William Gaylord

William Gaylord was born about 1585 (The Great Migration Begins (GMB) states that he was born by about 1590 but he may have been "a few years older if his age at death as given by Grant is not an exaggeration") and was from Crewkerne, Somerset, England.

William and his family came to New England in 1630 aboard the Mary & John. Some secondary sources state that he came with a brother named John. However, GMB makes an argument that there is no evidence of such a brother and that the only mention of a "John Gallard" seems to have been an error and that there was likely no adult John Gaylord in that colony at that time.

The Gaylords settled in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, where William requested freemanship 19 October 1630 and was admitted 18 May 1631. William was a planter and a deacon (at least as early as his arrival in New England). He served on the petit jury 9 November 1630 and on the committee on the boundary between Boston and Roxbury 4 March 1633/4. He was one of four men in Dorchester who could sign town orders from 21 January 1631/2 to 2 June 1634 and was chosen selectman 2 January 1636/7 and 2 January 1637/8. He was the deputy for Dorchester to the General Court several times between 1632 and 1638 and was appointed as an assessor 2 January 1636/7.

The family moved to Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut in 1638. William was the deputy for Windsor to the General Court several times between 1639 and 1664.

The name of William's wife is unknown. However, it is known that she died 20 June 1657
in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and was buried 21 Jun 1657 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut.

William died 20 July 1673 in
Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut. His will was dated 31 January 1671/2 with codicils of 14 November 1672 ("the Lord having lengthened out my life longer than I expected") and 18 December 1672. The inventory on his estate was taken 2 August 1673.

William’s children are:

  1. Elizabeth Gaylord, married 1) Richard Birge (arrived in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, later moved to Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, juror in 1649, bur. 29 Sep 1651 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, nuncupative will 10 Sep 1651, inventory Oct 1651, administration granted to relict 19 May 1652) 5 Oct 1641 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and 2) Thomas Hoskins (son of John and (Ann?) Hoskins, freeman 6 May 1635, d. 13 Apr 1666 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, will 12 Apr 1666, inventory 21 Sep 1666) 20 Apr 1653 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, died 22 Dec 1675 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, buried 23 Dec 1675 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut. A passage from her father's will illustrates Elizabeth's character and her loving relationship with her father: "And as for my daughter Elizabeth Hoskins, of whose dutifull & Tender respect to me I have had Good Experience & Great Comfort in having by this my will disposed of part of my estate to her sonn John (whoe hath and is a great help in supporting of me in my old age), I am not able to doe for her as otherwise I would, but as a token of my love to her I give her one of my Great Kettles, the brass or Copper one, which she pleaseth." In a codicil, he also left her and cow and additional items "as a testimony of my Fatherly affection."
  2. William Gaylord, baptized 28 Dec 1617 in Crewkerne, Somerset, England, married 1) Ann Porter (d. 21 Jul 1653 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut) 24 Feb 1641[/2?] in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and 2) Elizabeth Drake (of Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, m. 2) John Elderkin 1 Mar 1660 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut) 9 Feb 1653/4 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, died 14 Dec 1656 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, inventory of his estate approved 30 Dec 1656 (according to Cutter and Stiles).
  3. Samuel Gaylord, baptized 19 Dec 1619 in Crewkerne, Somerset, England, married Elizabeth Hull (bp. 16 Oct 1625 in Crewkerne, Somerset, England to George and Thomasine (Mitchell) Hull, admitted to the church at Windsor 27 Apr 1645) 4 Dec 1646 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, took the Half-Way Covenant for his children's baptisms 28 Feb 1657, admitted church member at Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut 18 Jun 1674.
  4. John Gaylord, baptized 24 Feb 1621/2 in Crewkerne, Somerset, England, married Mary Drake (of Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, owned Half-Way Covenant 28 Feb 1657) 17 Nov 1653 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, admitted to the church at Windsor 10 Apr 1666, died 27 Apr 1699 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, inventory taken 31 May 1699, administration of his estate granted to Mary 7 Sep 1699. Coddington says that Mary Drake died 12 Jun 1683 at Windsor and that William then married Mary Clark (dau. of Daniel Clark, said to have m. 2) Jedediah Watson) 13 Dec 1683 at Windsor. The Great Migration Begins does not include Mary Clark, however, and I do not have primary documentation to support this.
  5. Joseph Gaylord, baptized 27 Dec 1624 in Crewkerne, Somerset, England.
  6. Walter Gaylord, probably born after 1624, married 1) Mary Stebbing (dau. of Edward and Frances (Tough) Stebbins, d. 29 Jun 1657 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut (just nine days after her mother-in-law), bur. Palisado Cemetery, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut) [29?] Apr 1648 in Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut and 2) Sarah Rockwell (b. 13 Apr 1665 to William Rockwell, according to Phelps and Servin, d. 17 Aug 1683 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut) 22 March 1659/[60?] in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, admitted to the church at Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut 5 May 1651, appeared in town records in Windsor being taxed on 10 Feb 1673, died 9 August 1689 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut.


