USA > Maryland > Talbot County > History of Talbot county, Maryland, 1661-1861, Volume II > Part 2
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On November 25, 1682, William Penn, the Proprietary of Penn- sylvania, who, through the Duke of York claimed title to the three Lower Counties which later became the State of Delaware, wrote to the magistrates of Sussex County as follows:
By the Proprietary and Governor of Pennsilvania and the Teritorys thereunto belonging:
Having duly Considered the present State of your County to the end that all obstructions to the due improvement thereof may be removed and reasonable encouragement given to invite planters to settle amongst you; I do think fitt to order and appoint as follows: That you, in open Court shall receive all peticons from time to time that may be made by such persons as design to take up Land among you and that you grant them a Warrant to the Surveyor to admeasure the same pro- vided always that you exceed not three hundred acres to a master of a family, nor a hundred acres to a single person, at one single penny per acre of value thereof in the produce of the country.
That you endeavor to seal the lands that shall hereafter be taken up in the way of townships as three thousand acres amongst tenn familys, if single persons one thousand acres.
The suggestion of Penn in this letter as to the division of lands among ten families is in accordance with the Old English custom of dividing land among ten families-assuming that each family with its servants was ten in number-making one hundred, and from which fact the title Hundred was originally derived, and this suggestion of Penn's is is doubtless the reason why the term obtained in this State-(Scharf's History of Delaware, Vol. II, page 1203).
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
FIRST PUBLICK ROADS
The first law for the laying out and marking of public roads in Talbot County before there were any wheeled vehicle in use was passed
At a Session of Assembly, begun and held at the town and Port of Annapolis, in Ann-Arundel County, the Fifth day of September in the third year of the Reign of our Sovereign, Lady ANNE, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, etc., and in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Four, entitled, An Act for the marking of High-ways, and making the heads of Rivers, Creeks, Branches and Swamps, passable for horse and foot.
WHEREAS, it is thought convenient, and very much for the benefit of the inhabitants of this Province that roads and paths be marked and the heads of Rivers, Creeks, and Branches be made passable.
Be it enacted, by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of her Majesty's Governor, Council and Assembly of this Province, and the authority of the same,
That all Publick and main roads be hereafter cleared and well grubbed fit for travelling, twenty foot wide; and good and substantial bridges made over all heads of Rivers, Creeks, Branches and Swamps, where need shall require, at the discretion of the Justices of the County Courts, and for the better ascertaining what is or shall be deemed publick roads.
Be it likewise enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the Justices of the County Courts shall set down and ascertain in their Records, once every year, What are the publick roads of their respective counties, and appoint overseers of the same; and that no person whatsoever shall alter or change any such publick road, without the leave of license of the Governor and Council, or Justices of the County Courts upon Penalty of Five Hundred Pounds of Tobacco. And that all the roads that lead to any Ferries, Court House of any County, or to any church, or leading through any county to the Port of Annapolis, shall be marked on both sides the road with two notches; if the road lead to Annapolis. The road that leads there at the leaving of the other road shall be marked on the face of a tree in a smooth place cut for that purpose, with the letters A. A. set on with a pair of marking irons, and coloured, and so with two notches all along the road; and where at any place it leaves any other road, it shall be again distinguished with the mark aforesaid on the face of the tree with a pair of marking irons, and coloured as aforesaid; and any road on the Eastern Shore in Talbot County, that leads to the Port of "William-Stadt," (Oxford) at the entering into the same, and upon parting with, or dividing from any other road, shall be marked on the face of a tree in a smooth place, cut for that purpose, with the letter W. and so with two notches all along the road; and the roads that lead to any Court House, shall have two notches on the trees on both sides of the road, as aforesaid; and another notch at a distance above the other two. And any road that leads to a Church
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THE FOUNDING OF TALBOT
shall be marked at the entrance into the same, and at the leaving any other road, with a slip, cut down the face of the tree near the ground; and any road leading to a Ferry, and dividing from the other Publick Roads, shall be marked with three notches of equal distance at the entrance into the same. And these rules and methods the several Jus- tices of the County Courts, shall from time to time, give in charge of the overseers of the highways, by them to be appointed for that purpose, who are likewise enjoyned carefully and strictly to observe and perform the same, under the penalty aforesaid. And where any Road shall lead through any plantation or old Fields;
Be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid, by and with the Advice and consent aforesaid, That the several and respective overseers within the several' and respective Precincts, do set up Posts, so many as may be perceived from one to the other, which posts shall be marked and notched according to the place they lead to, as before in this Act, for the Marking and Notching of roads have been appointed; and that the posts of all gates through which any such road shall lead, as aforesaid, be marked and notches as aforesaid; under the penalty aforesaid, any- thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding. And the said over- seers, shall from time to time, as often as occasion shall require, fall all dead trees on each side of all main roads where limbs hang over, to prevent any damage that may happen by falling on Travellers.
