Chesapeake Storyteller

01/28/2026

Ive had people ask about my historical ebooks & videos, & also about how I've been because I haven't posted any stories in a long time. The info on the ebooks & vids are at the bottom. As for not posting, I'll write something up on what's been going on but it's been a time. I dropped both my laptops overboard, a MacBook pro and a MacBook air, all my storage devices, etc. Anyhow, if anyone wants the videos and ebooks please let me know, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'll do all them for $25. I have cash app: $joepadenservices. I can do card via Square too. More details at botto

EBOOKS:
-A Candle In The Dark; The Story of How Christianity Shaped Lower Somerset County, Maryland, 35pgs (2018) ebook [Typically $5]

The 'SOUNDS'of the Bay; The Epic Story of the People Who Settled on the Pocomoke & Tangier Sounds, 114pgs (2020) ebook [Typically $10]

Through The Years with Asbury & Her People 1810-1996
-Transcribed from original records by Linda Laird Sterling, being sold with her written permission, 380pgs, ebook [Typically $30]

HISTORICAL VIDEOS
The Story of Colonial Somerset; 2hrs & 4min [Typically $10]

The Story of Piracy on Pocomoke & Tangier Sounds; 95min [Typically $10]

The Story of Oyster Wars on the Chesapeake Bay; 1hr & 55min [Typically $10]

To order, please msg this page or email [email protected].
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Thanks
Joe Paden

01/17/2026

Yes sir, Spring is a comin! W. Joe Paden

Spring is coming & that means FIELD TRIPS!!!! We have SPECIAL packages for history, cultural, working watermen, sea creatures & more! Local Guide. Customize to your age group, topic, etc. Give us a call at: 443.783,2483 or visit our website @ KayakCrisfield.com. PLEASE Share!!! with Chesapeake Storyteller

08/25/2025

Hey Everybody... BIG Weekend coming up & I still have a few spots available for storytelling tours. I'm doing kayak, & I can also join you on a pontoon (w/ you renting), & also for a Tiki Boat Cruise (captain provided). Message me, or call 443.783.2486 to book &/or get more info on tours &/or renting w/o a guide. Please Share. Thanks. Kayak Crisfield & Powerboats Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce

Call Billie @ 443.783.2486 to book your private Tiki-Boat Cruise for Boat Docking &/or Fireworks. Up to 6 people. This won't last long!

08/08/2025

My daughter & I are voluntering at the MD State Kayak Championships tomorrow at Wellington Beach (Brick Hill) in Crisfield. just got word that help is still needed. My sister participated in Special Olympics for many years & it's an increrdible experience. If you're unable to volunteer, come a watch something where everyome is a champion & gives it 110%. Awesome time. Volunter registration at 8am. If you have questions they're at the beach now & will be mall day.
Thanks. Please share. Joe Paden

Date: Saturday, August 9th, 2025 Location: Legion Post 16 116 Lorie C Quinn Sr Dr Crisfield, MD 21817 Tentative Schedule: 7:30 a.m. – Delegation kayak drop-off (scheduled time) 8:00 a.m. – Volunteer Registration 8:45 a.m. – Delegation Check-In; access to docks/course preview 9:15 a.m. – Coac...

07/26/2025

I'm giving historic kayak tours today until 2pm down at the beach in Crisfield. $10 a tour. Kids go free with paying adult.

07/23/2025

Hey Everybody, I'll be doing kayak tours at the Big Littletown Fest w/ the WORLD's LARGEST Duck. Super easy route. Shallow water. I'll be telling of Pirates, Oyster Wars & Everything Chesapeake Bay.
Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce

06/25/2025

One kind of story I wish we didn't have to add to, but another waterman has been lost due to a tragic accident on the water. Captain Dana Dize, 71 of Tangier Island. He crabbed and oystered on his boat the Christa Maria 50 years. May he rest in peace.
Joe Paden

