PROVINCE OF MARYLAND Meaning and
Definition
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The Province of Maryland refers to a historic political entity that existed during the Colonial era in what is now the northeastern region of the United States. Established by a royal charter issued in 1632, it was an English settlement founded by Lord Baltimore, Cecil Calvert, with the purpose of establishing a haven for English Roman Catholics. The province encompassed the entire Chesapeake Bay region, including parts of present-day Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The Province of Maryland functioned as a proprietary colony, meaning that it operated under the authority and ownership of Lord Baltimore and his descendants. Within the province, Lord Baltimore held the power to enact laws, retain land ownership, and oversee the administration of justice. The Maryland General Assembly was established as the legislative body, allowing for representation and decision-making through elected representatives known as delegates.
While initially established as a refuge for English Catholics, the Province of Maryland later attracted increasing numbers of Protestant settlers. Tensions between these religious groups and the proprietary government led to intermittent conflicts throughout its history, such as the Protestant Rebellion of 1689 and the English Civil War. Ultimately, the Province of Maryland continued to evolve and prosper, eventually becoming the U.S. state of Maryland in 1788, following the American Revolution.
