This story is about our ancestors, the Mary D (nee Russell) Farrell line, and also about Bushwood, MD.

The first colonists landed at St. Clement's Island March 25,1634. Dr. Thomas Gerard immigrated to Maryland in 1637. He was the nephew of Sir Thomas Gerard -- A Knight and Baronet, and also 1st cousin to Richard Gerard who was a one of the first 17 "gentlemen" that arrived aboard the Ark in 1634. He was a large landowner. In Maryland, he owned some 20,000 to 25,000 acres (St. Clement's, Basford, Westwood Manors). In Virginia, he owned 3,500 acres (Gerard's Reserve).

By 1641, there were 60 residents living in St. Clement's Hundred (between St Clement's Bay to the Wicomico River). Most lived at St. Clement's Manor, which was at the time 1,030 acres. When his son, Justinian Gerard, inherited St. Clement's Manor in 1678 it was 11,400 acres. His daughter Susannah married 1st Robert Slye. Her dowry was Bushwood Manor. She married 2nd John Coode. Daughter Mary Gerard married Kenelm Cheseldine, whose dowry was White's Neck Plantation. Another daughter married Nehemiah Blackistone, who owned Longworth's Point, which was adjoining White's Neck Plantation. Ann and Frances married John Washington (George Washington's great grandfather but had no issue with either of them).

Robert Slye was the builder of Bushwood Manor around 1650, and also Bushwood Lodge. Thomas Gerard was the leader, along with his three son-in-laws (Robert Slye, Kenelm Cheseldine, and Nehemiah Blackistone) of the Fennel's Rebellion in 1659. Between Thomas Gerard and his three son in laws they would own most all of St. Clement's Hundred, which started from Longveiw Manor down to the Potomac River.

In 1850, John Edward Farrell is the owner of 25 acres in the area know as Bushwood Lodge. He willed it to his daughter and granddaughter.

As of 1935, the Cheseldine descendants still own land at White's Neck creek.

History courtesy of John Gary Lewis.