History of Caroline County, Maryland, from its beginning

Front matter

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Introduction

The colli iiiiial iuhmI of the children, teachers, and officers of oiu- public scliools liaviiig" some historical data conceniiiiu' llie lioiiie county of Caroline has led to the ])n))lishiii,ii' of tliis l)ook which is here presented to tlie pnblic.

The constant neglect of a citiy.eiislii]) to compile facts concerniiii;' its growtli and history must inevitably lead to an almost total ignorance of the same and snbse- ([uently to a lack of ap])reciation of the local lieroes.

Having read of the struggles of the colonial troops during the Revolutionary AVar, how many of us are conscious of the fact that our county then only in its infancy furnished not only its quota of soldiers and sui)plies, but the leader of tlie troo]^s of the Eastern Shore — (Jolonel "William Richardson?

Have we fully realizetl that the immortal Declaration of lnde])endence was made possible by just such assemblages of (U'termined citizens as the one held in this county in June 1774?

Has it ever occurred to us that our county furnished one subject of the cause for tlie War of 1812 — the impressment of American Seamen?

Generally may it 1k' said that Caroline's worthies of tlie )»ast and present have held and still hohl an honored ])lace among the leaders of the State. To give due credit to these is one valid reason for such a volume. Perhai)«, a more important reason, however, for such an effort is the necessity of the ]mihls in our schools acquiring a fundamental knowledge of the organization and earlier history of our county (1) to teach an appreciation of home and local environments and (2) to furnish a proper basis for state and national history.

Assuredly, Caroline County has a rich liackground which adds dignity to the ])resent, for out of the early days step stately personages who a<ld chai'm to every scene; stirring events that warm the blood; and s]K)ts hallowed by tiie acts of brave ones; yes. changing persons and events — moving pictures so to s])eak.

In the "History of Caroline Countv" an attem|)t has been made to record in simple form tlu> substance of facts gleaned from reliable sources by the ])upils, teachers, and officials of the ]mblic schools tlirongh talks with

xi the older residents, eoiiiity officials, by means of old manuscripts, deeds, wills, newspapers, clmrcli and court records, and from tlie several volnmes of history and novels pertaining to onr county and state.

Our appreciation is here extended to those principals, teachers, and children of onr schools who have contributed material as well as to that large host of parents and friends who have answered the questions of children from day to day with such uniform courtesy and cooperation. Especiallv are our thanks due to Capt. Chas. W. Wright, Edward T. Tubbs, Zebdial P. Steele, J. Kemp Stevens, James E. Hignutt, officials of the Clerk's office, and others who either through personal knowledge, memory, data or help of records aided us greatly in this publication.

To the Editors of the County newspapers — Greensboro Enterprise, Denton Journal, American Union, Federalshurr/ Courier and Caroline Sun, as well as to Swepson Earle, author of the Colonial Eastern Shore, we desire to acknowledge our gratitude for the use of valuable engravings and etchings loaned us.

While conscious of the laborious efforts and painstaking care bestowed, we fully realize that a work, so largely one of original research, is inevitably not without imperfections and some errors. In submitting it, therefore, to the public, it is with the hope that generous readers will ap])reciate the difficulties attending the undertaking and will accord consideration and justice to the motive which has animated this liumble trilbute.

Edward M. Noble.

Denton, Marvland, October 10, 1920.

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SOURCES AND REFERENCES

Consulted in the Preparation of TEE IIISTOBY OF CABOLINE COUNTY.

Public Records:

Congressional Library, Maiyland State Library, Maryland Land Record Office, Maryland Historical Society, Enoch Pratt Library, Peabody Library, Land and Will Records of Caroline County, Land and Will Records of Dorchester County, Land and Will Records of Talbot County, Records of Bethesda Church, Preston; Tennessee Historical Society, Third Haven Meeting, Easton.

Newspapers :

MaiyUuul Gazette, Annapolis; Easton (Md.) Gazette; Denton Journal; American Union, Denton; The Pearl, Denton.

Books and Pamphlets :

American Archives, Washington ; Maryland Archives; History of Maryland Conventions 1774-1776; Senate and House Journals, Annapolis ; Atlas Landholders Assistant; McSherry's History of Maryland; Makers of Methodism; Asbury's Journal; Hanson's History of Kent County; Tilgiiman's History of Tall)ot County; Earle's Colonial Eastern Shore; Wright's History of the Wright Family; Federal Census of 1790; The Tory Maid; Maryland Historical Magazine; Maryland in Prose and Poetrv.

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