06/12/2025

DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYWHERE IN AMERICA WITH MORE ACTS OF PIRACY THAN IN THE POCOMOKE & TANGIER SOUNDS? I haven't found any other place that even comes close. It has a lot to do with a boundary line of VA/MD crossing water. Smith Islanders, in the late 1700s to the mid 1800s, took their sons down to the large stone placed on boundary line & whiiped them & dunked them under so they'd never forget the location of the line. When they saw MD lawmen coming, they'd go south to VA. See VA law coming, go north. Saloon shanties also took advantage of the line.
They built 1/2 in each state. When the MD law came the half of the saloon in MD would be empty with everyone packed in the VA partying away. The lines with the dates show where claims have been made for the location of the boundary. I'll be talking about these stories & many more this Sat at the Tiki Boat Storytelling Cruise. Still a few spots left. You can also book me for Storytelling tours for kayak & pontoon rentals & private Tiki Cruises (w/ captain). Please like Kayak Crisfield & Powerboats page if you haven't. You can book all tours on the website: kayakcrisfield.com. Plese like & share this post. Our history is awesome, help share it. Joe Paden

05/31/2025

Sunset Tiki Boat Cruise on the Sat of Father;'s Day Weekend. I'll be sharing what I think a Dad would like; Pirates, Oyster Wars, Outlaw Gunners, Bootleggers & more. It's gonna be an awesome time. BYOB, Charcuterie Board. 6 guests max. Joe Paden

05/21/2025

Little Annemessex River. 2017. First Sunrise Paddle w/ my son. He's grown now but we still talk about this trip They're all great but the first is always special. We just sat & floated for a while & I told him to image seeing this with 100s of Skipjacks, Bugeyes & Pungys. Oh the stories that are here... Come do a tour. If you want a lasting memory with someone special to you, there is no better way to do it. I'm doing paddling tours for Kayak Crisfield & Powerboats, & stories on their Tiki Cruises as well. Please like their page. Check out their webpage kayakcrisfield.com. Please share. Thanks.
Joe Paden

05/18/2025

Year;: 1905. Crisfield, MD. Oyster Pirates take judge hostage, 1000 oystermen party in the streets afterwards, going until dawn. Governor of Maryland sends State Police.

It started earlier that day when oystermen, Ralph Nelson (back row, far left in photo), and his brother John (back row far right) were arrested for piracy after dredging on leased grounds while holding rifles and pistols on the man hired to guard the lease.

The Nelson brothers were found guilty, and given 30 day sentence. But a mob, with some accounts stating it numbered over 1000, held the judge hostage, and the father of the 2 brothers, Lorenzo (seated 2nd from left) was charged with leading the mob.

However, Lorenzo and his sons walked the streets of Crisfield for over a month. At the end of January, a special train, which was kept a secret of who it's passengers were going to be, was scheduled to take the 3 Nelsons to court in Princess Anne. It left Crisfield at midnight, court was held, the Nelson's were given probation and the train had them back before dawn.

I tell people all the time that pirates who are famous, got that way because they were caught and arrested. For example, Blackbeard. But there wasn't much national or international coverage given to Chesapeake Bay pirates because they did what they wanted. In 1635 William Claiborne was charged with murder and piracy for attacking two Maryland vessels in the Pocomoke Sound. He was never even arrested. There are many many more examples of this happening. But 30 days for holding a security guard at gunpoint is extremely lenient and shows the level of fear the law had for the pirates. However, probation for holding a judge hostage is unheard of, at least I've never read anything like this happening anywhere else.

I'm doing storytelling tours with Kayak Crisfield & Powerboats this year, and can do shows anywhere around the Bay. People really seem to like how I tell the stories. Please share and message me for info on tours and/or talks.
Thanks to All.
Joe Paden

05/14/2025

Hey Everybody. This year I'm doing storytelling tours w/ Kayak Crisfield & Powerboats. You can paddle or cruise on the Tiki Boat & BYOB w/ appetizers. I have more stories than anywhere on the Bay - I guarantee it! Piracy, Smuggling, Bootlegging , Oyster Wars, Shanghaiing are all favorites. I do the standard history topics too, & they're humorous & entertaining as well. Please like & share. Paden Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce