca. C « r 10 ej j: o l a £ fcc ca _ = 8^| 32 ~o Z t2- ^x (/i S-g-o ? P c c • — fc— C/3 03 £ O 0- 03 O 03 :§B a ~.-£u , w >, 03 £? 573 i 8 I § JU^S ° wX O 0 y; >> ~ CO ^ •“ O l. > i.2o U r CO -sa 03 - O c co — ^ r 5'5d:^ >x. > 03 P c o c 0 .2 CO X T3 o or .2 ‘Si £ 1 O c/) ga CO > -, 03 o * I THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 131 “CHARLES COUNTY is divided into four Parishes viz1 William & Mary Port Tobacco Nanjemy Piscatoway, the Bounds whereof being artificial and Somewhat Long have Omitted to insert them here.’’1 REPORT to the Assembly ; July 30, 1694. “Charles County has 4 parishes laid out, vizc William and Mary, which has church built Portobacco, which has church built Nanjemie, which has church building Pescattaway, which has a church agreed for All want ministers, Vestry men in every Parish.’’2 THE COURT HOUSE for Charles County stood (1688) on the plantation of Thomas Hussey. ' ‘Ordered that the Deputy Surveyor of Charles County survey and lay out the Lott or Acre of Land on which the Court House in the said County standeth including in the said Acre said Court House, Prison, Pillory and Stocks . . . in no wise prejudiceing the dwelling or the other houses of the said Thomas Hussey near the said Court House adjacent . , April 5, 1688. 3 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 18 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 109, and Md. Cal. of Wills, Vo!. 1, p. 48. * Arch. Md., Vol. 8, p. 26. 132 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND WILLIAM AND MARY PARISH bounds are given in the court records of Charles County. Dr. Allen’s No. 13 Ms described them as follows: “Bounds of Pickawaxon Parish. Beginning at the plan¬ tation of John Courtes, Senior, and running with a straight line to the plantation formerly Samuel Cresseyes’ Landing — the said courtes on the north of the said line and the said cresseyes on the southside of the said line and bounding with the Potomac River to the mouth of Wiccomomico River and so up the Wiccomomico to the head of said river and with the branch thereof to the said Courtes’ Point.’’1 “VESTRYMEN for William & Mary Parish chosen, &ca viz* Co" John Courts Mr Robert Yates Mr William Hawton Mr Henry Hardy Mr John Wielder Mr William Harbert.’’2 CHRIST CHURCH. The first church was built prior to 169 1.3 DR. ETHAN ALLEN states that the Rev. Mr. Moore was rector of the parish in 1692 and 1693 and the Rev. George Tubman preached from 1695 to 1700. 4 1 Charles County Land Records, Lib. R., p. 459. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 19. 3 Allen Ms., p. 1 5. 4 Allen Ms., p. 18. Wayside, Charles County a ing about the time of the Establishment. 134 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND NANJEMY PARISH which is now known as “Durham Parish” is bounded as follows: — “Beginning No. 15 at Phillip Hoskin’s Quarter, soe with a straight line to the head of Joseph Bullett’s Mill Branch and down the said Branch to Mattawoman Creeke and so down Mattawoman Creek to the mouth thereof, and down the Potomak River to the mouth of Nanjemy Creek or Avon River and so up the said creek or river to the Mill at the head thereof and thence to Capt. Hoskin’s Quarter.”1 “VESTRYMEN for Nanjemy Parish chosen &zca viz1 Mr John Stone Mr Joseph Manning Mr William Dent Mr William Stone Mr Richard Harrison Mr Gerrard Fowke.”2 THE CHURCH for this Parish was being built at the time the report was made to the Assembly.3 Upon com¬ pletion it was called Durham Church. The second church (now standing) was authorized to be built in 1732. REV. JOHN TURLING, “Presbyter Anglicans”, probably first Rector of this parish. William Dent and Eliza¬ beth Fowke were married by him in ib84.4 Rev. George Tubman rector in 1695. 5 Rev. George Tubman incumbent in 1696. 6 1 Allen Ms. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 19. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 109. 4 Charles County Court Records, Liber R No. I, Vol. 2. 6 Allen Ms., p. 1 8. 6 B. C. Steiner in Md. Hist. Magazine, Vol. 12, p. 1 18. >- H z D O U c/) UJ cC < X U z~ o H < o Parish Church of Nanjemoy or Durham Parish. C\ Cn '5 JD _C o u- 3 -C o s: CO 03 a H- CO J- 2 o a: (D > 2 CQ 03 £ O 4— ' 4— > 03 O CO a o o V- 3 X u _c (/> 03 a THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 135 PISCATTAWAY PARISH (alias St. John’s.) Doctor Allen gives the bounds of this parish as fol- No. 16 lows: “Beginning at the mouth of the Matta- woman Creek and running up the said Creek and Branch thereof to the utmost limits of the County [Charles] and running North to the line of the Province and then West to the Potomac River and then down the said River to the mouth of the Mattawoman Creek.’’1 2 “VESTRYMEN for Piscattaway Parish chosen &T* vizt2 John Addison Esqr Mr William Hutchinson Mr William Hatton Mr William Tanneyhill Mr John Emmet Mr James Stoddart’’3 NO CHURCH had been built at the time the report was made. The first meeting of the vestry was held at the house of John Addison, Esqr. At that meeting it was decided to buy 78 acres, part of “Lisle Hall”, at Broad Creek. It was on this land in 1699 that the parish church was built and it received the name of “Broad Creek Church.” PRINCE GEORGE S PARISH4, by Act of the Provincial Assembly, 1726, Chapter 6, was erected out of Piscattaway Parish, and the chapel of Ease at Rock 1 Charles County Land Records, Liber R, p. 460. