John Gilbert was apparently married three times.

• GILBERT, John (1580-1657) & 1/wf Mary STREET (1578/9-); Bridgewater, Eng. 17 Ja 1602, 1602/3; Dorchester/ Tauton
• GILBERT, John & Alice HOPKINS (-1688); ?Bristol, Sep 1606
• GILBERT, John (-1657) & 3/wf Winifred (ROSSITER) COMBE (-1663+); in Eng, b 1619; Dorchester/ Taunton

Source

New England marriages prior to 1700 By Clarence Almon Torrey, Elizabeth Petty Bentley Pg.302

Info. that changes some common 'internet' facts about John Gilbert, Gentleman:

http://mattocks2.wordpress.com/category/generation-15/027961-alice-...

JOHN GILBERT, son of Giles and Joan (Pearce) Gilbert, was baptized 30 Aug. 1580 in Bridgwater, Somerset; died 1657 in Taunton, Mass. (will signed 6 April 1656, proved 3 June 1657). He married (1), 17 Jan. 1602-3, in Bridgwater, MARY STREET, bapt. 22 March 1578-9 in Taunton, Somerset; probably she who was buried 25 Oct. 1605, in Bridgwater; daughter of Nicholas Street. He married (2), in September 1606, perhaps in Bristol, ALICE HOPKINS, buried 25 April 1618 in Bridgwater; daughter of Thomas Hopkins of Bristol. He married (3), in or after 1620, WINIFRED (ROSSITER) COMBE, widow of Joseph Combe of Combe St. Nicholas, Somerset, and sister of Edward Rossiter of that place.

Children by first wife:

1. ?. Twins MARY and JOAN, bapt. 4 Aug. 1603, Bridgwater; buried there 5 and 9 Aug. Parentage not stated, but they may have been daughters of John and Mary, born prematurely.
2. ?. MARY, bapt. 19 Aug. 1604, Bridgwater. Parentage not stated; if a daughter of John, she probably died young, as she could hardly have been the Mary listed below.

Children by second wife:

1. ?. ELIZABETH. The will of Emma Escott of Bridgwater, widow, dated 10 Nov. 1632, mentions “Elizabeth daughter of Mr. John Gilbert” (Somerset Wills, 2nd series, p. 96). Nothing further is known of her.
2. THOMAS, b. probably about 1612, perhaps in Trull, Somerset; d. about 1676, England.
3. JOHN, b. about 1614, and probably the “Joan” bapt. 19 Aug. 1614, Bridgwater; prob. also the John who d. there 10 Feb. 1691.

Children by third wife:

1. MARY. Mentioned in John’s will as Mary Norcross. Her husband was probably Rev. Nathaniel Norcross, bapt. in 1619 in London; in America 1638 to about 1649-50; d. 10 Aug. 1662, London. If this identification is correct, Mary was probably born in the early 1620′s and married in the early 1640′s.
2. GILES, b. perhaps about 1627 (apparently under military age of 16 in 1643); d. 8 Jan. 1717-18, Rehoboth, Mass.
3. JOSEPH, b. perhaps about 1629; migrated from Taunton to North Carolina.

Sources

• Colket, idem.
  • Boston Record Commissioners, Fourth Report, pp. 14-15. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Vital Statistics

Born 1577 in Bridgewater, Somersetshire, England . Son of Giles Gilbert and Joan Pearce.

Married (1) Mary Street January 17, 1602 in Bridgewater, Somersetshire, England. Reverend Nicholas Street was their nephew. Married (2) Alice Hopkins September 1606. Married (3) Widow Winifred.

Some sources give Winifred's last name as Peaslee, and is referred to as 'widow Peaslee' in the will of, From marriage records she appears to be Winifred Rossiter, widow of John Combe. In the will of Joseph Combe, proved in April 1620, besides mentioning his wife Winifred, daughter Joan, he mentions his “brother” (brother-in-law) Edward Rossiter, which would make Edward the brother of Winifred, who married John Combe.

Another clue is that Thomas Gilbert, her step-son, married Joan Rossiter who appears to be the daughter of Winifred, who was also a widow, of Hugh Rossiter. More investigation needs to be done on the Rossiter/Combe families and their connection to the Gilberts.

