Ralph GORHAM

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Son of James Gorham and Agnes Bernington

Notes:

Name:
Ralph Gorham of Benefield, Northamptonshire, England, and his son John, were established in Plymouth colony before October 1637.

Of the former, little is known. The parish register in Benefield shows that he was born in 1575, the son of James and Agnes Bernington. he was of the Puritan faith, and apparently lived and died in Plymouth colony. An interesting entry appears in a diary of his great, great grandson, Colonel John Gorham, of Massachusetts (Shubael, John, Captain John). During the siege of Louisburg, he recorded in his "Wast Book", under the date of 1745, the following:

THE RISE OF YE FAMILY OF GORHAMS TAKEN FROM CAPTAIN GEORGE GORHAM

"My Great Great Grandfather & Family came out of Some part of England and lived att Marshfield and Had one son Nam'd after him John Gorum, alias Gorham--which Son after Having Marryed With an Howland and had Sevrall Children Went Home to England and Returnd Soone again to his family--
His Father Lived & Dyed att Marshfield and Whats Remarkable He was a Joyner and made his Coffin himself for sevrall Year before he Dyed and used to Keep apples in it as a Chest Untill he dyed & used t." (Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 5, July 1903)

His name appears again on 4 June 1639, and 5 April 1642. At the latter date he was 67 years of age. Because there are no other records concerning him, and because his name does not appear on the list of those fit for military duty in 1643, it is supposed that he died soon after the last entry, April 1642.

Ralph married Margaret STEPHENSON on 23 May 1610 in Benefield, Northamptonshire, England. Margaret was born in Bennefield, Northampton, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Ralph GORHAM was born in Benefield, Northampton, England.
2. Capt John GORHAM was christened on 28 Jan 1621 in Benefield, Nrthampton, England; died on 05 Feb 1675/6 in Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts.