Jacob R. Thomas, a Carroll County farmer, assembles a wheat reaping machine in 1811 and tries it out locally. It doesn’t cut well, but the first experiment with a mechanical reaper ushers in the age of agricultural machinery.
Reaper developed on Carroll County Farm Read More »
Maryland builds the beginning of an interstate road, a toll road from Baltimore to Cumberland. In a first federal project the government funds next road segment west to Ohio in 1811.
The National Road West is the government’s first project Read More »
A mud machine driven by horse power dredges Baltimore harbor from 1806 to 1819. Irish immigrants do the hard labor, becoming the early working poor.
A “Mud Machine” dredges Baltimore Harbor Read More »
US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase (born in Somerset Cty) is impeached by US House in 1804 but found not guilty in Senate. Pres. Jefferson opposes independent power of the judiciary, supports impeachment.
First Supreme Court Justice impeached Read More »
Elizabeth Patterson marries Jerome Bonaparte, Napoleon’s youngest brother in 1803. She becomes first self-made female millionaire in US.
Elizabeth Patterson of Baltimore marries Napoleon Bonaparte’s youngest brother Read More »
President Washington subdues a rebellion against a tax on whiskey in 1797, establishing the federal government’s ability to tax citizens and suppress violent resistance to laws.
The Whiskey Rebellion challenges the government’s authority Read More »
Many successful freedom lawsuit cases are filed by enslaved individuals on Jesuit-owned plantations in Southern Maryland between 1791 and 1864. Photo shows Southern Maryland enslaved family members at a funeral.
Queen family and others, enslaved, repeatedly sue for freedom Read More »
Benjamin Banneker joins the 1791 survey team for DC boundaries. He later publishes six annual almanacs.
Benjamin Banneker, free man of color, is the first Black scientist Read More »
William Paca introduces a Bill of Rights during the ratification of the US Constitution in 1788. His proposed amendments include freedom of the press, speech and religion.
William Paca is first to introduce a Bill of Rights to the new Constitution Read More »
The 1786 Annapolis Convention is a key prelude to the 1787 US Constitution Convention.
The Annapolis Convention of 1786 paves the way toward a new strong U.S. Constitution. Read More »
We acknowledge the enduring presence of many American Indian tribes who once lived in Maryland and who now, having lost their lands, live in a diaspora. Read more.
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