The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-03-16
BGACKsToNEs ISLAND. HIsToR.
10 SHRINE


Bay, Blackstone's Island exhibits as
tranquil an aspect in contrast to a
modern world as it must have pre-
scented to the sea-weary little group
aboard the Ark and Dove on that
memorable day in March, now three
hundred years ago.
A few deserted cottages, groups of
trees, and a lighthouse, would
scarcely attract the attention of the
casual passerby but its historical as
ISOLATION should commend 1t to the
interest of every true Marylander.
Indeed, 1t is deserving of national
notice for it was here that the band
of pilgrims who founded what has
been called "the cradle of religious
liberty in America first set foot
upon the soil of their promised ter
ritory. Here they disembarked, and
erecting rude cross, offered
Mass Of thanksgiving for their safe
arrival. But it was not deemed
suitable for settlement so they
continued farther down the river,
eventually establishing the town of
Saint Mary's.
Saint Clements, Saint MAJ garet's,
and Saint GATHERINGS were the pious
names these first settlers bestowed
on the group of islands in the Poto-
mac near this point but the original
name of Saint Clements has long
since passed into disuse as applied
to the island itself.
The relentless force of wind and
wave has worn it away until only
fraction of it's area remains. I'm
doubtedly the sand bar now known
as Herow Island once formed part
of the original island.
1t has been owned by number of
private individuals, taking its pres
ent name from previous owner.
At one time a colony of cote ges dot
ted it's shores and it formed sum-
mer retreat for several city residents
until its acquisition by the Federal
Government few years ago to be
used in the testing of long range
guns at the Dahlgren Proving
grounds.
Comparatively difficult of access,
it's wealth of scenic beauty is not
widely known. Father White, whose
writings give us the best record OF
early Maryland, tells of the charm of
the strip of land between the poto-
mac and the Chesapeake in a mes
sage sent by Leonard Calvert to his
brother, George Lord Baltimore,
who was then in England. The Ark,
on it's return to England after its
maiden voyage across the Atlantic
Ocean, carried the encouraging
word
"On the third of March, 1884, we
came into Chesapeake Bay at the
mouth of the Potomecke said
Father White. "This bay is the
most delightful water l ever saw be-
tween two sweet lands, with a chan
mel A, 5, 6, Z, and 8 fathoms deep
some in leagues broad; at times OF
year full of fish; yet it doth yield to
Potomecke, which we have named
st. Georges"
"This is the sweetest and greatest
river 1 have ever seen SO that the
Thames is but a little finger to it
There are no marshes or swamps
about it, but solid, firm ground with
great variety of wood; not choaked
up with understands about it but
commonly so far distant from each
other as a coach and four hourses
may travel without molestat;on.
AS the celebration of Maryland's
three hundredth anniversary appro'
aches attention will be attracted tc
this spot as never before.
1t is most fitting that the legisla-
ture of Maryland has made appro'
pTldllOH loI pldCiuS q IuDlSt w AAe'A n
the place where first made contact
with their land, q band of cour-
ageous and noble spirited pioneers
in whose hearts beat the high pur-
pose, rare in those trobslous days Of
prejudice, of applying the Golden
Rule in their dealings with their
Ifellowmen.
In November, 1888, the Ark and
the Dove set sail from Cowes. Isle OF
Wight, England, carrying 200 colon
lists under the guidance of Leonard
Calvert. Landing at st. Clements
Island, in the Potomac, now known
as Blackstone's Island, the colonists