From Kiplin to Maryland

IN March 1625, King James I rewarded George Calvert for his services as Secretary of State by creating the position Baron of Baltimore in County Longford, Ireland, making him the First Lord Baltimore. George owned lands in County Longford, and in 1619 purchased land at Kiplin in North Yorkshire, where he was born.

He’d been born a Roman Catholic but was educated by a protestant teacher as required by the king at that time. As a young man and adult, he worked in the court of James I. George Calvert’s first wife, Anne, bore him 11 children. Sadly, she died in childbirth in 1622.

The original portrait of George Calvert by Daniel Mytens hangs in the State House, Annapolis, in Maryland

Kiplin Hall was built for George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, in the early 1620’s as a hunting lodge. The fashionable building served as a status symbol of his career and importance. Built in red brick rather than local stone the building was an expensive undertaking, expressing his wealth to all. Viewed from above the unusual placements of the towers in the middle of the walls, rather than the four corners, creates a cross shape. Having proclaimed himself a Catholic in 1625 some suggest this layout was making a statement about his faith too.

Calvert made a number of attempts to create colonies overseas. First in Newfoundland, now part of Canada, but he found the climate too harsh. He also tried to settle in Virginia but found an unwelcoming reception as a Catholic. In 1632 after years of negotiations with Charles I he secured permission to seek lands north of Virginia, to be called Terra Mariae, or Maryland, in honour of Queen Henrietta Maria.
George Calvert, First Lord Baltimore died in April of that year so his son Cecil Calvert became 2nd Lord Baltimore, the first proprietor of Maryland. Cecil appointed his brother, Leonard, the first Governor of Maryland.

A sketch of the Ark, one of the ships which sailed to America

The first 150 settlers left England in 1633, some from the Kiplin area of Yorkshire, on two ships, the Ark and the Dove. Some individuals living in Maryland today can trace their ancestry back to passengers on these ships. They are members of an exclusive club, called the Society of the Ark and the Dove. The Baltimore name is embedded in Maryland today as the name of its largest city and the area known as Balitmore County. There is also a region known as Calvert County.

Kiplin maintains strong links with Maryland today. The University of Maryland has a study centre at Kiplin, where students visit the UK as part of their studies. Members of the Ark and Dove Society have also visited Kiplin in recent years, exploring their heritage.

There were six Barons Baltimore in total, Charles, the 5th Lord Baltimore sold Kiplin Hall to his stepfather, Christopher Crowe in 1722. Charlotte Lee, wife of the 4th Baron Baltimore, and mother of Charles, remarried following the death of her first husband Benedict Leonard Calvert. Charlotte married Christopher Crowe and Kiplin Hall remained under Crowe family ownership until 1868.

1635 Map of Terra Maria the area now known as Maryland, Baltimore being its capital city, named after the Baron Baltimore

In the past many institutions, like Kiplin Hall and Gardens, have venerated our founders and the families who lived here. Looking back fondly on their deeds and achievements.

We will continue to celebrate their achievement, but we know their lives are likely to be far more complex and their actions, whilst deemed normal at the time, will not always be in line with our current standards today. These complex stories are not yet fully known to us and require more research to understand and present in a sensitive and nuanced way. This is something we intend to tackle in the future when we are able to allocate resources to ensure this work can be carried out fully and transparently.

Join us next time as we explore what C is for...