“Cherry Grove” is the homestead of my Veazey ancestors. Located in Cecil County, Maryland, the land was acquired by John Veazey, my 8th great grandfather, about 1670. It remained in the Veazey family for more than 100 years. Many of the early Veazeys are buried in a family cemetery located somewhere on the property. It is believed (logically) that John is buried here too.

Today, the land is privately owned and posted. Although I had driven just shy of two hours to explore my Veazey roots, I opted not to tempt fate and settled for enjoying the serenity of “Cherry Grove” from the public access road. Simply put, Grandfather John chose well. The landscape is tranquil and picturesque. Thankfully, the Maryland Historical Society erected a marker at the entrance; so it wasn’t difficult to locate.

Much of what I know of the Veazeys is due in large part to author and distant cousin, Ann Veazey Davis. She writes in her book, Descendants of John Veazey, that John might not have been the first Veazey in the Americas. According to her research, a “Nathaniel Veazey” had settled earlier in the 1600s in Bermuda. His son, also named “Nathaniel”, settled in Southern Maryland. Other Veazeys, all contemporaries of John, can be found living in New York, Maine and Massachusetts. A genealogical connection between the various families, however, has yet to be made.

Kenfolk: Tranthams
Relation: 8th great grandfather
Common ancestors: The Veazeys of Essex, England, where John was born in 1647

Reference:
Davis, A. V. (1995). Descendants of John Veazey. Zebulon, North Carolina: Veazey Family Association

Note: the complete title of Ann’s book, as it appears on the title page, is: Descendants of John Veazey of “Cherry Grove” Cecil County, Maryland