The Gaylords of Crewkerne

While older secondary sources state that William Gaylord was connected to the Gaylord family of Pitminster and that they were of French descent, GMB states that there is no evidence for either.
Coddington notes that the 19 April 1634 will of one Joan Patten of Crewkerne, which left money to "William Gaylard in New England," points to Crewkerne, rather than Pitminster as William's origin.
The name Gaylord was fairly common in that part of England and Pitminster is 20-21 miles from Crewkerne, a substantial distance in that era, so a connection between the Pitminster Gaylord and a woman in Crewkerne is less likely and unproven. In fact, GMB states that "any connection between [Alice Gaylord, wife of Richard Treat, who did come from the Pitminster Gaylords] and William Gaylord would seem to be remote."
As for the connection to France, there is no solid proof of this and was rejected by Coddington. From information given by Benjamin Gaylord, the Gaylord name could have come from Norman French (as opposed to the more recent French origin suggested in earlier secondary sources) or could have been derived from the occupation of gaoler.


It is not known just how Joan Patten was connected to William Gaylord (though it has been suggested that she of an age to be an aunt). However, searches of Crewkerne and its vicinity reveal a number of Gaylords in the area:

Coddington noted several Gaylards in the parish registers of Crewkerne (besides William, who had several children christened there). I have grouped these into families, as follows:

John Gaylard, married Alce Gaylard 10 Sep 1559 in Crewkerne.

Robert Gayleard, father of one known daughter:
  1. Alce Gayleard, baptized 7 Mar 1560/1 in Crewkerne.

Joane Gaylard, married William Tanner 4 Nov 1563 in Crewkerne.

Mary Gaylard (transcribed by Coddington as Gaglard but Gaylard in the original),
married John Hanning 26 Jan 1575/6 in Crewkerne.

Amilian Gaylard, married 1) Agnes Hawkins (dau. of John Hawkins "of Perrot") 26 Oct 1584 in Crewkerne, and had children by her:
  1. (Daughter) Gaylard, died unbaptized, buried 29 Jan 1584/5 in Crewkerne.
  2. (Child) Gaylard, gender unknown, buried with its mother Agnes 19 Jan 1585/6 in Crewkerne.
Amilian married 2) Eline Cheesewaye 16 Oct 1587 in Crewkerne, and had children by her:
  1. Marie Gaylard, baptized 8 Jun 1588 in Crewkerne.
  2. John Gaylard, baptized 1 Aug 1589 in Crewkerne, buried 1 Aug 1592 in Crewkerne.
Eline (Cheesewaye) Gaylard was buried 17 Mar 1631/2 in Crewkerne.

Geffrey Gaylard, buried 21 Jan 1584/5 in Crewkerne.

Ursula Gaylard,
married John Parker 29 Jan 1585/6 in Crewkerne.

Alice Gaylard, married Anthony Chapple ("of Seavington") 26 Nov 1587 in Crewkerne.

Thomas Gaylard, buried 21 Jan 1595/6 in Crewkerne.


In Search for the Passengers of the Mary & John, a search was made of nearby towns. There were a number of Gaylards baptized in Yeovil St. John, Somerset, England but the early Gaylard baptisms (1564-1592) included no parents (Gaylard baptisms with parents are noted from 1610 to 1634). The following marriages occurred at Yeovil St. John:
Barnard Gaillard and Anne King, 23 Oct 1570
John Fathers and Jone Gallard, 29 Nov 1576
John Fraunces and Anne Geallard, 26 May 1578
Gyles Goodfare and Willmot Gaillard, 4 Nov 1583
William Gayllard and Alice Wallis, 5 Dec 1589
Anthony Griffen and Margaret Geillord, 28 Jun 1593
Thomas Gealord and Amy Locke, 1 Apr 1600
Robarte Webb and Joan Gealord, 19 Feb 1605/6
Gilles Gaielred and Cristiean Haris, 3 May 1630

Search for... also notes a John Gaylerde of Yeovil (lived there nine years but born in Chiselborough, Somerset, England, aged 23) in a 23 Mar 1574/5 deposition and an Elize Gailerd of Preston Plucknett, Somerset, England, yeoman, age 40, who was a deponent in a court case 34 Elizabeth I, Hilary (Jan 1591/2).


Sources: 

  1. Somerset Heritage Service; Taunton, Somerset, England; Reference Number: D\P\crew/2/1/1. Ancestry.com. Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: Anglican Parish Registers. Somerset Archives & Local Studies, South West Heritage Trust, Taunton, England.
  2. Connecticut Vital Records to 1870 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011.) From original typescripts, Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection, 1928.
  3. Vital Records of Hartford, Windsor and Fairfield, Connecticut, 1631 to 1691. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009.) Originally published as: Births, marriages, and deaths returned from Hartford, Windsor, and Fairfield, and entered in the early land records of the colony of Connecticut : volumes I and II of land records and no. D of colonial deeds, transcribed and edited by Edwin Stanley Welles. Hartford, Conn.: Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co, 1898.
  4. Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.
  5. Ancestry.com. Hartford, Connecticut Probate Records, 1639-1700 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Hartford District, 1635-1700. Vol. I. n.p., 1906.
  6. Author: Connecticut. Probate Court (Hartford District); Probate Place: Hartford, Connecticut. Notes: Probate Records, Vol 2-3, 1649-1677. Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Wills and Probate Records, 1609-1999 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Connecticut County, District and Probate Courts.
  7. Manwaring, Charles William, A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, vol. I (Hartford district, 1635-1700), Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1904 (reprinted 1995) , p. 555. 
  8. Cutter, William Richard, New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, Vol. 2, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913, p. 890.
  9. Cutter, William Richard, New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, Vol. 3, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914, p. 1249.
  10. Hinman, Royal Ralph, A Catalogue of the Names of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut, Hartford, CT: Press of Case, Tiffany, and Company, 1852, p. 228.
  11. Stiles, Henry Reed, The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut, vol. 2, Bloomfield, CT: Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Company, 1891.
  12. Gravestone of Mary (Stebbing) Gaylord, Palisado Cemetery, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut.

