Taking Shape

In 1668, Cecil Calvert, the proprietor of Maryland, incorporated St. Mary's as the first true city in his colony. It gained its own government led by a mayor and aldermen. As the capital, St. Mary's City was home to the Assembly, the courts, and the Land Office. Between 1668 and 1695 its residents added many dwellings as well as some specialized buildings appropriate to a capital city. Among those buildings were ordinaries or taverns, law offices, a church, and a printing shop.

St. Mary's City was the most populous settlement in early Maryland. It was never large by today's standards. Perhaps 200 year-round residents lived in the area at any one time, compared to a total of about 20,000 in all of Maryland by 1680. The population swelled when the Assembly or the courts met, attracting visitors who required food and lodging.

[Captions:]

The appearance of St. Mary's City has been a mystery. No paintings or drawings are known to exist. Clues representing more than 25 years of historical, archaeological, and scientific research were used to create this drawing of the city as it may have looked around 1685.

In 1685, one of the first printing presses to operate in the English colonies was set up in St. Mary's City by William Nuthead. No newspapers were being printed in Maryland at the time,



so Nuthead printed forms such as indenture contracts and promissory notes.

Where the major streets intersected in the town center was a hub of activity throughout the 17th century. In the early years, Leonard Calvert's home was used periodically as the Assembly's meeting place. Later it was known as the "Country's House." Nearby were Garrett Van Sweringen's elegant private inn and lesser accommodations.

The colony's government met in various private dwellings until a building was built specifically to serve as a state house, council chamber, and secretary's office.

"Caecillius Absolute Lord & Proprietary of MAryland...do grant to our well beloved Inhabitants within ye Citty called or known by ye name of St. Mary's Citty in the County of St. Mary's in ye said Province of Maryland...not exceeding ye space of one English mile square... Shall be an Incorporated City of one Major [mayor] one pson learned in ye law by ye name of a Recorder & Six Alderman..."

Extract from the first Charter of Incorporation of St. Mary's City, 1668. Lord Baltimore established a municipal government with a mayor and town councilors or aldermen to govern St. Mary's City.

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Out the Door
Welcome to the Waterfront
From Many Lands
The Van Sweringen Site
Upon This Shore
The Van Sweringen Family
Meet Garrett Van Sweringen
An Innovative Entrepreneur
A Busy Enterprise
Mathias de Sousa

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