In the winter of 1633, two small ships, the Ark and the Dove, set sail from England carrying the first settlers of the Maryland colony. Among these passengers were Catholics and Protestants alike, seeking a new life in a land where religious freedom could take root. Today, their descendants honor this voyage and its profound legacy through the Society of the Ark and the Dove — a unique lineage organization dedicated to preserving the history of Maryland’s founding and its enduring commitment to religious tolerance.

The Historic Voyage of the Ark and the Dove

George Calvert, having been, in effect, secretary of state to King James I, was given the title Baron of Baltimore (Lord Baltimore) in 1625, after petitioning the king for a grant of land north of the Potomac River. The Charter of Maryland was granted in June 1632, shortly after his death in April of the same year.

George Calvert’s oldest son, Cecilius, received the Charter and planned the planting of the colony of Maryland. The Maryland expedition was the brainchild of Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, who envisioned a colony where Catholics could freely practice their faith alongside Protestants. The voyage was a bold experiment in religious coexistence, rare in the 17th-century world.

On November 22, 1633, the Ark (a 400-ton cargo ship) and the Dove (a smaller pinnace) departed from the Isle of Wight, carrying approximately 150 passengers, including Catholic and Protestant settlers, skilled laborers, indentured servants, and Jesuit missionaries.

After a perilous transatlantic journey, they arrived at St. Clement’s Island in the Chesapeake Bay on March 25, 1634 — a date still celebrated in Maryland as Maryland Day.

The colony they established — Maryland — would become known for its early laws promoting religious freedom, including the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649, one of the first legal guarantees of religious liberty in the Western world.

The Formation of the Society of the Ark and the Dove

In recognition of the significance of this voyage, descendants of the passengers and crew who made the historic journey organized the Society of the Ark and the Dove in 1910.

The society was founded to:

• Honor the memory of those who established Maryland.
• Promote research and education about early Maryland colonial history.
• Foster a spirit of fellowship among descendants.
• Preserve the legacy of religious freedom that the colony represented.

As a hereditary society, membership is limited to direct descendants of passengers or crew who sailed aboard the Ark or Dove in 1633–1634.

Membership and Eligibility

To join the Society, individuals must:

• Prove lineal descent from a confirmed passenger or crew member of the Ark or Dove.
• Provide documented genealogical evidence for each generation.
• Submit relevant historical documentation, including vital records, wills, land grants, and published family histories.

The Society maintains an authoritative roster of recognized passengers based on historical accounts, such as:

• Leonard Calvert (first governor of Maryland and the ancestor that I joined through)
• Father Andrew White (Jesuit priest and missionary)
• William Browne (10-year old indentured servant)
• Captain Thomas Cornwallis (Deputy Governor)
• Thomas Greene (Early Maryland Governor)
• Ann Cox (Gentlewoman)

Sources for confirming descent often include colonial records, church registers, and the primary source book “The Ark and The Dove Adventurers” which was edited by George Ely Russell and Donna Valley Russell.

The Society’s Mission and Activities

The Society of the Ark and the Dove remains committed to:

• Preserving Maryland’s colonial history.
• Sponsoring historical research and publications.
• Supporting preservation of historic sites, such as St. Mary’s City and St. Clement’s Island.
• Holding commemorative events and annual meetings to honor their ancestors.

The Society plays an active role in observing Maryland Day each March, often holding ceremonies at historical sites linked to the original settlement.

Partnerships and Historical Preservation

The Society works in collaboration with organizations such as:

• Historic St. Mary’s City Commission — preserving the original colonial capital.
• Maryland State Archives — maintaining vital colonial records.
• The Maryland Historical Society (now Maryland Center for History and Culture).

Through its support of these institutions, the Society contributes to the broader effort to maintain and promote public understanding of Maryland’s unique founding story.

The Broader Historical Significance

The voyage of the Ark and the Dove holds a special place in American history as one of the earliest efforts to establish religious freedom in the New World. The Maryland colony, while not free from conflict, represented a model for pluralism that would later influence foundational American principles enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

By celebrating and preserving this legacy, the Society of the Ark and the Dove reminds us that America’s identity has long been shaped by individuals seeking liberty — not just from political oppression, but from religious intolerance.

Conclusion

The Society of the Ark and the Dove stands as a living testament to the courage and vision of Maryland’s earliest settlers. As descendants of those who braved the Atlantic to build a society founded on ideals of religious tolerance, the members of the Society continue to honor their ancestors’ pioneering spirit and ensure that their legacy endures.

Their story serves as an important chapter in the larger narrative of America’s founding — one rooted not only in the pursuit of freedom but in the difficult and ongoing work of creating a society where people of diverse beliefs can live together in peace.

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Sources

1. Society of the Ark and the Dove – Official Website
   https://societyofthearkandthedove.com
2. Historic St. Mary’s City Commission
3. Maryland State Archives – Founding of Maryland
4. “The Ark and The Dove Adventurers” by George Ely Russell (Genealogical Publishing Co., 2009)
5. Maryland Center for History and Culture (formerly Maryland Historical Society)