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 19. 3 Mr. John Smallwood was elected a memberof the vestry on January 30th, 1693 and upon his death Mr. James Stoddart was elected July 29th, 1696 to fill the vacancy. 4 Bacon’s Laws of Maryland 136 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCES OF MARYLAND Creek, built in 1719, became the parish church of Prince George’s parish. In 1742 the Assembly was again petitioned further to divide the territory originally covered by Piscattaway Parish, and Chap¬ ter 18 of that Session erected “All Saints Parish” with the parish church at Frederick.1 THE FIRST RECTOR of Piscattaway Parish was the Rev. George Tubman who began his work August 4th, 1696. He was also rector of Portobacco, Wil¬ liam and Mary and Nanjemy Parishes at the same time. He died in 1701. 2 1 Bacon’s Laws. *Dr. Ethan Allen’s Ms., p. 65. ALL SAINTS Frederick City, Frederick County The creation of All Saints Parish in 1742 was at the expense of Prince George's Par¬ ish. The latter was itself taken from the original territory of Old Piscattoway Parish, which thus suffered its first dismemberment. The first All Saints Church was built in 1750; the new church was begun in 1855. 1/ ' I RECTORY, BUILT 1791 St. Paul's Parish, Baltimore THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 137 BALTIMORE COUNTY Named for the Lord Baltimore's Irish Barony. BALTIMORE COUNTY (erected 1659) in 1692 was bounded on the east by the Susquehanna No. 6 river. The Chesapeake bay was one of its boundaries. For its southern boundary, we quote proclamation of June 6th, 1674, “the southern boundary of Baltimore county shall be the south side of Potapsco River, and from the highest plantation on that side of the river due south two miles into the woods.’’1 This “two miles into the woods” means that a two mile strip of country on the south side of the Patapsco river was taken from Anne Arundel county by this “proc¬ lamation” for we find in the “Upper House Journal” under date of April 23, 1684 “A Petition of the Inhabi¬ tants scituate upon the southside of Patapsco River and others holding land there desireing to bee restored into the County of Ann Arundell from whence at first they were taken into Baltimore County by reason of their greate dis¬ tance from and incommodious wayes of goeing to the County Court of Baltimore & Ca. Read and rejected, — This House Considering that Baltimore County being already very small and for other motives the same re- maine as now it is.”2 The present southern boundary of Baltimore county was made by Act of Assembly 1722, Chap. 3, and the former lines recited in the Act prove that the division line between the two counties, Baltimore and Anne Arundel, began upon the shore of the Chesapeake bay about a mile and a quarter south of Bodkin Point and paralleled the 1 Scharfs Hist, of Baltimore County, p. 41. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 13, p. 41. 138 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND course of the Patapsco at a distance of about two miles, running northwest along the ridge between the Magothy and the Patapsco rivers. The western boundary1 of the county was the line that bounded Piscattaway parish (Charles county) on the east — this line ran north from the head of Mattawoman creek to the boundary line of the Province. THE FIRST COURT HOUSE of Baltimore county was built on Bush river, now Harford county, and it is generally supposed it was there that the Court met until 1712 when by Act of Assembly the Court House was built in Joppa, also now in Harford county. In 1768 the Court House was abandoned and the county seat removed to Baltimore city.2 “BALI’ I MORE COUNTY is divided into Five Hundreds, viz1 Speceutia Hundred Gun Powder River South Side Gun Powder North Side Patapsco South Side Patapsco “ 3 REPORT to the Assembly, June 30, 1694. “What Parishes laid out un¬ known." “The division of the Parishes and Bounds thereof have not as yet been Returned by the Clerk of the said County but do find by the Returns of the Severall Vestrymen that the said County is divided into three Parishes, viz1 Patapsco [St. Paul's] Parish S1 John’s S1 Georges “ 4 1 Note Baltimore County's western boundary. 