List of delegates to the Maryland Constitutional Convention (1776) facts for kids

The final meeting of the important Annapolis Convention in 1776 was a big step for Maryland. It was like Maryland's first special meeting to create its own rulebook. At this meeting, they wrote down a list of rights for people and a plan for how the state would be run. This list below shows the people who were at this meeting, called delegates, and which areas (counties or towns) they came from.

Maryland's First Constitution: The Annapolis Convention

The year 1776 was a very exciting time in American history! The colonies were deciding to become independent from Great Britain. Each colony needed to set up its own government. For Maryland, this meant holding a special meeting, known as the Annapolis Convention. This meeting was super important because it was where Maryland decided how it would govern itself as a new, independent state.

What Was the Annapolis Convention?

Think of a "constitutional convention" as a big meeting where smart people come together to write the main rules for a government. That's exactly what the Annapolis Convention was for Maryland. The delegates had two main jobs:

• They wrote a "declaration of rights." This was a list of important freedoms and protections for the people of Maryland. It was like saying, "These are the basic rights everyone in Maryland should have!"
• They also created a "constitution." This is the main rulebook for how the government works. It explains what different parts of the government do, like who makes the laws and who makes sure they are followed.

This meeting was a huge step for Maryland to become a self-governing state, ready to join the other colonies in forming the United States.

Who Were the Delegates?

The delegates were the people chosen to represent their towns and counties at this important convention. They were responsible for making big decisions about Maryland's future. These individuals worked together to create the founding documents for the state.

Representing Maryland's Counties

Here are the names of the delegates who attended the Annapolis Convention in 1776, along with the county or town they represented: