VIENNA DORCHESTER COUNTY MARYLAND

VIENNA, DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND

SALISBURY DAILY TIMES

ORLANDO WOOTEN

1972

Vienna, was a thriving colonial town with a history going back before 1669 when

Dorchester county was established. During the Revolutionary War, British Red Coats

attacked it, it had excitement in the 1812 War and Civil War.

It's location on the Nanticoke River made the town important from the days of the

Indians, which called it “Emperors Landing” to the first explorations of Europeans.

The name Vienna may be a contraction of the Indian Emperor, Vnnacokossimmon.

The first shipyard on the Nanticoke was built at Vienna and the town had a Custom

House for oversea traders in 1768.

The British attack in 1781 left one man, a Dorchester militiaman Leven Dorsey, then

looted Weston , the home of Colonel John Henry.

During the War of 1812 fortifications were built to keep enemy gunboats away.

John Whayland, Tory and Chesapeake pirate, with a vessel which carried three

swivel guns, two wall pieces and muskets used the river to hide.

During the Civil War W.T. Webb, proprietor of the towns leading store, smuggled

supplies and medications from Lewis Wharf to the Confederates who had 'friends' in town.

Many fires have burned historic homes but close inspection reveals a flavor of its

important and exciting time.