2 Scharfs Hist, of Baltimore County, p. 43. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 24. 4 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 20. VESTRY HOUSE, BUILT 1766 St. George's Parish, Perryman, Harford County One of two such buildings erected in that year; the other one is at St. Paul's Church, Kent County. s s: H < J i— o oj cC 03 a 03 CL D CQ co < O z D O U Llj * O H -J CC c/3 UJ a: o Cl CO > ~5 CO UL CD tv. CO Li cC c£ <£ u JS ~ r- O 03 TT c-£ -c _c w co "O •r 03 CL 8 3 CO THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 139 In accordance with the directions of this Act of the As¬ sembly, (1692, Ch. 2) the Justices of Baltimore County at a Court held Nov. 1692 made the follow¬ ing order: — "That one Parish be in Speceutia Hund¬ red, and another in Gunpowder River (that is to say) from Gunpowder River to the head of Middle River And [another] from Middle River as far as the County goes or extends."1 June 27, 1702. "According to his Excellency the Governour’s order and summons appeared the Vestry of St. Paul’s Parish on Patapsco River in Baltimore County and it being required of them to produce their Accounts how the 40 lb. p poll raised in that Parish has been disposed of Mr Richard Cromwell alledges for that the Sheriff of the County Lieut. Col1 Maxwell is now very sick but says that the Vestry have about 20000 pounds of Tob° wherewith they desire to build a Chappel of Ease for the Parishioners on the South side of Patapsco River but that being contrary to Law. Ordered by his Excellcy the Governour & Council that the said Vestry do apply what Tob° they have in their Hands belonging to the Parish in building a pretty convenient House and purchasing a Glebe for the Min¬ ister & his successors."2 1 Baltimore County Court Records, Vol. F, p. 338. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 24, p. 289. 140 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND “PATAPSCO (or St. Paul’s) PARISH. The bounds ot this parish were as follows: — On the east by No. 1 7 Middle river, on the south by the Chesapeake bay, on the west by the county of Anne Arundel and the eastern boundry line of Piscattaway parish,1 one of the parishes of Charles County. It was bounded on the north by the boundry line of the province. “THE VESTRY, September 1693, was as follows: — George Ashman Richard Sampson John Ferry Richard Cromwell Nicholas Corban Francis Walkings John Gay, Clerk to the Vestry’’2 THE FIRST CHURCH built, 1702, in this parish stood at the head of “Cloppers,” now Colgate creek. “We the Vestrie men for Patapsco Hundred met to¬ gether at the house of Major John Thomas [re¬ solved] that at Pettites Old Field was the most convenient place for to erect a Church.’’3 The present parish church stands on the corner of Charles and Saratoga Streets in the City of Bal¬ timore. The first church built on this site was erected in 1730. THE REV. EDWARD TOPP, JR. was the incumbent of this parish in 1696. 4 According to the Allen Manu¬ script the first rector of the parish was the Rev. Edward Topp, Jr. He served from 1698 to 1702. ST. THOMAS’ PARISH was the first subdivision of St. Paul’s Parish. It was erected by authority of an Act of the Provincial Assembly in 1 742, Chapter 1 5. 5 1 See bounds of Piscattaway Parish, Charles County. 2 Court Records, Baltimore County, Liber G, No. 1, p. 126. 3 Court Records, Baltimore County, Liber G, No. 1, p. 126. 4 B. C. Steiner in Maryland Hist. Mag., Vol. 1 2, p. 119. 6 Bacon's Laws of Maryland. ST. PAUL, BUILT 1856 St. Paul's Parish, Baltimore City This is the fifth parish church to have been built in St. Paul s Parish and the fourth on this spot. The first church stood on "Cloppers," now Colgate Creek. ST. JOHN, BUILT 1815 Kingsville, Baltimore County Old Parish Church of Copley or St. John's Parish. The first church of this parish was built at Joppa, once county seat of Baltimore County. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 141 ST. JOHN’S PARISH (“alias Copley Parish”), Dr. Allen says, contained the two hundreds of Gun- No. 18 powder and Southern Gunpowder, bounded, according to the best records obtainable, by the Bush river on the east, the Chesapeake bay on the South, Middle river on the west and the northern line of the Province on the north. Dr. Allen’s Ms. gives the following as vestrymen in June 1693. Mr Thomas Haley Mr Thomas Hodge Mr Richard Adams Mr Moses Groome Cap1 Thomas Preston Mr Lawrence Richardson. “VESTRYMEN chosen as by Return, viz1 Mr Thomas Staley Cap1 Thomas Preston Mr Richard Adams Mr Samuel Siclemore Mr Daniel Scott Mr Abram Tayler.’’1 “THE CHURCH to be on Elk Neck on Gunpowder River.’’2 St. Johns Church was built later at the former county seat of Baltimore county, Joppa, but the present parish church is at Kingsville, built in 1 8 1 7. IT IS KNOWN THAT the famous Rev. John Yeo, who died in 1686, lived in the territory which was included in 1692 in the parish bounds. The earliest record of a minister after the Establishment is that of the Rev. John Edwards, 1710. ST. JAMES PARISH was erected in 1770, the chapel of ease of St. John’s Parish becoming the parish church. 