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Source:
History of Dorchester County, Maryland
by Elias Jones
Publ.
Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins Company Press
1902
INTRODUCTORY TO THE HISTORY OF
DORCHESTER COUNTY.
As history is but the record of past events, dependent
on some primary cause, so we find the origin of
Dorchester County and its early development to be what
the founders and early settlers of Maryland made it.
Therefore, to show the relation of the county to the
province, under the influence of its makers, and to
invite a deeper interest in our ancestors of colonial
times, a brief sketch is here first given of the Calvert
family, the Lord Proprietaries of Maryland, the charter
privileges granted Lord Baltimore by the King of
England, the rules and laws from time to time proclaimed
by the Proprietaries, Governors and Council, either with
or without approval of the Assemblies, and other events
that shaped the course and progress of the colony that
led to the formation of Dorchester County. Readers
familiar with Maryland history may omit this chapter.
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PREFACE
This fragmentary collection of local history and
biography is only a glimpse at the interesting events
occurring in Dorchester County from its origin, two
hundred and thirty-three years ago, to the present day.
In compiling this local record, references to State
events and people have been frequently made in order to
explain the cause and effect of local acts which have
had their influences in county affairs. Especially
has it been the purpose to note the names of the
promoters of the county as well as to mention their
deeds.
In this fast age of book and newspaper literature when
every inmate of the American home must daily read the
current history of the world as it transpires, there is
no reasonable excuse why a history of Dorchester County
should not be published.
It has been the desire of the author to give a truthful
narration of the events treated, and while the diction
may not be all that could be desired, it is set forth as
an earnest effort, to which the reader is asked to
bestow that indulgence which the work merits. If
due credit has not been given, either by reference or
quotation, for any language used in this book, it is an
act of unintentional omission.
It is a pleasure to insert a list of references and
names of persons to whom the author is indebted for aid
and information in compiling this work, and much
gratitude is due to librarians and court officers for
the liberty of access to the books and records in their
keeping.
Owing to the loss or destruction of some of the
provincial records of Maryland and the County Court
records of Dorchester County, a complete list of the
Council and Assembly Delegates, Court Justices and
Sheriffs of that period could not be obtained for
publication.
Elias Jones.
Baltimore, December, 1902. |
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