 

Records related to the William Gaylord family but not copied below due to copyright considerations:

  1. Entry for William Gaylord; Title: Great Migration Begins, Vol 2, G-O. Ancestry.com. New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data: Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Volumes 1-3; The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volumes 1-6. Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1996-2011.
  2. Coddington, John Insley, "Clues to the English Home of William Gaylord, of Dorchester, Mass., and Windsor, Conn.," The American Genealogist, vol. 17, 1940, pgs. 71-4.
  3. Coddington, John Insley, "Notes: Gaylord," The American Genealogist, vol. 30, 1954, p. 111.
  4. Gaylord, Benjamin H., "The English Ancestry of Deacon William Gaylord: New Light and Observations," The American Genealogist, 1982, vol. 58, pgs. 218-223.
  5. Call, Michel L., "The Wives of William and Walter Gaylord of Dorchester MA and Windsor CT," The American Genealogist, vol. 60, Oct 1984, pgs. 213-4.
  6. Anderson, Robert Charles, "The Wives of William and Walter Gaylord of Dorchester MA and Windsor CT: A Reprise," The American Genealogist, vol. 61, Jul/Oct 1985, pgs. 95-6.
  7. Spear, Burton W., Search for the Passengers of the Mary & John, 1630, Vol. 27, New Ancestral Discoveries, Part 3, Toledo, OH: The Mary & John Clearing House, 1999, pgs. 30-1.
  8. Entry for John Hoskins (father of Thomas Hoskins); Title: Great Migration Begins, Vol 2, G-O. Ancestry.com. New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data: Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Volumes 1-3; The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volumes 1-6. Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1996-2011.
  9. Entry for George Hull (father of Elizabeth Hull); Title: Great Migration Begins, Vol 2, G-O. Ancestry.com. New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data: Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Volumes 1-3; The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volumes 1-6. Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1996-2011.




Church Records

Name:    Willia Gaylard
[Willia[m] Gaylard]
Event Type:    Baptism
Baptism Date:    28 Dec 1617
Baptism Place:    Crewkerne, Somerset, England
Father:    Willm Gaylard

Baptism record of William Gaylard

Name:    Samuell Gaylinde
[Samuell Gaylarde]
Event Type:    Baptism
Baptism Date:    19 Dec 1619
Baptism Place:    Crewkerne, Somerset, England
Father:    Willm Gaylinde

Baptism record of Samuell Gaylarde

Name:    John Gaylarde
Event Type:    Baptism
Baptism Date:    24 Feb 1621
Baptism Place:    Crewkerne, Somerset, England
Father:    Willia Gaylarde

Baptism record of John Gaylarde

Source: Somerset Heritage Service; Taunton, Somerset, England; Reference Number: D\P\crew/2/1/1. Ancestry.com. Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: Anglican Parish Registers. Somerset Archives & Local Studies, South West Heritage Trust, Taunton, England.


Town Records

Windsor
Gaylord
William. Jr. , m. Ann Porter, Feb. 24, 1641
Walter, adult, adm. ch. May 5, [16]51
Ann, w. William. Jr. , d. July 21, 1653
William. m. Elisabeth Drake, b. of Windsor, Feb. 9, 1653
John, m. Mary Drake, b. of Windsor, Nov. 17, 1655
William. the younger, d. Dec. 14, 1656
William. Sr. , his w. [ ], d. June 20, 1657; bd. June 21, 1657
Walter, his w. [ ], d. June 29, 1657
Walter, m. 2nd w. Sarah Rockwell, Mar. 22, 1658 (Original volume: MG); Walter, m. Sarah Rockwell, b. of Windsor, Mar. 22, 1659/60 (Original volume/page: 1:56)
Elizabeth, wid. of Windsor, m. John Elderkin, of New London, Mar. 1, 1660
Walter, taxed 4-0 on Feb. 10, [16]73
John, sr. , d. Apr. 27, 1699

Windsor
Birge
Richard, m. Elizabeth Gaylord, Oct 5, 1641
Richard, d. [ ];bd. Sept 29, 1651

Windsor
Hoskins
Elizabeth, wid. , d. Dec. 22, 1675; bd. Dec. 23, 1675

Source: Connecticut Vital Records to 1870 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011.) From original typescripts, Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection, 1928.



