Reinterment Ceremony for Early Maryland Settlers

Maryland officials have reinterred 65 of the state’s earliest settlers at a solemn ceremony, marking over 300 years since their original burial. The event took place at the historic St. Mary’s City on September 20.

This site gained attention earlier this year for the opening of a reconstructed 17th-century Catholic church, which played a vital role in the region’s Catholic services until its closure by the Protestant governor in 1704.

Excavations during sewer system installations uncovered significant artifacts, including graves centuries old. The recent reinterment was deemed significant, as Dr. Henry Miller, a senior researcher with Historic St. Mary’s City, shared insights on the occasion.

The return of the remains to the new burial vault was a carefully organized event, intended to preserve the dignity of those honored. The ceremony included the Archbishop of Baltimore, William E. Lori, and featured processions, blessings, and the singing of hymns the settlers would have known.

Dr. Miller took great effort to incorporate meaningful details, emphasizing the importance of having an archbishop present, given that most settlers were Catholic. “My goal was to honor these long-forgotten men, women, and children, and demonstrate dignity and respect,” he remarked.

The process of placing the bodies in the vault took about six hours. To maintain focus during the public ceremony, they honored those who had been largely forgotten, notably the infants not recorded in historical documents.

For the reinterment, Miller noted that they placed eight relics—belonging to descendants of 17th-century Maryland immigrants—into a small black box adorned with rosemary and black ribbons. During the ceremony, the remains were blessed by the archbishop before pallbearers carried them to their resting place.

Throughout the ceremony, Miller acknowledged the significance of recognizing the ancestors who supported the early settlement and emphasized that the event could serve as a model for similar endeavors across the U.S. This approach underlines the deep-rooted human tradition of respecting ancestors.

Miller highlighted the need to honor not just the settlers but also their struggles and sacrifices while establishing a new life in unfamiliar territories. Additionally, he pointed out the need for historical sites like St. Mary’s to be recognized alongside Jamestown and Plymouth as integral parts of the American experience.

He concluded by asserting that the legacy of these early settlers, rooted in the principles of religious freedom and coexistence, remains relevant today. Overall, the ceremony was a heartfelt tribute to those who laid the foundations of Maryland, reminding people of the shared values that connect historical narratives with contemporary society.