History of the Island
Smith Island, Maryland, was first settled by the English in the 1600’s, and it remains Maryland’s only inhabited offshore island. Smith Island’s seafood is world renowned. Not only have its oysters and crabs played an integral part in the economic development of the region, but the argument has been made it was Smith
Island oysters which led to the creation and adoption of the United States
Constitution.
The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, were generally acknowledged
to be inadequate in addressing interstate commerce during times of peace.
These inadequacies became apparent in a dispute between Maryland and
Virginia over Smith Island's famous oyster beds. An Annapolis Convention was
called in 1786 to address the issue, but it soon became clear problems such
as these were inherent in the Articles. The Philadelphia Convention of 1787
was convened to address this and other issues, which ultimately resulted in
the adoption of the United States Constitution.
Smith Island was built by its watermen and their families. Their contributions over time are significant and immeasurable. Although the maritime industry is not what it once was, that same bold spirit is alive and well on Smith Island.