Though surveyed and patented by the English in the 1650s, the land that would become London Town does not appear to have been built upon until London Town was created by legislation in 1683. This legislation, “An Act for Advancement of Trade,” created many towns and ports throughout Maryland. Not only was London Town legislated into existence at this time, it also became the county seat of Anne Arundel County.

Archaeology and historical documents such as land records, probate inventories, and other sources indicate that London Town, paradoxically, did not begin to thrive until after Annapolis became both Maryland’s capital and Anne Arundel’s county seat in 1694. However, once the 18th century began, London Town grew and thrived before fading away at the end of the century.

Shipping records, court cases, land deeds, probate inventories, newspaper advertisements, and the archaeological record all indicate that London Town met many needs during the 18th century. Many trans-Atlantic tobacco ships would gather tobacco at London Town before sailing to England and Europe where the tobacco was traded for manufactured items, spices, and other goods from around the globe. When these ships returned to the Chesapeake, merchants based in London Town would advertise these wares in the Maryland Gazette.

Additionally, London Town’s placement on the South River and on the main route between Boston, Massachusetts and Charleston, South Carolina, meant that the public ferry crossing was quite busy with travelers. Because all of these travelers needed someplace to eat, drink, spend the night, and get caught up on the latest news, London Town had between three and five public houses during its heyday.

However, as the 18th century progressed, the tobacco trade, merchants, and travelers that had been so important to London Town’s existence slowly became decoupled from London Town. In 1747, legislation concerned with the quality of Maryland’s exported tobacco set up a system of inspection stations throughout the colony. Because London Town was not on the list of approved sites, it could no longer participate in the tobacco trade. As for the merchants, as Annapolis grew in prominence and London Town faded, the merchants moved their main stores to Annapolis and eventually closed their old ones in London Town. And finally, as the main north-south route shifted farther west due to the increased colonization of the colonies’ western reaches, less travelers through London Town caused a corresponding decrease in the number of public houses.

By the end of the American Revolution, only the William Brown House, a few wooden structures, and the ferry remained as a testament to what had once been a thriving Chesapeake town and port.