Research Update

Well it's been close to two months now since we were last in the field and I can't wait to get warm weather back to go out again!

As Jim stated the other day we are working on several different aspects of our research at the moment. I have been (and still am) working on digitizing all of the maps and plats and deeds that we can get our hands on to make some semblance of the Port Tobacco town and surrounding area.

I am also working on going through the State Archives to find anything on Port Tobacco, Charles Town, and Chandler's Town, all of which are the names for our wonderful town. The other day I came across two different supplements to laws in the 18th and early 19th Centuries that intrigued me. Here they are:

Session Laws, 1801 Chapter XVII
A Supplement to an act, entitled, An act to establish and regulate a market in Charles-town, in Charles county, and to prevent perfons from suffering goats, hogs and geese, to go at large in the laid town.

Hanson's Laws of Maryland 1763-1784
CHAP. IV.
An ACT to prevent the raising of geese and swine in Elizabeth-town in Washington
county, Leonard-town in Saint-Mary's county, and Charles-town in Charles county.

Now the question is why? Commerce seems to be the most likely culprit. Let me know what you think.

- Peter