| Maryland (Dorchester County), Bucktown — Finding Freedom |
| | The Call of Freedom
In the mid-19th century, 8,000 African Americans lived in Dorchester County. Roughly half were slaves; most of the rest worked as free laborers. Enslaved blacks, free blacks, and abolitionist whites worked together to operate the Underground Railroad, a secret network of "stations" and "conductors" that led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom and became a powerful national symbol of resistance to slavery.
A Childhood in Slavery
The Bucktown area has . . . — Map (db m3959) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Bucktown — Harriet Tubman — 1820-1913 |
| | The "Moses of her People", Harriett Tubman of the Bucktown District found freedom for herself and some three hundred other slaves whom she led north. In the Civil War she served the Union army as a nurse, scout and spy. — Map (db m3956) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — “Appleby” |
| | The home of Governor Thomas Holliday Hicks. Born 1798. Died 1866. Governor of Maryland 1858-62. U.S. Senator 1862-65. — Map (db m3961) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — “Stanley Institute” |
| | Oldest community-owned one-room schoolhouse still intact in Dorchester County. First constructed c. 1865 near Church Creek. Moved here in 1867, it was used continuously until July 15, 1966, as Rock Elementary School for students in grades 1 through 7. Many ministers of Delaware annual conference of Methodist Church received their primary education here. School named for Ezekriel Stanley, president of its first board. Other trustees included Dennis Camper, Jr., Charles F. Kiah, Moses Opher and . . . — Map (db m3968) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — A Landscape and Lifestyle Defined by Water — Of English Origin ... |
| | A Landscape and Lifestyle Defined by Water Dorchester County consists of 688 square miles of which approximately 1/3 is water. The extensive waterways and marshland have played a significant role in the development of the county. Only 20 miles of its 333 mile border is land. With 1,700 miles of shoreline, Dorchester County has more shoreline than any county in Maryland. Of English Origin... In 1669, Dorchester County was named for Sir Edward Sackville, fourth Earl of Dorset, England. . . . — Map (db m8349) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — Cambridge |
| | Originally part of the Choptank Indian Reservation laid out for them in 1669. Cambridge was made a port of entry by the Assembly in 1684. It is one of the few towns authorized at that early date that has survived. — Map (db m3963) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — Choptank River Bridge — Oyster Wars... |
| | The Choptank River Bridge Prior to the Governor Emerson C. Harrington Bridge which was built over the Great Choptank River in 1935 (the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at Kent Island did open until 1947) ferries were used to cross the river. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was on board his presidential yacht Sequoia, when it became the first vessel to pass through the draw. The President delivered a congratulatory speech at Long Wharf in Cambridge, which is now the site of the Yacht Harbor. A . . . — Map (db m12698) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — Choptank River's Natural History — Melting Glaciers created the Chesapeake Bay |
| | The Chesapeake Bay was once the extended valley of the Susquehanna River, which flowed directly into the ocean near the mouth of the bay. The Bay and all its tributaries were once non-tidal freshwater rivers flowing through valleys in the last ice age 15,000 years ago when sea level was more than 300 feet below the present level. As the climate warmed and glaciers melted, sea level rose and the Susquehanna Valley and other tributaries like the Choptank flooded with mixtures of freshwater and . . . — Map (db m8348) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — Finding Freedom |
| | The Call of Freedom
Dorchester County occupies a central place in the story of the Underground Railroad, the secret network of "stations" and "conductors" that sheltered and shepherded hundreds of enslave African Americans to freedom in the mid-1800s. This county courthouse was the site of two famous Underground Railroad trials. An earlier courthouse her was the site of a dramatic escape engineered by the famed Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman, a Dorchester native. . . . — Map (db m3964) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — Franklin Delano Roosevelt |
| | 1954. To the memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a great American. President Roosevelt visited Cambridge on October 26, 1935, to participate in the dedication of the Emerson C. Harrington Bridge. This stack was removed from the U.S.S. Potomac, which carried him on numerous historic occasions. It enclosed the elevator which meant so much to his comfort. — Map (db m3965) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — Glasgow — Built 1760 |