Note .- At this date, 1704, Annapolis and William-Stadt, (Oxford) were then the two most important towns in the Province.
POST ROUTES IN EARLY COLONIAL DAYS
The following Act of the Assembly of the Province of Maryland, passed fifty-two years after the founding of Talbot, shows the uncer- tainty of our mail facilities in early days.
At a Sessions of Assembly begun and held at the city of Annapolis, in the County of Ann-Arundel, the twenty-seventh Day of October in the Eleventh year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady Anne, Queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., Annoq. Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirteen, the Honourable Edward Lloyd, Esq., being President of her Majesty's Council of the Province aforesaid; were enacted the Laws following, viz .: An Act for the more speedy conveying publick Letters and Pacquets of this Province, and defraying the charge thereof, and to prevent the Abuses of breaking open and concealing any Letters whatsoever.
Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of her Majesty's President, Council and Assem- bly of this Province, and the Authority of the same, That the Sheriff of each respective County is hereby Enjoyned and Commanded to take Care of all Publick Letters and Pacquets and expeditiously convey them according to their respective Directions to the next Sheriff or Under-
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
Sheriff of the next adjacent County. And for the Encouragement of the several respective Sheriffs, and their Diligence in conveying such Public Letters and Pacquets, that they may be allowed the several Sums hereafter expressed, to be laid in the Public Levy of this Province (that is to say) To the Sheriff of Ann-Arundel, Fifteen Hundred Pounds of Tobacco who is hereby obliged to convey all such Letters and Pacquets as are directed and must go over to the Eastern Shore to Kent Island and there to be delivered to the Sheriff of Queen Anne's County or his Deputy.
He in turn delivered the mail matter to the Sheriff or under-Sheriff of Talbot County who received 800 pounds of tobacco per annum from the county. Heavy penalties were imposed for opening either public or private letters unauthorized.
ELECTION DISTRICTS
1799 Chap. 50: Commission appointed to divide Talbot County into four election districts.
1852 Chap. 258: Erects new election district (No. 5) out of second election district, the line to be as follows:
Beginning at the mouth of Harris' Creek and running with said creek to the head thereof, thence with the division line between the lands of James Dawson and William Lowe, thence with said line until it inter- sects the division line between the lands of William Hambleton and said Lowe, thence with said line until it reaches the head of a cove or creek called Emerson's Creek, and with said Creek until it reaches Miles River and thence with the river and bay including Tilghman's, Poplar, and Sharp's Islands to the mouth of said Harris' Creek.
1876 Chap. 154: County Commissioners authorized to divide election districts into election precincts.
1892 Chap. 572: Changes boundary line between third and first election districts to be as follows:
Beginning at the mouth of Trippe's Creek and running up Trippe's Creek and the north branch thereof, thence with said north branch of Trippe's Creek to a point at or near the residence of Mrs. James P. Hambleton, known as Waterloo, from thence nearly east with the road leading from the said Mrs. Hambleton's residence to a point on the public road from Hambleton to Dover Bridge at or near Iveytown colored church. Thence with said road until it intersects the present dividing line between Easton and Trappe Districts, then following the line as now laid to the Choptank river.
Since 1852 Talbot County has continued to be divided into five election districts, as follows, 1st Easton, 2d Saint Michaels, 3rd Trappe, 4th Chapel, 5th Bay Hundred.
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THE FOUNDING OF TALBOT
FERRIES KEPT IN TALBOT IN COLONIAL DAYS
1760, Nov. 12, Court sits, present :
Mr. Risdon Bozman, Mr. Robert Goldsborough,
Mr. John Goldsborough,
Mr. Edward Oldham,
Mr. William Thomas,
Mr. Tristram Thomas.
Ordered that if Deborah Nicols doth not keep sufficient boat and hands to transport the inhabitants of this County from Barker's Land- ing to Hog Island or from Hog Island to Barker's Landing, and give a good attendance to the said ferry that her allowance next November Court shall be reduced to one-half. (Allowance of 4000 lbs. tobacco per year.)
