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. 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. It 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.

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 walking distance of this marker: A Drop to Drink (within shouting distance of this marker); The Original Residents (within shouting distance of this marker); Wicomico Wetlands (within shouting distance of this marker); A Show of Wealth (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); An Apple a Day (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Pemberton Hall (about 500 feet away); The "Peculiar Institution" at Pemberton Plantation (about 500 feet away); Henry Handy (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salisbury.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Pemberton Hall (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Marker Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, January 18, 2011

2. Marker Location

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 801 times since then and 12 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.