| | Birthplace of William Vans Murray. Appointed minister to the Hague by President George Washington March 2, 1787. He served until 1801. He was minister plenipotentiary to Paris as one of the negotiators of the treaty with France, signed in 1800, which averted war. — Map (db m3966) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — Maryland's Eastern Shore — Hundreds of Enslaved and Free Black Men Enlisted |
| | Although isolated from Maryland's largest population centers, the Eastern Shore was important to the state's role in the Civil War and exemplified the citizens' divided loyalties. In the years before the war, enslaved African-Americans here began escaping bondage via the Underground Railroad to the North and Canada, helped on their way by sympathetic blacks and whites and such courageous "conductors" as Harriet Tubman, an Eastern Shore native. During the war, hundreds of enslaved and free . . . — Map (db m8331) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — Meredith House — c. 1760 |
| | Once a focal point of a large farm as LaGrange, Meredith House is is one of the few remaining Georgian houses in Cambridge. Purchased by the Dorchester County Historical Society in 1959, the house is furnished with antiques reflecting the heritage of Dorchester County. — Map (db m3967) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — This Bell |
| | This bell originally hung in a monastery in Mexico. Brought to America during the Mexican War, 1846. Served as fire alarm in Cambridge until 1883. — Map (db m3970) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — Thomas Holliday Hicks — 1798-1865 |
| | In this cemetery is the grave of Thomas Holliday Hicks, Governor of Maryland 1858-1862 and United States Senator from Maryland 1862-1865. At the beginning of the Civil War during his tenure as governor, the position of Maryland was more important nationally than at any time in its history. But for him Maryland might have joined the secession movement. — Map (db m3971) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Cambridge — World War II |
| | In grateful memory of our veterans of World War II. Peace to the mighty dead, 1941-1945. — Map (db m3973) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Church Creek — St. Mary, Star of the Sea Chapel & Cemetery — “Tubman Chapel” |
| | Built before 1767 by Richard Tubman II, to serve the Roman Catholics who had worshipped in this area since the second half of the the 17th century. Early unmarked burial vault on site.
Chapel enlarged in 1819 and in 1888. Surpressed and sold in 1874 when new church build nearby. Deeded back to the congregation in 1961 by Joseph & Dorothy Belfiore. Restoration (1976) made by Rev. Edward B. Carley through generosity largely of Annita Applegarth France, a descendant of Richard Tubman. — Map (db m3998) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Church Creek — Treaty Oak |
| | Under this tree the early settlers and Indians of the Choptank tribe conferred in the purchase of this section. An Indian princess is supposed to have negotiated this sale for which the red men received four guns , a few gunning coats and some ammunition. Near this tree an Indian trail led to the creek. — Map (db m3976) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), East New Market — East New Market — Settled 1660 on North-South Choptank Indian Trail. |
| | Originally “Crossroads,” later “New Market.” Post for trading with Indians erected 1767. In Revolution, “New Market Blues,” volunteer militiamen, were organized in this supply center for Continental army. South on Main Street is “Old House of the Hinges” so-called because of outbuildings ironwork. Home of Major Anthony Manning, who served in the War of 1812, and his son, Dr. Anthony Manning, Union surgeon in Civil War. By the 1780s, a center of . . . — Map (db m3979) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), East New Market — Friendship Hall — (Circa 1740) |
| | Fine 2½ story brick house with pilasters on front and two oval windows in pediment of west gable. Home of Sulivane family, 17th century settlers here, three generations of whom served in Maryland General Assembly: James Sulivane, Commissary Officer in Revolutionary War who, with Thomas Logan, organized “New Market Blues,” Dr. Daniel Sulivane, elected to House of Delegates 1824, and Colonel Clement Sulivane, lawyer and Confederate veteran. Restoration begun 1972 by Dr. M. Fred Tidwell and Joseph B. Gavlick. — Map (db m3981) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Eldorado — "Rehoboth" |
| | Patented by Captain John Lee of Virginia, 1673, for 2350 acres. It descended through the Lee family until 1787. Thomas Sim Lee, 1745-1819, (second Governor of Maryland) was descended from the Lees of Rehoboth. — Map (db m4382) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Honga — Hoopers Island |
| | Long a community of watermen, this chain of islands bears name of family who settled in Dorchester County from southern Maryland in latter part of 17th century. Active in colonial affairs in 18th century was Col. Henry Hooper, whose seat was "Warwick Fort Manor" near Secretary. His son, Brig. Gen. Henry Hooper, as commander of militia for lower Eastern Shore was responsible for defense of this region during the Revolution. — Map (db m3997) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Lloyds — Gary’s Creek - Indian Path — Dorchester County |