Ordered that Thomas Bruff doth not keep sufficient boat and hands to transport the inhabitants of this County over Miles River ferry from Bruffs Landing to Barrows Landing, and from Barrows Landing to Bruffs Landing again, and give a good attendance at the said ferry, that his allowance next November Court shall be reduced to one-half. (Allowance 6000 lbs. tobacco per year.)
Ordered that Rigby Foster doth keep a sufficient boat and hands to transport the inhabitants of this County with their horses and carriages over Chancellors Point ferry as often as they shall have occasion and persons living out of the County at the following rates: Footman 4d; horse and chaise and persons riding in it 2S6d and every person enlisted in his Majesty's service without fee or reward; shall be allowed at the rate of 6000 lbs. tobacco per year.
The Court agrees with Elizabeth Skinner that if she will keep a good boat fit for such use and transport the inhabitants of the County, their horses and carriages, over Oxford ferry from the town point to her Land- ing as often as they shall have occasion and persons living out of the County at the following rates: man and horse, 9d; foot, 4d; horse and chaise and persons riding therein 2S, and any persons enlisted in his majesty's service without fee or reward, shall be allowed at the rate of 4900 lbs. tobacco per year. In later years, as the population in Talbot and the other countiesincreased, other ferries were established. As early as 1690 one was in operation between Cloras Point in Talbot and Castle Haven in Dorchester County across the Choptank River. "Salary paid was 4000 lbs. of tobacco, in casks."
EARLIEST LAND GRANTS IN TALBOT
Lord Baltimore issued grants of land in Talbot County prior to 1661, when Talbot County was founded, as appears by the records in the Land office in Annapolis as follows:
Salter's Marsh-100 acres, surveyed October 13, 1658, for John Salter
Grange-150 acres, surveyed October 15, 1658, for William Granger
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
Morgan St. Michael-300 acres, surveyed October 19, 1658, for Henry Morgan
Wades Point-400 acres, surveyed October 19, 1658, for Zachary Wade
Hatton-500 acres, surveyed October 19, 1658, for William Hatton.
Scotts Close-200 acres, surveyed November 5, 1658, for James Scott
Linton-600 acres, surveyed November 5, 1658, for Edward Lloyd Harbor Rouse-100 acres, surveyed July 26, 1659, for Anthony Griffin
Pickburn-200 acres, surveyed July 26, 1659, for Nicholas Pickard
Hemersly-400 acres surveyed July 26, 1659, for Thomas Emerson Williston-224 acres surveyed July 28, 1659, for William Champ Kirkham-350 acres surveyed July 29, 1659, for Martin Kirk
Martingham-200 acres, surveyed July 28, 1659, for William Hamble- ton
Mile End-400 acres, surveyed July 28, 1659, for Thomas Miles
Choptank Island-1200 acres, surveyed August 11, 1659, for Seth Foster
Cudlington-400 acres, surveyed August 11, 1659, for Cuthbert Phelps
Hir-Dir-Lloyd-3050 acres, surveyed August 11, 1659, for Edward Lloyd, Esq.
Readly-800 acres, surveyed August 11, 1659, for Thomas Read Plimhimmon-600 acres, surveyed August 15, 1659, for Henry Morgan, Anderton-600 acres, surveyed August 15, 1659, for John Anderton Ottwell-500 acres, surveyed August 15, 1659, for William Taylor Turner's Point-400 acres, surveyed August 15, 1659, for William Turner,
Grafton Manor-1000 acres, surveyed August 20, 1659, for John Harris
Summerton-200 acres, surveyed August 20, 1659, for Thomas Sey- mour
Marshy Point-700 acres, surveyed August 23, 1659, for James Adams
Canterbury Mannour-1000 acres, surveyed August 23, 1659, for Richard Tilghman
Eastwood-300 acres, surveyed August 24, 1659, for Robert Jones
Tilghman's Fortune-1000 acres, surveyed August 24, 1659, for Samuel Tilghman
Ratcliffe Mannour-800 acres, surveyed August 25, 1659, for Cap- tain Robert Morris
Woolsey or Chancellor Point-1000 acres, surveyed August 25, 1659, for Philip Calvert, Esq.
