DNA Breakthrough Reveals Hidden Lives in Maryland’s First Colonial Settlement

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Current Biology is reshaping our understanding of the social and genetic landscape of early colonial America. By analyzing the ancient DNA of individuals buried at the Brick Chapel in St. Mary’s City, Maryland, researchers have not only identified prominent historical figures but have also uncovered complex nuances regarding race, status, and migration in the 17th century.

The investigation, led by scientists from the 23andMe Research Institute and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, examined the genomes of 49 individuals buried between 1634 and 1730. The findings provide a rare, high-resolution look at the people who founded the first British colony in Maryland.

Identifying Lost Colonial Leaders

One of the most significant achievements of the study was the identification of Thomas Greene, the second colonial governor of Maryland. While researchers already knew of the burials of other prominent figures, such as fifth governor Philip Calvert and his family, Greene had remained an unidentified skeleton until this genomic analysis.

The team identified Greene by comparing his ancient DNA to the 23andMe genetic database and cross-referencing the results with genealogical records. This marks a milestone in archaeological science.

“This is the first time that ancient DNA has been used to help identify unknown individuals, without any prior knowledge of who they might have been,” said Éadaoin Harney, a senior scientist at the 23andMe Research Institute and the study’s first author.

The research also confirmed the presence of the Calvert family, including Philip Calvert’s first wife, Anne Wolseley Calvert, who was interred in a lead coffin—a distinction shared by their infant son.

Challenging Narratives of Race and Status

The genetic data has provided unexpected insights into the social hierarchies of the 1600s. Among the 49 skeletons, researchers identified an 8-year-old boy with majority African ancestry and approximately 25% to 30% European ancestry. Notably, the boy was wrapped in a shroud and buried in a gable-lidded coffin, following English burial customs.

This discovery is a “significant finding that warrants additional consideration,” according to the researchers. The fact that he was buried with such specific honors suggests that the distinctions between enslaved persons and indentured servants were more fluid in the 17th century than previously understood. Historian Anna Suranyi of Endicott College noted that some individuals of African ancestry were treated similarly to indentured servants, sometimes serving for extended periods of up to 20 years.

In contrast, the study identified two young men in their 20s who showed signs of heavy physical labor and poor health. Chemical signatures of isotopes in their skeletons suggest they were recent immigrants from Ireland. Unlike the prominent families, these men were not buried in coffins, a profile consistent with the life of an indentured servant.

Mapping the Genetic Legacy to Modern Kentucky

Beyond the 17th century, the study successfully traced the migratory paths of these founding populations. The majority of the Brick Chapel inhabitants shared ancestral ties to Wales and western England. By cross-referencing these ancient genomes with modern data, researchers discovered over 1.3 million living genetic relatives of this founding colonial population.

A striking finding was the high concentration of close relatives—over 200 individuals—residing in Kentucky. This pattern likely reflects the historical migration of Maryland Catholics to Kentucky following the Revolutionary War. Harney noted that detecting such a clear genetic signal validates the power of using ancient DNA to track historical human movement.

Key Takeaways from the St. Mary’s City Study

• Historical Identification: Ancient DNA was used to identify Thomas Greene, the second governor of Maryland, without any prior historical context.
• Social Fluidity: The burial of an 8-year-old boy of African ancestry in a formal coffin suggests complex social and status distinctions in early colonial Maryland.
• Laborer Profiles: Skeletons of young men from Ireland showed evidence of the physical toll of indentured servitude, including poor health and lack of formal burial containers.
• Migration Patterns: The genetic legacy of the St. Mary’s City population is still highly visible today, particularly among descendants living in Kentucky.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does ancient DNA help identify historical figures?

By sequencing the DNA from skeletal remains and comparing it to modern genetic databases and known genealogical records, scientists can match the genetic markers of an unknown individual to the descendants of a known historical family.

What is the difference between an indentured servant and an enslaved person in the 17th century?

While the lines were sometimes fluid, indentured servitude typically involved a contract for a limited number of years (often four to seven), after which the individual was expected to join colonial society. Enslavement involved much longer periods of forced labor and different legal statuses.

Why is the Kentucky connection significant?

It provides biological evidence of documented historical migrations. The presence of a high number of genetic relatives in Kentucky allows researchers to confirm that the descendants of Maryland’s colonial population moved to that region in large numbers following the Revolutionary War.

As genetic technology continues to advance, the ability to fill gaps in the written historical record will only grow. As David Reich, a geneticist at Harvard University, stated, “While written records are extraordinarily rich, genetic data can still address gaps in that record and yield surprises.”