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 20. 2 Dr. Allen’s Ms. 142 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND ST. GEORGE'S PARISH was bounded on the east and south by the Susquehanna river and Chesa- No. 19 peake bay. The Bush river and its head¬ waters served as the western bounds. The northern line of the Province was its northern limits. “VESTRYMEN as by Return, vizc Mr William Hollace [Wallace?] Mr Laurence Tayler Mr John Parker Mr George Smith Mr Roger Mathews Mr Thomas Cordey.”1 THE FIRST CHURCH in this part of the Province was called “Spesutia Church" built in 1671. 2 This present church is now called St. George’s and is near the village of Perryman, Harford county. THE REV. JEREMIAH EATON was the first Protestant minister in Baltimore county (west of the Chesapeake bay) and he owned land (1675) near Bush river. In 1683 the Rev. John Yeo preached in that part of Baltimore county afterwards laid out into St. George’s Parish. He settled at New Castle, Dela¬ ware, June 4, 1678, and was the first Episcopal minister in that State. Rev. Thomas Dawes “min- of this parish, 1695 ;3 Rev. Jno. Edwards rector 1 702—1 7 1 1 ;4 Rev. Evan Evans from 1718 to 1722. 5 1 Arch. Md„ Vol. 23. p. 20. 2 Allen Ms., p. 1 8. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 19, p. 274. 4 Allen Ms., pp. 19-20. 6 Allen Ms., p. 71 JZ / £ o c/5 -C C/5 ^ ^5 73 ST. GEORGE, BUILT 1851 Perryman, Harford County CHRIST Easton, Talbot County The Parish Church of St. Peter's Parish, of which the corner stone was laid May 2 1 , 1840. . THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 143 TALBOT COUNTY Named for Grace Talbot, daughter of George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore. TALBOT COUNTY (erected 1662) in 1692 extended from the head of Chester river down to the Chop- No. 7 tank river. The western bounds were the Chester river, the “Narrows," Eastern bay and the Chesapeake. While the eastern boundaries were identical with those of the Province there were very few colonists who lived far from the water courses, hence the eastern limits were not sharply defined. “TALBOT COUNTY is divided into nine Hundreds, viz* Tredhaven Hundred Bullinbroake Mill Tuckohoe Worrell Bay Island Chester Lower of Kent Island. “ 1,1 “TALBOT COUNTY is divided into three Parishes, viz' S' Paul’s Parish S' Peter's Sc Michael’s “ ” 1 2 1 Arch. Md„ Vol. 23, p. 24. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 21. 144 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND REPORT to the Assembly June 30, 1694. "They can Give noe certain Returne as yet for Talbot County."1 At a court held at Yorke, June 20th, 1693, there were appointed by the court the vestrymen for the three parishes of the County.2 THE FIRST COURT HOUSE was on Skipton creek, a branch of the Wye river, at "Hopton.”3 . . at the time of laying out the parishes, in 1693, the Court House was on a branch of Wye river where is the dwelling plantation of Mr. Wm. Hemsley Junr which by many is still called the old Court House."4 * "In 1680 a Court House was built upon land pur¬ chased of Jonathan Hopkin which was located on Skipton creek near the headwaters of the Wye river. In this build¬ ing court was held for the first time in 1682 or 1683. Later a 'prison' was built. Around these two buildings there grew up quite a village which was called, by Act of As¬ sembly of 1686, "Yorke” evidently in honor of the ancient town in England of the same name."6 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 111. 2 Ms. of Dr. Samuel A. Harrison. 3 Hist, of Talbot County. Col. Oswald Tilghman, 4 Ms. Dr. Samuel A. Harrison. s Maryland's Colonial Eastern Shore, p. 26. 