A Virtual Exhibit

Where's the City?
 St. Mary's City, Maryland and Jamestown, Virginia were unique in the 17th-century Chesapeake. Unlike the colonies in New England, this region's population was never concentrated in towns. Instead, people lived on individual plantations spread along the Chesapeake's many rivers and creeks. As a capital, St. Mary's City was the most populous place in all of Maryland. Still, St. Mary's City was never large by modern standards. Around 200 year-round residents lived here at any one time. The population swelled when the Assembly met and in court times, bringing periodic visitors to the city in search of food and lodging.

 

 

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Trade and Travel related artifacts from St. Mary's City
A: Iron bit parts for use with horses, 17th century
B:

Iron spur for use when riding horses, 17th century
C: Copper alloy wax sealers, 17th century
D: Copper allot boss for decorating horse harness, 17th century
E: Copper alloy coin weights, used to weigh gold coins, 17th century
F:  Lead cloth seals, used to mark bolts of cloth to demonstrate guild sufficiency or payment of tax, 17th century