Editing Somerset County, Maryland (section)

===Settlement growth===
The territory continued to attract new settlers, primarily from Virginia, and by 1666, the territory had met the requirements to become established as a county in the province with its own local government. On August 22, 1666, Lord Baltimore issued a proclamation establishing the new county, including the establishment of a complete civil and military organization. The proclamation established a sheriff and a military commander for the county, and five surveyors charged with laying out a highway to serve the county. In January 1667, the county administration laid out the five initial districts, designated as "[[hundred (county subdivision)|Hundreds]]", into which the county would be divided. Additional hundreds were added as additional knowledge of the area was surveyed.<ref>Torrence, pp. 67–70</ref>