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Notable People

The objective of gathering these 88 stories is not to focus on the well-known individuals, but to include those people who in their everyday lives exemplified the strength and resilience of the Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color of Southern Maryland.  Appreciating their stories provides a view into the history of Southern Maryland like no other.

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Notable People History Photo Gallery
| Isaac Hawkins is the first name listed on the 1838 Georgetown University bill of sale, now known as the "Georgetown University 272".
Notable People History
| An account of the first recorded death in this region of an escaped slave by the Underground Railroad.
Notable People History
| Generous Jenny disembarked 218 enslaved from the Patuxent River to Sotterley Plantation in 1720, the first of many.
Notable People History
| From her own word, appreciate what teaching was like for Elvare Lucreatia Smith Gaskin. She spent 46 years in education when St. Mary's County
Notable People History Photo Gallery
| Malcolm Funn having grown up experiencing segregation, dedicated his life, as an activist, for equity in education, voting, the law, housing and healthcare. He
Notable People History Photo Gallery
| George G. Forrest was the first African American County Executive for St. Mary's County and a nationally recognized leader, coach and war hero.
Notable People History
| Dr. James A. Forrest was the first African American President of the St. Mary’s Board of Education
Notable People History Photo Gallery
| Mathias de Sousa was the first man of African descent to participate in the Maryland Assembly of Freeman.
Notable People History Photo Gallery
| Eliza Dent, as cook for the Flag Ponds Fishery, she was an essential aspect of the fishing business and the community.
Notable People History
| Principals Victor and Constance Daniel brought new ideas regarding education for the emancipated African American to the Cardinal Gibbons Institute.