The superintendent of the schools of Kent County, Prof. J. L. Smyth, in his long experience as a teacher and in his present position, feeling the great need of some historical data concerning our home county of Kent and its county town, Chestertown, requested the writer to compile this book, which is here presented to the public. It is hoped that it may, at least, be the foundation, or incentive, for someone to produce a book, with other data discovered and other facts recovered from the dim ages of the past.In the completion of this volume, "The History of Kent County, Maryland," we realized the enormity of the task when we began. Impressed, however, with the great need of some record in book form of even a few of Kent's historical facts, we have undertaken this work. It is based on a careful study of the means at hand and of persistent effort in exhuming facts contained in books, newspapers and articles by various writers. Among the latter to whom we are indebted are: Percy G. Skirven, who contributed the chapter on the old Court House, Caulk's Field and some P. E. Church history; Hanson's family history, Hon. James Alfred Pearce, files of the Kent News, Mrs. Harriett Hill, Swepson Earle, who furnished us six pictures of old homes, and others whom we regard as authority on the subjects discussed.
"There is nothing," says a well-known writer, "that solidifies and strengthens a nation like reading the nation's history, whether that history is recorded in books, or embodied in customs, institutions, and monuments." it also is true as regards a county. Not to know what has been transacted within our own borders in former times is to be always a child. If no use is made of the labors and happenings of past ages, we must remain always in the infancy of knowledge.
Kent, as a county, is rich in precious historical gems, and the object of this book is to present in a clear, connected and authentic manner some of these events. The author has had three chief objects in view - accuracy of statement, simplicity of style, impartiality of treatment.
It has been written in. the midst of a busy life, but if it shall give to the future generations a reason to feel proud of this "Garden of Eden," and also preserve the noted events in its life from extinction, then our labor will not be in vain.
FREDERICK G. USILTON.
SOURCE: History of Kent County, Maryland, 1630-1916, by Fred G. Usilton, 1916
Transcribed by Nathan Zipfel for the Maryland History and Genealogy Project