Brandywine, MD

Brandywine people, or simply the Brandywine (sometimes known as the “Brandywine deme” by sociologists), are a mixed-race group of free African American descent in southern Maryland, some of whom claim to be descended from the Piscataway people. The term “Brandywine people” references the Brandywine area of the Prince George’s and Charles County border line where the majority have historically resided.

The sometimes-used label “Wesorts” is regarded as derogatory and a pejorative by some. It was listed as a self-identified “Other race” on the 2000 census.

Families with the surnames Proctor, Swann, Savoy, Newman, Harley, Butler and Thompson comprise the group, documented to be descended from free Black ancestors. They are described as a network of lighter-skinned African-American families that practice intermarriage.