Jonathan GATES

Jonathan married Elizabeth FARWELL between 12 Jan 1730 and 1731 in Groton, Mass.. Elizabeth (daughter of William FARWELL and Elizabeth ?) was born on 02 Nov 1713 in Harvard, Massachusetts; died on 27 Nov 1794 in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Elizabeth GATES was born on 08 Oct 1736 in Stow, Massachusetts; died on 24 Aug 1822 in Harvard, Massachusetts.

Isaac married Mercy BENJAMIN on 02 Jul 1696 in Concord, Middlesex Co.,Masachusetts. Mercy (daughter of Joseph BENJAMIN and Sarah CLARK) was born on 12 Mar 1674 in Yarmouth, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1638, From England with parents
• Will: 05 Sep 1701, Stow, Middlesex Co., Mass
• Will Proved: 15 Sep 1707, Stow, Middlesex Co., Mass

Notes:

Stephen came to this country with his parents, locating in the town of Hingham, Massachusetts. Later he removed to Boston. But in 1673 bought a tract of 300 acres of land on the Assabet river, in the town of Stow, and ws one of the first proprietors of that town. His brother Thomas also located at Stow, and the name of Gates has been numerous there. He was one of the early proprietors of the town of Preston, Connecticut, and some of his children settled there. He remained in Stow. His will was dated September 5, 1701, and proved in 1707.

Stephen married Sarah WOODWARD about 1664 in Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of George WOODWARD and Mary ?) was born on 03 Feb 1642/3 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; died after 15 Sep 1707 in Stow, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Sarah CLARK before 7 Dec 1668. Sarah was born about 1646 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts; died after 02 Aug 1716 in Preston City, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 26 Dec 1597, Coney Weston, Suffolk, England
• Birth: 1600, Norwich, England; Norwich, Norfolk, England
• Immigration: 1638, From Hingham, England to America

Notes:

I originally had Thomas Gates as the son of Peter and Mary Josselyn. However, after reading "the English Origins of Stephen Gates, 1638 Immigrant to Massachusetts, by Edward J. Harrison) (NEGH Jan2006, vol. 160) challenged Stephen's descent from Peter Gates and Mary Josselyn. Based on the dates given, it is impossible for Peter (born circa 1583) and Mary to be the grandparents of Stephen who was born circa 1600. The entries in the Hingham parish registers show no evidence that Stephen's father was named Thomas.

The Gates family is one of the ancient Colonial families of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the progenitor of the branch of the family here considered having been conspicuous in the early settlement of several of the towns in Massachusetts, which state has since been the home of numerous of his descendants, many of whom have been the leading spirits in their several communities, among whom may be mentioned the late Samuel Pearly Gates, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, who broad charity, benevolence and high efficiency easily made him in many ways the guardian and counsellor of that community.
Stephen, the first of the name in New England was a native of England, born at Norwich, in the county of Norfolk, the son of Thomas Gates. Stephen came to New England in the ship "Diligent", in 1638. He settled first at Hingham, Massachusetts. He was accompanied by his wife and children. In1652 he located at Cambridge, and later at Lancaster, where he was one of the largest proprietors of the town, and was one of the petitioners for its incorporation in 1654; he was also constable there in 1657. Returning to Cambridge he spent the remainder of his life there where he died in 1662. He was admitted a freeman May 14, 1656, He was in Lancaster in 1656 and for a few years afterward, but disagreed with some of his neighbors and left town, returning to Cambridge. His will was dated June 9, 1662, and proved November 24, 1662.

Excerpt from "New England Historical and Genealogical Register": He settled in Hingham, Mass., where he received a grant of three acres for a house lot, twelve acres for a "greate Lott,: and a three acre planting lot. His house lot was on Town (now North) Street and was bounded on the north by the street, on the east by William Buckland's land and upon the west by the town swamp. In 1647 he received a grant of half an acre of salt marsh. On 26 June 1648 he sold his house lot, etc., to William Hersey, but remained in town for some time before his removal. Stephen Gates and his wife probably did not become members of the Hingham Church until about 3 May 1646, when their children Simon, Thomas, Isaac and REbecca were baptized. Birth dates of the children are not found in the Hingham town records...... In 1658 there was trouble between the Gates and Whitcomb families due to the fact that three sons of JOhn Whitcomb had killed three swine belonging to Stephen Gates. Whitcomb agreed to pay for the swine, but afterwared sought to be released from paying, claiming that he was "aged & Weak and mean in estate." The court decided that he must pay for the swine. It is stated that Stephen Gates was deprived of his constable's staff. This probably occurred after his failure to nitify the voters about the meeting, to which reference has been made. At the time of the Gates-Whitcomb trouble Stephen Gates was living in Sudbury, Mass..

