White Marsh Historical Society

05/04/2026

, Edward Queen was born into slavery in 1754 on the White Marsh plantation. In 1791, Edward Queen sued for his freedom against the Reverend John Ashton, S.J., arguing that his grandmother, Mary Queen, had been born free and illegally enslaved—and that, under the law, he was therefore entitled to his freedom. Edward ultimately secured his freedom and later filed a counter-lawsuit, claiming that his civil rights had been violated during the years of his unlawful enslavement.

His case helped galvanize other freedom suits and anti-slavery efforts, contributing to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case: Queen v. Hepburn.

Today, we reflect on Edward Queen’s birth as an opportunity to examine the legacy of slavery, the evolution of civil rights, and the enduring importance of equal protection under the law in the United States.

03/17/2026

Do Daffodils Mark Forgotten Graves? Exploring the Hidden History at White Marsh Cemetery

Explore the presence of daffodils at the Historic White Marsh cemetery and the historical interpretations surrounding them. While flowers alone cannot confir...

02/17/2026

As we remember Robert Duvall (1931–2026) and his remarkable film career, we also reflect on the deep Maryland roots of the Duvall family, tracing back to Mareen Duvall the Younger (1680-1741) and the White Marsh community. Today, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

01/17/2026

STLPR | St. Louis University student works to hold school accountable for enslaving her ancestors

After Robin Proudie learned that 25 of her ancestors were born into enslavement by St. Louis University Jesuit Catholics, she founded Descendants of St. Louis University Enslaved to ensure accountability and commemoration of the enslaved people who helped build the school.

01/13/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Annual Meeting held on Sunday, October 12, to celebrate our accomplishments in 2025!

Thank you to all the members and volunteers who attended and supported us throughout the year, to the Most Reverend Roy E. Campbell Jr. for hosting us at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, and to Maryland Humanities for sponsoring the event!

We look forward to another successful year!

01/08/2026

, we remember Michael Queen, who was born about 1804 enslaved by the Jesuits, and died about the age of 85. His life spanned one of the most consequential periods in American history. His mother, Henny Queen, was born enslaved at the “lower quarters” of the White Marsh plantation, forced to the St. Joseph’s Mission on the Eastern Shore, then later enslaved at the Bohemia Mission in Cecil County, Maryland.

Michael Queen died on January 7, 1889, in Chester, Pennsylvania, having lived through enslavement, emancipation, and the uncertain promises of freedom afterward. He was “laid in his final resting place in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery,” on the outskirts of Philadelphia.

Today, we honor Michael Queen by speaking his name and preserving his story.

01/02/2026

CROSS Conference 2025 | Descendants help Catholic institutions come to reckoning with slavery history

Dr. Lynn Locklear Nehemiah’s journey of discovery to learn her enslaved ancestors’ stories and honor their legacies led her to an overgrown hillside at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Bowie, Maryland.

12/06/2025

December 6, 1838, one hundred thirty men, women, and children disembarked from the Katharine Jackson, stepping on Louisiana soil for the first time after being sold and forced from their homes and families in Maryland. Over twenty of the souls aboard the Katharine Jackson were enslaved at White Marsh, including the families of Patrick Hawkins, John Queen, Nelly Blacklock, Kitty Hawkins, and two children of Betsy West, who escaped before the vessel headed south. Today, we honor the memory of each soul who boarded the Katharine Jackson ... NEVER FORGOTTEN! https://whitemarsh.org

An independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization

12/03/2025

It's GivingTuesday, and the White Marsh Historical Society welcomes your support for our ongoing preservation efforts. Your generosity helps keep our shared history alive — thank you!

Learn more and give at https://whitemarsh.org/donate/

11/24/2025

A Day of Acknowledgement: Confronting the Legacy of Slavery