Notifications and Media:
OCTOBER 2023
SHORERIVERS TO IMPROVE THREE COMMUNITY GREEN SPACES
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ShoreRivers—thanks to funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Green Streets, Green Jobs and Green Towns (G3) Grant Program—is in the process of improving three community green spaces on the Eastern Shore.​
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These spaces will be enhanced through the conversion of mowed lawn areas, or turf grass, into beautiful perennial wildflower meadows located at James T. Wright Park in Preston, Oxford Cemetery, and the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown. At each community space, the established meadows will be highly visible and a welcome improvement to existing landscapes. They will also serve to educate the community on the benefits of river-friendly practices that function as native bird and pollinator habitat.
The towns of Preston, Oxford, and Chestertown can expect to witness the various stages of turf to meadow conversion. Early in the process, residents and visitors should notice less green as the current vegetation is removed to make way for seed planting in late winter. During the first two years of establishment, periodic (three to four times, annually) mowing will occur to help reduce intrusion from invasive species. Around year three, the meadow will be humming with insects pollinating the colorful, seasonal flowers. Each of these projects will take time to complete, but will provide countless benefits both aesthetically and to native plant and pollinator habitat and for climate change resiliency.
In 2017, ShoreRivers developed a River-Friendly Yards program to inspire and empower residents to become environmental stewards of their own properties through direct action such as reducing turf grass, eliminating lawn fertilizer, planting natives, installing rain gardens, and increasing buffers along rivers, creeks, and ditches. A River-Friendly Yard mimics the natural environment to benefit water quality, native birds and pollinators, and our local ecosystem. The program now encompasses River-Friendly campuses, congregations, communities, and roadsides.
The G3 Program is funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region III, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and supports the design and implementation of green streets, community greening, and urban tree canopy projects that enhance livability in cities and communities. In addition to funding the conversion of these meadows, the program is also providing funding for ShoreRivers to design multiple green infrastructure projects at St. Mary’s Refuge of Sinners Church in Cambridge.
To learn more about these, and other similar ShoreRivers projects, visit shorerivers.org/river-friendly-yards.
September 16, 2023
A Wreath of Remembrance for Tench Tilghman:
Maryland’s Revolutionary War Hero Honored in Ceremony
by Timothy Lloyd Tilghman
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Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman was a Maryland Patriot born on Christmas Day 1744. He volunteered to serve in the Continental Army attached to the elite corps of General George Washington as an Aide de Camp for the duration of the American Revolutionary War. Tilghman, who spoke French, was an indispensable liaison with French military officers interfacing on behalf of the General. He reluctantly accepted a formal military commission serving from 1777 through 1783.
The Sons of the American Revolution (formed in April 1889) held a Wreath Laying Ceremony to honor the exemplary accomplishments of Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Conway Gregory is President of the Tench Tilghman Chapter of the SAR chartered at Chestertown on 3/21/76. Warren Tewes laid the ceremonial Wreath presented by the TT SAR chapter.
The ceremony was conducted at Oxford Cemetery, where Tilghman was reinterred for the third time on November 30, 1971. Regrettably, Tilghman passed away on April 18, 1786, before the birth of his second daughter. Oxford Cemetery rests across the Tred Avon River from Plimhimmon, the estate where Tilghman’s widow Anna Maria Tilghman lived until 1843, which was bestowed by her father, Matthew Tilghman, upon her husband’s death.
The Eastern Shore ceremony commenced at 1:35 pm with SAR officers welcoming those in attendance. Around 40 people turned out to demonstrate their appreciation of Lt. Col. Tilghman’s dedication to the Revolutionary War effort on what was a fabulously wonderful afternoon for this dual wreath presentation at Oxford in Talbot County.
In addition, the Daughters of the American Revolution (formed in October 1890) were also on hand and unveiled their own Wreath in recognition of the decorated Marylander. Elizabeth Hinson, a descendant of Matthew Tilghman, Tench’s father-in-law, spoke about the Tilghman family history. Hinson is the MD MSSAR state treasurer. Jerry Seiler is Regent of the General Parry Benson Chapter of the DAR chartered at Easton on 4/17/65. Seiler addressed the assembled concerning the primary objectives of the DAR.
Wesley Hagood, TT SAR member, read an engaging synopsis of Tench Tilghman’s illustrious educational and military biography, then read the 1915 poem “The Ride of Tench Tilghman” written in honor of Tilghman’s legendary horseback ride from Yorktown to Philadelphia in October 1781.
The Tilghmans were a prominent Maryland Colonial Family that married into the Lloyd Family. The Tilghmans served in the military and elective office. The Lloyds primarily served in elective office. Tench Tilghman was the eldest of twelve children. His father was James Tilghman, who served as the last Provincial Governor of Pennsylvania. Father supported the Crown, Son became a Revolutionary. His mother was Anne Francis Tilghman.
Tench Tilghman died at the young age of 41 from complications attributed to his unwavering service in the Continental Army and protracted exposure to the outdoor elements. His military uniform, papers, and personal effects were donated to the Maryland Historical Society. Two of his glorious swords were presented in a ceremony at the Old Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House in February 1998.
A prayer invocation opened the event, and a benediction prayer closed the gathering. The Newman family graciously financed the cleaning of the tombstones so that they would be bright and presentable for the guests congregating in the cemetery. Lane Morgan sang the National Anthem. The fourteen-year-old commutes to the Baltimore School for the Arts on the Western Shore. Lane is enrolled in the theater program and wishes to become a singer.
My great-great-great-great-grandfather was William Tilghman, born on the Tilghman Hermitage, who was Tench Tilghman’s uncle. The 1851 painting depicting General Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas 1776 excludes Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman, who was actually born on December 25. What a travesty to have Tilghman ignored for posterity, representing a crucial moment in the campaign of the American Revolutionary War.
September 28, 2022
Today, all of the columbaria for our new columbaria patio next to the flagpole on the point were delivered. The patio was completed soon after, offering a total of 144 niches available for purchase. Each niche can hold two urns. Please see the pricing map for details.
