Description

Chronicles 300 years in the development of Charles County. The area known today as Charles County lies along a wide curve of the Potomac River, just south of Washington, D.C., and across the river from George Washington's boyhood home in Virginia. It has been steeped in history since Captain John Smith explored the area in 1608. This commemorative book marked Charles County's 300th birthday by chronicling its beginning in the 17th century, its growth and development in the 18th century, and its maturity in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is illustrated with ancient maps and portraits of historical figures, from Charles Calvert, third Lord Baltimore, for whom the county was named, to the Lincoln conspirators, who fled across the county in their desperate escape bid. Researchers will find an abundance of valuable material: a thorough list of notes and references is followed by appendices which include a description of the original boundaries of "old" Charles County (which included parts of St. Mary's, Calvert, present-day Charles and Prince George's counties); a list of Charles Countians of prominence; bibliography; 1790 U.S. census for Charles County, and a comprehensive index of names, places, and subjects. This work is cited in the Harvard Guide to American History.