In 1642 – 1643 the first patents were granted in the Northern Neck to Samuel Mathews, John Carter and Moore Fauntleroy.

Between 1645 – 1648, several Maryland residents were called rebels as they considered raising a Royalist Army for Parliament; Calvert, John Hardwick, John and Tom Sturman, and Andrew Monroe fled to Virginia.

Many early patents were surveyed with ships' compasses; the first patents issued by the Crown, then to the Culpeper family, who were granted the whole of the Northern Neck.

By 1634 St. Mary's City in Maryland was founded.  Within 6 years, conflict arose due to the sovereignty of Kent Island.  William Claiborn received a special grant for the Kent island refugees on the 'southside of the Potomac' and around the same time, John Mottrom settled at Coan Hall.