HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGY

1600 - 1699

1608. Capt. John Smith explored Chesapeake Bay.

c. 1620. Earliest appearance of European objects in archeological context.

1629. George Calvert, 1st Lord Baltimore, left Avalon in Newfoundland, visited Virginia.

1631. Kent Island settled by Virginians under William Claiborne.

1632, June 20. Maryland Charter granted to Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Lord Baltimore, by Charles I, King of Great Britain and Ireland.

1633, Nov. 22. The Ark and the Dove set sail from Cowes, England, for Maryland.

1634, March 25. Landing of settlers at St. Clement's Island (Maryland Day).

1634/5, Feb. 26. First General Assembly met at St. Mary's City.

1645. Ingle's Rebellion.

1647/8, Jan. 21. Margaret Brent denied right to vote in General Assembly.

1649, April 21. Religious toleration law enacted.

1650, April 6. General Assembly divided into an upper and lower house.

1652, March 29. Parliamentary commissioners held jurisdiction over colony, curtailing proprietary authority.

1655, March 25. Puritans from Virginia defeated Gov. William Stone's forces at Battle of the Severn.

1657, Nov. 30. Lord Baltimore's claim to Maryland reaffirmed.

1664. Slavery sanctioned by law; slaves to serve for life.

1683, May 15. Headright system of land grants ended.

1685, Aug. 31. Printing press of William Nuthead used at St. Mary's City by this date.

1689, July-1690, May. Maryland Revolution of 1689.

1690, May-1692, April. Interim government of Protestant Associators.

1692, April-1715. Crown rule; Maryland governed as a royal colony rather than as a proprietary province.

1692. Church of England made the established church. Royal assent to establishment act given in 1702.

State House, Annapolis, Maryland, May 1999. Photo by Diane P. Frese.

1694/5, Feb. Capital moved from St. Mary's City to Annapolis.

1696. King William's School (later St. John's College) founded at Annapolis.