Elizabeth Gilbert

Thomas Gilbert Apr 25 1589, Yardley, Worcester, England, married Aug 29 1610, in Yardley, Worcester, England, Elizabeth Bennett, born circa 1586, England, died Jan 1654, Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut. Thomas died Bef Sep 05 1659, Wethersfield, Hartford Co., CT.

Thomas Gilbert, the immigrant, was in Braintree, Mass by Feb 24 1639/40 when he was granted 28 acres. He does not appear on any known passenger list for this time period, but no doubt arrived shortly before this date with seven heads in his household. As early as 1651, three of his sons, Jonathan, John, and Josiah, leased a farm in what was then Wethersfield, Conn. At some unknown date, Thomas himself moved from Braintree to Wethersfield and assummed operation of that land. He was definitely in Wethersfield by Aug 17 1658 when he signed a petition.

Thomas Gilbert died before Sep 05 1659 when inventory of his estate was taken in Wethersfield. His wife apparently died at nearly the same time since the estate inventory contains funeral charges for both her and Thomas. On Feb 06 1663/4, his estate was distributed to his living heirs, six sons and one daughter. Thomas had one other child who died as an infant in England.

Thomas was not married to Lydia Gilbert who was executed for witchcraft in 1654 as reported in "The Gilbert Family". Instead she was married to his son Thomas Gilbert, jr. (Ref: The American Genealogist, Vol. 67, No. 3, 1992)

Elizabeth: Her bp. was not recorded at Yardley, so presumably she was from a nearby parish. She may have been related to Edmond Benettes in the adjacent parish of King's Norton who m. Alice Pretty in 1552. Elizabeth may have been the unnamed wife of Thomas Gilbert who died at about the same time as him. (Ref: The American Genealogist, Vo. 67, No. 3, 1992).

---

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/2H23-R74/elizabeth-bennett-15...

---

Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal ..., Volume 4 By Ellery Bicknell Crane

http://books.google.com/books?id=ByzhgLUOIRIC&pg=PA200&lpg=PA200&dq...

Pg.199

"GILBERT FAMILY. Thomas Gilbert (I), the immigrant ancestor of Charles Warren Gilbert, of Worcester, Massachusetts, was born in England probably before 1600."

"He was in Windsor from 1649 to 1651, and probably until witchcraft horrors broke up his home."

"Henry Stiles was killed October 3, 1651, by the accidental discharge of a gun in the hands of Thomas Allyn on Training Day."

"Nevertheless, an attempt was made over a year after the death of Stiles to fasten the blame on Lydia Gilbert. She was indicted, under the charge of witchcraft, alleging: "Thou hast of late years and still dost give entertainment to Sathan (Satan)--& by his help has killed the body of Henry Stiles, besides other witchcraft." She was convicted, sentenced to be hanged and undoubtedly suffered the penalty, though the record of death has not been found. The trial was in March, 1653-54."

"What relation she bore to Thomas Gilbert we do not know, for he seems to have had no children born to him in Windsor, nor mention of any wife. She may have been his sister."" The writer believes that Lydia was most likely the wife of Thomas, for the home was broken up in Windsor directly afterward and Thomas Gilbert went to New Haven or Hartford, where he had brothers, and died in 1659. At that time his three sons had already gone from Windsor to Springfield, Massachusetts. "

"S. O. Griswold, of Cleveland, is authority for the statement that the probate records at New Haven show the names of his heirs, but that he left no widow. The fact that no Lydia is mentioned in the probate papers is one indication that the death sentence had been executed. Children: 1 Thomas, see forward. 2 Jonathan received grant of land at Woronoco (Westfield), Massachusetts, August 9, 1656; forfeited because they did not settle there and granted 1661 to Benjamin Coolidge."

"(II) Thomas Gilbert, son of Thomas Gilbert (I), was born probably about 1625 in England; settled with his father at Windsor, whence after the witchcraft trial he removed to Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1655."

"He died at Springfield, June 5, 1662, leaving a family of young children. He married Catherine (Chapin) Bliss, June 30 1655, widow of Nathaniel Bliss and daughter of Samuel and Cisely Chapin. He (MUST BE TYPO for She) married (third), December 8, 1664, Samuel Marshfield. She was born about 1630; married (first), November 20, 1646, and died February 4, 1712.

