Salisbury in Wicomico County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Nature's Pasture
Pemberton Park Historic Trail
Photographed By Nate Davidson, January 18, 2011
1. Nature's Pasture Marker
Inscription.
Nature's Pasture. Pemberton Park Historic Trail. If you had stood here 250 years ago, you would likely have seen cattle grazing in the tidal marshlands. The area between the mainland and Bell Island was known as "Handy's Meadow." Following Colonel Handy's death in 1762, his three sons continued to use the natural environment as cattle pasturelands. Over time, the marshes and island came to be known as "The Commons." If you are here at low tide, you might see broken timbers protruding from the stream banks. They are remnants of a dam and bridge that once stood here, providing access to the island. The dam broke in the early 20th century.
Picture Caption , A pastoral scene painted by Thomas Cooper and Frederick Lee is reminiscent of Handy's Meadow. The area now known as "Bell Island" was added to Pemberton Plantation in 1732 in a land transfer recorded simply as "Ye Vacancy Added." Over time, erosion from deforested land sent silt into the Wicomico River, eventually filling in the once-active shipping channel.
If you had stood here 250 years ago, you would likely have seen cattle grazing in the tidal marshlands. The area between the mainland and Bell Island was known as "Handy's Meadow." Following Colonel Handy's death in 1762, his three sons continued to use the natural environment as cattle pasturelands. Over time, the marshes and island came to be known as "The Commons." If you are here at low tide, you might see broken timbers protruding from the stream banks. They are remnants of a dam and bridge that once stood here, providing access to the island. The dam broke in the early 20th century.
Picture Caption A pastoral scene painted by Thomas Cooper and Frederick Lee is reminiscent of Handy's Meadow. The area now known as "Bell Island" was added to Pemberton Plantation in 1732 in a land transfer recorded simply as "Ye Vacancy Added." Over time, erosion from deforested land sent silt into the Wicomico River, eventually filling in the once-active shipping channel.
Erected by Wicomico County Parks & Tourism, Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1762.
Location. 38° 20.783′ N, 75° 38.667′
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W. Marker is in Salisbury, Maryland, in Wicomico County. Marker can be reached from Pemberton Historic Park Road, 0.4 miles Pemberrton Drive. Marker located within Pemberton Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salisbury MD 21801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 584 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
