A Brief Interactive History of Smith Island

By Aleita Johnson, with video on the answer page by Zettler Clay IV
Maryland Newsline
Wednesday, May 5, 2010

1. Capt. John Smith explored and mapped the Chesapeake Bay in what year?

1602
1608
1685
1750

2. Smith Island was first settled in 1657. In 1686, two of the earliest recorded permanent settlers were known to be:

John Evans and John Tyler
John Smith and Walter Russell
Robert Cager and Henry Smith
Joshua Thomas and Cecil Calvert

3. Before being officially named, Smith Island was referred to in oral traditions as:

"Cattle farmlands"
"Land of two seas"
"Smith Isles"
"Broken Woodlands"

4. In 1910, the largest number of residents were recorded on Smith Island, at how many people?

380
682
770
805

5. Smith Island began as a suitable place for farming but is now dominated by residents who make a living off the water. In 1850, there were 52 farmers. By the early 1900s, this number was reduced to:

0
10
25
27

6. In 1666, this county was established and Smith Island was added to it. The island is part of this county to this day.

St. Mary's County
Talbot County
Somerset County
Wicomico County

7. Joshua Thomas, also known as the "parson of the islands," introduced this religion to the Chesapeake Bay in the early 1800s; it remains the dominant religion on Smith Island.

Catholic
Episcopal
Lutheran
Methodist

8. The first school on Smith Island was established in Kedges Straits, around what year?

1610
1809
1750
1686

9. Children living on Smith Island must now travel by boat to the mainland to go to school after 8th grade. Historically, what is the highest level of school that has been offered to children on Smith Island?

grade 8
grade 9
grade 10
grade 12

10. Since the first school was established on Smith Island, how many schools have been recorded?

11
12
20
22

11. Smith Islanders were able to witness this battle fought close by in Kedges Straits in 1782 during the Revolutionary War.

Battle of Princeton
Battle of the Barges
Battle of Trenton
Battle of Bunker Hill

12. Smith Island's layer cake was named Maryland's State Dessert in 2008. How many layers are included in this version of it?

2 to 3
3 to 4
8 to 10
18 to 20

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Banner graphic by Newsline's Kelly Martini.