Winsor, Folio 159. Marriages.
Thomas Hofkins & Elizabeth Birg widdow both of Winfor were married Aprill 20 1653

Deaths in Windsor
Sarah wife of walter gaylor dyed Augst 17 1683
Walter gaylord dyed Auguft 9 1689

Parsons dead in Windsor
Thomas Hofkins dyed Aprell 13 1666

Source: Vital Records of Hartford, Windsor and Fairfield, Connecticut, 1631 to 1691. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009.) Originally published as: Births, marriages, and deaths returned from Hartford, Windsor, and Fairfield, and entered in the early land records of the colony of Connecticut : volumes I and II of land records and no. D of colonial deeds, transcribed and edited by Edwin Stanley Welles. Hartford, Conn.: Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co, 1898.
Note: To modern eyes, the letter S in this era often looks similar to a lowercase letter F (but without the crossbar). "Hofkins" and "Winfor" should probably have been transcribed as "Hoskins" and "Winsor." MB


Name:    Water Gaylord
[Water Gaylor, Gayler]
Marriage Date:    29 Apr 1648
Marriage Place:    Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Spouse:    Mary Stebbing

Source: Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.


Probate Records

Name:    Deacon William Gaylord
Location:    Windsor
Date of Will:    31 Jan 1671
Page:    106
Full Text:    Died 20 July, 1673. Invt. œ296-17-06. Taken by Benjamin Newbery, Henry Wolcott, Jr., & Thomas Stoughton. Will dated 31 January, 1671.I William Gaylord of Windsor, seriously considering my age, do declare this to be my last Will and Testament: I give unto my sone John Gaylord, his heirs & assigns forever, upon the these Conditions hereafter expressed, all my houseing & Home Lott & orchard as it Lyes, Bounded westerly by the comon high way & Easterly By the meadow, Northerly By the House Lott of Mr. Henry Wolcott & Southerly by the Land of my Daughter Hoskins, provided my sonn John Gaylord freely resigns up his propriety in his owne dwelling house & Barne & orchard & Land, viz., all that is now inclosed with in his fence on the west side of the high way, to my grand sonn John Birge, to be to him and his heirs & assigns forever, imediatly after my decease. But if my sonn John shall refuse to make the exchange, then my will is that my grand sonn John Birge, his heirs & assigns forever, shall possess & injoy my house & Home Lott as it is bounded above. I doe also give unto my beloved sonn John Gaylord & my beloved grandsonn John Birge my meadow Lott in the Great meadow, containing by estimation 16 Acres be it more or less, to be divided between them. I doe give to my Grand Sonn John Birge one parcell of Land I bought of Mr Hanaford, lying on the east side of the great river, being in bredth Tenn rodds, to run the whole Length I purchased. I doe give unto Hezikiah Gaylord, my grand sonn (whoe now lives wth my sonn John) fower rodd in bredth of my Lott over the great River that Lyeth next to the Land I gave his father, there to runn from the great River to the end of the Bounds. I doe give unto my sonn Walter Gaylord of my Lott on the east side of the great River, Ten rod in bredth, to runn ffrom the great River to the end of the Bounds, the Ten rodd to ly next to what I have given Hezekiah my Grand Sonn. I doe give unto my Sonn Samuel Gaylord of my Lott on the east side the great River, Ten rodd in bredth, to runn from the great River to the end of the Bounds. This Tenn rodds to lye next to what I have given to Walter. To my son John I doe give the remaining part of my whole Lott on the east side of the great River, wth the Barne Standing thereon, all that part of my Lott from what I have given to my sonn Samuel to Mr Humphrey Pinneys Lott. And as for my daughter Elizabeth Hoskins, of whose dutifull & Tender respect to me I have had Good Experience & Great Comfort in having by this my will disposed of part of my estate to her sonn John (whoe hath and is a great help in supporting of me in my old age), I am not able to doe for her as otherwise I would, but as a token of my love to her I give her one of my Great Kettles, the brass or Copper one, which she pleaseth. I doe appoint my sonn John Gaylord to be sole executor. And doe desire Capt. Benjamin Newbery & John Allyn of Hartford to be overseers.Witness: John Allyn, Benjamin Newbery.William Gaylord.Codicil, dated 14 November, 1672: I give, as a testimony of my Fatherly affection, to my daughter Elizabeth Hoskins, one of my Cowes, which she shall choose, and my brass skillett & a pewter platter & a large pewter bason & the bigger of the Brass milk pans.Witness: Daniel Clarke, Benjamin Newbery.William X Gaylord.There was a later Codicil, date 18 December, 1672, in which his daughter Birge is mentioned.
Source:    A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.1663 to 1677.

