Deep in the lore about early Maryland is the most famous tree in St. Mary’s City. The “Old Mulberry” stood on Church Point were it was long a very prominent sight. Why this tree is notable is because it witnessed …
Clues to Early Maryland, #22 – The Mulberry Tree and Maryland Legends Read more »
To prove your identity, especially on important documents, people in the 17th century required more than a signature because signatures could be easily forged. The solution was an ancient one – having a personal seal. Ancient civilizations of the Near …
Clues to Early Maryland, #21 – Seals of Identity Read more »
When the European settlers arrived on the shores of Maryland, they entered an unfamiliar land both in terms of the native peoples and the environment. They also carried with then an ancient culture and beliefs about the nature of the …
Clues to Early Maryland, #20 – Thunderstones and Elf Arrows Read more »
When seventeenth-century archaeology began in Maryland in the early 1970s, it was believed that a number of original buildings from that time period still stood in the state. Most were at least partially of brick and the owners were proud …
Clues to Early Maryland, #19 – Deciphering Our First Earthfast Read more »
We often say that all traces of Maryland’s first capital have vanished below ground. That is true with one significant exception. It is the remnant of an earthen mill dam built only four years after the colony was founded. Located …
Clues to Early Maryland, #18 – The Last Visible Remnant of the Ancient City Read more »
When settlers came to Maryland, they carried the most advanced firearms available. Europeans had long used guns that were fired by a burning rope or “match” and called a matchlock, as is seen in use here. It was an effective …
Clues to Early Maryland, #17 – From Cobble to Gun: Making Do in Early Maryland Read more »
One important animal the first settlers brought to Maryland was called dunghill fowl. They were a mixed breed of chickens and so named because in Britain they could often be found on the manure or dung piles looking for food. …
Clues to Early Maryland, #16 – Tales of the Dunghill Fowl Read more »
In July of 1884, Maryland historian J. Thomas Scharf conducted a search of the old Treasury Building located on State Circle in Annapolis. The Treasury Building was constructed in 1735-36 and is the oldest public building in Annapolis, as seen …
Clues to Early Maryland, #15 – Maryland’s Great Seal Read more »
Discovering a Coffee House Identifying the purpose of long vanished buildings is one of the challenges confronting archaeologists. The form and construction of a building is important along with the associated artifacts. For historical archaeologists, clues often come from documents. …
Clues to Early Maryland, #14 – Discovering a Coffee House Read more »
Who was the first person we would call a scientist in Maryland? The answer is a little known person named Arthur Storer. A talented astronomer, he is almost completely forgotten today but has a remarkable story which I will summarize …
Clues to Early Maryland, #13 – Maryland’s First Scientist Read more »
