History of the Jail

In March of 1732, the proprietor of the Province of Maryland desired to attract settlers to the northern and western areas of his territory, so he made a proclamation declaring special land prices and taxes for settlers.

• Any person having a family come to the land within three years of the proclamation and actually settle on the land could have two hundred acres without payment for 3 years.  After 3 years the settler had to pay to the proprietor four shillings sterling for every hundred acres or,

Map of Maryland

• Any single person, male or female between the ages of 14 and 31 could have 100 acres under the same conditions, or,
• They were to be charged taxes and the security of their land would be insured as if they were British subjects.

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