| | Gary’s Creek was named for Stephen Gary (d. 1686), high sheriff and one of the judges of Dorchester County for whom “Spocott” was surveyed on this creek December 27, 1662. This road about 1663 was the Indian Path from the Indian towns on Choptank River to Jordans Point (Mill’s Point) on Chesapeake Bay. — Map (db m3999) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Lloyds — Spocott Windmill |
| | This windmill is typical of the grist post mills used in the 18th and 19th centuries for grinding grain. Such a windmill, built here about 1850 by John A.L. Radcliffe, was blown down in the Blizzard of 1888. In 1972 it was reconstructed, using the original grinding stones and internal steps. — Map (db m4000) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Reliance — Patty Cannon's House |
| | At Johnson's cross roads where the noted kidnapping group had headquarters as described in George Alfred Townsend's novel "The Entailed Hat". The house borders on Caroline and Dorchester Counties and the State of Delaware. — Map (db m4384) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Secretary — My Lady Sewall’s Manor |
| | Central part of the house built shortly after grant of 2,000 acres in 1661 to Henry Sewall of London, Secretary of the province. He died in 1665. his widow, Jane, came to Maryland on the same ship as Governor Charles Calvert (afterwards 3d Lord Baltimore), whom she married in 1666. Early 18th century paneling from house is in Brooklyn, N.Y. Museum of Art. In 1720, Col. Henry Hooper bought 1,243 acres of this manor from Maj. Nicholas Sewall, adding land to Warwick Fort Manor. — Map (db m4001) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Taylors Island — Battle of the Ice Mound |
| | Last battle of the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake Bay. A tender to the British ship of war "Dauntless" was captured by Joseph Stewart and local militia near james Island on February 7, 1815. Ice along the shore allowed the militia to approach within firing range. The carronade taken from the tender was named for two of the twenty captured. Commander Lt. Matthew Phibbs, and African-American Cook Becca. By tradition it has come to be called "Becky Phipps". — Map (db m4002) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Taylors Island — Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Church — Built 1787 - Rebuilt 1857 |
| | The original chapel was built on this site which was donated by Moses and Elizabeth LeCompte. The deed, dated September 15, 1787, is the oldest one on record for Methodist Episcopal Church land in Dorchester County. Both Bishop Francis Asbury and Reverend Freeborn Garrettson preached here. — Map (db m4042) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Taylors Island — Chapel of Ease Old Trinity Episcopal Church — Circa 1707 |
| | In the selection of the middle point between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay for the start of the Mason-Dixon Line survey, this area was the center of a long controversy among British, Maryland and Pennsylvania officials as to whether Taylor's Island was a part of the mainland or an island. An adverse decision resulted in the loss of land to Pennsylvania, now Delaware. — Map (db m4043) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Taylors Island — First School House |
| | This building was the first school hosue in Dorchester County and was built and used on Taylors Island. Given to Grace Foundation by the Mulberry Grove Spicers. Restored by Grace Foundation 1959. — Map (db m4044) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Taylors Island — The Becky Phipps |
| | This cannon was captured in 1814 from a tender of the British ship of war "Dauntless". Lieut. Phipps and crew of 17 men and one colored woman were taken prisoners at James' Point by Capt. Joseph Stewart's company of militia composed of men from Taylor's Island and Tobacco Stick. — Map (db m4003) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Vienna — Unnacokossimmon — Emperor to the Nanticoke Indians |
| | Lived (about 1677) at Chicacone, an ancient Indian town north of this point. The Nanticoke Indian Reservation was laid out by act of Assembly 1698, containing 5166 1/4 acres. — Map (db m4387) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Woolford — Anna Ella Carroll — Unofficial Cabinet Member |
| | Anna Ella Carroll was born on Maryland's Eastern Shore in 1815. Often called an unofficial member of President Abraham Lincoln's cabinet, she was a Unionist author and newspaper reporter who had traveled extensively throughout the South and Midwest before the Civil War. Among her most popular books were The War Powers of the General Government (1861) and The Great American Battle (1856). Just before the war, she journeyed through the Midwest and noted the importance of the rivers . . . — Map (db m3974) |
| Maryland (Dorchester County), Woolford — Trinity P.E. Church |
| | This church was built prior to 1690. In the graveyard are buried Governor Thomas King Carroll, many revolutionary heroes and other distinguished Marylanders. — Map (db m4045) |
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