#52 Ancestors 2023 Week 48 Troublemaker: Thomas Gerrard and Fendall's Rebellion

Despite being, or perhaps because he was a man of wealth and privilege, my 9X-great grandfather, Dr. Thomas Gerrard, was a troublemaker. 

Thomas Gerrard, son of John Gerrard, came from a well-connected Roman Catholic family in Lancashire, England. Born about 1605, Thomas married Susannah Snow, the daughter of John Snow, in 1629 in Staffordshire England. Susannah's brothers--Abel, Justinian and Marmaduke Snow--were associated with Lord Baltimore in his Maryland enterprise. 

Perhaps due to that connection or other connections within his family, Dr. Gerrard came to Maryland in 1638. (Dr. Gerrard was likely a cousin of Richard Gerrard who came to Maryland aboard the Ark in 1634.)  After several trips back to England, Gerrard eventually settled in the colony with his wife and five children: Justinian, Susan, Frances, Temperance, and Elizabeth. Five more children were born in Maryland.

Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, chose Dr. Gerrard to aid in developing the manor system in his colony. In 1639, Lord Baltimore erected St. Clements Hundred and appointed Thomas Gerrard as "conservator of our peace" within the Hundred.  He also granted St. Clements Manor to Gerrard, making him one of the largest landowners in the colony. With subsequent additional grants, Gerrard's holdings included some 11,400 acres, extending from the head of St. Clements Bay to the Wicomico River. See map below. [The manor map is based on the research of Peter Himmelheber of St. Mary's County MD, reflecting information from Maryland land records.]

Gerrard was a surgeon and planter by trade.  He manufactured liquors, particularly peach brandy, and was a breeder of fine cattle. He was known as a tough man who frequently quarreled with his neighbors, including the Calvert family. He was sued multiple times for illegally seizing property and refusing payment. At one point, he was taken to court for locking up the Protestant chapel to prevent people from worshipping there. One historian notes that Gerrard "was involved probably in more court actions than any other man of his time." (See what I mean about troublemaker?)

Gerrard also took an active role in politics. In 1643, he was appointed a member of the Provincial Council "for his diligent endeavors for the advancement and prosperity of the colony" and a Judge of the Provincial Court. 

Now, you might think that all this success would make Gerrard a big supporter of the Calverts, and up to a point, you would be right. During the Puritan uprising in 1654 (and it seemed like the Puritans were always planning a good uprising), Gerrard was a captain in Governor William Stone's militia and took part in the battle of Herring Creek where he narrowly escaped execution by the rebels. 

However, the breaking point came in 1659 during what came to be known as "Fendall's Rebellion." Josias Fendall, then Governor of the Province, protested against certain taxes on tobacco imposed by Oliver Cromwell's government in England. (Hmm.  Does this have a familiar ring to it?) The Maryland Assembly issued a declaration of independence, and Governor Fendall proclaimed Maryland a republic, which started the revolt.  The rebels planned their campaign at Thomas Gerrard's manor. (I have to acknowledge that my 8X-great grandfather, John Dent, was also part of this plot. So it seems that I have more than one troublemaker in my ancestry.)

The revolution was short-lived.  In England, Oliver Cromwell's government fell in 1660, and Charles II was restored to throne. The Calverts were back in royal favor, and the "perfidious" plotters were banished.  Dr. Gerrard retired to his estates in Westmoreland County VA (across the Potomac River from St. Mary's County MD). Eventually, after paying a large fine and posting 10,000 pounds of tobacco as collateral for his good behavior, he was pardoned and his Maryland holdings restored, but he was forbidden to hold public office again. 

After the death of his wife, Susannah, in 1666, Dr. Gerrard again moved to his estates in Virginia, where he married the widow Rose Tucker. He had no children from his second marriage. 

In Virginia, Dr. Gerrard was known as part of a "never-to-be-forgotten quartet of bon-vivants" (with Henry Corbin, John Lee, and Isaac Allerton) and joined with his wealthy neighbors in building a huge, shared banqueting hall that was apparently the scene of much "riotous living." 

Gerrard died in Virginia in 1673 but directed that his body be taken back to Maryland and buried next to his first wife. 

None of Gerrard's three sons long survived him.  His daughters--now that is another story for another blog.  Suffice it to say that the trouble-making gene did not stop with Dr. Gerrard.