Name:    Richard Birge
Location:    Windsor
Date of Will:    Oct 1651
Page:    34-5-6
Full Text:    Invt. œ174-00-00. Taken October, 1651, by Danuell Clarke & John Moore. The children: Daniel, b. 24 November, 1644; Elizabeth, 28 July, 1646; Jeremiah, 6 May, 1648; John, 14 January, 1649; & Joseph, bapt. 2 November, 1651. (W. R.) Nuncupative Will, dated 10 September, 1651. The last Will & Testament of Richard Birge, late of Windsor, Decd: I give to my wife Elizabeth Birge 1-3 part of my Estate, and the other 2 parts to my Children, only my son Danyell a double portion. William Gaylor, Jr., also Benedictus Alford & Robert Haward, to be Overseers.Witness: Robert Hawarth, William Phelps.Richard Birge.Court Record, Page 33--19 May, 1652: Adms, granted to the Relict.
Source:    A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.1650 to 1663.

Name:    Thomas Hoskins
Location:    Windsor
Date of Will:    21 Sep 1666
Page:    32
Full Text:    Invt. œ450-09-02. Taken 21 September, 1666, by John Moore sen., Matthew Grant, Thomas Stoughton, John Gaylord.This is the Last wil and testament of Mr. Thomas Hosken of Winsor in conecticut: I do lef my hol estat to my wif elesebeth hoskens for her bringing op of her children, but when my son John Hoskens shal com to ye aig of to and twenti yers, then it is my will that he shal haf half of my estat, and the other half I do lef to his mother elisabeth hoskens. Al so do gif to Joseph (Birge) ten pound, to be paid as his mother shal be abel. Al so tis my will and dasier that good man grant senur and my brother John Gailord be my ofer seers. And her to I do set my hand this present 12 April, 1666.Thomas X. Hoskins.Witness: John Gaylord, Joseph Gaylord.
Source:    A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.1663 to 1677.

Source: Ancestry.com. Hartford, Connecticut Probate Records, 1639-1700 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Hartford District, 1635-1700. Vol. I. n.p., 1906.


Will of Richard Birge (right-click and choose "Open in a New Tab" to view a larger version of this image):
The will of Richard Birge

Source: Author: Connecticut. Probate Court (Hartford District); Probate Place: Hartford, Connecticut. Notes: Probate Records, Vol 2-3, 1649-1677. Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Wills and Probate Records, 1609-1999 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Connecticut County, District and Probate Courts.


