Whitehaven in Wicomico County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Whitehaven
Chartered by Charles Calvert, 3d Lord Baltimore c. 1685. Town Incorporated c. 1702.
Photographed by F. Robby, November 3, 2007
1. Whitehaven Marker
Ferry operated here as early as 1692. Settlers were led by Col. George Gale of Whitehaven in the North of England. His first wife, Mildred Warner Washington who by previous marriage was George Washington's grandmother, lived nearby before her death in 1701. "Whitehaven Company" of Somerset County Militia fought with the Maryland Line in Revolutionary War.
Erected by Society of Colonial Wars and Maryland Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1685.
Location. 38° 17.072′ N, 75° 47.711′ W. Marker is in Whitehaven, Maryland, in Wicomico County. It is at the intersection of Capitola Road and Whitehaven Road (Maryland Route 352), on the right when traveling east on Capitola Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Quantico MD 21856, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Green Hill Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); Samuel Chase (approx. 2.6 miles away); Mt. Zion Memorial Church
this page online
More about this marker. The marker has been removed from in front of the Whitehaven School. It has been relocated at the corner of Capitola and Whitehaven Roads.
Also see . . . Mildred Gale (1671-1701). aka Mildred Warner, Mildred Washington (Submitted on October 19, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. Mildred Warner Washington and George Gale
Part of the inscription reads, "Mildred Warner Washington who by previous marriage was George Washington's grandmother, lived nearby before her death in 1701."
After Mildred married her second husband, George Gale in 1699, she came to Whitehaven, Cumberland, England. This was George's home town. He had met Mildred while on business in Virginia.
She died in Whitehaven England c.1701
Photographed by Jeri Alexander, December 21, 2024
2. Whitehaven Marker
Her widower, George Gale returned to Whitehaven, Maryland about 1703 after a custody battle with the Washington family over Mildred's three children by her first husband, Lawrence Washington.
I believe that George Gale had founded the town/ village of Whitehaven, Maryland and named it after his home town of Whitehaven, Cumberland, England.
— Submitted October 19, 2008, by Angela Walls of Whitehaven, Cumbria, England.
Photographed by F. Robby, November 3, 2007
3. Whitehaven Schoolhouse and the Whitehaven Marker
Photographed by F. Robby, November 3, 2007
4. Whitehaven Ferry
The modern ferry crossing, looking at the town of Whitehaven from across the Wicomico River. Two to three cars can cross at a time at no charge.
Photographed by F. Robby, November 3, 2007
5. Whitehaven Methodist Episcopal Church
Built in 1892.
Photographed by F. Robby, November 3, 2007
6. Upper Ferry
About 8 miles up river, there is another free two-car ferry crossing at Upper Ferry.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,086 times since then and 84 times this year. Last updated on December 21, 2024, by Jeri Alexander of Delmar, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on November 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 21, 2024, by Jeri Alexander of Delmar, Maryland. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
