Freed Maryland slaves settle Cape Palmas as Maryland in Liberia

Background. The Maryland State Colonization Society, originally a branch of the American Colonization Society, sought to establish its own settlement to accommodate emigrants and control trade. In December 1831, the Maryland legislature appropriated funds to transport free blacks and ex-slaves to Africa. This initiative led to the founding of a distinct colony at Cape Palmas, separate from the broader American colony at Monrovia.

Settlement at Cape Palmas. The first area settled by the Maryland Colonization Society was Cape Palmas in 1834. Most settlers were freed African-American slaves and freeborn African Americans from Maryland. The colony was named Maryland in Africa on February 12, 1834. It remained separate from the Commonwealth of Liberia because the society wished to maintain its trade monopoly in the area.

Governance and Independence. John Brown Russwurm served as the first mixed-race governor from 1836 until his death. The colony declared statehood on February 2, 1841, becoming the State of Maryland. Following an independence referendum, it declared independence on May 29, 1854, as Maryland in Liberia, with its capital at Harper.

Annexation. The Republic of Maryland recognized it could not survive as an independent state. Following a referendum, Maryland was annexed by Liberia on April 6, 1857, becoming known as Maryland County. This event marked the end of the colony's distinct political existence.