American History Question

[CinciCatholic]

Was the state of Maryland named in honor of our Blessed Mother, or for Queen Henrietta Marie, King Charles’ wife?

I have often heard or read both versions of the story. Can anyone tell me which story is a documented fact?

Thank you,
CC

 

[Steve_Andersen]

I’ve heard both stories too.

While it was officially named after the Queen, the fact that the primary settlement was called St Mary’s City seems that it is one of those things that was left ambiguous on purpose

if you’re angling to get a land grant from the King, politics and a little sycophancy never hurts

 

[BibleReader]

CinciCatholic:

Was the state of Maryland named in honor of our Blessed Mother, or for Queen Henrietta Marie, King Charles’ wife?

I have often heard or read both versions of the story. Can anyone tell me which story is a documented fact?

Thank you,
CC

Maryland is named after Queen Henrietta Maria, the Catholic wife of English King Charles I.

During the anti-Catholic era of the Know Nothings, Maryland came to be viewed by many as a Catholic refuge. My great grandmother, who lived on what is now called Locust Street in Philadelphia, lived near a Catholic Church burned down by Protestant Know Nothings, Olde St. Mary’s, to which she used to go for daily Mass. When Protestant Know Nothings threatened her, she and her husband (a Protestant) moved to Maryland for several years, till the Know Nothing movement petered-out.

 

[twiztedseraph]

Maryland is named after Queen Henrietta Maria, the Catholic wife of English King Charles I.

During the anti-Catholic era of the Know Nothings, Maryland came to be viewed by many as a Catholic refuge. My great grandmother, who lived on what is now called Locust Street in Philadelphia, lived near a Catholic Church burned down by Protestant Know Nothings, Olde St. Mary’s, to which she used to go for daily Mass. When Protestant Know Nothings threatened her, she and her husband (a Protestant) moved to Maryland for several years, till the Know Nothing movement petered-out.

I was thrown in a pool at the age of four by the daughter of a baptist preacher know-nothing…

 

[CinciCatholic]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies. I appreciate the responses and your stories about the Know-Nothings.

I recently ran across an article on the Catholics of Maryland (which stated, by the way, that Maryland was named in honor of our Lady). The author spoke of a group called, “The Catholic League of Families,” which was formed in 1785; mostly because of the persecution from the Protestants who had taken over Maryland government. The group moved to north-central Kentucky and settled there. Archbishop Carroll promised to send them a priest if they settled together.

God bless you,
CC