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

Maryland - 6th blog

Labor Needs in Colonial Maryland

Indentured servants were prevalent in Maryland during the early years of the colony. Men and women from England emigrated to the New World with the hope of eventually acquiring a tract of land. To achieve this, they sold their labor as indentured servants in exchange for their freedom after fulfilling their term of service. On average, servants were indentured for a duration of 5-6 years, after which they earned their freedom. From this standpoint, one cannot conclude that the labor of servants was coerced. Rather, the servants chose to work as indentured servants with an eye towards a better future.
An indentured servants contract from Colonial America



Hierarchies in Colonial Maryland

There were relatively few landowners in Colonial Maryland. Those that did own land were almost all Catholic. Most of the servants, conversely, were Protestant indentured servants. In no other colony, and certainly not in England itself, were Catholics at the top of the social and economic hierarchy.

Summary

Maryland was designed as a profit making society. As a result of the social and economic system, Maryland operated as a stratified society.


Sources: