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Kent County, Maryland

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records

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Kent County was created in 1642 and was formed as an Original County. The County was named for the English of Kent. The County Seat is Chestertown. A courthouse fire in 1720 destroyed some records.

Kent County, second in the tier of Eastern Shore counties, is also one of the original counties of the province. It was first referred to as a county in 1642 when the governor and Council appointed commissioners for the Isle and County of Kent. The county is bordered on the north by Cecil County, the east by the Mason-Dixon line and Delaware, the south by the Chester River and Queen Anne's County and the west by the Chesapeake Bay.

The fertile farm lands of the county produce a variety of cash crops, and the addition of dairy and beef cattle and hogs diversifies the local economy. Some large estates maintain prize-winning herds of Aberdeen Angus cattle. In the winter, hunters come from all over the East to shoot ducks and geese that arrive by the thousands to feed and rest in fields and creeks. Oyster dredging and tonging, commercial fishing and fish packing are among the commercial activities in the area.

Chestertown, the county seat since 1706, is a gracious town that recalls centuries of pleasant living. Along the waterfront, eighteenth century brick houses overlook the Chester River. Washington College was founded here in 1782 by the Reverend William Smith. The college was the first chartered college in Maryland, the tenth oldest in the country, and the only college to which George Washington gave permission to use his name. Rock Hall, on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay, offers excellent facilities for fishing and is a leading center for processing fish, crabs, and oysters. Used as a landing as early as 1707, Rock Hall was the Eastern Shore terminus of a post road from the north for many years, and thus the point of departure for passengers for Annapolis and the south. George Washington crossed here many times, and Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman crossed in the Rock Hall ferry in October 1781 as he was taking the news of Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown to Congress, then sitting at Philadelphia.

Counties adjacent to Kent County are Cecil County (north), New Castle County, Delaware (northeast), Kent County, Delaware, Queen Anne's County (south).

Kent County Towns Include Betterton, Chestertown, Galena, Millington, Rock Hall.Communities Include Fairlee, Lynch, Kennedyville, Massey, Still Pond, Tolchester Beach, Worton. (Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people and listed in many collections of towns, but they lack local government.)

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County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Maryland Land Records, Marriage Records, Court, Tax & Probate Records

Government records of Kent County are available in Original , Microfilm and Digital formats from the Maryland State Archives The Official County website is located at http://kentcounty.com/gov/ .See also Courthouse History.

NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. A courthouse fire in 1720 destroyed some records.

Kent County Register of Wills/ Clerk of Orphan's Court has Probate Records from 1674 and is located at 103 North Cross St., Chestertown, MD 21620; (410) 778-7466 

The Register of Wills is responsible for appointing personal representatives to administer decedents estates and for overseeing the proper and timely administration of these proceedings. We also perform the following duties: assist and advise the public in the preparation of all required forms; maintain and preserve the permanent record of all proceedings; serve as the Clerk to the Orphans Court; track estates and refer delinquent matters to the Court; determine and collect inheritance taxes and probate fees/court costs; audit accounts of personal representatives and guardians; and, verify compliance with court orders.

Kent County Circuit Court Clerk has Land Records from 1648 and Marriage Records from earliest to 1919 and is located at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620; 410-778-7460 Fax 410-778-7412

The Clerk's responsibilities include supervising Clerk's office personnel in the civil, criminal, courtroom clerks, business license, marriage license, land records, and juvenile units.

There are a few online databases for Court, Land and Probate Records which include: Maryland Calendar of Wills, Maryland Marriages, 1655-1850 and Maryland Marriages, 1667-1899.

The earliest tax records are to be found among the proprietary papers, dating from the 1630s. At the Maryland State Archives is a tax list for St. Anne's Parish, Anne Arundel County, 1764-66. Also here are the surviving 1798 U.S. direct tax records, for Anne Arundel County (indexed), Baltimore County and City, and the counties of Caroline, Charles, Harford, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Saint Mary's, Somerset, and Talbot.

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Kent County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Maryland

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Division of Vital Records Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, 6550 Reisterstown Rd., Reistertown Road Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21215; (410) 764-3038 or (800), 832-3277, Fax: (410) 358-0738. The Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issues certified copies of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage certificates for events that occur in Maryland. The Division also provides divorce verifications. The Division provides information on procedures to follow for registering an adoption, legitimation, or an adjudication of paternity.

RECORDS AVAILABILITY AND COST

  • Birth Certificates: The state of Maryland began issuing certificates for births since Aug 1898. Birth certificates for individuals born in Maryland after 1939 are also available for same day service at local health departments in all jurisdictions except Montgomery County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County. The State of Maryland Archives has Birth certificates since 1875 for Baltimore City and 1898 for Maryland counties.
    • Cost is $25.00 per certificate, payment is payable to the Division of Vital Records. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $12.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Death Certificates:The state of Maryland began issuing certificates for deaths since since 1969. Within 30 days of a death, copies of the record may also be obtained from the local health department in which the funeral director filed the death certificate, with the exception of Baltimore City and Baltimore County health departments. You must apply in person at the appropriate local health department. The State of Maryland Archives has Death certificates prior to 1969.
    • Cost is $25.00 per certificate, payment is payable to the Division of Vital Records. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $12.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Marriage Certificates: The state of Maryland began issuing certificates for marriage since since Jan 1, 1990. The State of Maryland Archives has Marriage certificates since 1640. Marriage Certificates are availible since before Jan 1, 1990 from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the license was issued.
    • Cost: $25.00 from the Division of Vital Records, payment is payable to the Division of Vital Records. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $12.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail. Contact the Maryland Archives and the Clerk of the Circuit Court for fees.
  • Divorce Certificates: The Division of Vital Records issues verification only since Jan 1961. Certified copies should be available from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Fees vary.
    • Cost: $25.00 from the Division of Vital Records, payment is payable to the Division of Vital Records. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $12.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for fees.

ORDERING RECORDS

  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.
  • Order In Person:  Birth certificates for individuals with valid, government-issued photo identification who were born in Maryland are available for same day service at the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore. Same day service is also available at local health departments in all jurisdictions except Montgomery County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County for individuals born after 1939.
  • Order By Mail: Turn around is estimated at 3 to 6 weeks from the day the request is received. However, people are urged to allow sufficient time for delivery for all birth/death records. Mail a check or money order of $12.00 for each certified certificate. Do not send cash. Mail to the following address: The Division of Vital Records, 6550 Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown Road Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21215. Please include return address on envelope and application form. Allow 3 to 6 weeks for the search by mail for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records.

The Maryland State Archives maintains many records that are invaluable for biographical and genealogical research. These include birth records, adoption records, marriage records, divorce records, and death records, and some indices to these records.

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Kent County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Maryland

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Kent County, Maryland are 1790 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.

Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Kent County, Maryland are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Kent County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Maryland

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Maps. Email us with websites containing Kent County Maps by clicking the link below:

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County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Maryland

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Kent County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Maryland Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Kent County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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County County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Maryland

There are many churches and cemeteries in Kent County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Kent County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Kent County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Church & Bible Records in Maryland

 

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Kent County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Kent County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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County History

 

In 1627 the Governor of Virginia authorized William Clayborne, "Secretarie of State of this Kingdom" to explore and locate the source of the Chesapeake Bay.

During this expedition, William Clayborne chose an island of the Chesapeake, seperated from the main land by what is now Kent Narrows, to establish a trading post. This island is present day Kent Island and was the first settlement in Maryland.

The island was already inhabited by the Matapeakes, a branch tribe of the Ozinies who lived on the southern banks of the Chester River, and the Monoponsons who lived on the southern part of the island. The early settlers were subject to fatal attacks by the Wicomese from the mainland Eastern Shore and the Susquehannas from the north. In 1641 the indians became so hostile and troublesome the law forbid the settlers to shoot, wound or kill any any indian coming onto the island and forbid the colonists to be friendly. It wasn't until the 1750's that the last indian left the island to settle elsewhere.

The early settlers also found the island to have plenty of wolves,bears,deer,raccoons,foxes, opossums,squirrels,rabbits,beaver and muskrats to hunt for fur.

By 1631 William Clayborne and Rev.Richard Jones had established a settlement on the island. William Clayborne was appointed Commander of the settlers of the Isle of Kent which he named for his home, the County of Kent. Rev. Richard Jones, of the Church of England, aided Clayborne in establishing this Protestant Colony and was the first to preach the gospel in Maryland.

Capt.Nicholas Martin represented the Isle of Kent at the Legislative Assembly of Virginia several years before St.Mary's settlement. It wasn't until 1634 that that settlers landed on St.Clement's island.
In 1632, King Charles granted Cecelius Calvert the Charter for Maryland, making the already established settlement on "Isle of Kent" the first in Maryland, and so begins the most interesting history of the Eastern Shore. It was these adventurers, traders, settlers and their descendants, along with the colonists to follow, that would settle the counties of Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester.

Isle of Kent 5th April 1652: We,whose names are hereafter subscribed, do promise and engage ourselves to be true and faithful to the Commonwealth of England, without King or House of Lords.

Thomas Ward, Thomas South, Tho.Wetherell, Tho.Pett, Tho.Taylor, Hen.Carlyen, John Hud, Robert Martin, John Smith, Henry Ashley, John Philips, John Gould, Edw. Ebes, John Smyth, John Richeson, Hen.Taylor, Will Leedes, John Sepsen, Anthony Calliway, Robert Vaughan, Philip Commins, Thos.Ringgould, Thos.Bradnox, Hen.Morgan, William Elliott, Robert Halters, Richard Blunt, Matthew Read, Will Jones, John Ringgold, Francis Bright, Edw.Copedge, Edmt.Weebe, John Russell, Rich.Salter, Marke Benton, Will Band, Francis Barnes, Hen.Clay, Roger Baxter, James Horner, Hen.Weest, Isa.Ilive, George Croutch, Edward Burton, Abraham Hollman, John Winchester, Nicholas Picurd, Nic.Browne, David Geldersen, Will Price, Tho.Hill, John Dean, Edw.Coxe, Robert Dunn, Fran Lumbard, John Gibson, John Maconick, Thomas Weest, Joseph Wickes To ye truth of this I here subscribe John Coursey, John Errickson, Andrew Hanson, Andrew Anderson

This list of 66 names most likely includes all the adult white male colonists living in Kent County in 1652/3.

Courthouse History

Through the passage of an act by the General Assembly of 1696, the justices of the county were authorized to purchase three acres of land to provide for a courthouse. According to records, land was purchased on theCourthouse 1697 north shore of the Chester River for the fair value of 2,000 pounds of tobacco. Although the date of completion is not known, the courthouse is believed to have been used before March 23, 1697/8.

The courthouse did not survive long and records indicate  it was destroyed by arson around 1720. The courthouse was rebuilt in 1720-1721 and used until the middle of the century. Due to growth in population and business, and the dilapidated condition of the present courthouse, the justices petitioned the General Assembly for funds to repair or enlarge the courthouse. An act was passed at the session of 1750 authorizing 50,000 pounds of tobacco for this purpose.

Courthouse 1860There were additional enlargements, additions, and repairs to the courthouse until in 1860 an act was passed to take down the present Courthouse and build a new courthouse on the Public Square in Chestertown. A bond in the amount of $12,000 was issued and the new courthouse was erected on the site where it exists today. The 1860 facade was retained when the courthouse was remodeled and enlarged in 1937.

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