5 23 time it became the parish church of Wye Parish. Centerville, Queen Anne's County The first church of St. Paul's Parish was of wood construction and stood about a mile southwest of where Centerville is, at a place called “Hibernia." In 1698 this building was replaced by a brick structure and called “Chester" church. In 1765 Chester Church was in such bad condition that the vestry decided to rebuild it follow¬ ing the plans of St. Paul's Church in Philadelphia This later building was torn down and some of the bricks, for sentimental reasons, were used in making the walls of the present parish church. ST. PAUL, BUILT 1834 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 145 “ST PAUL'S PARISH begins at the head of Chester River & Extends to the Court House1 and from the No. 20 Court House along the north side of Brewers’ Branch [now Skipton creek] to the Head of sd branch and from thence to Judwin’s branch being the North part of Tuccohoe Hundred.”2 “VESTRYMEN for the Sd Parish chosen & Ca viz1 Mr William Finney Mr William Coursey Mr John Whittington Mr Nathanial Wright Mr Robert Macklin Mr John Chairs.”3 THE CHURCH for this parish was old Chester Church built near the present town of Centerville. It was torn down in 1834 and rebuilt in that town. In 1717 the vestry began the Chapel of Ease, now Wye Church, which is in excellent repair and stands almost hidden from view amongst some of the largest oaks to be seen anywhere on the Eastern Shore. This became the parish church, in 1860, of Wye Parish formed at that time. THE REV. JOHN LILLINGSTON was minister from 1691 to 1709 when he died. He had held services in Talbot county as early as 1681. 4 ONE SET OF BOOKS to Mr. Lillingston sent by the Bishop of London 1 694. ”5 ST. LUKE S PARISH was taken from this parish by Act of Assembly 1728, Chapter 19. 6 1 On “Hopton" surveyed for Jonathan Hopkins. June, 1668. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 21. s Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 21 . 4 Ms. of Dr. Samuel A. Harrison. 5 Arch. Md. Vol. 20, d. 212. 6 Bacon's Laws of Maryland 146 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND “ST. PETER'S PARISH begins at John Judwins Branch and extends to Oxford Town.’’1 No. 21 “In 1714 the county surveyor of Talbot County was authorized to day off’ the line of this parish and in his report to the Justices of the County says, ‘St. Peter’s Parish to contain Third Haven-Hundred, Bolingbroke Hundred and part of Tuckahoe Hundred bounding on the north by a line drawn from the head of Brewers’ Branch, [now Skipton Creek], north 75 degrees east to the head of Judwin’s Branch.’’2 “VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish Chosen, &ca viz1 Mr Thomas Robins Mr Thomas Bowdle Mr George Robins Mr Nicholas Lowe Mr Samuel Abbet Sr Mr Thomas Martin.”3 WHITEMARSH CHURCH, the ruins of which are to be seen near the little settlement of “Hambleton,” is supposed to have been built about 1666. It became the parish church in 1692. These ruins are now in Whitemarsh Parish. The parish church of St. Peter’s Parish is now (1923) in Easton. THE REV. MR. LILLINGSTON was minister before 1691. It is supposed that the Rev. Joseph Leich became the rector of St. Peter’s Parish in 1692. Court records show that he baptized children in that section of the county as early as 1689. 4 There was a church erected at Oxford in 1695. 5 Rev. James Clayland preached in 1694, 1695 and 1696. 6 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 21. 2 Col. Oswald Tilghman in Easton ‘'Gazette, " January 7, 1914. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 21. 4 Ms. of Dr. Samuel A. Harrison. 6 Arch. Md., Vol. 19, p. 215. 6 Allen Ms., pp. 18-19. CHRIST St. Michael's, Talbot County , THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 147 “ST. MICHAEL'S PARISH consists of Mill & Bay Hun¬ dreds and part of Island Hundred that is to No. 22 say from the Court House1 Downward.’’2 This parish was bounded on the east by the main road that now leads from Wye Mills to Easton and by the Tred Avon river. On the south by the Choptank river. Both the Chesapeake and the Eastern bays bounded it on the west. The Wye river and Skipton creek, formerly known as Brewer’s Branch, were its northern bounds. “VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish chosen, &ca viz1 Cap1 John Davis Cap1 James Murphy [of Rich Neck] Mr Thomas Smithson Mr Michaell Turbut Mr Hugh Sherwood Mr John Power.”3 CHRIST CHURCH is the present representative of the original church of this old parish and stands in the town of St. Michael’s. THE REV. JAMES CLAYLAND, as minister, received in 1672 from Mr. Andrew Skinner a gift of 50 acres of land part of a grant called “Forked Neck” in Miles River Neck to be used as a Glebe “forever hereafter to be holden . . . and belonging to ye aforesaid Church of Christ there congregated.’’4 He became rector of St. Michael’s Parish, 1692. In 1696 he was succeeded by the Rev. Rich’d Marsden who served until 1707. The Rev. Henry Nicols was rector in 1 7 09 ;5 Rev. John Leach incumbent 1696.6 1 See St. Paul’s Parish (Talbot). 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 22. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 22. 4 Ms. of Dr. Samuel A. Harrison. 5 Allen Ms., p. 1 8. 6 B. C. Steiner in Md. Hist. Magazine, Vol. 12, p. 1 19. 