Cpt. John Rodgers fires first shot of War of 1812
Cpt. John Rodgers, born in Cecil County, commands frigate USS President and personally fires first shots of War of 1812.
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American Innovation
Reaper developed on Carroll County Farm
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.
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The National Road West is the government’s first project
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.
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A “Mud Machine” dredges Baltimore Harbor
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.
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Benjamin Banneker, free man of color, is the first Black scientist
Benjamin Banneker joins the 1791 survey team for DC boundaries. He later publishes six annual almanacs.
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Washington College takes George Washington’s name
Washington College is first chartered private college in 1782 in the new US. Washington lends his name and serves on its board.
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