Stone then reconsidered his action, and Claiborne and Bennett, returning to St.Mary's, restored him to the government, June 28, 1652, in conjunction with the councillors already appointed.

The ascendency of Claiborne seemed complete, but beyond renewing his property claim to Kent and Palmer islands, he did not then further interfere.[36] Maryland consisted at this time of four counties: St.Mary's, erected in 1634, Kent, 1642, and Charles and Anne Arundelin 1650, and contained a population perhaps of eight thousand.

The settlements reached on both sides of the bay, from the Potomac to the Susquehanna.
Society was distinctly democratic, for while there were favored families there was no privileged class, and the existence of African slavery and the temporary servitude of convicts and redemptioners tended to place all freemen on an equality.

As there was no state church, educational opportunities in the province were small, but it was a land of plenty and hospitality, and charity in religion made the execution of the criminal law singularly mild.

In spite of turmoils and dissensions, Maryland prospered and flourished.