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Community Roots: Selections from the Local Legacies Project
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Sheriff John N. Farlaw and his men with confiscated still, ca. 1922, Salisbury, MD
Sheriff John N. Farlaw and his men with confiscated still, ca. 1922, Salisbury, Maryland. Photo courtesy Wicomico Historical Society

Life on the Shore: History of Wicomico County

The Europeans who settled Maryland's lower shore were almost entirely British subjects. They, and other colonists from Virginia, were enticed to emigrate to Maryland by land grants from the proprietor, Lord Baltimore, who received income from "quitrents." Two rivers influenced settlement patterns in the Wicomico area: the Nanticoke, whose channel is the western border of the county, and the Wicomico, which together with Wicomico Creek, provides about half of the county's southern border. The town of Salisbury has been the center of Wicomico's social, political and economic life since before the Wicomico County was founded. In contrast to heavily populated Baltimore County, which has no incorporated municipalities, Wicominco's small towns have kept their historic identities and local governments.

Documentation includes two books: Wicomico County History, by George H. Corddry, and Lower Eastern Shore Patriot, a compilation of articles on historical aspects of the area, historical postcards and photos, and a booklet about Delmarva, including history about the peninsula that contains portions of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia states.

Originally submitted by: Wayne T. Gilchrest, Representative (1st District).



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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.

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