USA > Maryland > Leading events of Maryland history; with topical analyses, references, and questions for original thought and research > Part 8
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LEADING EVENTS IN MARYLAND HISTORY
supply of his servants ; and wandering peddlers were not uncommon. There were no manufactures save the rude work done privately on the plantations. But at the time of our chapter a change had already begun. Towns, which refused to grow even for an act of the legislature, began to grow freely as soon as a need for them naturally made itself felt. Annapolis improved ; Baltimore, drawing trade from Pennsylvania as well as from Maryland, had acquired a large foreign trade in wheat and flour, and was now one of the largest cities of the colonies.
Copper mines had been opened some time before, while the more important industry of iron mining had become large and profitable, twenty-five thousand tons of pig iron being produced annually.
The legal system of Maryland was simple and good, and there grew up a very worthy body of lawyers -men of eminence, learning, and intelligence. Unfortunately, some of the clergy- men of the Established Church were not men of so high char- acter (see Sec. 42). The selfish proprietary appointed worthless or disreputable favorites to good livings, and these men, being supported by law and accountable only to the proprietary, could set at defiance both public opinion and the protests of the au- thorities in their own church. In this way they brought unde- served reproach on their worthier brethren and on the colony, which both were helpless to prevent. It was a natural result of substituting the narrow policy of intolerance for the freedom and toleration that prevailed under Cecilius Calvert.
64. Homes : Houses and Plantations. - In this agricultural community a plantation resembled a little village. The " great house " of the planter was sometimes a substantial structure of wood, but on the large estates, or " manors," it was pretty sure to be of brick. As a rule the house was two stories high, with a hall running through. This hall was the living-room, and
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MARYLAND LIFE IN COLONIAL TIMES
The Brice Residence, Annapolis From a photograph
here the ladies sat to gossip and sew. The mistress was far from being idle, however. Upon her devolved the duty of di- recting the work of the women-servants in weaving linen and cotton fabrics, in knitting socks and stockings, and in making garments for the slaves. The large body of house-servants was supervised by her, and she was the friend and counselor of her dependents in time of trouble. Pewter dishes were in general use, but the wealthy planters were supplied with handsome silverware. In the early days, poor folks often used flat wooden bowls called trenchers, and wooden spoons, while forks were unknown, being first mentioned in Virginia in 1677. Glassware was sufficiently rare to be mentioned in wills, and china was not commonly used until after the Revolution. Most of the rooms opened into the hall, and the parlor was kept for use rather than
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for ornament. You would find here no stoves or coal, and no lamps, except a few made of pewter, which burned whale oil. Heat was supplied from huge open fireplaces in which great logs crackled and blazed merrily on winter nights, while the room was lighted by candles, often made of myrtle-berry or bay-berry wax. The table was loaded with the food which the forest and the adjoining creek so abundantly furnished, while temperance societies were unheard of, and various wines and liquors were kept on hand and consumed in large quantities. A royal hospitality was dispensed, and every traveler was wel- comed and entertained and at the same time vigorously ques- tioned for the latest news.
The exterior of the house was likely to be bare and unadorned, but generally there was a beautifully kept lawn of several acres, dotted with cedars, and approached by a graveled drive- way and a road shaded by long double rows of lo- custs or beeches. A charming at- mosphere of peace- fulness and calm pervaded the whole. Numerous out- buildings formed Negroes rolling Tobacco the village-like set- · From a drawing by Charles Copeland, based on a photograph and contemporary sources tlement. There was a meat-house,
a kitchen, a dairy, a granary, etc., and the "quarters " where the slaves lived; for large numbers of negroes had been imported
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MARYLAND LIFE IN COLONIAL TIMES
during the eighteenth century, and there were now nearly a hundred thousand in the province. The slaves were in nearly all cases well treated and usually were devoted to their homes, the house-servants in particular being noted for their "family pride." There was usually a windmill to grind the corn, which in earlier times had been pounded in mortars, as it was still on the smaller plantations.
Slave "Quarters," St. Mary's County From a photograph
The houses of the townspeople were usually plain and modest, but some handsome residences were built in Annapolis. In the backwoods and newly settled regions the habitations were merely log huts.
