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About the General:
SMALLWOOD, WILLIAM (1732–92)
Revolutionary War army officer. Born into a prominent Maryland family, Smallwood fought in the French and Indian War (1754–63) and then entered state politics. An ardent patriot, he supported the nonimportation agreements that followed the passage of the Townshend Acts and by 1774 was working on committees that joined the colonies in efforts to resist British policies. In 1776 Smallwood was commissioned a colonel and raised a troop that became the First Maryland Regiment. The troops joined with Gen. George Washington in the fighting in and around New York City (1776). In South Carolina (1780), his troops prevented a disaster caused by the inept leadership of Gen. Horatio Gates. Smallwood was again promoted, to major general. After the war, he retired to his plantation in Maryland and, although elected, declined to serve in the U.S. Congress. He served three terms as governor of Maryland (1785–88). [1]
General Smallwood was a key figure in giving Maryland the nickname "The Old Line State". You can read more about the history of the nickname at the following sources:
http://www.aomol.net/html/oldline.html
http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/states/md-01.htm
Many things have been named in honor of General William Smallwood, including Smallwood State Park, Fort Smallwood, Smallwood Middle School, the Baltimore Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (The General William Smallwood Chapter), and Smallwood Church Road (which sits next to Old Durham Church where he served as a Vestryman). And now, in his honor, our secret spice.........
REFERENCES
1. "Smallwood, William.", The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 28 Apr. 2010. <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
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