magnifier
Image
magbottom
 
Map of the Overlapping Claims of Maryland and Pennsylvania, and the Mason-Dixon Line, finalized in 1768. 
Close Window



Credit: Wikipedia Commons

The original royal land grants to the proprietors of Maryland in 1632 and Pennsylvania in 1681 had ill-defined and overlapping boundaries that led to much confusion and conflict. To settle the dispute the Penns and Calverts in 1763 employed English astronomers and surveyors Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, who took almost four years to complete their work.

Back to Top