Unionville in Talbot County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Unionville
Founded to Honor their Service
Eighteen Talbot County slaves and free blacks joined the U.S. Colored Troops. At least half of them were assigned to the Seventh Regiment Infantry which fought in some of the war's most crucial battles. The regiment was repeatedly praised for its performance as it was by a New York Tribune correspondent who wrote after the battle at Fussels Mills, "The 7th U.S. colored troops (Maryland) on the first day carried with fixed bayonets, a line of rifle pits, and carried it without a shot, but with a loss of thirty-five; it was one of the most stirring and gallant affairs I have ever known."
In 1866, the soldiers were discharged and returned to their families here. John and Ezekiel Cowgill, conscientious Quakers who owned Lombardy Plantation, offered each veteran a plot of land and a dollar a month. The former soldiers immediately built a school and church and named their new community Cowgilltown. Later, they renamed the village Unionville to honor their service during the Civil War. The eighteen veterans and founders of Unionville are buried here behind St. Stephen A.M.E. Church.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Maryland Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1812.
Location. 38° 48.566′ N, 76° 8.371′ W. Marker is in Unionville, Maryland, in Talbot County. Marker is on Unionville Road, on the right when traveling north. In the parking lot north of of St. Stephens A.M.E. Church in Unionville. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Easton MD 21601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Union Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Unionville (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of “The Rest” (approx. 1½ miles away); Betty’s Cove Meetinghouse (approx. 2.2 miles away); Fausley (approx. 3 miles away); The “Mannour of Ratcliffe” (approx. 3.2 miles away); William Penn (approx. 3.7 miles away); Bracing for an Attack (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Unionville.
More about this marker. The Civil War Trails marker is next to a copy of the Union Soldiers marker which is south of the church.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 704 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 26, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.