(18) “Willowbyes”
8 August 1608
Perryman, MD
The north-south Amtrak train runs across the Bush River, making this the only marker you can see on the way to New York!
About
Returning south, Capt. Smith put into the Willowbyes (Bush) River in hopes of overtaking the Massawomeck flotilla of bark canoes that he thought he saw turn in there from the Bay. He ventured far enough in to see that the estuary ended a mile or two further and there were no settlements. Likely he was deceived and the Massawomeck had disappeared inland up the “rocky” Gunpowder River.
Siting
Siting is from comparisons of the Smith and Herrman maps, the scaled distance upstream, the narrowing of the river at the railroad bridge, and a point selected below Otter Point Creek, since a large tributary is not noted on either map.
Visit
Private land, commercial, Exelon Power
Access is solely by tidal water and granted freely without permission. Pull up on the beach near the train bridge and walk up the trail near the old boathouse. The marker is ahead to the right.
Special note: The Bush River downstream from "Willowbyes" within the perimeter of Aberdeen Proving Ground requires a permit and scheduling. Waters immediately off Willowbyes and above the railroad bridge are open. https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/Aberdeen_Proving_Ground_Fishing_Restrictions.pdf
GPS Coordinates
39.4386, -76.2381
N39°26’19”x W76°14’17”
Bob Kuczinski of Constellation Power with the team after a successful installation on Constellation Power property in July 2018.
The entrance to the marker from the water. Walk past the old boat house and up the hill.
Mouth of the Bush River