Children of Thomas, born in Springfield;

1. Sarah, born February 9, 1655-56, married Samuel Field.
2. John, born October 18, 1657.
3. Thomas, born March 15, 1658-59 (the record of him in North Brookfield history is of his son chiefly, though he was doubtless in Brookfield from 1688 to1690, and doubtless gave his property to his son Thomas), married, August 4, 1680, Abilene Marshfield; she died November 26, 1689; married (second), April 9, 1690, Anna Bancroft; had five children by each wife, all at Springfield; died there May 14, 1698, and widow married James Sexton, of Westfield, son of Thomas Sexton, of Brookfield, born November 3, 1681.
4. Henry, see forward.

   ---

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

http://books.google.com/books?id=mOgK8dM9qqUC&pg=PA214&lpg=PA214&dq...

Pg.302

GILBERT, Thomas1 (?1582-1659, ae 77?) & Lydia __; in Eng. b 1618; Braintree/Windsor, CT/ Wethersfield, CT/ Stamford, CT

-----------------------------------

Genealogies of Connecticut families: from the New England historical and ... By Judith McGhan, Genealogical Publishing Co

http://books.google.com/books?id=k6fDl9gE45IC&pg=RA1-PA22&lpg=RA1-P...

Pg.2, 8, 19

---

---

Despite popular belief, no witches were burned at the stake in the American colonies, but UC historian Terri Premo says instead, they were hanged and drowned. Most of the trials took place in 17th century New England, particularly in Salem, Massachusetts, where 19 people, mostly women, were executed.

"Believing in witchcraft was not perceived as unusual. The smartest people in the colonies would blame events on witchcraft. It was connected to the culture they brought with them from Europe," says Premo. Even children were jailed for witchcraft and in 1692, Massachusetts governor William Phips ordered a halt to the trials when his own wife, Lady Mary Phips, was suspected of witchcraft.

Who Lydia Gilbert's accusers were is unknown. Whether ignorant gossip or private enmities brought this ghastly charge upon her, it is impossible to say. That the charge of procuring the death of Henry Stiles could be brought her seems incredible, when everyone of mature ages in Windsor must have known that Henry Stiles met his death by the carelessness of Thomas Allyn, three years before (as a result of a firearms accident which Allyn had been tried upon). But this charge was brought against her. She was charged with other witchcraft besides this, and it may be that she was one of those unfortunate women to whom suspicion of witchcraft clung, for reasons which cannot now be stated. The evidence upon which Lydia was convicted, and the names of the witnesses against her, are unknown.

The juror's oath, the names of the jury and the names of the magistrates who heard the case are on record, as well as the indictment and the verdict. Six of the magistrates and jurymen were residents of Windsor, five of Hartford and the rest belonged to Wethersfield. The Court considered the case in a special session beginning November 28, 1654.

The jury brought in the indictment and the records seem to show that they brought in the verdict as well. These two functions of a jury are separate in our time, but in 1654 it was not so. This seems repugnant to our ideas of justice. We should like to hope that the Court proceeded after the ancient English manner, receiving the indictment from the jury, hearing the evidence and deciding in accord therewith.

The Juror's Oath

You do sware by the Ever living god that you will diligently enquire and faithfully present to this Court what soe Ever you know to bee a Breach of any Established Law of this Jurisdictyon so far as may conuce to the glory of god and the good of the commonwealth as also what Oreginall offences you shall Judge meete to be presented, as you expect helpe from god in Jesus Christ.

The Indictment

Lydea GiIburt thou art heere indited by that name of Lydea Gilburt that not hauing the feare of god before thy Eyes thou hast of late years or still dust giue Entertainement to Bather [sic] the greate Enemy of god and mankinde and by his helpe hast killed the Body of Henry Styles besides other witchcrafts for which according to the law of god and the Estableshed law of this Comon wealth thou deservest to Dye.

The Verdict

Ye Party aboue mentioned is found guilty of witchcraft by the Jury.

