(I) Captain William Gerrish. immigrant, was born in Bristol, Somersetshire, England, August 20, 1617. He came to New England in 1638, probably with the family of Percival Lowle (Lowell), and lived in Newbury, Massachusetts, until 1678, when he removed to Boston. He was the first captain of the military band in Newbury; was confirmed as lieutenant of the troops of Essex county, March 27, 1649; was representative of Newbury 1650-1653, and of Hampton 1663-70; was chosen one of the commissioners for trying civil causes, March 25, 1651. He was owner of No. 3 Long Wharf, Boston, where he carried on business. He died in Salem, August 9, 1687, at the house of his son Benjamin, whither he had gone a few days before, in the hope of regaining his health. He married (first) April 17, 1644, Joanna, daughter of Percival Lowle, his former employer, and widow of John Oliver, of Newbury. She died June 14, 1677, aged fifty-eight years. He married (second) in Boston, Ann, widow of John Manning, and daughter of Richard Parker. He had ten children by his first wife and one child by his second wife: John, Abigail, William, Joseph, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Moses, Mary, Ann, Judith and Henry, the last child being by his second wife.