148 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND SOMERSET COUNTY Named after Mary Somerset, sister of Lord Baltimore. SOMERSET COUNTY was erected by proclamation on the 22nd of August 1666. The territory lying No. 8 south of the Choptank River and extending to Watkin’s Point and the line drawn from thence to the “Maine Ocean” was settled for the most part by people from the county to the south of it — the Eastern Shore of Virginia. On February 4th, 1662, John Elzey, Randall Revell and Stephen Horsey were commissioned Justices for the territory. They held their offices until the 20th of the fol¬ lowing February at which time they were reappointed, with the exception of Mr. Revell. He was succeeded by Capt. William Thorne. August 15th 1663 Capt. John Odber was added to the Justices whose names appear above.1 They were described as “Commissioners for that part of the Province newly seated called the Eastern Shore.” Commissions were issued on the 28th of August 1665 to Mr. Stepen Horsey and Capt. William Thorne to continue Justices on the “Eastern Shore”2 with the following six new appointees: — George Johnson, William Stephens, John White, John Winder, James Jones, and Henry Boston, Gent. Capt. William Thorne was commissioned to com¬ mand all the forces on the “Eastern Shore of the Province.” Upon the erection of Somerset county, August 22nd, 1666, the Justices who had been appointed the previous year for the “Eastern Shore,” were reappointed. Mr. Stephen Horsey was made Sheriff of the new county. 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 3, p. 488. 2 Notice the fact of “Eastern Shore" being the name of the section south of the Choptank prior to 1666, at which time it became the County of Somerset. ST. ANDREW, BUILT 1771 Princess Anne, Somerset County First built as a Chapel of Ease for Somerset Parish. Now the parish church of that Parish. ST. MARTIN, BUILT ABOUT 1756 ■ THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 149 “SOMERSET COUNTY was divided into Eight Hun¬ dreds, vizc Poquede Norton Hundred Mattapany Manny Pocomoke Annamessix Mona kin Wiccocomoco Nantecoke “ 1 “SOMERSET COUNTY is divided into four Parishes, viz1 Somerset Parish Coventrey Stepney Snow hill “ " 2 REPORT to the Assembly July 30 1694. “Somerset county has 4 Parishes laid out but never a Church.”3 THE FIRST COURT HOUSE of Somerset County was built in 1671 at Back Creek on a part of the now well known “Westover” farm.4 Prior to this date, as was the custom in the other counties of the Prov¬ ince, court was doubtless held at the home of some one of the Justices. In 1694 a court house was built near Dividing Creek. “Upon the division of the County and the erection of part of it into Wor¬ cester County, the Court House was built at Princess Anne. The present building is the third one to have been built on that spot.”5 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 24. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 22. 3 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 110. 4 H. Fillmore Lankford. 5 Hon. Joshua W. Miles 150 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND “SOMERSET PARISH consists of Manokin and Manny hundreds.”1 The parish extended from the No. 23 Wicomico river to the Manokin river. “VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish as by Return, vizc Mr John Huett Mr Richard Chambers Mr John Panter Mr Nathaniel Horsey Mr Miles Grey Mr Peter Elzey.”2 NO CHURCH had been built but provision was made for its erection shortly after the choosing of the Vestry¬ men (1692). Dr. Ethan Allen states in his manuscript history of the various parishes that “All Saints Church was there before 1691.” He also states that the Rev. Mr. Huett was preaching there. This church is doubtless the one now known as “Old Monie” and stands just West of Princess Anne, the county seat of Somerset County. THE REV. GEORGE TROTTER was incumbent of this parish in 1696.3 The Rev. Alexander Adams served as rector of the parish for 65 years — from 1704 until his death in 1769. 4 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 22 2 Arch. Md., Vol 23, p. 22. 2 B. C. Steiner, Md. Hist. Magazine, Vol. 12, p. 119. 4 Allen Ms. ALL SAINTS Somerset Parish, Monii, Somerset County The first church in this parish was built prior to the Establishment. The Rev. Thomas Chase was rector of this parish at the time, April 17, 1741. that his son, Samuel Chase, was born. Samuel Chase became distinguished as a lawyer and in 179b was nominated by President Washington a Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. \ w oC TO Cl Z ^ tz c C U o CO O' O g cQ ld O . Id cL Ll c to Z □ aL Ot t: c? -c LL o >- _e £ * z c ° - ^ 3 _c o I'hou art crumbling to the dust, old pile; thou art hastening to thy fall; And round thee, in thy loneliness, clings the ivy to the wall The worshippers are scattered now who knelt before thy shrine And silence reigns where anthems rose in the