---

Lydia Ballett-Gilbert was the fifth person to be accused in Hartford, CT of Witchcraft. Her sentence was carried out on the public gallows at the corner of Albany and Vine Streets in Hartford, CT.

Documented in the book "The River of Time" by Professor Arnold Crohn

Colonial Witches In the mid 1600s, Thomas Gilbert and his wife, Lydia, lived with Henry Stiles in Windsor, Connecticut. Mr. Stiles was about 52 years of age, which was considered old at the time. Lydia performed many services for Mr. Stiles, such as mending his clothes and tending him when he was sick. How this living arrangement came about is unclear, but from all outward appearances, it was a satisfactory one.

Artist's Conceptualization of a Witchcraft Trial

In the autumn of 1651, in Windsor, Connecticut, an accident took place during training exercises by a group of local militiamen. Thomas Allyn was carrying his musket in a cocked position and inadvertently hit it against a tree causing it to fire. The bullet struck another trainee, Henry Stiles, and mortally wounded him.

An inquest was held, and Allyn was indicted the following December. At his trial, the jury found him guilty of "homicide by misadventure," and he was fined 20 pounds for his "sinful neglect and careless carriage."

It was found that he was to be "bound to his good behavior for a twelve-month period and that he shall not bear arms for the same term." Thomas Allyn's father paid a bond of 10 pounds, and Thomas was remanded into his father's custody for the probationary period.

In the New England colonies, the practice of accusing certain people, mostly women, of witchcraft began in Connecticut in 1647. Between that year and 1654, several people were charged and tried as witches, or for giving entertainment to Satan, as the colonists called the crime.

The colonists tried to find some explanation for accidents that occurred, such as Henry Stiles' death. Their lives in a new and strange land were precarious, and they needed to understand traumatic events over which they had no control. When cows took strangely ill, when a boat capsized in a sudden storm, when bread failed to rise in the oven or beer went bad in the barrel, they looked for some hidden meaning.

They sometimes looked askance at their neighbors, trying to discover some hidden motivation for causing these events to occur, whether human or supernatural. Witchcraft wouldn't necessarily be the best explanation, but they believed it was always a possibility.

The typical person accused of being a witch was a woman of middle age. Like Lydia Gilbert, she was married, had children, though widows and childless women were also suspected. Some of them were quite poor, but taken altogether they spanned the entire social spectrum.

Often, accused witches were women who exhibited odd personal behavior, who were quarrelsome with their neighbors, were cantankerous, feisty, angry, and quick to take offense. Is it possible that the colonists disposed of social misfits by bringing such charges against them? And if the defendant was convicted of witchcraft, she was hanged.

Lydia Gilbert was one of those unfortunate women. On November 28, 1654 – three years later – she stood accused of witchcraft and causing the death of Henry Stiles. Six of the jurors at her trial were residents of Windsor, and were well aware that Thomas Allyn had been convicted of killing Stiles. Yet, they charged that she used her abilities as a witch to cause Allyn's musket to fire!

The Charges:

Thou are here indicted by that name of Lydia Gilbert that not having the fear of God before thy Eyes thou hast of late years or still dust give Entertainment of Satan the great Enemy of God and mankind and by his help hast killed the Body of Henry Styles, besides other witchcrafts, for which according to the law of God and the Established Law of this commonwealth thou Deserves to Die.

The Verdict: These same jurors then considered the evidence once again to determine if Lydia was guilty, and returned this verdict: "Ye party above mentioned is found guilty of witchcraft by the Jury."

Her fate is not written in any known record, but most historians believe that she was hanged at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1655. She may well have gone to her death in the jail yard in Hartford, but more likely she was hanged on the lot at the corner of Albany Avenue and Vine Street in Hartford, where the public gallows is known to have existed.

SOURCES New England Witches Lydia, Wife of Thomas Gilbert The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut

---

Lydia Gilbert was convicted of witchcraft on November 28, 1654, in Windsor. While there is no record of her hanging, which would have been prompt, there is also no record of anyone at that time escaping the sentence "thou Deservest to Dye", either.