Children with Mary Street: Thomas, John, and some records say Elizabeth. Children with Winnifred Peaslee/Combe: Giles, Joseph, Mary (Norcross)

Mary Street Gilbert died before 1630, since when John Gilbert came to America in 1630, he had with him his third wife, widow Winnifred Peaslee. The first wife was probably the mother of Thomas and John Gilbert, who are described by Savage (whoever that is) as "well grown youths." She may also have been the mother of Elizabeth.

In 1637, John Gilbert and his two sons were members of an incorporated body of forty who purchased of Sachem Massasoit about 162 acres of land lying west of Plymouth, which was named Taunton. Here the family established itself, and here descendants were to be found for over 140 years. John Gilbert was made freeman of Taunton, Dec. 4, 1638, and was constable in 1640. In 1641 he received a grant of land from the town, with others, "for their great charges in attending courts, laying out lands and other occasions for the town."

Sources and Notes

http://books.google.com/books?id=mtoSAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA48&dq=%22john+Gi...

Various histories of Taunton call him "Sir John Gilbert" or give other towns of origin for him.

e.g.,

Mr. John Gilbert, Senior, as is supposed, came from Devonshire at an age somewhat advanced, and settled with his family at Dorchester. He was dead previous to 1654, but his widow, Mrs. Winnifred Gilbert, was then living. He and Henry Andrews were the two first deputies or representatives from Taunton to the General Court in Plymouth, in 1639. He was a leading man in town. In 1641, Mr. John Gilbert, Senior, Mr. William Poole, Mr. Henry Andrews, John Strong, John Deane, Walter Deane, and Edward Case, received a grant of forty acres each, "lying together in some convenient place, for their great charges in attending courts, laying out of lands, and other occasions for the town." Two of his sons, Thomas and John, came with him to Taunton, and were original proprietors.

http://otal.umd.edu/~walt/gen/htmfile/10618.htm

Giles Gilbert of Dunweare Parish of Bridgwater, Somersetshire, England died in Bridgwater, Somersetshire, England, on June 17, 1595. He was buried in St. Mary's Church, Bridgwater, Somersetshire, England.. Joan Pearce was born _____, and died in St. Mary's Church, , England.. They were married in St. Mary's Church, Bridgwater, Somersetshire, England, on Friday, August 10, 1571. She took the name Joan Gilbert. An unknown number of children were born, but included:

i. John Gilbert was born in England about 1580. He married Mary, the daughter of Nicholas and Mary Street, on January 17, 1602, in St. Mary's Church, Bridgwater, Somersetshire. John accompanied his nephew, Rev. Nicholas Street, to Taunton, Plymouth Colony, America.

ii. Susannah Gilbert [#5309]: She was born in England baptized on December 9, 1584, and died in Faunton, Somerset, England, on February 18, 1603.

Information about the John Gilbert who married Mary Street.

THE WILL OF JOHN GILBERT, SR.

MD 14:2; Plymouth Colony Wills & Inventories

[Provided by Robert Davenport, Sep. 2002.]

The will of "Mr John Gilbert senir" was probated at Plymouth 3 June, 1657, on the testimony of "Mr Nicholas Street And Captaine Willam Pole"

The will of "John Gilbert of Pondsbrooke in Taunton" was written "the tenth Day of May in the yeare .... one thousand six hundred fifty and foure" and ordered my body to bee buried heer by my house att Pondsbrooke upon the hill neare the pine tree seven or eight foot Deep att the least;"

Bequests were made as follows:

"unto my son Gyles my farme att Pondsbrooke Containeing one hundred acres with with the house and houses and Commons therto belonging" also "ten acres of the meadow lying in Scadingsmore" also "one yoake of my 2cond bigest oxen Named Colliar and Browne" also "two Cowes named Cherry and Colly" also "my two steers Named Summer and winter" also "one feather bed one bolster two pillowes my green rugg a paire of blankett and a paire of my best sheets" also "my best brasse pot or Crocke my best brasse pan one pewter platter and one pewter porrenger one pewter Chamberpott" also "my best bedsteed with the curtaines and vallence" also "my Cubbert" also "one halfe of my bookes of which hee shall make his Choise" also "two Chists or trunkes of which hee shall make his Choise" also "my best suite of apparrell;"

