Thomas Cresap, An American Paradox
Course | Registration opens 12/7/2026 8:00 AM EDT
Join local author Michael Maloney for a presentation on his book Rattlesnake Colonel: Thomas Cresap, An American Paradox, which delves into the controversial life and often misunderstood legacy of Thomas Cresap. From his involvement in the border war between PA and MD to his contributions on the frontier, Cresap's story is one of lasting impact. Despite his positive contributions, he was not always held in high regard. Pennsylvania labeled him a quarrelsome and lawless ruffian and the British dismissed him, yet settlers in Western Maryland regarded him as a folk hero.
Michael Maloney
Author Michael Maloney is a York County native with an interest in local history. He is a retired IT professional and lives in Red Lion with his wife Beth and their beagle. Maloney's first book, Across the River: Murder at Accomac, details the history of the ferry crossing and an infamous murder in 1881. His second, Rattlesnake Colonel, is a biography of Thomas Cresap that takes place on the Colonial frontiers of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.