by Janet Brown, MD

“Honey, this land is your security. Preserve it.” I was just a child when my grandmother, Mildred Foxwell Jones, emphasized these wise words. ln I 942 she inherited her husband’s fam1 that was Part DeLaBrooke Manor. It provided income security for her family, like many St. Mary’s County fanm after the English colonists arrived in 1634. Our family fann is situated along the picturesque Patuxent River. It was purchased by her husband’s grandfather, Henry Jones, by 1838. Mildred’s daughter, Louise Jones Linden 1, had begun the mission to piece together the ownership trail from Robert Brooke in 1650. In this series of essays, the personal lives of its owners and their families will be presented in the context of county history. Mildred Jones recognized the importance of family, friends, faith and fam1, priorities shared with its prior owners, many played key roles in Maryland’s history. Because of her generosity, we enjoy it today.

“Honey, this land is your security. Preserve it.”

Interest in genealogy research is often sparked by the unexpected. Mildred’s 1789 plat of our farm” with the name, Henry Hill and a large 1714 gravestone marking Susannah Bennen Lowe’s burial place fired my interest. The research was a significant learning curve for this retired physician , but like finding clues on an X-ray to make a medical diagnosis, these clues revealed glimpses into the previous owners’ lives. With guidance from genealogists Joan Wise and Betty deKeyser, plus the holdings in the St. Mary’s County Historical Society library, 1789 Plat of Part DeLaBrooke Manor, the Maryland State Archives and many other sources, their stories emerged. There were no diaries or letters, yet there were treasured records ( despite losses from courthouse fires).

Initially I created large family tree charts for the Brooke, Darnall, Digges, Neale, Taney, Sewall, Fenwick and Hill families, which became the scaffolding upon which historical events and social interactions, including numerous intermarriages were hung. These families farmed, served in the military, in government and in their churches. The pieces started to come together and have relevance to others beyond our family. I was left with an appreciation for their struggles and achievements, so in addition to preserving the land, their stories are worth preserving, especially as Maryland will celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2034.

Robert1 Brooke (1602-1655)

What would compel a highly educated 48-year-old Protestant Englishman to risk his life, wealth, his wife and 10 children to emigrate to Maryland in 1650? Robert Brooke knew the reputation of the l st Lord Baltimore, George Calvert, as an experienced statesman, who risked his political future by embracing Catholicism, as English law prohibited Catholics from holding political office. Calvert’s first colonial foray to Newfoundland failed miserably due to the harsh weather. He skillfully renegotiated with Protestant King Charles I for another charter for land north ofVirginia. It was named Maryland after his wife, the Catholic Queen Henrietta Maria. To counter the firestorm of criticism over fears that Calvert’s colony would be a Catholic stronghold, he included the requirement that he and his successors as the Lord Proprietary would suffer severe penalty “if he allowed prejudice to ‘God’s Holy and True Christian Religion’- a statement sufficiently broad to satisfy wide interpretation.”9 His goal was to form a colony where Catholics could freely practice their religion alongside other Christian faiths. He died in 1632, but his son, 2nd Lord Baltimore, Cecil Calvert, sent the Ark and Dove in 1633. Four months later they arrived at St. Clement’s Island on March 25, 1634.

The native Indian tribes (Patawomekes of the Potomac River, Piscataways, Yoacomacos of the St. Mary’s River and Patuxents) viewed the colonists in the “Big Canoe” as potential powerful allies against the fierce Susquehannock tribe from the north and aided them. Conflicts with Virginians (allied with the Powhattan tribes) and the Kent Island for-trader, William Claiborne (allied with the Susquehannnocks), were larger threats than the local Indians. The local Yoacomaco tribe was paid for the land that became St. Mary’s City and they provided the colonists with invaluable guidance. Despite this, there were also challenges of disease, and inadequate food and shelter. Over the next decade the colony took root and slowly grew.

