Nature's Pasture
Pemberton Park Historic Trail
If you had stood here 250 years ago, you would likely have seen cattle grazing in the tidal marshlands. The area between the mainland and Bell Island was known as "Handy's Meadow." Following Colonel Handy's death in 1762, his three sons continued to use the natural environment as cattle pasturelands. Over time, the marshes and island came to be known as "The Commons." If you are here at low tide, you might see broken timbers protruding from the stream banks. They are remnants of a dam and bridge that once stood here, providing access to the island. The dam broke in the early 20th century.
Picture Caption
A pastoral scene painted by Thomas Cooper and Frederick Lee is reminiscent of Handy's Meadow. The area now known as "Bell Island" was added to Pemberton Plantation in 1732 in a land transfer recorded simply as "Ye Vacancy Added." Over time, erosion from deforested land sent silt into the Wicomico River, eventually filling in the once-active shipping channel.
Marker can be reached from Pemberton Historic Park Road 0.4 miles from Pemberrton Drive.
Courtesy hmdb.org