65. Society : Dress, Manners, and Amusements. - Dress varied according to social position, and was to a great extent its mark. When we read of the costumes of the " best society," or at least those of the women, we are amazed that the wearers could ever have enjoyed their gay gatherings. The gentleman wore a coat of cloth or velvet of any color that he fancied, with
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flaps extending nearly to the knees and bound with gold or silver lace. It had great cuffs, from beneath which protruded lace ruffles. He wore knee breeches of red plush, blue cloth, or black satin. He wore tight silk stockings, black, white, blue, or other color, and low shoes with silver buckles. His head was covered by a wig of flowing hair, caught behind in a queue and powdered - some- times so generously that the hat had to be carried under the arm. About the neck was a large white cravat with plenty of flowing lace, while from his side depended a sword.
The ladies dressed bril- liantly and sometimes extrav- agantly. Dresses were made of silk, satin, or the heavy brocade ; the body was held as in a vise by tightly laced stays (an old form of corset) ; the shoes were high-heeled. Colonial Costumes About the neck there might From a drawing by Homer Colby, based on contemporary sources be a large gauze handker- chief, while a long train trailed behind the dress. On the head was built up a moun- tain of hair elaborately arranged with lace and satin. The women of Maryland were famous for their loveliness of person and charming manners and character, as we know from the testimony of all, from the poor servant to the courtly Mr. Eddis - the English custom house officer at Annapolis."
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MARYLAND LIFE IN COLONIAL TIMES
The dress of the poorer planters was a pale reflection of that of the richer, while the mechanics and laborers usually wore leather breeches and aprons, worsted stockings, and coarse shoes. Servants, if we may judge from advertisements for runaways, seem to have worn pretty much any sort of clothing they could lay hold of.
There were plenty of amusements, though not always of a kind approved nowadays. Fox-hunting was one of the most
-
The "Chase Home," Annapolis From a photograph
popular outdoor pleasures, but horse-racing, gambling, and excessive indulgence in wine and liquors were very common and excited no remark. Some wealthy persons owned town houses in Annapolis, which was the centre of gayety and fashion.
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Here, during the winter, gathered the aristocracy to enjoy a sea- son of festivity and merry-making. Dancing was a necessary part of the education, and balls and parties were very frequent. There were clubs and theaters, Annapolis claiming, indeed, the distinction of the first theater erected in America. Our planters seem sometimes to have been men of extravagant habits, who by
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Doughoregan Manor, Howard County, Maryland From a photograph
their reckless expenditures and neglect of their plantations involved themselves in ruin. The manners of the people were marked by courtesy and elegance, and inclined to be pompous and formal.
66. Education and Literature; Character of the People. - In regard to the education of the people and the literature they read, there is not so much to be said. There were very few schools, chiefly because there were so few towns and the popu- lation was so scattered, and the teachers were in most cases the indented servants or transported convicts. The wealthier people were generally well educated, for many sent their sons to England to attend college. In this age, little or no attention was paid anywhere to the education of girls, though the wealthy planters of Maryland often had private tutors for their daughters.
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As regards literature, conditions were about the same. A few standard English books could be found, and occasionally political
White Hall Manor, Anne Arundel County From a photograph
pamphlets were printed and read, while the wealthier planters usually had good libraries, and sometimes large ones. A news-
paper called The Mary- land Gasette was founded at Annapolis in 1727; it was soon discontinued, but was revived in 1745 by Jonas Green, and there- after prospered. The Gazette claimed to pub- lish "the freshest Ad- vices Foreign and Domestic." These "freshest Advices" Staircase, Carvel House From a photograph were two months old from New York and Boston, five months old from London and Paris, and six months old from Constantinople. Pretty stale
THE
Nº. 14.
MARYLAND GAZETTE. Jon
I of s.
Containing the frefheft Advices Foreign and Domestic.
SEFETT
FRIDAY, July 26, 1745.
. . From the EssaYs by the DUBLIN SOCIETY.
· XLV. Containing an Abstract from Several Letters relating to the Dreffing of FLAX.
N the following Directions to the Flax-Dreffer, we fuppofe that he is properly provided with
Conveniencies of every Kind, 2s large Ponds of' narrow one, in Ufe among us, cuts and deftroys the Flax.".
BY the Time the Flax is feutch'd, and about the Middle of October, it will be Time to threfh the Seed.
THIS may be done by driving Horfes backwards and for. wards on the Boles, or by drawing over them a heavy Rolling- Stone upon a fmooth hard Floor. .