Lydia Gilbert's Conviction of Witchcraft The dismal roll of witch hangings in Connecticut begins with that of Alse Young who was hanged May 26, 1647. No witches were ever burned in New England. Mary Johnson of Wethersfield went the same way in 1648, and on March 6, 1651/2, John Carrington and his wife Joan were convicted., There is a record showing that both were executed. The fifth victim was Lydia, wife of Thomas Gilbert of Windsor. We shall give as full an account as possible of her case.

Who Lydia Gilbert's accusers were is unknown. Whether ignorant gossip or private enmities brought this ghastly charge upon her, it is impossible to say. That the charge of procuring the death of Henry Stiles could be brought against her seems incredible, when everyone of mature age in Windsor must have known that Henry Stiles met his death by the carelessness of Thomas Allyn, three years before. But this charge was brought against her. She was charged with other witchcrafts besides this, and it may be that she was one of those unfortunate women to whom suspicion of witchcraft clung, for reasons which cannot now be stated. The evidence upon which Lydia was convicted, and the names of the witnesses against her, are unknown. The juror's oath, the names of the jury and the names of the magistrates who heard the case are on record, as well as the indictment and the verdict. Six of the magistrates and jurymen were residents of Windsor, five of Hartford, and the rest belonged to Wethersfield. The Court considered the case in a special session beginning November 28, 1654. The jury brought in the indictment and the records seem to show that they brought in the verdict as well. These two functions of a jury are separate in our time, but in 1654 it was not so. This seems repugnant to our ideas of justice. We should like to hope that the Court proceeded after the ancient English manner, receiving the indictment from the jury, hearing the evidence and deciding in accord therewith.

The Juror's Oath You do sware by the Ever living god that you will diligently enquire & faithfully present to this Court what soe Ever you know to bee a Breach of any Established Law of this Jurisdictyon so far as may conduce to the glory of god and the good of the commonwealth as allso what Oreginall offences you shall Judge meete to be presented, as you expect helpe from god in Jesus Christ.

The Indictment Lydea Gilburt thou art here indited by that name of Lydea Gilburt that not having the feare of god before thy Eyes thou hast of late years or still dust give Entertainment to Sathan the greate Enemy of god and mankind and by his helpe hast killed the Body of Henry Styles besides other witchcrafts for which according to the law of god and the Established Law of this commonwealth thou Deservest to Dye.

The Verdict Ye party above mentioned is found guilty of witchcraft by the Jury.

All the authorities upon the witchcraft cases state that she suffered death. An accusation or even the suspicion of witchcraft was so deadly a thing that persons involved fled from the Colony in dread haste if possible. Ten years later, Katherine Harrison of Wethersfield was convicted by a jury, but public opinion had so far changed that the ministers were called in to advise, and although their advice was for technicalities only, the magistrates were divided in opinion and after a year's imprisonment Mrs. Harrison was allowed to go to Westchester in New York jurisdiction. There is no evidence that there was any intervention in behalf of Mrs. Gilbert. The governor of the Colony did not have the power of reprieve or pardon at this time. An appeal to the General Court was possible, but there is no record of such an appeal in this or in any of the witchcraft cases. An appeal to Parliament would have been beyond the means of the defendant, and impossible to obtain on other grounds. England had seen more than seventy executions in one county in the space of one year under the law of 1603. It is doubtful if Lydia Gilbert escaped. She may have suffered the penalty either in the jail yard at Hartford or more probably on the lot at the corner of Albany Avenue and Vine Street in Hartford, where the public gallows is known to have stood a little later. Perhaps the huge, ancient elm tree whose trunk and roots were removed about 1913, when in its vigor, witnessed the sad scene. It is incorrect to say, as does George L. Clark in his History of Connecticut, that the witches were hanged on the rocky ridge where Trinity College now stands. The ridge, however, was a place of execution during the Revolutionary period.

Note that the entry for the Gilbert family on pages 252-3 of volume 3 of the Encyclopedia of Connecticut Biography, History, and Momoir gives a completely incorrect accounting of who this Thomas Gilbert is.

