Maryland- A Pre-1877 US State
Founder of the Colony
The Colony’s Year of Establishment
Calvert, with his son Cecilius continuing the settlement after his death, founded Maryland in 1632. Upon reaching the American mainland, he first targeted the already-established colony of Virginia, but soon found out that its inhabitants harbor the same view as that of people in England during his time. He sought for a territory away from Virginia in which he could establish a Roman Catholic settlement (Bozman 23).
Location of the Colony’s Foundation; Old Name of the Colony
The first vestige of Maryland’s establishment fell in an area with the Chesapeake Bay straddling in between. At that time, native tribes populated the area – an indication that no colony has incorporated the area (Celebrate Boston). Back then, Maryland was the first name given by the occupying party of Lord Baltimore, but they first settled in an Indian town named Yoamaco (Bozman 29).
Two Pre-Statehood Governors of the Colony
John Hart and Robert Eden are two governors of the Maryland Colony. Hart’s rule as governor oversaw the transfer of the state’s control to the Protestant Charles, the 5th Lord Baltimore. Eden was governor of the colony shortly before America declared independence (Archives of Maryland Historical List).
A Significant Event in the State
The Battle of the Severn is a historical event in Maryland in which Puritan forces warred against the forces of the Lord Baltimore. It is an event characterized by religious conflicts, headed by Captain William Fuller on the Commonwealth side and William Stone on the side of forces loyal to Lord Baltimore. Stone’s forces lost and surrendered, resulting to a Puritan-dominated rule in the assembly that propagated religious freedom in the colony (Bozman 548).
Statehood
Maryland became a state on April 28, 1788. It was the seventh of the 13 original colonies of the United States (US) that earned statehood (50states.com).
The First Three Governors after Statehood
The first three governors of Maryland after statehood are John Eager Howard (1788-1791), George Plater (1791-1792) and John Hoskins Stone (1794-1797) (Archives of Maryland Historical List).
Current Governor and Representatives
The current governor of Maryland is Martin O’Malley (D). His Lieutenant Governor is Anthony Brown (D). Senators Barbara Mikulski (D) and Ben Cardin (D) represent Maryland in the US Senate. The eight districts of the states each have one delegate in the House of Representatives – Andy Harris (R, 1st District), Dutch Ruppersberger (D, 2nd District), John Sarbanes (D, 3rd District), Donna Edwards (D, 4th District), Steny Hoyer (D, 5th District), John Delaney (D, 6th District), Elijah Cummings (D, 7th District) and Chris Van Hollen (D, 8th District) (Maryland.gov).
Works Cited
Bozman, John. The History of Maryland. Carlisle, MA: Applewood Books, 2010. Print.
Colony of Maryland – A Brief History. Celebrate Boston, 2013. Web. 2 Feb. 2013.
Governors of Maryland, 1715-1776. Archives of Maryland Historical List, n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2013.
Governors of Maryland, 1777-1839. Archives of Maryland Historical List, n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2013.
Maryland Government. Maryland.gov, 2013. Web. 2 Feb. 2013.
Statehood Dates. 50states.com, 2013. Web. 2 Feb. 2013.
