MARYLAND - Maryland, one of the original thirteen colonies, boasts a unique founding story deeply rooted in the pursuit of religious freedom and the ambitions of an English noble family. Before it became the seventh state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, its official designation reflected its status as a proprietary colony under the authority of the British Crown.
Before the Old Line State: The Founding and Name of Colonial Maryland
Understanding what Maryland was called before it became a state reveals its distinctive origins and the vision of its founders.
The Province of Maryland (Established 1632)
Before becoming a U.S. state, the region was officially known as the Province of Maryland.
- A Royal Charter: The colony was established through a royal charter granted by King Charles I of England in 1632. The charter was sought by George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore, an English statesman who had converted to Catholicism and wished to create a haven for fellow English Catholics facing persecution.
- A Proprietary Colony: After George Calvert's death, the charter was granted to his son, Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. This made Maryland a proprietary colony, meaning the land and extensive governing rights were given to a specific individual or family (the Proprietor, Lord Baltimore) rather than being directly ruled by the King, as was the case with a royal colony.
- The Naming: Cecilius Calvert named the new province "Maryland" in honor of Queen Henrietta Maria, the Catholic wife of King Charles I.
A Haven for Religious Tolerance
The primary mission behind the founding of the Province of Maryland was to create a society where English Catholics could worship and live freely. This principle was later codified in the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649, which, although limited by modern standards, was a landmark piece of legislation that guaranteed religious freedom for all Trinitarian Christians in the colony. The first settlers arrived in 1634 aboard the ships Ark and Dove, establishing St. Mary's City as the first capital.
From Province to State
The Province of Maryland played a significant role in the events leading up to the American Revolution. After declaring independence from Great Britain, it officially transitioned from a proprietary colony to a sovereign state. Maryland ratified the U.S. Constitution on April 28, 1788, formally joining the new nation as the "State of Maryland" and solidifying its place in the young republic.
Before its statehood, Maryland was known as the Province of Maryland. This official title reflects its unique origins as a proprietary colony founded by the Calvert family under a royal charter, established as a refuge for religious freedom, and named in honor of an English queen. This colonial designation remained in place until the American Revolution, when it adopted its new identity as the State of Maryland, forever known as the Old Line State.