"unto my son Josepth all that my great lott att Pondsbrooke lying on the otherside of the brooke next the towne of Taunton aforsaid Containing thirty acres with the Devisions not yet layed out adjoyning therto" also "five acres of meadow in Scadings more lying or to bee layed out together att the further end of the fifteen acres in Scadingsmore aforsaid to be layed out att the Descretion of the overseers of this my last will;" also "my two bigest steers named Duke and buttler" also "my Cow called Bunne and one heifer Called gentle and my two steer yearlings" also "one feather bed one bolster one pillow one paire of blanketts and one paire of sheets with one bedsteed;" also "my 2cond best brasse pott or Crocke my 2cond best brasse pan one pewter platter and one pewter porrenger & one pewter Chamberpott" also "the other halfe of my bookes" also "one Chest or trunke;" also "my 2cond best suite of apparell;"

To "my son Thomas my best sowe hee to make his Choise"

To "my son John one shilling to bee Delivered in silver"

"unto my wives grandchild Elizabeth Pester my blacke-sowe and that one of her piggs which already is given her and shee hath made Choise of"

"I give ten bushells of Indian Corn unto such as have most need of corn in the Towne to bee Desposed by the Descretion of the two Deacons of the Church of Taunton;"

To "my Daughter Mary Norcrosse my great ffurnace or brewing kettle if shee bee liveing or otherwise unto her Daughter Mary the furnace to bee sold by my overseers and the vallue to bee Imployed to Increase somthinge untill the Child bee of Age;"

"if either of my said sonnes Gyles or Josepth Die before they or either of them are married that then all the lands goods or whatsoever soe given to either shall Decend bee and remaine unto the Surviveer"

"I give all my goods unbequeathed unto my Wife Winnefred and my will is that shee shall have the use and profitt of the one moyety or halfe of the farme with my son Gyles During her life if she remaine in Widdowhood or will live upon it; And Doe make and appoint her my exequitrix .... And Doe Constitute and appoint my welbeloved frinds in Christ Nicolas Street and Richard Williams overseers of this my last Will and Testament and Doe give unto each of them foure bushells of wheat for and Towards theire paines and Christian Care they shall use in this behalfe"

"Upon the fift Day of Aprill 1656 the said Testator John Gilbert Desired this his last Will to bee Attested unto by Witnesses after hee had caused it to bee read before his wife and sonnes and they expressed their good liking of It This wee whose names are heerunder written Doe Testify Nicolas Street Willam Pole"

The inventory of the estate of "Mr John Gilbert" taken by Richard Williams, Walter Deane and James Wyate, was presented at the court held 3 June, 1657, on the oath of "mis Wennefred Gilbert". Joseph Hackett and John Bryant were indebted to the estate.

From The "Mary and John" ... comes [provided by Robert Davenport]:

"John Gilbert was born about 1580. (In 1643 he was over sixty years of age and not subject to military duty). He was the son of Giles Gilbert (d. June 17, 1595) of Dunweare Parish of Bridgwater, Somersetshire, England, who married in St. Mary's Church, Aug. 10, 1571, Joan Pearce (d. Apr. 18, 1597). Both are buried in St. Mary's churchyard.

John Gilbert married (1) Jan. 17, 1602, in St. Mary's Church, Mary, daughter of Nicholas and Mary Street, baptised Mar. 22, 1578, in Taunton, England. She died before 1630, as when John Gilbert came to America in 1630, he had with him his second wife, widow Winnifred Peaslee. The first wife was probably the mother of Thomas and John Gilbert, who are described by Savage (whoever that is) as "well grown youths." She may also have been the mother of Elizabeth, who is mentioned Nov. 16, 1632, in the will of Emma Escott of Bridgwater, England, but is not mentioned in the will of John Gilbert.

In 1637, John Gilbert and his two sons were members of an incorporated body of forty who purchased of Sachem Massasoit about 162 acres of land lying west of Plymouth, which was named Taunton. Here the family established itself, and here descendants were to be found for over 140 years. John Gilbert was made freeman of Taunton, Dec. 4, 1638, and was constable in 1640. In 1641 he received a grant of land from the town, with others, "for their great charges in attending courts, laying out lands and other occasions for the town."

Sources:

Kuhns, Maude Pinney; The "Mary and John", A story of the founding of Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1630 published by Charles E. Tuttle Company, Rutland, Vermont (provided by Robert Davenport, 2002)

________________

Mr. John Gilbert 'a brave honest gentleman' was at dorchester, Massachusetts with his family in 163...; removed to Taunton after 1636 and was the first Deputy from that place to the General Court of New Plymouth in 1638.

