Individual Details

Native American Princess of the Piscataways. Mary was her Christian name after 5 July 1640.

"The story of the foundation of the Roman Catholic Church in MD has never been adequately told. The Story of the Saint Inigoes Mission (1634-1984) adds some important data that throws more light on the complex situation that developed during the period 1637-1650, including the land controversy between Cecilius, Lord Baltimore, and the Jesuits. Somehow in the course of negotiations over this issue, as Father Walsh points out, the situation got out of hand, until it was finally resolved in Lord Baltimore?s favor by the English Jesuit Provincial. It must be remembered that if Lord Baltimore had permitted the transfer of Indian lands to the Jesuits, he would soon have been dispossessed of his colony. Many young noblemen, eager for instant land holdings, had married Indians and were prepared to lay similar claims. Giles Brent, for example, had married the Indian Princess who was the ward of his sister Margaret Brent, and laid claim to her extensive holdings."

(From the FOREWARD of RESURRECTION: the Story of the Saint Inigoes Mission 1634-1994, by Francis Michael Walsh, First Edition, 1997.)

"On July 5th of 1640, the long hoped for event occurred. Chitomachen entered the Catholic Church together with his family and a number of his tribe. At the same time the queen, with an infant at the breast, the tayac?s little son, along with some of his principal advisors were regenerated in the baptismal font. The tayac was given the baptismal name of Charles. His wife received the name of Mary. Each of the others who were baptized also received Christian names. Governor Calvert, the secretary, Mr. Lewger, and other prominent people of the Province traveled to Piscataway to witness the fruit of Father White's labors. The celebration took place in a little chapel, that the tayac had erected of bark, after the style of the native hogans. No expense was spared to make the celebration as magnificent as possible."

"In the afternoon, the tayac and his queen renewed their marriage vows according to the Christian rite. Then the tayac, the governor, the secretary and others lent their shoulders and hands to the task of erecting a great cross. They carried it to its destined place, while Father White and Father Altham lead the way, chanting the Litany of Loreto in honor of the Blessed Virgin."

"Unfortunately, both Fathers White and Altham contracted a fever during their stay at Piscataway, and it was necessary for them to return to St. Mary?s City, where Father Altham died on November 5, 1640. Father Poulton took over the mission at Piscataway until Father White?s return in February, 1641. At the invitation of the King of the Anacostians, Father White visited his tribe at Anacostia, converting the king and some of his people. Chitomachen sent his daughter, who was to succeed him, to Saint Mary?s City to be educated among the English. She became the ward of Miss Margaret Brent, the most prominent woman in the colony at that time and a trusted advisor of the governor."

(From "The Baptism," RESURRECTION: the Story of the Saint Inigoes Mission 1634-1994, by Francis Michael Walsh, First Edition, 1997.)

Birth	1632	Piscataway, Prince George's, MD
Event	Feb 1641	Maryland
Event	1642	St. Mary's
Marriage	1644	Maryland - Giles Brent
Death	1654	Stafford County, VA
Title (Nobility)		Princess

Spouse	Giles Brent (1606 - 1671)
Child	Richard Brent ( - )
Child	Margaret Brent ( - )
Child	Mary Brent (1650 - )
Child	Colonel Giles Brent (1652 - 1679)
Child	Colonel Giles Brent (1652 - 1679)

Father	Charles Kittamaquund (1607 - 1641)
Mother	Mary (1600 - 1650)

Notes