Edmund Gale, of Cambridge

I'm wondering if we can disconnect Abel as a son. NEHGR 107:208, NEHGR 106:294; TAG 38:13 all agree he has no known relationship to Edmond Gale. I think the evidence of several of the other children is nonexistent as is his English origins and spouse. But at least Abel we can say has no link at all and should be disconnected.

EARLY HISTORY OF THE GALES from DAVID GALE OF SUTTON, MASS. by Linn A. E. Gale, 1909 "The Gale family in America dates back to the migration of four brothers from England in the seventeenth century. They were, John Gale, who settled in Boston in 1634; Richard at Watertown, Mass., in 1640; Edmund at Cambridge, in 1642; and Hugh at Kittory or York in 1652. [These dates refer only to earliest documented transactions that mention these names.] John Gale died young and unmarried. Richard married and had four children, from whom have descended over two thousand individuals. Another branch of the family, numbering only about seven hundred or eight hundred at the most, is supposed to have descended from Edmund Gale. Hugh probably had no issue."

From The Gale family records in England and the United States: to which are added ... By George Gale

1. Edmund Gale of Cambridge, died in Boston, in 1642

Supposed Children:

• 1.Thomas
• 2.Robert
• 3.Ambrose
• 4.Bartholomew
• 5.Edmond
• 6.Abell
• 7.Eliezer

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notes

From http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/g/a/l/David-F-Gale/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-00...
(Therefore, needs additional source / citations)

• Edmond Gale (son of John Gale and Margery Wadam) was Christened December 21, 1617 in Bedford St. Peter, Bedfordshire, England
• He married Constance Ireland on November 03, 1631 in Oakly, Bedfordshire, England. Parents unknown, died date unknown
• died July 29, 1642 in Cambridge, MA.

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2nd Gale Family Early Settler of Cambridge, MA

1602-1642

Marblehead, Ma

Boston, Ma

12 children with two wives

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Other Notable Gale’s..Edmund being father of Abell, this statement was made in George Gale, The Gale Family Records in England and the United States (Galesville, Wis.,1866), and the statement was repeated in Genealogy of Southern New York, Vol. 1, p. 62, and in Genealogy of the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, Vol. 1, P . 419. But there is no documented reason to believe this and the statement may just have been repeated over and over again. Or it may be true based on information unknown to us.

So here is the following:

Edmond had seven children including our ancestor Abel who moved on to Jamaica, Long Island, New York, but two of his brothers Ambrose and Edmund were involved in the Salem Witchcraft Trials and one of Abel’s sons, John and his descendants, were prominent physicians in the Northeastern states.

1 Edmond Gale

2 Abel—brothers Edmund, Ambrose, and Ambrose’s son Benjamin.

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3 David Gale—brother John and his son Benjamin and nephew Samuel

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4 Dinah Gale

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1 Dinah Stanton married Jacob Jones

The Salem Witchcraft Trials

Ambrose Gale and Family

One of Edmund Gale’s son, Ambrose, (1631-1708) testified as a witness in the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692. He was summoned as a witness by the Constable of Marblehead to the case against Wilmott Reed. Wilmott Redd was charged with witchcraft on the bodies of Mary Walcot and Marcy Lewis and others of Salem Village to their great hurt.

When Redd was brought in for examination Mary Lewis Walcot and Abagail Williams fell into fits. As part the testimony by others it was stated that Mrs. Syms had lost linens that she suspected a girl living with Redd had taken. She made demands that they be returned, was cursed by Wilmott, and shortly afterwards Mrs. Syms was taken with the distemper of the dry belly-ake.

From Ambrose v. Wilmott Redd: “He affirmed that: Mrs. Simse was about that time or soon after afflicted as was then reported Sept. 14, 1692.

Wilmott Redd was executed, September 22, 1692.

Also found in the Papers are records of Benjamin Gale, son of Ambrose, summoned by the Constable of Marblehead to the Court of Oyer and Terminer as witness for the trial of Wilmott Redd. He was not well and therefore did not appear.

Edmund Gale, son of Edmund, served as a juror on a number of cases. Most were not found guilty and were discharged upon paying their fees. Found guilty was Elizabeth Johnson, Jr., guilty of covenanting with the Devil, for which she stood indicted, in the first indictment, as also guilty of the felony, by witchcraft, for which she stood indicted, in the second indictment. The Court ordered the Keeper of the Goals to take the prisoner according to law.

Also mentioned is Goody Gale upon examination of Dorcas Hoar, May 2, 1692. Upon examination of Dorcas Hoar several of the afflicted fell into fits as soon as she was brought in. The examiner states: “You sent for Goody Gale to cut your head off. What do you say to that?” Response: “I never sent for her upon that account.” Her relationship to the Edmund Gale family is unknown.

There is also an Edward Gale listed but with no further information.

Salem Witch Museum and 1692 Tour

As part of a tour there are two locations connected to the Gales. Marblehead, not far from Salem, was founded in 1629, one of the earliest and richest settlements in America. Sea Captains, merchant traders, and cod fisherman erected houses and public buildings grand and small. One such marker on a house still in use says “Built for Ambrose Gale, Fisherman, 1663.

The following reference is made regarding the Marblehead Tour:

Ambrose Gale House 

(Plate 30; 17 Franklin Street, between Washington and Selman Streets).

The town of Marblehead, Mass.

Ambrose Gale lived here in 1692. Together with Charity Pitman and Sarah Doddy, he testified that Wilmott Redd had cursed a Mrs. Syms with an enduring case of constipation. The house was originally built around 1663 and is privately owned.

Old Burial Hill 

(off Orne Street, immediately adjacent to Redd's Pond).

Ambrose Gale's wife Mary is buried here. Her epitaph reads: "Here Lyeth ye Body of Mary Galle ye Wife of Ambros Galle Aged 63 Years Decd February ye 5 1694/5.

Also of interest is an area called Gales Head. Ambrose, in 1674, bought 2 acreas of land for the purpose of building a fort and a high-way link. This is the site of Fort Sewall, one of the earliest official colonial forts in America. It was first called Gale’s Head, named after Ambrose, and then renamed for an honored citizen, Samuel Sewall. One of the Captains of the fort was Azor Gale. (Relationship unkown)