Coltons Point in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Stuffed Ham

Hungry for History

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 11, 2026

1. Stuffed Ham Marker

Inscription.
Cured ham stuffed with kale, cabbage, onion & spices. Oral tradition says dish originated in St. Mary's County in early 1700s.

Erected 2023 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 14.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Hungry for History, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists.

Location. 38° 13.519′ N, 76° 45.074′ W. Marker is in Coltons Point, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It is on Bayview Road west of Dave Bailey Road, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 38360 Bayview Rd, Coltons Point MD 20626, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Maryland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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 walking distance of this marker: Discover Southern Maryland's Amazing Stories of Exploration, Hope, and Courage (here, next to this marker); Ways to Explore Southern Maryland's Scenic and Historic Routes (here, next to this marker); St. Clement's Island Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlotte Hall School (within shouting distance of this marker); With Great Emotion of Soul

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Dory Boats (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Journey to an Island (about 300 feet away); The Black Diamond Incident (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coltons Point.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Potomac River Dory Boat (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Stuffed Ham Profile on William G. Pomeroy Foundation Site.

Stuffed ham is a dish unique to St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Often eaten at special events and around the holidays, the dish consists of cured ham stuffed with kale, cabbage, onion, and spices such as celery seed, mustard seed, crushed red pepper, and salt. The stuffed ham is boiled for several hours to infuse flavor and then cooled and eaten.

According to a longstanding oral tradition, the dish was born of necessity, created by enslaved people in St. Mary’s County in the early 18th century. Ever since, descendants of the formerly enslaved population of St. Mary’s County have passed down recipes for stuffed ham from generation to generation by word of mouth. Families have developed individual variations of the recipe over time,
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 11, 2026

2. Stuffed Ham Marker
and stuffed ham has become a cherished local dish that continues to be enjoyed and celebrated by the residents of St. Mary’s County.

(Submitted on April 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Additional keywords. Afroculinary history

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.