It is unknown how much Robert Brooke knew of these challenges; however, he was an eyewitness to the chaos in England at that time. The English Civil War erupted in 1642, culminating in the 1649 beheading of King Charles I. There was a “prolonged struggle between absolute monarchy and constitutional government made more bitter and violent by the injection of religious issues into politics.” Civil disorder was cracking the legal foundations central to Robert Brooke’s life. Puritan Oliver Cromwell and his army had grabbed power, but governing was proving to be difficult.

Cecil Calvert used all his political skills to retain his colonial investment. His strategies appeared to center on compromise and inclusion, but with limits. In his colony Richard Ingle used the English Parliament’s authorization to forcibly remove Cecil’s brother, the Gov. Leonard Calvert, and plundered the Catholic properties, causing many to flee. When the population fell to 200, the colony came close to failure. Leonard Calvert returned in 1646 to restore order, but he died the next year. Without Calvert leadership in the colony, Cecil needed to protect his investment.

The Historic Act of Religious Toleration of 1649

Knowing religious turmoil was an economic disaster in England, Calvert managed to establish the novel Act of Religious Toleration in Maryland with the approval of his Provincial Council. This pragmatic act was a new concept in a world where religious wars had erupted with regularity. Historians have debated Calvert’s intentions. Was it primarily for religious freedom orto prevent economic disaster? Was it to encourage needed Protestant immigration without alamiing the Catholics (also to reassure Protestants who feared persecution under a Catholic proprietor)? Calvert was in debt due to the costs of his Maryland venture. His political genius was finding a possible solution to all these issues that confronted him. The Religious Tolerance Act had the potential to prevent carnage and strife caused by religious conflict, while providing economic benefit that could improve living conditions. All new ideas are tested through debate and implementation. Calvert’s Maryland was no exception. It would be tested, suspended, and reinstated over the next 140 years. This Act’s significance cannot be overstated as it later became the foundation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, separating church and state and guaranteeing religious freedom. This concept remains relevant today.

Robert Brooke’s Immigration to Maryland

As part of his strategy of inclusion, Cecil Calvert actively sought Protestant leaders to join the existing Catholic leadership in Maryland. Accordingly, Protestant Robert Brooke was offered extensive land, a position as Commander of a newly fonned Charles County comprised of the southern shore of the Patuxent River, and membership in the ruling Council. This opportunity must have been attractive, especially for an ambitious and higllly educated man, who graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Wadford College in Ox ford. 14 His father was a barrister (lawyer) and both parents died when he was only IO years old. As the third son, he did not receive a land inheritance. Early deaths continued to impact Robert. He and his first wife, Mary Baker of Battle in Sussex, had four children, but she died during the birth of their fourth baby. Another daughter didn’t survive childhood. His second marriage was to Mary Mainwaring, the daughter of a Protestant clergyman. They had eight children by 1650. The land incentive offered by Lord Baltimore at this time of 1,000 acres for each persons transported to the colony was appealing. Brooke funded the journey on his own ship with his family of 12 plus 28 indentured servants and a pack of hunting hounds. He was granted warrants for the 2,000 acres on the south shore of the Patuxent River, which he named DeLaBrooke Manor and another 2, I 00 acres directly across the river, which he named Brooke Place. In remembrance of his first wife, he named the creek adjoining Brooke Place, Bartle Creek. It commemorated her hometown, also the site of the historic victory of William the Conqueror in I066. Written into the Brooke patent for De La Brooke Manor were these historic words, “free presentation of all churches and chappells (sic).”

Farm Development

When the Brooke entourage arrived in 1650, there were only 600 residents in the colony, so they significantly added to the population.18 They endured the risky two­month voyage in a wooden sailing ship that was at the mercy of wind, waves and without the benefit of sophisticated navigation and weather forecasts. How did these Londoners cope with rolling seas and ocean swells that seemed to engulf their ship? Grateful for their safe arrival, they wasted no time constructing housing and developing their farrn. The 16-year colonial experience had shown that a melding of English and native Indian fanning practices was critical.

