In 1765, an anonymous Frenchman traversed the American colonies and documented his observations in a journal, which was transcribed and published by The American Historical Review in October of 1921. His journey through Maryland, particularly the Eastern Shore, provides a unique glimpse into the region's landscape, culture, and the beginnings of unrest due to British rule.
He remarks on the prominence of agriculture on the Shore, noting, "The country very pleasant and fine roads. Farming seems to take up the peoples' attention here more than any other". He mentions the Choptank River, which he misspells as "Chiptonk". Although the journal does not delve deeply into specific activities along the Choptank, he does remark quite often about Maryland's waterways being perfectly situated for local inter-colonial trade.
Maryland's diverse geography and climate apparently left a strong impression. He noted the state's mix of landscapes, from the flatlands near the coast to the rolling hills inland, which contrasted with Virginia's more uniform terrain. "There is a greater variety and fine prospects from the risings," he observed, appreciating the natural beauty and the "well-cultivated" lands. However, he also commented on the health challenges posed by the environment. He noted that this part of Maryland was "the most unhealthy, very subject to fevers," exacerbated by the poor quality of the water and the presence of mosquitoes, which he claims he had never seen in such quantities elsewhere.
The traveler's encounters with the people of Maryland painted a picture of a community deeply rooted in their land and traditions, but divided by their respective status as rural or urban. In rural areas, social gatherings and celebrations revolved around farming and crop schedules, a characteristic of extremely agriculturally-dependent areas.
The traveler's entries also touched on governance and religious diversity in Maryland. He highlighted the transition from a Catholic stronghold under Lord Baltimore to a more religiously diverse population. "Maryland were formerly all Catholics, but very much altered since the change of the stupid proprietor". As evidenced here and in other places in the journal, he was no fan of Lord Baltimore.
The traveler's journey coincided with a period of significant tension in the colonies due to the Stamp Act imposed by Britain in 1765. In Maryland, the Act stirred resentment, which is evident in this journal, as he mentions that he and a large group gathered at a tavern near Annapolis and drank to "Damnation to the Stamp Act". After another event he wrote, "Their first toast after Dinner is the Virginia Assembly. They have written to all the different assemblies on the Continent to send three members from each to meet at New York as a committee, to consult what measures they should take to oppose the Stamp Act". This gathering, which later became known as the Stamp Act Congress, was a pivotal moment in uniting the colonies against British policies.
The journal provides some examples of Marylanders' resistance to British impositions. During a dinner aboard a ship in the Chesapeake Bay, the conversation turned heated when the subject of the Stamp Act came up. The Frenchman recorded, "They would fight to the last drop of their blood before they would consent to any such slavery". He also remarks that he "was realy surprised to here the people talk so freely. this is Common in all the Country, and much more so to the Northward."
It is important to note that during the Frenchman's time on the shore, Caroline County was not yet formed from parts of Dorchester and Queen Anne's Counties. Therefore, when he mentions these counties, he very well could have been in the territory now known as Caroline County. Regardless of specific mentions of Caroline County or the Choptank River, his journal provides a unique and important perspective on life on the Eastern Shore in the late 18th century, especially in the context of the Stamp Act's passage in 1765. Many recognizable landmarks and towns are mentioned, making this journal intriguing to anyone familiar with the Eastern Shore.
One page, which mentions the Choptank, can be found in the Research and Resources tab, or by clicking here.
“Journal of a French Traveller in the Colonies, 1765, II.” The American Historical Review 27, no. 1 (1921): 70–89. https://doi.org/10.2307/1836922.
Comments