WGA

---

She was married to Thomas Gilbert in Yardley, co. Worcester, England on Aug. 29, 1610. Her parents are unknown at this time but could be related to an Edmond "Benettes" who married Alice Pretty in the adjacent parish of King's Norton, co. Worcester, England. No other Bennetts are listed in near by parish's. Her death is not sure but could be the wife that died in Wethersfield,Conn at the same time as Thomas did.(source:English parrish records)

Children(sources as cited:Gilbert Family. pp. 9-71) 1. Thomas bp:Yardley,co., Worcester, England. Feb. 16, 1611/2 D:June 5, 1662 in Springfield, Mass. Married 3 times. Mary James; Lydia;Katherine(Chapin)Bliss , widow of Nathaniel Bliss.

2-Sarah B:about 1615 bp. records not found. married Joel Jenkins

3- (cornet) Jonathan bp:in Yardley, June 8, 1617 D:Hartford,Conn Dec.19,1682 Married twice, Mary White, Mary Wells.

4- John bp:Jan. 9, 1619/20 in Yardley. D: Dec. 29, 1690 in Hartford. Married Aymie Lord

5- Ezekiel bp: Feb. 17, 1621/2 in Yardley.

6- child buried in Yardley Nov. 3, 1624

7- Josiah/Josias bp. Nov. 27, 1625 Yardley D:Aug. 22, 1698 in Wethersfield, Conn. married twice Eizabeth Belcher, Mary (Harris) Ward

8- Obadiah bp:June 7, 1629 Yardley D: in Fairfield,Conn between Aug. 23 & Sept 16, 1674 married Elizabeth (Burr)Olmstead

There are some who believe Lydia (____) was married to Thomas the father and husband of this Elizabeth, I have to admit I did also until reading the records from the English parrish mentioned in "English Origin of Thomas Gilbert" & other web sites on him. I now am convinced that Lydia was married (2nd wife) to their son Thomas who is #1 above.. I received this note from Find A Grave member 47746591 Rae

Rae on 3 Nov 2019

Elizabeth Lydia Bennett Gilbert 1586 - 1654 1st. I want to thank you for the work you do here. 2nd. I am a 10th g.g.daughter of this woman. I disagree with your conclusion ie: I believe this Lydia was hanged in CT. 1654 as a witch. Born in Eng. , wed to Thomas Gilbert ~1614, had eight kids, came to USA ~1630, settled in Ct., has a son Thomas who wed a Lydia as 2nd wife. BUT that Lydia lived long past 1654. Every record I found matches Eliz. Lydia Bennett Gilbert(1586) as the Lydia Gilbert hanged in 1654. I research daily & love the hunt nothing is more satisfying. Anyway Thank you again for this memorial & all others you maintain. That said, I still think you are wrong in this instance. Rae Watson As I said it is one of those things in genealogy you have to research, read the material careful and draw your own conclusion about. She was a direct ancestor of mine. I have done years of research on this. I also have the transcripts from the trial

---

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/2H23-R74/elizabeth-bennett-15...

Elizabeth Bennett
1 June 1586–24 March 1654 (Age {age})

Elizabeth Bennett was born on 1 June 1586, in Ribbesford, Worcestershire, England. She married Thomas Gilbert on 29 August 1610, in Yardley, Worcestershire, England. They were the parents of at least 7 sons and 1 daughter. She died on 24 March 1654, in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America, at the age of 67, and was buried in Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America.

Spouse

Thomas Gilbert
Male
1589–1659

• 

Male

Elizabeth Bennett
Female
1586–1654

• 

Female
Marriage
29 August 1610
Yardley, Worcestershire, England

Children (8)

Thomas Gilbert
Male
1611–1662

• 

Male

Sarah Gilbert
Female
1615–1687

• 

Female

Jonathan Gilbert
Male
1617–1682

• 

Male

Corp. John Gilbert
Male
1620–1690

• 

Male

Ezekiel Gilbert
Male
1621–1664

• 

Male

Gilbert
Male
1624–1624

• 

Male

Josiah Gilbert
Male
1625–1688

• 

Male

Obadiah Gilbert Sr
Male
1629–1674

• 

Male