Maryland County – the Republic of Maryland, independent in 1854
Maryland County began as a colony of the Maryland State Colonization Society in 1834. After a referendum in 1853, it declared independence from the society and in 1854 became the Republic of Maryland, holding the coast between the Grand Cess and San Pedro rivers. In 1856, amid conflict with the Grebo and Kru peoples of the region, the republic sought help from Liberia.
Shortly afterwards, Maryland joined Liberia, and its territory became a county of the country. Its history reflects the meeting of settler communities and the indigenous peoples of the coast. Today Maryland lies in southeastern Liberia, bordered by the Cavalla River and Côte d'Ivoire. Do you have a Maryland County story? Share it with the community!