Page 128.
Gaylord, John, Windsor. Died 29 April, 1699. Invt. £432-12-00. Taken 31 May, 1699, by Job Drake and Nathaniel Gaylord. The children: John, Mary & Ann.
Court Record, Page 104 — 7 September, 1699 : Adms. to Mary the Relict & Job Drake. Recognizance, £300.
Page 124 — 7 March, 1699-1700: Job Drake and Mary, the Relict of John Gaylord deceased, present to the Court an account of debts due from the Estate. And Whereas, Jedediah Watson hath married the Relict of John Gaylord and thereby become obliged as an Administrator on the fore sd. Estate, in Court he accepted that Trust with Bond of £300.
Page 95 — (Vol. VII) 7 July, 1707: Ann Gaylord, a minor, 15 years of age, daughter of John Gaylord, late of Windsor Deed, appeared before this Court and made choice of Jedediah Watson, her father-in-law, to be her Guardian.
Page 103 — 7 January, 1707-8: John and Mary Gaylord made an Agreement for the Division of the Estate of their Father John Gaylor Deed, which the Court doth allow.
Page 5 — (Vol. VIII) 6 February, 1709-10: John Gaylord of Windsor, son of John Gaylord late of Windsor deed, and Ebenezer Bliss of Springfield, who married Mary Gaylord, daughter of sd. Deed, made Application to this Court for an Order of Division of that part of the Estate which was allotted to and intended for Ann Gaylord, now Deed. This Court order 2-3 thereof to John Gaylord and 1-3 to Ebenezer Bliss and Mary his wife.

Source: Manwaring, Charles William, A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, vol. I (Hartford district, 1635-1700), Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1904 (reprinted 1995) , p. 555.


Stiles's The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor

Sketch of William Gaylord family from The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut
Sketch of William and Walter Gaylord families from The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut
Sketch of Walter and Samuel Gaylord families from The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut
Sketch of John Gaylord family from The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut

Source: Stiles, Henry Reed, The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut, vol. 2, Bloomfield, CT: Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Company, 1891.


Cutter's Genealogical and Personal Memoirs

GAYLORD
The name is of French origin, and was carried from Normandy to Glastonbury, England, and later from Devonshire, England, to America. In the original French it is spelled Gaillard, and has undergone various modifications in its movement from France to America.

(I) Deacon William Gaylord, born about 1535, was probably the first settler of his name in America, and arrived at Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1630, accompanied by his brother John, who is supposed to have returned to England. He was one of the first deacons of the Dorchester church, and with Deacon Samuel Rockwell signed the first Dorchester land grants. He had land in that town before 1633, was selectman and deputy in 1635, and removed to Windsor, same colony, in 1638. From the Windsor plantation he received a grant on Christmas Day, 1654, of a home lot with additions to it and his dwelling house upon it, containing about twenty-one acres. By a second allotment and partly by purchase he secured land on the east side of the Connecticut river, extending fifty-eight rods along that stream and three miles to the eastward. He was elected a member of the general court from Windsor at forty-one semi-annual sessions, and was a man of much influence in the community. He died July 20, 1673, aged eighty-eight years, and his wife died June 20, 1657. No record appears to show her name. His children, all born in England were: Elizabeth, William, Walter, Samuel and John.

(II) William (2), son of William (I) Gaylord, was probably an adult when he came with his father from England. In 1654 he was interested in a purchase of land on the east side of the river in Windsor. He had an original grant of a home lot eighteen rods wide, whose south line was the original north line of Chief Justice Ellsworth's place. He died December 14, 1656, and the inventory of his estate was approved 30th of same month, including a house lot of nine acres with house and orchard, valued at seventy-five pounds ten shillings; five acres of meadow adjoining with seed in the ground of one acre, value twenty-one pounds; a strip on the east side of the river twenty rods in breadth and three miles in length, twenty-eight pounds; another sixteen rods wide, value fifteen pounds: total estate three hundred sixty-four pounds eleven shillings. He married (first) February 24, 1641, Ann Porter, died in 1653; (second) February 9, 1654, Elizabeth, daughter of John Drake. She survived him and married (second) John Elderkin, of Norwich, Connecticut, in 1660. His children were : Ann, Hannah, John, William, Hezekiah, Josiah and Nathaniel.

Source: Cutter, William Richard, New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, Vol. 2, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913, p. 890.