davs of 'Auld Lang Syne. '' Lines written in old Blandford Church , Virginia. _ THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 151 “COVENTRY PARISH consists of Pocomoke and Anna- messix hundreds.’’1 This parish extended No. 24 from the Manokin river to the Pocomoke river. “VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish as by Return, viz1 Mr Francis Jenckins Mr George Layfield Mr Thomas Nuball Mr William Planer Sr Mr Thomas Dixon Mr William Coleburn.”2 IN THE OLD CHURCH at Rehoboth, Maryland, the vestry met in 1692, when they held their first meeting under the Act of Establishment. The ruins of the second church are to be seen today not far from Pocomoke City. THE REV. JAMES BRECHIN was rector 1696-1698. He was succeeded by the Rev. Robert Keith in 1707.3 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 22. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 22. 3 Allen Ms., p. 18. 152 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND “STEPNEY PARISH consists of Wiccocomoco & Nante- coke Hundreds.”1 The old parish was No. 25 bounded on the north and west by the Nan- ticoke river and on the south and east by the Wicomoco river. “VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish as by Return, viz1 Mr James Weatherley Mr John Bounds Mr Philip Carter Mr Robert Collyer Mr Thomas Holebrooke Mr Philip Askue.”2 STEPNEY CHURCH commonly called “Green Hill Church,” to which yearly pilgrimages are now made, was a place of worship for the settlers of the upper part of Somerset County. The present building erected 1733 has this date set in the brick of the east end. Spring Hill (Goddard’s Chapel) or Quan- tico Church was first built (1711) as a Chapel of Ease for this Parish.3 The present church was erected prior to the Revolutionary War. THE REV. MR. HUETT was the officiating clergyman in 1695. The records of Somerset county show marriages performed by him in October 1682. He died 1697. 4 In 1696 Rev. George Trotter was incumbent of Stepney Parish.5 1 Arch. Md„ Vol. 23, p. 23. 2 Arch. Md., vol. 23, p. 23. 3 Somerset County Records I, K, L, 1 12. 4 Allen Ms., p. 1 8. 6 B. C. Steiner in Md. Hist. Magazine, Vol. 12, p. 1 19. STEPNEY, BUILT 1733 Green Hill, Wicomico County (Stepney Parish, Somerset County, in 1692.) \ 1 ') ALL HALLOWS, BUILT 1756 Snow Hill, Worcester County This church replaced a wooden church which had served as the parish church. It stood near the banks of the Pocomoke River. THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 153 “SNOW HILL PARISH consists of Bogettenorten & Mattapany Hundreds."1 Also known as All No. 26 Hallows Parish. This old parish extended east from the Pocomoke river to the Atlantic ocean and from the Virginia line to far within the present lines of the State of Delaware. “VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish as by Return, viz' Mr Matt: Scarborough Mr William Round Mr John Francklin Mr Thomas Pointer Mr Thomas Selbey Mr Edward Hammond.”2 ALL HALLOWS CHURCH is the parish Church and the present building stands in Snow Hill. THE REV. JAMES BRECHIN was incumbent 1696.3 The Rev. Robert Keith preached at All Hallows in 1703. 4 WORCESTER PARISH was erected out of the parish5, by Act of Assembly 1744, Chapter 24. St. Martin is the name of parish Church. 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23. p. 23. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 23. 3 B. C. Steiner in Md. Hist. Magazine, Vol. 12, p. 1 19. 4 Allen Ms., p. 18. 6 Bacon’s Laws of Maryland. 154 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND DORCHESTER COUNTY Named for the Earl of Dorset. DORCHESTER COUNTY was erected in 1669. That part of the original territory called the “East- No. 9 ern Shore, “ including the county of Somerset, that lay between the Choptank river on the north and the Nanticoke river on the south and east was the extent of the county of Dorchester. Its north-eastern limits were identical with those of the Province. “DORCHESTER COUNTY is divided into five Hundreds, viz' Hermitage Hundred Great Choptanck Fishing Creek Nantecoke Little Choptanck “ “x “AND THAT WHERE THE COURT HOUSES within any of the Counties of province are placed conven¬ ient where Churches may stand or be Erected, that in such case the said Court Houses be made use off for Churches to perform Divine Duty and Service in; especially Dorchester County Court house in the parish of Great Choptanck, so that instead of Build¬ ing a Church at Cambridge, the vestrey may build a Chappell of Ease in some other convenient place.”1 2 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 24. