Customer Reviews

Robert Cole's World: Agriculture and Society in Early Maryland

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Robert Cole's World is a great book. Covering the history of Robert Cole and his family from England to their immigration to Lord Baltimore's Colony of Maryland, the book is a must for anyone interested in early American history. Background on the Cole family, 17th century tobacco cultivation, and daily life in 17th century Maryland are all incorporated into this interesting and nicely written book. Included are copies of the Cole family's inventory, as well as Robert Cole's will. For anyone interested in colonial American history and what life was like before American slavery took hold, Robert Cole's world is for you.

This is an academic book that has a good description of what life was like in the 17th century in St Mary's County. I have a close connection as I live in area and attend the church that they are building.

Before the widower, Robert Cole, traveled from the "New World" of Maryland back to England, he appointed a guardian to care for his property and children. This required an inventory. While in England, Robert Cole died. To settle his estate, there was a second inventory. When the Cole children reached adulthood, they sued their guardian, which generated a third inventory.

These three inventories gave us a unique view into the lives of early Marylanders. It has been especially valuable for me with the genealogical research I have been doing on my family's colonial life and times.