Solomon Gates

From “The New England Historical and Genealogical Register”, July 1966 (vol. 120, pg. 161)

Stephen Gates of Hingham, Lancaster and Cambridge, Mass., and Some of His Descendants by the late Clarence Almon Torrey, Ph.B.

Solomon Gates was born in Marlborough, MA, 14 May 1721; died in Worcester, MA 2 March 1761.

He married in Worcester, 10 Nov. 1748 Mary Clark, who died 7 Aug. 1773. Mary (Clark) Gates married, 2nd, in Worcester, 29 Oct. 1765, Deacon Jonathan Stone.

Solomon was in military service as a sentinel from 8 Aug. to 26 Aug., probably in 1748, under Maj. Daniel Heywood. The company "marched on an alarm to the defense of Western Frontiers by order of Col. J. Chandler" (Massachussetts Archives: Muster Rolls, vol. 92, p. 135).

His will, dated 27 Feb. 1761, was filed for probate 16 March 1761. He mentioned his wife, Mary; sons Samuel, Paul, Silas and James. His wife, Mary, and his brothers, Simon and Stephen, were appointed executors.

Children, all born in Worcester, MA:

Sarah, b. 3 Aug. 1749; not mentioned in her father's will.

Samuel, b. 1 Jan. 1750/1; living in New Salem, MA, 14 Nov. 1782, when he singed a deed (Worcester County Deeds, vol. 92, p. 80).

Mary, b. 19 Jan. 1753; not mentioned in her father's will.

Paul, b. 12 Dec. 1754; d. in Franklin, VT, 25 June 1826; m. there 29 Nove. 1792, Zerviah Spooner, who was born in Petersham, MA, 28 April 1767, and died in Franklin on 3 Jan. 1841. He was the 1st town treasurer of Franklin.

Silas, b. 1 Dec. 1756; d. in Newfane, VT, 21 Aug. 1828 (gravestsone); m. in Dummerston, VT, 4 Dec. 1781, Mary Laughton, who was born in Rutland, VT, 20 March 1764.

James, b. 29 Jan. 1759; bapt. (incorrectly as Joseph) 11 Feb. 1759; d. unmarried and intestate in Petersham, MA, 6 Feb. 1820. His brother, Silas of Newfane, VT, declined administration, 28 Feb. 1820. He was a soldier in the American Revolution.