First Black Churches

First Black Churches and Congregations in the Choptank River Heritage Area, re-discovered through the journal of Mrs. Jarena Lee.   Jarena Lee (1783-1849) was the first female preacher of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church. She left her Philadelphia...

Murdered! Sallie Dean, Age 13

The murder of a Harmony schoolgirl in 1895 still shocks and fascinates county residents and true crime enthusiasts.   Sallie Dean’s grave at Hillcrest Cemetery in Federalsburg. This article by Chad Dean was originally published by the Times-Record. Adapted...

Nettie Dean Carter – Ahead of Her Time

In an unusual twist of fate, the Ridgely native – and prominent teacher, suffragette, and businesswoman – received more attention from the Baltimore press than from local media during her remarkable lifetime.   [ Researched and written by Caroline...