Todd-Upon-Dirwan-400 acres, surveyed August 30, 1659, for Thomas Todd
Hopkins Point-800 acres, surveyed August 25, 1659, for Robert Hopkins
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THE FOUNDING OF TALBOT
Jennings Hope-1000 acres surveyed January 31, 1660, for Richard Jennings
Job's Content-1000 acres, surveyed January 31, 1660, for Job Nutt Meersgate-300 acres, surveyed June 24, 1659, for William Hemsley
Patrick's Choice-200 acres, surveyed March 30, 1663, for Patrick Mullican
Come Whitton-200 acres, surveyed January 4, 1694, for Wm. Dick- inson
The following large tracts were laid out between 1665 and 1672:
Chestnut Bay-1000 acres for Peter Sharp
Scarborough-1400 acres for William Corwin
Cooks Hope-1000 acres for Miles Cook
Lowes Ramble-1440 acres for Nicholas Lowe
Hemsley's Arcadia-1030 acres for William Hemsley
Sayer's Forrest-2250 acres for Major Peter Sayer.
Note .- Four of the above tracts only have never passed out of posses- sion of the male descendants of the original grantees. They are:
"Linton" surveyed for Edward Lloyd;
"Martingham" surveyed for William Hambleton;
"Patrick's Choice" surveyed for Patrick Mullikin;
"Come Whitton" surveyed for William Dickinson.
TALBOT'S FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL
The first law for the establishment of one Public School in each County in the Province of Maryland passed by the Assembly in 1723 was en- titled, "An Act for the encouragement of Learning, and Erecting Schools in the several Counties within this Province."
Whereas, the preceding Assemblies for some years past, have had much at heart the absolute necessity they have lain under, in regard both to duty and interest, to make the best provision in their power for the liberal and pious education of the youth of this province, and im- proving the natural abilities and acuteness, (Which seems not to be inferior to any), so as to be fitted for the discharge of their duties in the several stations and employments they may be called to and employed in, either in regard to Church or State, and for that end laid an imposi- tion on sundry commodities exported out of, and others imported into this Province, and other fines, for the raising a fund for the erecting and supporting a good school in each County within this province, which has succeeded with such desired effect that it is now thought necessary, and it is prayed that it may be enacted.
And be it enacted by the Lord Proprietor, by and with the advice and consent of his Lordship's Governor, and the Upper and Lower
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
Houses of Assembly, and the authority of the same, that in some con- venient time after the end of this present session of Assembly, there shall (for the ends above mentioned), be erected one school in each County within this Province at the most convenient places, as near the center of the County as may be, and as may be most convenient for the board- ing of children, at the discretion of the visitors, or the major part of them, that are hereafter nominated, appointed and empowered by this Act in each County.
Be it therefore enacted, by the authority, advice and consent afore- said, that for the time being, the seven several persons hereafter named for each County, be and are hereby nominated and appointed, and named visitors, and are empowered with full and sufficient authority for discharging the several offices, duties and trusts, reposed in and re- quired of them by this Act, within the several and respective Counties wherein they reside.
For Talbot County, Reverend Mr. Henry Nichols, Col. Mathew Tilgh- man Ward, Robert Ungle, Esq., Mr. Robert Goldsborough, Mr. Wil- liam Clayton, Mr. John Oldham and Mr. Thomas Bozman. For Queen Anne County, the Reverend Mr. Christopher Wilkinson, Phile- mon Lloyd, Esq., Richard Tilghman, Esq., Mr. James Earle, Mr. Wil- liam Turbutt, Mr. Augustine Thompson and Mr. Edward Wright.
And be it further enacted, that the visitors (for the time being) of each school, being qualified, as aforesaid, be and are hereby authorized and directed with all convenient speed, to purchase one hundred acres or more of land, for the use of such school, having a special regard to its conveniency, that it may be, as near as possible in such place of the County as is before directed for the erecting of schools, by this Act; the which land, when so purchased, the visitors are to assign such part of it as they shall see meet, not to exceed one moiety thereof, to be built upon, and cleared (if not before built on and cleared) for the conveniency of making corn and grain, and for pasturage, for the encoragement use and benefit of the Master of such school, for the time being; the other moiety whereof is to be preserved in woodland ground, and no other use made thereof by such Master, without the license and direction of the said visitors, than what may be absolutely necessary for fire-wood and the repairing of the houses and fences already built and made, on such other moiety thereof; that no Master be permitted, either by himself, or any other person, on any pretence whatsoever to plant any tobacco on such land or plantation; and the visitors of the several schools as aforesaid, are further empowered and directed, in case that there shall
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THE FOUNDING OF TALBOT
not be sufficient building upon any such land at the time of making a purchase thereof, for a dwelling house and necessary for the Master, and for keeping a school therein, and ground cleared sufficient for the use aforesaid, that then they shall, with all possible speed, agree with such workmen and laborers, in the best manner they can, that will under- take the necessary buildings and improvements upon such lands for the use aforementioned, and the visitors aforesaid are likewise hereby di- rected to take all proper methods for the encouraging good school mas- ters, that shall be members of the Church of England, and of pious and exemplary lives and conversations and capable of teaching well the Grammar, good writing and the Mathematicks, if such can conveniently be got; and that they allow every such Master for his encouragement for the present (beside the benefit and use of his plantation) the sum of Twenty Pounds per annum, and to take such other measures or make such other agreements, from time to time, for the future, as the circum- stances will admit of, as may give due encouragement to one or more Masters, and be necessary and useful for the improving and perpetuat- ing such school.
