St. Mary's County Maryland

A Historical Overview of St. Mary’s County, Maryland

St. Mary’s County, located in southern Maryland, is the birthplace of Maryland’s colonial history and the site of the state’s first European settlement and capital. Established in 1637, it played a critical role in religious freedom, tobacco agriculture, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and modern military development. Today, it is known for its historic landmarks, naval presence, and scenic Chesapeake Bay coastline.

Pre-Colonial and Indigenous History (Before 1600s)

Before European settlement, St. Mary’s County was home to the Piscataway and Yaocomico tribes, who lived along the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.

  • These Indigenous peoples hunted, fished, and farmed, living in semi-permanent villages.
  • They established trade networks with other tribes and later with European settlers.

By the early 1600s, European diseases and land disputes forced many of these tribes to relocate or merge with other groups.

Colonial Beginnings and the Founding of Maryland (1634–1695)

The First European Settlement in Maryland

  • In 1634, English settlers, led by Leonard Calvert, arrived aboard the ships Ark and Dove.
  • They landed at St. Clement’s Island in the Potomac River before moving inland to establish St. Mary’s City, Maryland’s first capital.
  • Unlike the English colony in Virginia, Maryland was founded as a haven for English Catholics, under the leadership of Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore.

Early Relations with Native Americans

  • The settlers purchased land from the Yaocomico tribe, who were already under pressure from neighboring tribes.
  • The Yaocomico taught the English settlers survival techniques, including how to farm maize and navigate local waterways.

Maryland’s First Capital and the "Maryland Toleration Act" (1649)

  • St. Mary’s City became the center of government, commerce, and religious tolerance in early Maryland.
  • In 1649, Maryland passed the Maryland Toleration Act, one of the first laws in the American colonies granting religious freedom to all Christians, particularly protecting Catholics and Protestants.
  • However, tensions between Catholics and Protestants remained, and Maryland’s capital was later moved to Annapolis in 1695, reducing St. Mary’s City’s importance.

18th Century: Tobacco Economy and Plantation Society (1700–1775)

Tobacco and Slavery

  • St. Mary’s County became heavily reliant on tobacco farming, which was the colony’s primary cash crop.
  • Large plantations were established, worked by indentured servants and enslaved Africans.
  • The county’s economy was closely tied to English trade, exporting tobacco in exchange for manufactured goods.

Decline of St. Mary’s City

  • After Annapolis became the capital, St. Mary’s City declined in political importance.
  • However, it remained a prosperous agricultural area, with wealthy plantation owners controlling local government and economy.

The American Revolution and the Early Republic (1776–1800s)

Support for Independence

  • While some St. Mary’s residents remained loyal to the British Crown, many supported American independence.
  • Local militias were formed, and residents supplied food, horses, and ships to the Patriot cause.

Impact of the Revolution

  • British naval forces raided coastal settlements along the Potomac River, disrupting trade.
  • After the war, the county struggled economically as the plantation system faced decline due to shifting markets.

The War of 1812 and British Raids (1812–1815)

Attacks on St. Mary’s County

  • The county’s coastal location made it a target for the British during the War of 1812.
  • In 1814, British forces launched a raid on Leonardtown, burning buildings and stealing supplies.
  • British troops also occupied Point Lookout, using it as a staging ground for further attacks.

Defensive Efforts

  • Local militia units attempted to defend the county but were often outmatched by British naval power.
  • The war left the county’s economy in turmoil, further weakening its plantation system.

The Civil War and Reconstruction (1861–1870s)

A Divided County in a Border State

  • St. Mary’s County had strong Southern sympathies, but Maryland remained in the Union.
  • Many local residents supported the Confederacy, with some joining Confederate regiments.
  • However, Union forces occupied the county to prevent pro-Confederate activity.

Point Lookout Prison Camp

  • Point Lookout, at the southern tip of the county, became a Union prisoner-of-war camp for captured Confederate soldiers.
  • The camp housed over 50,000 prisoners, and conditions were harsh, leading to thousands of deaths from disease and exposure.
  • Today, a Confederate Memorial stands at Point Lookout to honor those who perished.

Late 19th and Early 20th Century: Economic Change (1870s–1940s)

Decline of the Plantation System

  • After slavery was abolished in Maryland in 1864, St. Mary’s County struggled economically.
  • Many former enslaved people became tenant farmers, while others migrated to cities.

Oystering and Fishing Boom

  • The county’s economy shifted toward oystering, crabbing, and fishing, taking advantage of its Chesapeake Bay access.
  • The oyster industry thrived in the late 1800s, with many watermen harvesting and shipping oysters to Baltimore and beyond.

World War II and the Rise of the Naval Air Station (1940s–Present)

The Establishment of NAS Patuxent River (1943)

  • During World War II, the U.S. Navy established the Patuxent River Naval Air Station (NAS Pax River) in St. Mary’s County.
  • The base quickly became one of the nation’s most important aviation testing and research facilities.
  • The presence of NAS Pax River transformed the county’s economy, bringing jobs, infrastructure, and population growth.

Post-War Growth and Modern Development

  • The county became a hub for military technology and defense contracting.
  • Tourism grew, with visitors attracted to historic sites like St. Mary’s City, Leonardtown, and Point Lookout.
  • Agriculture remained important, but suburban development expanded as more people moved to the county.

Modern St. Mary’s County: A Balance of History and Progress

Preservation of Historic Sites

Efforts have been made to preserve St. Mary’s City as a living history museum, showcasing Maryland’s colonial past.

Other key historic sites include:

  • St. Clements Island (First landing site in Maryland)
  • Point Lookout State Park (Civil War prison camp site)
  • Leonardtown (Historic town with colonial roots)

Economic and Cultural Growth

  • The county remains a mix of rural farmland, military industry, and tourism.
  • NAS Pax River continues to drive innovation in aviation technology.
  • Festivals, seafood, and historical reenactments celebrate the county’s rich heritage.

Conclusion

St. Mary’s County is one of Maryland’s most historically significant regions, serving as the birthplace of the colony and a site of major historical events from the colonial era to the modern age. From its roots in religious tolerance and tobacco farming to its role as a military and technological hub, the county continues to blend tradition with progress.

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