Hollywood in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Middle Passage Site, Sotterley
The Middle Passage was the forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic to the Americas. In 1720, the ship Generous Jenny carried enslaved Africans to Sotterley. Of 260 people, 29 died during the voyage. Sotterley owner James Bowles enslaved some of the surviving people here at Sotterley and sold others to enslavers in Virginia. Sotterley's owners maintained their wealth and property through enslaved labor for 165 years.
Erected 2025 by Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland State Highway Administration.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1720.
Location. 38° 22.509′ N, 76° 32.471′ W. Marker is in Hollywood, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It can be reached from Sotterley Lane north of Sotterley Wharf Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 44296 Sotterley Ln, Hollywood MD 20636, United States of America.
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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: You are entering Historic Sotterley's Sacred Space / The Sankofa Bird (here, next to this marker); Sacred Space Project / Sankofa Bird (within shouting distance of this marker); Sotterley's Slave Cabin (about 300 feet away); War Touches Sotterley (about 300 feet away); War Hits Home (about 300 feet away); Slavery at Sotterley (about 300 feet away); Sotterley (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Slavery at Sotterley (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hollywood.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Sotterley's Remaining Slave Cabin (was
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 19, 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 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