CLEANINO it requires more Nicety ; to do it throughly it 'Tis of Importance to the Flax-Dreffer to buy his Flax be- muft firft go through the Winnow, which feparatee it from the Boles: Through the Riddle next, to take out Straws, Stones, Drer Dirt; then fucceflively through two different Sieyes, the firl bored with bril Hotes to let through the Seed, and no-
Enrument dy frang ir off à Bench, that one may fair at either End : thing elfe of greater Bulk ; the fecond clofer to retain the Seeds I.et them take fmall Handfuls at a Time, and draw the Flax and afford a Paffage to all fmaller Bodies: And laftly through
through the Ripple without Violence. Two Women are necef- fary to every bench, to hand the Flax in Bundles to the Rip- plers, to receive it from them again, to fort it according to it's feveral Degrees of Length, Strength, Ripenefs, Finenefs, and to tie it lootely in little Sheaves.
AFTER Kippling the Seed muft be carried to the Granaries, and the Flax laid down to water ; if poffible difpofe of the whole into your l'onds together ; the Summer which draws haftily to- wards an End is your fitteft Seafon, and thould be hufbanded with Care ; however let nothing tempt you to ufe Bog-holes or
running Waters; 'tis better to be delayed 'til the next Seafon,. Care and Tendernefs are the main Excellencies in this Bufinela. than decolour or damage all your Flax.
Corsa your Flax, to keep it down, with the Slutch or Mire them of a different Finenefs. Through thefe it . may be drawn at the Bottom of your Ponds 3 or "til that be gathered in fuffi- faccefffully with proportionable Caution ; The Luft whofe, Teeth cient Quantities with Clay, Bathes, Fern, or Timber. From 'are like the finett feedles, requires the utmoft Skin, and fhould + to sporty Days in the Tibetequifite for watering. After be trusted with few Hands.
the ath ciatome your Flax daily, and be particularly careful not to let it Lic too long
Tin a tubike on the fafer Side to draw leaf be an ufefut Index to our Correfpondent's Letters. W.
IN grafting, the bones, Donde should be. prefer'd. Dry Sand banks do well: On either the: Elax mult be turned every Second Day, and generally lies froma a Fortnight to.1 Woche. . ;To dry your Flax, beat your Orch throughly ; then let it cool "til a Man can ftand in it without Uncabinefs, bil it over Night, and your Flax will be ready for the Break next Morn- ing. The Dirt and Straws fcutch'd out of the Flat in one Day, sui heat the Oven for the next.
hope indeed a farther Ufe from themn ; but were it otherwise as they have been drawn up in Compliance with the Comigo of many Gentlemen, we fhaft think our Trouble Wenn an Auempt to oblige them.
Tas following Letter" will conciode sus Paper properly and we dull give it to the Reader withour pry Alteration of Apology.
: " Ici but x Onall Mite I have to offer mo your Approbation 1 but I am loch ir thoạid be loft ot taried without imparto WHEN you break your }lax, take Sheaf by Sheif out of the "having feen the good Eatsctr af #. "It B an Invasion of ond Điện m you wie tis. Af comer crifp under the Engine, works ! Rigby, in the Service of the Right Hon, the Lon, & Gilo
The Maryland Gazette, July 26, 1745
From a photograph of the original in possession of the Maryland Historical Society
better and more eafily. "Tis an Error to lay the Flax, as we do, as far as may be from the Joint; the nearer it is placed to the C'entre of Motion in the Break, the more readily it fplita, and the lefs Damage it receives.
IN Scutching, choofe the broad round Scutch, the fquare and
ftanding Water, capacious Barns, franch Grana- d T ries, good Working-Rooms, Ovens, Fining-Mills, and Instruments fuch as our Correspondent has de- Efcribed ; they muft otherwife bave been as voluminous almoft as the original Instructions, and a Tranfeript of them rather than tu kan Abstract,
Eur times, directly from the Field, and estly in July, that he may fufficiens
the Screen or Wire Harp, which freet it from all Duft.
. WHEN the Flax-Dreifer has thus cleaned his Seed, he fhould return to his Flax, and put it through the Fining-Mills. The Wheel in thefe turna alternately from right to left, and from left to right, twice each Way ; and according to the Number of thefe double. Turns the Flax comes out the finer, the Gnooch- er, and the fofter i"fouricore fuch Turns is the moft that any Flax requires, and probably as much as it will bear.
