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

This Cannon

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, March 31, 2007

1. This Cannon Marker

The worn brass plate can be seen bolted to the top of the brick pedestal.

Inscription.
This cannon was brought to Maryland in 1634 on The Ark. Used in defense of St. Mary’s City and as a St. Inigoes Manor boundary marker. Presented to St. Mary’s County Historical Society by The Society of Jesus.

(original inscription on a worn brass plate) This cannon was presented to the Saint Mary’s County Historical Society by the Maryland Province, Society of Jesus. It was used in the early defenses of Saint Mary’s City and for many years served as a boundary marker of Saint Inigoes Manor.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1634.

Location. 38° 17.37′ N, 76° 38.16′ W. Marker is in Leonardtown, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It is on Courthouse Drive west of Washington Street (Maryland Route 326), on the right when traveling east. It is on the grounds of the courthouse, in front of the Old Jail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 41625 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown MD 20650, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Maryland.

It is also in the American

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South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Leonardtown (here, next to this marker); Lynching in America / Lynching of Benjamin Hance (here, next to this marker); The Great House (within shouting distance of this marker); War in the Chesapeake (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Town Spared (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leonardtown.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Leonardtown (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding This Cannon. The Ark and The Dove were the ships that carried the first settlers of the Maryland Colony from England in 1634. The Society

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, March 31, 2007

2. The Cannon

of Jesus (the Jesuits) established one of the earliest manors in the colony, a large plantation called St. Inigoes, soon after St. Mary’s City was founded and owned it for more than 300 years. It was the site of the first English Catholic mission in the New World and was the headquarters of the Jesuit’s Maryland Province. St. Mary’s City was Maryland’s first capital. As a boundary marker, the cannon was buried muzzle-first in the ground.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This Demiculverin - another cannon from the ships

Also see . . . St. Mary’s County Historic Background. Southern Maryland Online website entry:
Includes detail on St. Inigoes Manor. (Submitted on April 18, 2007.)

Inscription on Brass Plate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, March 31, 2007

3. Inscription on Brass Plate

The Cannon in Front of the Old Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, March 31, 2007

4. The Cannon in Front of the Old Jail

The Old Jail is now headquarters to the St. Mary’s County Historical Society.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,357 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on April 19, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 18, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.