Maryland - 7th Blog

Maryland Economy in the 18th Century

There were some significant changes in the economy of Maryland during the long 18th Century. Maryland's Tobacco industry suffered early in the Century as compared to Virginia's Tobacco industry. Virginia Tobacco generally was of a higher quality than was Maryland's. Maryland Tobacco was often referred to as "trash", that is, lesser quality tobacco mixed in with good tobacco, and was about the same price, therefore Maryland economy suffered. As a result, in 1747 Maryland passed the Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747. Inspection notes were used in the purchase of tobacco, including the fact that tobacco was used often as currency.

Marginal producers of tobacco in Maryland faced some economic challenges after the passage of the Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747. The Act led to less production of tobacco, therefore higher prices and more profits for the larger producers. Other smaller farmers began to diversify their growing patterns. Corn and wheat became profitable and valuable to the Maryland economy in the second half of the 18th Century. On Maryland's eastern shore exportation of corn and wheat comprised 25% of Maryland's agricultural profits. Additionally, Maryland farmers increased their trade of livestock, especially cattle, which further diversified the economy.
Different eating patterns by late in the century resulted in wheat overtaking corn as the primary food crop.




SOURCES:

Economic Regulation and the Colonial Economy: The Maryland Tobacco Inspection Act of 1747
Mary McKinney Schweitzer
The Journal of Economic History 1980


Tobacco to Grain: Economic Development on Maryland's Eastern Shore. 1660-1750
Paul G.E. Clemens
The Journal of Economic History 1975