Remembering Kent Island: Stories from the Chesapeake

by Brent Lewis

Overview

Settled by William Claiborne and fought for by the Calverts, Kent Island is a land of charming beauty and unfailing hospitality. Local author Brent Lewis regales his readers with tales of industrious watermen, floating theatres, legendary pirates, bootleggers and ghostly haunts. Meet Islanders such as the feisty Margaret Brent, who petitioned for voting rights in 1648, and tenacious Senator James Kirwan, who saved the island from becoming a weapons testing ground. With a warm style, Lewis pays homage to a way of life that is fast slipping beneath the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596296626
Publisher:	History Press, The
Publication date:	05/15/2009
Series:	American Chronicles Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Brent Lewis is a native Eastern Shoreman. Both sides of his family have lived on the shore for generations. Brent has been a residential real estate appraiser for over twenty years, but has worked in various local industries. He's married to another Eastern Shore native, Peggy, and has one daughter, Nicole. Brent is a member of the Kent Island Heritage Society, where he conducts their Oral Histories project and contributes to the newsletter. Brent has published in various periodicals. This is his first book.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 9

Part I The Chesapeake Bay's Kent Island: First Things First 11

Summer to Fall 13

Winter to Spring 16

Natives and Newcomers 17

Part II America's Third Colony: The Fray on the Bay 23

Claiborne's Claim 23

Enter the Calverts 25

Conflict and Resolution 27

Part III Ends of the Earth: From Love Point to Bloody Point and Kent Narrows to Bay Shore 31

Broad Creek and Beyond-A Tour 33

More Tour-Chester and Stevensville 37

Kent Island through 1900 45

The Good Old Days: 1900-1952 54

Part IV Islanders: The People of Kent Island 63

Watermen 63

Farmers 72

Civic and Business Leaders 77

Island Faith 87

A History of Hospitality 93

Part V Contact: Boats, Trains, the Bridge and Beyond 107

A Short History of To and From 107

After the Bridge 114

Legends and Folklore-Haunts, Will-o'-the-Wisps and Chessie 119

About the Author 127