And further, the Visitors of every school, after it shall be erected are hereby required to meet there at least four times a year to inspect into and consider of, and direct the necessary affairs thereof.
And be it further enacted, that every person by this Act appointed as a Visitor of the County schools, or that shall hereafter be nominated and appointed as such, pursuant to the directors hereof, that shall will- fully refuse or delay to take upon him the said office, shall forfeit and pay for every such refusal or delay, the sum of Five Hundred Pounds of Tobacco, for the use of the School of that County where such offense shall be committed; to be recovered in his Lordship's name or at the Visitor's suit, before the Justices of the County Court, by Bill, Plaints or information, whereen no Essoyn, Protection, or Wager of Law shall be allowed."
FIRST ADMIRAL OF THE MARYLAND PROVINCE
Cecilius, Absolute Proprietary of the Province of Maryland and Avalon, Lord Baron of Baltimore &c.
To our right Trusty and Well beloved Josias ffendall, Esq., our Lieutenant of our Province of Maryland and to the rest of our Councill and others our officers and people there (to) whome these presents may come, Greeting.
Know yee that we doe hereby Constitute authorize and appoint our trusty and well beloved Samuel Tilghman of London, Mariner, to be
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
our Admiral of our said Province of Maryland under us and our Lieuten- ant of our said Province for the time being and will and require that he use and Enjoy the powers dignities Privileges benefits and Immunityes of right due and belonging to him as Admirall of our said Province under us and our Lieutenant there for the time being. All which powers, benefits and Priviledges aforesaid Wee doe hereby declare shall be En- joyed by the said Samuell Tilghman till wee or our heires shall Signifie under our hands and seales our or theire pleasure to the contrary.
Given under our hand and greater Seale at Armes the 15 day of July in the 27 yeare of our Dominion over the said Province of Maryland in the yeare of our Lord 1658.
This Admiral Samuel Tilghman, was commander of the ship Golden Fortune, in which he made several cruises between London, England, and Oxford, Maryland. He patented in January 1759 a tract of 1000 acres of land at the head of the Tredavon river, called Tilghman's For- tune. He never settled permanently in America. His1 first cousin Dr. Richard Tilghman came to Maryland from London with his family in the ship Elizabeth and Mary in 1661. He patented in 1659 a tract on the Tredavon river of 1000 acres called Canterbury Manor.
HOW ELECTIONS WERE CONDUCTED IN PROVINCIAL TIMES
At a Court of the right Honorable CHARLES, absolute Lord and Proprietary of the Province of Maryland and Avalon Lord Baron of Baltimore, &c., held for Talbot county in the Court House near Pitts his Bridge in the County afd. the Twenty Seventh day of August, Anno Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty and Eight, by virtue of a Writ of the same Lord Proprietary to Nicholas Lowe, Esq .: High Sheriff of the County afd. to elect Four Delegates and Deputies to serve for ye said County in the General Assembly of this Province before the same Lord Proprietary his Justices of the Peace for the County afd. of whom were
Present: Mr. Nicholas Goldsborough, Mr. Daniel Sherwood, The Worshipful: Mr. George Robins, and Mr. Risdon Bozman,
Tench Francis, Clk:
Thereupon the same Sheriff maketh publick Proclamation thereby giving notice to all freemen of the said County who have within the same County a freehold of fifty acres of land or who are residents and have a visible estate of Forty pounds sterling at the least thereby requiring them to appear at said County Court house the tenth day of September next ensuing to elect and choose four Deputies and Delegates to serve for the said County in the General Assembly of this Province.
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