Early settlers' descendants return to Hall for society's centenary

The trustees of Kiplin Hall, near Scorton, commissioned the Grassington-based Penny Plain Theatre Company to write and act a play about the founding of Maryland. It was performed to help celebrate a visit to the Hall by direct descendants of the state's first settlers, including the son of George Calvert, who built Kiplin Hall in the 1620s.

As a Secretary of State under King James 1st, Calvert was created Baron Baltimore in 1625.

Many places there were named after the Calvert family, including Baltimore itself.

The first 150 settlers sailed in two small ships, the Arc and the Dove, with 50 sailors, on the five-month voyage.

In 1910, descendants of the original settlers who sailed with George Calvert's sons formed the Society of the Ark and the Dove.

To mark the centenary, 45 society members came to the UK for yesterday's celebration at Kiplin.