(I) Richard Birge, the immigrant ancestor, was the first of the name to settle on American shores. He arrived in Dorchester, Massachusetts. At this time he appears to have been a young man less than twenty-one years of age. In 1640, with Rev. John Wareham, of whose church he was a member, he joined the colony which established the first settlement in Windsor, Connecticut. In the early records his name was spelled Burge, Birdge and Birge, and they show that he owned a large amount of land as early as 1640. In addition to a home lot in Windsor, he had sixteen acres "beyond the second pine plane" on the west side of the mill brook, eight and one-quarter acres on the side of "Pine Hill" and many other parcels of land on both sides of the river before 1646. His son Daniel inherited most of this land. He was a farmer, and that he was a devout Puritan is shown by his connection with Rev. John Wareham. His wealth proves that he was a prudent and careful man. On October 5, 1641, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. William Gaylord. She married (second) Thomas Hoskins, of Windsor. Richard Birge died in 1651. Jeremiah, son of Richard Birge, agreed with his step-father, Thomas Hoskins, that he would serve him faithfully until he came of age, the consideration being that Hoskins convey to him a certain piece of land, and if Jeremiah should die before he came of age his brother John should serve the rest of the term. Jeremiah died at the age of twenty years, so that John finished the term and received the land. Children of Richard and Elizabeth (Gaylord) Birge: 1. John, born in 1642. died in 1643. 2. Daniel, see forward. 3. Elizabeth, born July 28, 1646, died in infancy. 4. Jeremiah, born May 6, 1648. 5. John, born January 14, 1649. 6. Joseph, born November 2, 1651, died July 18, 1705.

Source: Cutter, William Richard, New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, Vol. 3, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914, p. 1249.


Hinman's Catalogue of the Names of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut

BIRGE, RICHARD, was one of the early settlers and pioneers from Mass., to Windsor; he came from Dorchester, Mass., with Mr. Warham, a member of his church. He had a home lot in Windsor, Feb. 6, 1640. He also had sixteen acres " beyond the 2d Pine plain, west side of Mill brook, and eight acres south of Mill brook ; eight and one-fourth acres on the side of Pine Hill," and many other lots of land on both sides of the river, most of which is afterwards found in possession of his son Daniel Birge; deeds dated before 1646. Richard purchased land in Windsor of Nathan Gillet, in 1644, and assigned it to Daniel Birge, he also purchased land of James Enno, of Windsor, in 1647. Richard, Sen., was Juror in 1649. He was a large landholder and farmer. This name is spelled on the records, Burge, Birdge, Birydge and Birge. Richard Birge, m. Elizabeth Gaylord, daughter of Hon. William, Oct. 5, 1641, and had issue; John, b. 1642, d. 1643; Daniel, b. Nov. 24, 1644; Elizabeth, b. July 28, 1646, d. soon; Jeremy, b. May 6, 1648 ; John, b. Jan. 14, 1649; Joseph, b. Nov. 2, 1651, d. July, 1705; Richard, d. Dec, 1651 ; Elizabeth, his widow, m. for her second husband, Thomas Hoskins, of Windsor. Jeremy after the death of his father Richard, viz., Dec. 19, 1663, contracted with his father-in-law Thomas Hoskins, to serve him until he became 21 years old, but he d. at the age of 20 years and six months, and if Jeremiah d. before he was of age, his brother John was to serve out the time of Jeremy, which John performed and had the benefit of the land under the contract.

Source: Hinman, Royal Ralph, A Catalogue of the Names of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut, Hartford, CT: Press of Case, Tiffany, and Company, 1852, p. 228.


Gravestones

Gravestone of Mary (Stebbing) Gaylord, Palisado Cemetery, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut (Photo credit: Jeffrey Alan Mills, findagrave.com - the photographer noted that the stone was in deep shade and that a mirror was needed to make the inscription legible, so the lighting and coloring is due to the reflection of the mirror):
Gravestone of Mary (Stebbing) Gaylord
Note that this stone may have been placed 40 or 50 years after Mary's death (see TAG 60:213-4).




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Author: Michelle A. Boyd

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Last updated 31 July 2018