He died before 1654 survived by wife Winnefred, maiden name not known.

http://books.google.com/books?id=hrNRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=J...

___________________

Immigration 1635 on Hopewell

John's second marriage he was married first to Mary Street daughter of Nicholas Street another of our ancestors

GILES GILBERT was born about 1530 at Bridgewater, Co. ... JOHN GILBERT was bapt. ... She died and he married in Sept., 1606 at Bristol, England (2) ALICE HOPKINS, the daughter of THOMAS and KATHERYNE FRITTERS HOPKINS

John Gilbert of Taunton, Mass., had three wives and four sons, and it has been shown that the two elder sons, John and Thomas, were probably children of John's second wife, Alice Hopkins, to whom he was married from about 1606 to 1618.

_______________

GEDCOM Note

Category: Y-DNA Haplogroup I-M253, GROUP 01 - John Gilbert of Taunton, MA Line - A, Gilbert Name Study Category: Original 46 Purchasers of Taunton

Biography == category=Somerset, England, Gilbert Name Study

Introduction and Key Sources===Disputed Migration: Anderson in his "Great Migration" saysthat the record of John Gilbert and his family sailing on the Hopewell on May 8, 1635 and the absence of any records in New England prior to 1635 "refutes the nineteenth-century claim that John Gilbert came to New England in 1630 on the Mary & John."<ref name=Anderson>Great Migration 1634-1635, G-H. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org.New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009.) Originally published as: The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume III, G-H, by Robert Charles Anderson. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003. featured name.subscription site</ref>

Best source found to consult for John's wives is: The Wives of John Gilbert of Dorchester, Mass." by Geoffrey Gilbert of Victoria, B. C. Canada.<ref name=Wives>The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1847-. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2013.) "The Wives of John Gilbert of Dorchester, Mass." by Geoffrey Gilbert of Victoria, B. C. Canada.subscription site.</ref>

Birth ===This John Gilbert's baptism is not totally certain. Giles Gilbert names a son John in his 1594 Will. There are 2 John Gilberts baptised atSt Mary's Church Bridgwater. The first on 17 Sep 1577 and the secondon 30 Aug 1580. A father's name is not given for either entry. As there is a burial for a John Gilbert at St Mary's on 29 Sep 1577 it would seem likely that this was the first John baptised 12 days before. There are 2 further John Gilberts buried at St Mary's on 29 Jul 1591 and 22 Jan 1615 respectively.<ref>Bridgwater St Mary's Baptism and Burial transcriptions on Find My Past from Parish Registers held at Somerset Archives</ref>

Wives

:(1) Mary Street :John Gilbert married 1st Mary Street, the daughter of Nicholas Street. They were married at St Mary's Church Bridgwater on 17 Jan 1602/3 with his name spelt as Gilberd and the day after a Nicholas Street had married Susanna Gilberd.<ref>Image of Church Register marriage entry, on Ancestry.co.uk</ref>: Mary is assumed to be the Mary Gilbert buried at the Church on 25 Oct 1605.<ref>Bridgwater St Mary's Baptism and Burial transcriptions on Find My Past from Parish Registers held at Somerset Archives</ref> ::Children::The Twin daughters MARY and JOAN Gilbert, baptised at Bridgwater on4 Aug 1603 and buried immediately thereafter on 5 and 9 Aug respectively with no parents named in any of the entries are assumed to be the children of John and Mary.<ref>Transcriptions of Bridgwater Register on Find My Past</ref> <ref name=Wives />

:(2) Alice Hopkins:He married 2nd to Alice Hopkins, daughter of Thomas Hopkins in September of 1606.<ref name=Wives /> : Alice was buried at St Mary's Church in Bridgwater on 25 Apr 1618 with the burial recording her as the wife of John Gilbert.<ref>Somerset Burial Index Transcription on Find My Past</ref> ::Children ::1. Elizabeth Gilbert was born about 1607 and was still living on 10 Nov 1632 as she was mentioned in the will of Emma Escott of Bridgwater. She probably married George Shute by 1626.::2. Thomas Gilbert was born about 1613 as he deposed on 15 Feb 1659/60 that he was aged 46 years. He married Jane Rossiter the daughter ofEdward Rossiter on 23 Mar 1639/40 at Taunton. Jane was born about 1614 and died at Taunton on June 1, 1691.Thomas died in 1676/7.<ref name=NEHGR138>The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1847-. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2013.) "Edward Rossiter, Colonist of Dorchester" Colket. Vol.138, p. 11subscription site</ref>::3. John Gilbert may have been married to Frances Collard, probably earlier than 1678.::4. Joanna the daughter (says filia in Church Register) of John and Alice Gilbert was baptised at Bridgwater on 19 Aug 1614.<ref>Image of Church Register baptism entry, on Ancestry.co.uk</ref>

