Person:John Gilbert (22)

"Jon. Gilbert and family" sailed on the Hopewell in 1635 and settled first at Dorchester before removing to Taunton by 1638. He acquired several parcels of land in that area. In his will dated 10 May 1654, witnessed (in his presence) 5 Apr 1656, and proed 3 Jun 1657, "John Gilbert of Pondsbrooke in Taunton" left his 100 acre farm at Pondsbrook to his son Giles, as well as 10 acres in Scadinsmore. His son Joseph received other land at Pondsbrook, 30 acres, plus another five acres of meadow at Scadingsmore. Thomas received the best sow, John 1 shilling, his wife's grandchild Elizabeth Pester received livestock, the church at Taunton received 10 bushels of Indian corn to be disposed of at the discretion of the deacons, and daughter Mary Norcrosse received "my great furnace or brewing kettle if she be living or otherwise unto her daughter Mary." The residue went to "my wife Winnefred", as well as use of the farm at Pondsbrook.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8} John Gilbert, in Anderson, Robert Charles; George F. Sanborn; and Melinde Lutz Sanborn. The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635. (NEHGS, 1999-2011)
   3:56-59.

   ORIGIN: Bridgewater [error for Bridgwater], Somersetshire [error for Somerset].
   MIGRATION: 1635 (on 8 May 1635, "Jon. Gilbert and family" were included in the passenger list of the Hopewell, preparting to sail for New England from Weymouth, Dorsetshire [NGSQ 71:173-74]). (This record, along with the absence of any records for this immigrant in New England prior to 1635, refutes the nineteenth-century claim that John Gilbert came to New England in 1630 on the Mary & John.)
   FREEMAN: Plymouth Colony 4 December 1638 (as Mr. John Gilbert Senior"), and added to the list of 7 March 1363/7 [PCR 1:53, 105]. In Taunton section of 1639 Plymouth Colony freemen [PCR 8:176].
   BIRTH: Baptized Bridgewater [error for Bridgwater], Somersetshire, 30 August 1580 [NEHGR 111:236], son of Giles Gilbert [Gilberts of NE 19].
   DEATH: Between 5 April 1656 (witnessing of will) and 3 Jun 1657 (probate of will).