Nabb Center Explores 'Families of Old Somerset' Saturday, January 22

Friday January 14, 2011

SALISBURY, MD---The Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture at Salisbury University hosts a roundtable discussion on “Families of Old Somerset: The Seaside Settlement” from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, January 22.

Many of the lands of the “Seaside” area of Old Somerset (now the coastal area of Worcester County) were patented in the period immediately following 1670. The families of Bogerternorton Hundred and the parts of Baltimore and Mattapony Hundreds abutting on Bogerternorton are the subject of this roundtable.

Taking place at the Nabb Research Center Gallery in SU’s East Campus Complex, 190 Wayne St., the discussion covers early families of the Seaside area of Worcester County, which was a part of Somerset County until 1742.

Many of the families whose descendants still inhabit Worcester County came from Northampton and Accomack Counties on Virginia’s Eastern Shore between 1670 and 1680.

A system of vast “cousinage” developed in that area due to the few non-related families who settled the territory. Studying the families and their interconnectedness offers researchers a perspective on the societal development of the Atlantic coastal area of Worcester County.

A series of preliminary charts on some of the Seaside families has been prepared and will serve as the springboard for discussion. Multi-generational family charts include the Bishop, Bowen, Cropper, Ennis (Innis), Fassitt, Franklin, Hamlin, Hammond, Hill, Hudson, Kennett, Mumford, Outten, Poynter, Purnell, Quillin, Rackliffe, Richardson, Robins, Selby, Showell, Smith, Townsend, Turville, Vigorous and Whaley (Wale) families.

Those with interests in these families are encouraged to share information at the event. Participants will have access to all the original documents on families, available at the Nabb Research Center.

Sponsored by the Nabb Research Center, admission is free and the public is invited. Seating is limited. For more information call 410-543-6312 or visit the Nabb Research Center Web site at http://nabbhistory.salisbury.edu.