Leonardtown, MD — James Baldridge was the first. Tim Cameron is the most recent. The two men were among the 119 commissioned St. Mary’s County sheriffs in the history of the department which is the country’s oldest. A new book will be released today (September 5) that details the terms of all of those men (yes they were all men).
The book is the product of research by contributors/authors Sheriff Cameron, Carole “Cindy” Allen, Grace Mary Brady, Tyler Mattingly, Carol Moody and Linda Reno. The book is being published by the St. Mary’s County Commissioners.
The book is dedicated to Tyler Mattingly who passed away while working as a Sheriff’s Office intern doing research for it.
A letter from Maryland State Archivist Edward Papenfuse that is included in the book says of the research: “It reaches an exceptionally high standard of documentation in which we all can take pride.”
As part of the Leonardtown First Friday celebration on September 5, a book signing ceremony will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Ye Olde Towne Café on the Leonardtown square. It will give the public a chance to meet the authors and contributors and several previous sheriffs.
The book’s front cover features a painting depicting Sheriff John Coade, Jr. in 1704 locking the doors of the brick chapel in St. Mary’s City to prevent worship there. The back cover has a photograph of Sheriff Cameron in 2009 symbolically unlocking the door of the reconstructed brick chapel.
This month’s First Friday also is the 2nd Annual Arts and Entertainment Art Walk. The night features an evening of music, visual artistry, and interactive displays to celebrate Leonardtown’s Arts and Entertainment District.
For more information go to www.leonardtownfirstfridays.com or www.leonardtown.sopmd.com