DeLaBrooke had a mature forest with towering trees. The English farrning method of plowing was impractical. Land was plentiful, but labor was very tight, so agricultural practices had to be modified. Colonists turned to the proven Indian methods of girdling the trees by circumferentially removing the bark. This interrupted sap flow and killed the trees allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor. Limbs were used for building and burning. The staple crops of Indian corn and the cash crops of tobacco were planted in hills between the trunks using just a few precious metal tools (hoes, axes, and shovels) brought from England. Cows and hogs were allowed to roam free to forage for their own food and the fields were fenced. Wolves proved a threat to cattle, but the pigs were fighters. Neighbors were not close, but to avoid disputes over livestock, each owner had a unique notching pattern on their hogs’ ears. The term “earmarked” comes from this practice. If a hog was butchered, by law the ears were to be saved. Robert and his neighbor, Cuthbert Fenwick (once an indentured servant who arrived on the Ark and Dove, now Fenwick Manor plantation owner) were adversaries in court over this issue.
Manor owners worked in the fields along with their servants, hired labor and the owner’s family, including young children. Indians were hired to assist in hunting. Indentured servants agreed to serve for an average of four-five years in return for their passage. Once their indenture ended, they received 50 acres of land, tools and a set of clothing. Male servants were forbidden to marry until their service was completed, and then encountered relatively few women prospects. Their workday extended from sunup to sunset, six days a week. The stress was at times unbearable. One of Robert Brooke’s servants drowned and evidence from the court investigation suggested suicide. Drinking water was carried from springs. Indian corn was a staple food crop, but required hand grinding with a mortice and pestle, a time-consuming daily task. Seafood was plentiful and was a critical dietary supplement as corn alone was insufficient.

Robert Brooke’s oldest sons were Baker (21) and Thomas (18) at arrival and were much needed labor. Thomas hunted with the Indians. A huge challenge was disease. “Seasoning” was the term used for the common illnesses most colonists experi­enced soon after arrival. They lacked mosquito protection and knowledge of disease transmission that we take for granted today. Most contracted malaria. If the colonist sur­vived, the condition sapped their energy due to anemia. This febrile illness was particularly devasting for pregnant wom­en, who suffered with premature births.
Housing was necessarily quickly constructed with wood posts set into the earth with clapboard siding and roofs that leaked air and water. Most families lived in small two-room structures with lofts. Bedding was rolled up during the day when the room was repurposed as a living and cooking area. Their waterfront location was an advantage for transporta­tion, seafood, and welcome summer breezes in the hot, hu­mid summers. When winter arrived, the cold north winds off the Patuxent River added to their misery. Sanitation was lacking. Instead of outhouses, there were open pits outside the door. Resultant gastrointestinal disease and other in­festations made life particularly challenging. The year fol­lowing the Brooke family’s arrival, Mary bore another son, Basil, but he died the same day. The average 20-year-old male colonist lived just 23 years after arrivail. Typically, one or both parents would die before their children reached age. Second marriages were common as family survival depended upon it.

Political Troubles

By 1652 Brooke moved his family across the river to his plantation, Brooke Place. His sons, Baker and Thomas, would operate their DeLaBrooke plantation and later reside there. Robert Brooke was appointed a member of the Upper House in the Proprietary Assembly of 1650-25 He would also serve as Governor in 1652. During the period of Cromwell’s rule in England, Protestant Richard Bennett (grandfather of Susannah, a later owner) and William Claiborne were appointed commissioners of Maryland. This inflamed an already tense situation. Claiborne and Lord Baltimore had a longstanding conflict over Claiborne’s fur trading business on Kent Island that predated Lord Baltimore’s charter and Claiborne’s refusal to acknowledge Lord Baltimore’s jurisdiction. He and many Virginians felt they had precedence over Calvert, as they had come to Maryland before his charter. Clairborne used many opportunities to cause problems for Lord Baltimore, including using Indians as proxy fighters.