. IN Hackling, Women and Children fhould he employ'd from Choice. They work with greater Gentlenefs than Men, and
For the beft Flux four Sets of Hackles will be requires each of
.. THESE . Directions, if they antwer no other Parpole, will as
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MARYLAND LIFE IN COLONIAL TIMES
news, we of to-day are apt to think, but this was before the day of the railroad and the telegraph.
In spite of their meager resources in these respects, and some questionable amusements, the people of Maryland were indus- trious, shrewd, sensible, and intelligent, while, generally speaking, their morals were good. They must always be judged by the standards of their own time; our most revered statesmen of that time saw no harm in moderate gambling and what would now be considered excessive drinking. They were a generous, hospitable, courteous people, liberal-minded, but strongly inde- pendent and jealous of their rights and privileges as Englishmen. Most of their faults grew out of the peculiar conditions under which they lived, or were the common vices of the times. On the whole, we may justly be proud of them.
TOPICS AND QUESTIONS
62. Introduction.
Life in the South and in the North.
Maryland and Virginia compared.
63. Occupations.
Maryland chiefly agricultural ; tobacco the staple crop.
Method of cultivating the land.
Growth of towns in later days of the province.
The growing importance of Baltimore.
Mining industries. Character of the lawyers.
Character of some of the clergymen, and the causes.
64. Homes : Houses and Plantations.
Describe the " great house " of the planter.
Describe the dishes, fuel, and lights.
How were guests received ?
Describe the exterior of the house. its grounds, etc. Tell about the outbuildings.
What was the condition of the slaves?
65. Society : Dress, Manners, and Amusements.
Describe the dress of a fashionable gentleman. Of a lady. Of the poor planters. Of mechanics and laborers.
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LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
For what were the women of Maryland distinguished ?
Describe the chief amusements.
For what was Annapolis noted?
Describe the manners of the people.
66. Education and Literature ; Character of the People.
Describe the educational condition of the colony.
What literature was read? Tell about The Maryland Gazette.
Describe fully the character of the people.
QUESTIONS FOR ORIGINAL THOUGHT AND RESEARCH
1. Find out, if you can, some particulars in which life at the North differed from life at the South, and the reasons for the difference. What dif- ferences exist between the two sections at present ?
2. Compare the occupations of Marylanders of to-day with those of the colo- nial period. Name some improved agricultural implements now in use. Name some of the important cities and towns of the present day in Maryland, and explain the cause of their growth.
3. Name four daily newspapers published in Maryland at this time. What papers are published in your county? Name some reasons for the vastly greater efficiency of the present newspapers.
4. Name some respects in which the teaching of children now differs from that of colonial times. Try to find out what is meant by " consolida- tion " of rural schools.
REFERENCES
Goodwin's The Colonial Cavalier, entire book of 300 pp. Lodge's English Colo- nies in America, pp. 93-109. Fiske's Old Virginia and Her Neighbors, Vol. II., pp. 174-269; a description of life in Virginia, but this was so nearly identical with the life in Maryland that it is practically as good as a special description for Maryland. This is a careful and lengthy account, and will prove very valuable. Elson's History of the United States, pp. 197-219. See also Mereness' Maryland as a Proprietary Province, pp. 104-128 and pp. 129-149. If available, consult Scharf's History of Maryland, Vol. II., pp. 1-103; and for a good account of the manners and customs of the early settlers in western Maryland, see Scharf's History of Western Maryland, pp. 69-74.
PART II HISTORY OF THE STATE
CHAPTER I
THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE : MARYLAND IN THE REVOLUTION
67. The Revolutionary War. - The Declaration of Inde- pendence was the solemn statement of the colonies to all the world that they were resolved to be entirely free, and to lay the foundations of a new nation with liberty as its watchword. But that Declaration it was now necessary to make good, and the independence which they so boldly asserted it was necessary to win by brave deeds. Thus the whole situation was changed; for whereas the Americans had hitherto been contending for their rights and privileges as Englishmen, they now fought to throw off entirely the sovereignty of a government which they regarded as unjust and tyrannical.
