Province of Maryland

The Province of Maryland was one of the 13 colonies that went on to establish the United States.

Founding

Lord Baltimore was a convert to Catholicism, which was extremely stigmatic for a nobleman in 17th century England, where Roman Catholics were considered enemies of the crown and traitors to their country. Baltimore's two goals were to create a haven for British Catholics but at the same time turn a profit. Without Protestant settlers to provide the backbone of the colony's population, it would most likely fail. For this reason, Lord Baltimore instructed his brother Leonard Calvert, who was to be the colony's governor, to keep the religion of the Catholic settlers quiet to avoid dissent. The first settlers arrived on March 25 1634 aboard the Ark and Dove. About 150 settlers survived the voyage. Land was quickly purchased from the Yaocomico Indians, and St. Mary's City was founded.

Related Topics:
Catholicism - 17th century - England - Leonard Calvert - Governor - March 25 - 1634 - Yaocomico - St. Mary's City

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