Name:
Coneyweston.onesuffolk.net

by Margaret Mason
History recorder, Coney Weston/Knettishall

STEPHEN GATES
CONEY WESTON, SUFFOLK, ENGLAND

In June 1638 the ship "Diligent" sailed from Ipswich, Suffolk, England and arrived on August 10th 1638 at Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The majority on board were families from Hingham, Norfolk.

The passenger list included, STEPHEN GATES OF CONEY WESTON, his wife Anne, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary. He also had a four year old son Stephen who does not appear on the passenger list although he was later baptised at Hingham Massachusetts.

Stephen and Anne settled in Hingham MA, they had four more children who were baptised at Hingham church. Later the family moved to Lancaster MA, and finally Cambridge MA.

the founders of Hingham, Massachusetts left their original homes seeking a better life, free from discipline of the High Church, many selling their possessions for a fraction of their value. Hingham, Norfolk was forced to petition Parliament for aid, claiming that the departure of it's most wealthy citizens had left the town destitute.

Hingham, MA, originally called Bare Cove, grew through the efforts and determination of a handful of people to become a major port of entry, as well as a thriving fishing port.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SURNAME GATES

Two miles north of Coney Weston is the Little Ouse River is the border between Suffolk and Norfolk. There is a bridge across the river and on the Norfolk side is a tiny hamlet called "Gasthorpe". In 1066 its ancient name was "Gates thorpe"(1). In the Iveaugh-Phillips manuscripts dated 1463 there are references to land "be twyx" the 'Gatys' (2). As surnames evolved from a persons trade or place of origin and the fact that STEPHEN GAGTES father's name was in some instances written as GATYS there is a strong possibility that the GATES family originated from Gasthorpe.

After 1198 and before 1346 these three names occur in Gasthorpe:

Warine De Gatesthorp (3)
Sir Adam De Gatesthorp (3)
Sir John De Gatesthorp (3)

1300 Massive sandstorm, Gasthorpe & Knettishall deserted

Sources:
(1) Thorpe: Old Norse for tiny hamlet
(2) Held at Suffolk Records office Ipswich.
(3) An Essay towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk volume I Author Francis Blomefield. Year published 1805. pp 250-254

Stephen married Ann BEARE on 05 May 1628 in Hingham, Norfolk, England. Ann was born about 1603 in Norwich, England; died on 19 Feb 1682 in Stow, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
E-mail from Margaret Mason, dated 7/31/2013 states the following:

"The surname VEARE is most probably BEARE. I have studied the original and have a copy of the Parish Registers for Hackford/Reepham held at Norwich Records Office which gives the marriage of Stephen GATES Ann BEARE 5th May 1628. It is difficult to read and can see why the B was mistaken for V. The surname BEARE is quite common in that area."

Because of this e-mail, I will be making the change from VEARE to BEARE, unless further proof proves otherwise.

Notes:

Name:
George Woodward came to America with his parents in 1634, then aged 15 years. he was admitted freeman in Watertown, Mass., may 6, 1646. He was Selectman in 1674. Adm. was granted on his estate June 20, 1676, to widow, Elizabeth, and son Amos.

Elizabeth (Hammond) Woodward inherited 100 acres of land in the bounds of Brookline, Mass., by will of her father, Nov 5, 1675.

George married Mary ? before 1641 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Mary died before 17 Aug 1659 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Abigail EDDY about 1619 in England. Abigail (daughter of Rev. William EDDYE and Mary FOSTEN) was christened in Oct 1601 in Cranbrook, co. Kent, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]