456                           THE COUNTIES OF MARYLAND

Arundel County became the subject of serious controversy during the
years 1820 to 1826 as persons living along the border failed to contri-
bute to the expenses of either county on the plea that the boundary
was not known. To overcome this difficulty an act was passed in 1822
(Acts of 1822, Ch. 109) to ascertain and establish a division line between
the two counties. Commissioners were appointed to examine the in-
habitants along the line and their views regarding its location, and also
to search the records of the general and county courts to ascertain if
possible what had been the original divisional line. Their report, which
was returned to the General Assembly of the following year, led to the
passage of a law authorizing them to plant large and sufficient boundary
stones at the beginning and termination of every course or line between
the said counties

" beginning for the same at the mouth of a creek on the western side of
the Chesapeake bay, called and known by the name of Muddy Creek or Red
Lyon's Creek, lying and being on the south side of the land now owned and
occupied by Samuel Owings, thence by and with the said creek to the head
thereof, thence in a straight line to a chesnut tree on the south edge of
Hall's Creek branch, marked with the black letter P. on the plain black line
shaded yellow and green on the Plats laid down by the said commissioners
under the authority of an act of the last session, thence to Q. at the south
end of the line forming the eastern limit of the tract of land called Maidstone,
thence with said line of Maidstone to the end thereof, and thence in the same
direction until it strikes Lyons Creek, thence down the said creek to the
river Patuxent."

Plats of the territory showing the location of every boundary stone
were to be filed among the land records of the respective counties. A
year later on account of certain doubts regarding the construction of this
law a supplemental law was passed to the effect

" That the said divisional lines between Anne Arundel and Calvert coun-
ties, shall begin on the south side of Samuel Owing's house, at the mouth of
a creek called in the act to which this is a supplement, Muddy creek or Red
Lyon's creek, which said creek shall be taken and understood to mean the
same creek stated by the commissioners appointed by the act of the last
session to ascertain the divisional lines between the said counties in their
report to the legislature at its present session, to be known by the name of
South creek or Muddy creek, and running by and with said creek to the head
thereof, thence as directed by the act to which this is a supplement."

Calvert County, like Charles County, has suffered less change and cur-