Act of Toleration Tested

Despite Lord Baltimore’s hope that religious strife could be avoided in his colony, the Act of Toleration was tested. Cecil walked a political tightrope as his charter was at risk. He remained in England to defend his interests from those of Cromwell, the Puritan Parliament, wealthy London merchants and Bennett (also Virginia’s governor)/Claiborne. To appease these powerful interests, Calvert appointed Protestant William Stone (nephew of a prominent tobacco merchant) as his governor of Maryland. As part of Calvert’s efforts to increase immigration of Catholics, Gov. Stone encouraged the Puritans, who experienced discrimination in Virginia, to settle along the Severn River near present day Annapolis. That settlement flourished. During the period from 1650 to 1654 Calvert’s power fluctuated.

Compromise and inclusion with the Protestants were a necessity for Calvert, but they took advantage. Calvert had limits. Brooke crossed them with his relationship with Bennett/Claiborne. Calvert revoked Brooke’s position as Commander of Charles County and member of the Council on 3 July 1654. The “old” Charles County was dissolved. Bennett/Claiborne ousted Calvert’s supporters that October and revised the Toleration Act to eliminate protection for Catholics. By March 25th, 1655, Gov. Stone mustered an army to challenge the Puritans, but his forces suffered a humiliating defeat in the Battle of Severn. Despite Stone’s surrender, the Puritans executed three of Stone’s leaders, including Protestant Thomas Hatton. It is ironic that his signature was affixed to that 1649 Act of Toleration document when he served as Secretary to the Province. Robert Brooke had hoped to avoid religious strife with his immigration, but it now engulfed him.

Tragedy Tests the Family

The stresses of these events took a toll on Robert Brooke. He died on July 20, 1655, at age 53, just four months after the Battle of the Severn. His widow, Mary, delivered their twins, Henry and Elizabeth, on November 28th. She was left to raise 10 minor children just as most of their indentured servants were completing their service. Her husband died intestate. By English law, she would be entitled to just 1/3 of his estate. The court would appoint a guardian, as women were not considered capable of managing children and the estate. Her minor children would be considered orphans. Her children and their ages were: Baker 26, Thomas 23, Charles 19, Roger 17, Robert 16, John 14, Mary 13, William 11, Ann I0, Francis 7 plus the newborn twins. Mary died in 1663 leaving five minor children. Sons, Baker and Thomas were keys to the family’s survival.

Most colonists faced early deaths without the benefit of extended families to provide a safety net. The Brookes were unusual as they immigrated as a family group and had two sons of legal age. When faced with untimely deaths, other colonists had to rely on their friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners for support. These associates served as guardians of their children, otherwise the court would indenture them, irrespective of their age. Close social and family networks were critical. The older Brooke sons shouldered the responsibility of their family and plantations, and they actively participated in civil service to the colony. From Baker and Thomas Brooke’s wills the property they received from their father’s estate was clarified. The majority of DeLaBrooke Manor became the property of Baker, as the eldest son. In 1664 he married Ann Calvert (Gov. Leonard Calvert’s daughter and the 2nd Lord Baltimore, Cecil Calvert’s niece). The Calvert/Brooke rift was mended. The southern portion, termed Part DeLaBrooke Manor, situated between Cat Creek and St. Cuthbert’s (now Cole’s) Creek became the property of their second son, Thomas Brooke. This is the location of our farm. This next generation of Brooke family took an active part in the rapid growth of Maryland that occurred in the second half of the 17th century. Their stories will be presented in the n􀁎xt chapter.

In summary, Robert Brooke, as the first colonial owner of DeLaBrooke, took a huge risk to come to Maryland to carve out a future for his family. He faced many obstacles, tragedies and political challenges including an estrangement with Lord Baltimore. In· those five years he succeeded in establishing farms that would become the basis for his family’s later success.