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R
OBERT
S
LYE
,
G
ENTLEMAN
,
1627–
1670
Robert Slye began life as the youngest son of
George Slye of Lapworth Parish, Warwickshire,
England. George was the steward of the Manor of
Rowington. Robert Slye ended life as one of the
richest men in colonial Maryland.
Well on his way to building personal wealth as a
land owner, merchant captain and merchants’ agent,
Slye’s wealth and status increased considerably with
his marriage to Susannah Gerard, daughter of Lord
Thomas Gerard.
Overshadowed in the history books by the family
into which he married, Robert Slye, nevertheless was
frequently enough in the spotlight in the annals of
colonial Maryland. Whether he was a natural born
rebel or if the rancorous environment in the Gerard
household stimulated enthusiasm for rebel causes,
Slye was often embroiled in the confrontational