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 283. vO O' X. 00 j>> 3 TJ 3 -O 3 Jj u cC D H 2 D J_, O U U CO a: UJ Lj H D co UJ < 0. u a: — C r' CO Ll < O Z / uj U (— CO > O jf 03 CL v C 03 a o x U O u. £ - ul _J u PQ “ <5, > i o H f- c 2 ^Zu f— a: O z THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 159 “CECIL COUNTY is divided into two Parishes, viz£ South Sassafrax North Sassafrax.”1 These two parishes comprised all of the county and they were divided by the “Sassafrax” river. REPORT TO THE ASSEMBLY July 30 1694 “Cecil County hath 3 parishes 1 vacant of both Church & Minister.”2 THE COURT HOUSE was first located on Ordinary Point on the Sassafras River. Later on moved to Charlestown and still later to “Head of Elk,” now Elkton, the present County Seat. 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 20. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 20, p. 111. The Fulham records mention 31 parishes in the province. It was evi¬ dently expected that the other parish (St. Andrew's) would be laid out to cover the territory to the north of the Elk river. Just why it never was laid out I have been unable to find. The records of the county show that only two parishes were laid out notwithstanding the "Report” to the Assembly. 160 THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND "SOUTH SASSAFRAX PARISH consists of these follow¬ ing Hundreds, viz1 No. 29 Worton Hundred South Sassafrax “ “x At that time the parish was bounded on the north by the Sassafras river, on the west by the Chesapeake Bay, on the south by a line running from the head of Worton creek to some point on Morgan's creek. Like the other border parishes its outer bounds were identical with those of the Province.3 “VESTRYMEN for the said Parish as by Return, vizc Col. William Peirce Mr William Harris Mr Edward Blay Mr William Elins Mr George Sturton Mr Edward Scidmore ”2 SHREWSBURY CHURCH at the head of Turners creek in Kent County was the parish church. It was first built about 1693. The present church in 1823. THE REV. LAWRENCE VANDERBUSH, the first rec¬ tor, was serving from 1692 until his death in 1696.3 The Rev. Rich’d Sewell succeeded him;4 which is confirmed by another authority.5 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 20. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 20. 3 See St. Paul’s Parish, Kent County. 4 Allen Ms., p. 18. 5 B. C. Steiner in Md. Hist. Magazine, Vol. 12, p. 110 SHREWSBURY, BUILT 1832 Locust Grove, Kent County When Shrewsbury Parish was laid out in 1692 a church, according to the records was then standing that had been built prior to 1691. The first parish church was built in 1693, repaired in 1701, again in 1705, and rebuilt of brick in 1729. That one was torn down in 1829 and the present one built in 1832. ST. STEPHEN Earleville, Cecil County When the first parish church of North Sassafras Parish was built, 1705, it succeeded a "Meeting House " which was standing as early as 1691. The parish church has been rebuilt three times: 1737, 1823 and again in 1873. \ THE FIRST PARISHES OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND 161 “NORTH SASSAFRAX PARISH consists of Bohemia and Elk Hundreds.’’1 It was bounded on the No. 30 south by the Sassafras river on the east its bounds were the same as those of the Province. This was true of the northern boundary also. The Chesapeake bay was its western boundary. It was later called St. Stephen’s Parish. VESTRYMEN for the sd Parish as by Return, viz1 Coll. Caspa3 Herman Majr John Thompson Mr William Ward Mr Henry Rigg Mr Matth. Vanderhaden Mr Henry Jones.’’2 ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH stands at the head of Bo¬ hemia river. The first church on the spot was begun in 1702 and dedicated in 1706. THE REV. LAWRENCE VANDERBUSH was rector from 1692 to 1694. The Rev. Rich’d Sewell was incumbent in 1696. 5 He was sent as rector of this and South Sassafras Parish3 in 1697. He also preach¬ ed at St. Ann’s Church near Middletown,4 Delaware, about 1704. NORTH ELK PARISH was erected6 out of this parish by Act of the Assembly in 1706, Chapter 4. It is now called St. Mary Ann's Parish. 1 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 20. 2 Arch. Md., Vol. 23, p. 21. 3 See St. Paul's Parish Records, Kent County. 4 Hist, of Delaware, Conrad. 6 B. C. Steiner in Md. Hist. Magazine, Vol. 12, p. 119. 6 Bacon’s Laws of Maryland. CD (-'i z ^ d ^ o u D CQ to 'w o a O u w u < UJ QQ u < Z Z arl qC CL < . CQ g • < f- J to ul UJ _l CO CO > •S CO JZ S o 2 2 '5 T3 ZJ UJ i~> .2 3 X 03 4— ' TJ O ^ X T) ^ O ^ it. O a x 03 X £ 3 x U 03 X . 03 (/) C 3 i— . ^ 03 qj CQ "! ’“‘-1 (/J LO 1> X 3 o 3 O a x a n -Q (/) ^ jH E S 03 X 03 CL Qj C c < CD 3 a bJD O .£ >> t s Cl Xi 03 CJ ^ 03 ^ ° sl. to J= 03 .£ 2 ^ j ■£ .c U fc "o' _ > Ji -c o - CO - ~0 CO > "X 03 CD m 03 C3 4-t D _C O U c o (/) "0 'u c z o z 4_> If) < T> z 03 UJ LU _c D o O' _c £ J ►J JZ CO u- 0 : o JX 03 -COC U a 03 D TJ : 3jg o -X qj u c/o O 03 X r