Oaths of Fidelity and Oaths of Allegiance collection

The Oath of Fidelity was instituted by Laws of Maryland 1777, Chapter 20, An Act for the Better Security of Government. Every free male 18 years and older was required to subscribe to an oath renouncing the King of England and to pledge allegiance to the revolutionary government of Maryland. Those already engaged in military service were assumed to be loyal. Quakers, Mennonites, and Dunkards were permitted to affirm.

There were several penalties associated with failure to obey the instructions of the Act for the Better Security of Government. Magistrates neglecting to keep books and transmit them to the Governor were to be fined 500 pounds. Persons expected to take the oath who did not do so were required, for the rest of their lives, to pay triple the ordinary tax on real and personal property. They were also forbidden to exercise and practice the trade of merchandise; to practice the law, physic, surgery, or the art of an apothecary; to preach or teach the gospel; to teach in public or private school; and to hold or exercise within the state any office of profit or trust, civil or military, or to vote at any election of electors or senators, or of delegates to the house of delegates.

Oaths were to be administered by the magistrates of each county before March 1, 1778. One list of those who subscribed to the oath was to be kept at the county court and another sent to the Governor and Council in Annapolis.