October 3, 1844

ANNE ARUNDEL, Maryland

Arts/Leisure, Economy

During the early eighteenth century, the northern portion of the Anne Arundel County developed an economy not based on agriculture, but on iron ore. Iron ore became the staple of the area and was crucial in the development of a regional transportation center. The reliance on tobacco, Anne Arundel's traditional major cash crop, lessened through the nineteenth century allowing for blacksmithing to flourish...

July, 1846

ANNE ARUNDEL, Maryland

Diplomacy/International, Health/Death, Politics, War

Joseph McNeir was a volunteer soldier during the Mexican American War. McNeir had maintained correspondence with his family throughout his time in service. The letters often discussed the life that Joseph McNeir lived during his service as well as how many volunteers were there to serve. McNeir gave intimate details of how the war was going, the expected daily events, and where the soldiers were expected...