Thomas Gerard

Thomas Gerard (1608–1673) was a prominent manor owner in colonial Maryland, which was an English and later British colony in North America. Born into a Catholic family in England, he arrived in Maryland in 1638, and was granted 1,030 acres by Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, which he named "Saint Clement’s Manor". This manor included St. Clement's Island, which was the landing site of the first Maryland colonists in 1634. He later became an extensive colonial landowner, owning around 12,000-16,000 acres in Maryland, and 3,500 acres in Virginia. He also served at various times in the colonial legislature of the Maryland colony.

He was expelled from the colony in 1660 for participation in Fendall's Rebellion, although he returned to the colony after receiving a pardon in 1661. He died in 1673, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

Background Gerard was born in Lancashire, England, the son of John Gerard of Newhall. His family was Catholic and of noble descent. He was a distant cousin of the Barons Gerard.

In 1629 he married Susannah Snow, who was the sister of Justinian Snow, a crew member aboard the Ark, one of the two ships that first transported colonists to Maryland. Susannah was a Protestant, and Thomas's children were Protestant in spite of his Catholicism. He was a physician as well as a surgeon, and had a reputation in the colony as a result. That same year he was issued a major manorial grant of 1,030 acres, including St. Clement's Island by Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore to assist with the developing Maryland manor system. Gerard named his manor “Saint Clement’s Manor". In 1640 he returned to England, however he eventually returned to Maryland, bringing over five servants with him. By 1648 he had imported over forty. In 1650 he permanently settled in the New World and brought over his family.

He was the only manor lord in Maryland to hold manorial courts. The rebellion was quickly defeated however, and Philip Calvert was declared the new Governor of Maryland by Cecil Calvert. As punishment for his participation in the rebellion, Gerard was banished from the colony. Thomas died in 1673, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, around the age of 65.

By the end of his life, Thomas Gerard owned thousands of acres in both Maryland and Virginia (between 12,000 and 16,000 acres in Maryland, and 3,500 acres in Virginia). however Gerard had withdrawn from the investment by the time he died.

Family Thomas Gerard and his wife Susannah (Snow) Gerard had eight children, who were characterized by their numerous and at times significant marriages.

Captain Justinian Gerard, who married Sarah Tucker, no issue. Thomas Gerard, who married Ann, no issue. Susannah Gerard, who married firstly Robert Slye, had issue. Married secondly to John Coode, Leader of the Protestant Associators of Maryland, and had issue. Frances Gerard, who married 5 times, Great-Grandfather of George Washington, with whom she had no issue. However, she did have children from her other marriages, and was the ancestor of Anne Aylett Washington. Temperance Gerard, who married three times. Firstly to Daniel Hutt, a merchant who was present at Saint Clement's Manor before Fendall's Rebellion. Secondly to John Crabb, and thirdly to Benjamin Branchflower. Had issue from all 3 marriages. Elizabeth Gerard, who married Nehemiah Blakiston, who succeeded John Coode as Leader of the Protestant Associators of Maryland, had issue. Married secondly to Ralph Rymer, no issue. Married thirdly to Joshua Guibert, no issue. John Gerard, who had one son and one daughter, both of whom died without issue. Mary Gerard, who married Kenelm Cheseldine, had issue. After Susannah died, Thomas remarried to Rose Tucker, although they had no issue. However, William Fitzhugh descended from Rose's daughter Sarah from her previous marriage.