Family talk:Jonathan Pratt and Sarah Gale (1)

Evidence needed [15 February 2010]

What primary evidence is there to indicate that Sarah is the daughter of John Gale? I find several books that make this connection but have not found the basis for said assertion.

I am familiar with the History of Framingham by Barry, but he only identifies Jonathan Pratt's wife as "Sarah Gale of Wat." ([1]) and he does not actually connect her to the family of Family:John Gale and Elizabeth Spring (1). In fact, on p. 249, he places her in Richard's family. Source:Gale, George. The Gale Family Records in England and the United States, p. 39, says that John Gale moved to Framingham after the birth of his youngest child (1689) and so a description of Sarah as "of Wat." would actually indicate she does not belong to John's family, but rather to a Gale family still living in Watertown.

The family of Family:Abraham Gale and Sarah Fiske (1) of Watertown appears to be a better match. In Barry's book, referenced above, the children of Sarah are given as Jonathan, Abraham, and Sarah. These names are more consistent with Abraham Gale as father than John Gale. Further, in Abraham Gale's will dated 3 Sep 1718 mentions his "Daughter Sarah Pratt" ([2]).

There is some confusion about Abraham's daughter Sarah, that may cause some people to not consider her as a candidate to be the wife of Jonathan Pratt. However, this confusion appears to be based on an error. Many sources show two daughters named Sarah, one born 15 Feb 1674/75 who apparently died before the second one was born 29 Aug 1694. Obviously, the second Sarah would be too young to marry Jonathan Pratt about 1700 (eldest son Jonathan b. 21 Apr 1701). But there is no death record in Source:Watertown records for the first Sarah, and the birth record on 29 Aug 1694 is for a son Jonah, so it appears that the existance of a second Sarah is predicated on misreading the Watertown birth record. This removes the reason for thinking the first Sarah died, and she actually would be an appropriate age to be Jonathan Pratt's wife.

[p. 1:8] 1674. Sary Gayle daughter of Abraham & Sary Gayle borne the 10th 12 mo. [10 Feb 1674/75]

[p. 2:5] Jonah Gale son of Abraham & Sarah Geal was born aug'st 29th : 1694

I also point out that the result of merging pages says this Sarah died in 1694. I believe this is actually the death date of John Gale, but if this truly applies to Sarah, it would rule out her marriage to Jonathan Pratt. Whoever supplied this date, or somebody that agrees with it, would help greatly by supplying the authority for this fact.

--Jrich 12:21, 17 December 2008 (EST)