On the nomination of Thomas Johnson of Maryland, Con- gress appointed George Washington commander-in-chief of the American army. (This was before the Declaration of Inde- pendence.) In the character of Washington, daring courage was strangely blended with extraordinary cautiousness and fore- thought. A noble and unselfish man, a true patriot, and a remarkably able general, his selection was eminently wise. Had any other been made, it is very doubtful whether inde- pendence could have been won.
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LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
In the conduct of the war the Americans had one great ad- vantage, - they fought on the defensive. They had declared themselves independent; if the king wished to dispute their claim, his armies must occupy their country and wrest its con- trol from them. Two distinct plans for doing this were tried, and both ended in failure. The first was to gain control of the Hudson river ; then, with the English fleets in complete con- trol of the sea, the New England states would be cut off from the others, and each section could be over- come without being
George Washington From the painting by Gilbert Stuart
able to obtain help from the other. After the failure of this plan the second was tried, which was to send armies to the extreme south of the country ; these, marching north- ward, were to conquer one state after another until all were regained.
We cannot give a connected account of these campaigns, for as this is a history of Maryland, we must content ourselves with a sketch of each period, and some account of Maryland's part in the great struggle. And this part, as we shall see, is one of which every Marylander may be proud; no state had a better record.
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THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE
THE WAR IN THE NORTH
68. The Battle of Long Island. - In the attempt to seize the Hudson the first blow of the British general, Howe, was at the city of New York. The army of Washington met Howe on Long Island, and here was fought the first great battle of the war. In this engagement, the most im- portant and heroic part was taken by the troops of Maryland. The left wing of the American army, under General Sullivan, was sur- rounded and captured, and the brunt of the fighting fell upon the right under General Stirling. The Mary- land troops were in this division. Their leader, Colonel Smallwood, was detained in New York, and Major Mordecai Gist was in com- mand. The regiment was com- posed of young men of the best William Smallwood From a painting in the gallery of the Maryland Historical Society families, of fine spirit and discipline, but "who on that day for the first time saw the flash of an enemy's guns." Stirling gallantly main- tained the fight for four hours, but, greatly outnumbered and attacked in the rear by Lord Cornwallis as well as in front by General Grant, he was obliged to retreat.
Behind the American army were a marsh and a deep creek to be crossed, and in order to cover the retreat it was neces- sary to hold the British in check for a time. For this purpose Stirling placed himself at the head of four hundred men of the Maryland regiment, and faced the immensely superior force of Lord Cornwallis. The gallant little band actually held in check
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LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
this division of the British army until the Americans had effected their escape. Animated by an unselfish and patriotic devotion, the noble young men charged the overwhelming force of the British again and again, until the great host seemed about to give way from the repeated shocks. But the struggle could not continue long ; fired upon from all points and fearfully outnum- bered as they were, Stirling and a portion surrendered themselves, while three companies cut their way through the British and reached the marsh on the edge of the creek, whence they effected their escape. A mere handful of - the gallant four hundred was left, but they had saved the rem- nant of the American army. " The sacrifice of their lives, so freely made by the generous and noble sons of Maryland, had not been in vain. An hour, more precious to American liberty than any other in its history, had Mordecai Gist been gained " (see Sec. 121).
From a painting in the gallery of the Maryland Historical Society
In a masterly retreat Wash- ington brought off his troops safe from Long Island, the rear being covered by the Maryland and Pennsylvania troops.
69. From Long Island to Morristown. - New York was almost immediately occupied by the British general. Wash- ington retreated northward to White Plains, later falling back on North Castle, where he could not safely be attacked. The British general then moved back down the Hudson, threatening at once Fort Washington, at the other extremity of Manhattan Island, and
LIHONUH OF . MARTIANOS FOVR HYKORED MHQ DK THIS BATTLE THEID
Monument to Maryland's Four Hundred, Prospect Park, Brooklyn From a photograph
I18 LEADING EVENTS OF MARYLAND HISTORY
Philadelphia, the "rebel capital." Washington now crossed the Hudson with a part of his force, and General Charles Lee was left in command at North Castle. Owing to disre- gard of Washington's orders, Fort Washington was captured by General Howe with its garrison and stores ; while General Lee refused to march his army to the aid of Washington when ordered by the latter to do so, and later, when captured by the British, turned traitor to the American cause. (Lee's treachery was not known until many years later.) These heavy mis- fortunes came near bringing the war to an end, and compelled Washington to retreat through New Jersey, a movement which he executed with masterly skill, finally encamping beyond the Delaware.
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