St. Mary's City in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Arrival of Governor Copley
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 11, 2015
1. The Arrival of Governor Copley Marker
On May 10, 1692, Maryland's new governor, Sir Lionel Copley, met with the colony's legislature for the first time. This meeting marked the beginning of royal control of Maryland and it occurred at Garrett Van Sweringen's Council Chamber. The scene depicted here shows Copley arriving at Van Sweringen's with members of the Governor's Council standing ready to greet him. Copley was likely dressed in his finest clothing and rode his magnificent white horse named Draggon. Copley's 1693 estate inventory tells us that Draggon was worth 8£ sterling, a sum more than four times the value of a typical Maryland house.
Van Sweringen's Council Chamber Inn
The Private lodging house run by Dutch Settler Garrett Van Sweringen offered the finest lodgings in early Maryland. In the 1670s, he refurbished a standing building, added brick veneer and chimneys and opened a “private lodging house” that appealed to the colony's elite. To learn more about the fascinating history and archaeology of this unique site, continue walking along Aldermanbury Street until you reach the exhibit entrance at the orientation pavilion.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1824.
Location. 38° 11.11′ N, 76°
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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: Adjourn to the Arbour at Vansweringens (a few steps from this marker); The Exhibit (within shouting distance of this marker); Keep It Clean (within shouting distance of this marker); Tobacco... "our meat, drink, clothing and monies" (within shouting distance of this marker); about the Corner of Vansweeringens Garden fence (within shouting distance of this marker); A Busy Enterprise (within shouting distance of this marker); An Innovative Entrepreneur (within shouting distance of this marker); The Van Sweringen Family (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Mary's City.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 11, 2015
2. The Arrival of Governor Copley Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 11, 2015
3. The Arrival of Governor Copley Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 11, 2015
4. You Are Here
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 11, 2015
5. The Arrival of Governor Copley
L. H. Barker, Artist, Funding for this painting provided by the National Society, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America.Close-up of painting on marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 11, 2015
6. Key:
1. Enslaved African American woman, name unknown.
2. Nehemiah Blackiston
3. William, enslaved African man
4. Sir Lionel Copley
5. Garrett Van Sweringen
6. George Robotham
7. Thomas Tench
8. Nicholas Greenberry
9. Henry Jowles
10. David Browne
11. John AddisonClose-up of image on marker
2. Nehemiah Blackiston
3. William, enslaved African man
4. Sir Lionel Copley
5. Garrett Van Sweringen
6. George Robotham
7. Thomas Tench
8. Nicholas Greenberry
9. Henry Jowles
10. David Browne
11. John Addison
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 11, 2015
7. Leslie H. Barker
Artist
Artist
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 11, 2015
8. Van Sweringen's Council Chamber Inn
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 11, 2015
9. Van Sweringen's Council Chamber Inn
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 634 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 13, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