:(3) Winifred:In or after 1620 he married Winifred the widow of Joseph Combe. The marriage took place at Whitestaunton in Somerset on 29 Apr but the year is not identified.<ref>Bishop's transcripts from Somerset Archives on Find My Past</ref> :Winifred's maiden name is thought to be Rossiter based on the Will ofher former husband Joseph Combe of Combe St. Nicholas, Somerset, proved in April 1620 naming wife Winifred, daughter Joan, and “brother” Edward Rossiter who is taken to be his brother-in-law. :But see source claiming she was not the sister of Edward Rossiter.<ref name=NEHGR138 /> ::Children::1. Mary Gilbert was born about 1625. She married Nathaniel Norcross, son of Jeremiah Norcross by 1654. (A modern, complete transcript ofNathaniel Norcross's will includes no reference to a wife, specifically no mention of a wife named Sarah.) <ref>Great Migration 1634-1635, G-H. p. 59. </ref>::2. Giles Gilbert was born about 1627. He married (1st) after 1667 to Sarah (_____) Parker. He married (2nd) at Taunton on 28 Oct 1686 toMary (Wilmarth) Rockett, daughter of Thomas Wilmarth and widow of Joseph Rockett.::3. Joseph Gilbert was born about 1629. He married _____ Slocum, daughter of Anthony Slocum about 1663.

Emigration===He and his family were on the passenger list for the Hopewell thatsailed on 8 May 1635 for New England from Weymouth, Dorsetshire, England. Apparently, according to the birth and death dates given in Great Migration,<ref name=Anderson /> his family consisted of his 3rd wife, Winnifred and children Thomas, John, Mary, Giles, and Joseph.

Life in New England===They first lived in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts; moving to Taunton, Plymouth Colony in 1638. John became a Freeman of Plymouth Colony on 4 Dec 1638 as "Mr. John Gilbert Senior." He was a deputy from Taunton to the Plymouth Colony General Court on 4 Jun 1639 and Taunton constable on 3 Mar 1639/40. There were two law suits levelled at John Gilbert, on 1 Nov 1642 and 7 Nov, 1643; in both instances the suites were retracted.

Last Will, Death, Estate=== The will of "John Gilbert of Pondsbrooke in Taunton" was dated 10 May 1654; witnessed on 5 Apr 1656; and proved on 3 Jun 1657. Bequests were made to his sons Gyles, Joseph, Thomas, John; his wife's grandchild Elizabeth Pester; daughter Mary Norcrosse; with residue to his wife Winnefred and she to be executrix with friends Christ Nicolas Street and Richard Williams as overseers. Also in his will was to "give ten bushels of Indian corn unto such as have most need of corn in the town to be disposed by the discretion of the two deacons of the Church of Taunton."

His inventory which was not totaled, contained "power, led & bullets" valued at L1, 2s additionally there were "2 swords, 2 guns, one musketbarrel" valued at L3 10s. It also included books valued at L2. He times throughout his life, and possibly also at his death, he held 16 acres of upland at Squantum Neck; 9 acres and 20 rods in the Cows Pasture. His will indicates a farm known as "Pondsbrooke in Taunton whichincluded 100 acres with house and "houses and commons thereto belonging," 30 acres next to the town of Taunton, and "five acres of meadow in Scadingsmore."

John Gilbert, Sr. died between 5 Apr 1656 and 3 Jun 1657 at Taunton.

Sources

<references />*Source: Title: Cary Family History, Author: Joiner, Rev. Darrell and Sallyann (carver@ime.net)

• Emery, Samuel Hopkins. "History of Taunton Massachusetts", Syracuse,NY, D. Mason & Co., 1893.