Jonathan GILBERT

Notes:

Excerpts from Amos Richardson of Boston and Stonington: Jonathan was so wayward in his early manhood that his father left him a smaller share of his estate than his brothers. After his father's death he applied to the court for relief, saying that he had become fully reconciled to his father, who had approved of his marriage. The court, with the consent of Mrs. Gilbert, his stepmother, granted him a considerable increase from his father's estate. He married Dorothy Stow, daughter of Rev. Samuel, of Middletown. He had ten children, recorded at Middletown.

Jonathan married Dorothy STOW on 22 Jun 1679 in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, USA. Dorothy was born on 01 Aug 1659 in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, USA; died on 14 Jul 1698 in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1616

Notes:

Excerpt from "Amos Richardson of Boston and Stonington": Jonathan Gilbert, born in England about 1616, was a land owner at Hartford, Conn., in 1645. He died there December 10, 1682, aged 64. It is probable that he had been in the colony a number of years , as in 1646 he was engaged in difficult negotiations with Uncas and other Indian chiefs, and as an interpreter with the Indians in April 1647. Savage says: "William Gilbert, of Windsor, 1640, was perhaps the father of Jonathan, Thomas, John, Josiah and Obadiah, but no proof."
Thomas, of Windsor and Springfield; John, of Hartford, and Josiah, of Wethersfield, were known to have been his brothers, and according to family tradition Obadiah, of Fairfield, was also. He married first, Mary, daughter of Elder John White, Jan. 29, 1645-6. She died in 1650 and he married second, Mary, daughter of Hugh and Frances Wells and niece of Governor Thomas Wells.

His second wife was remarkable for her prudence and energy, which contributed greatly to his success, and who was honored in the lives of her children. He died Dec. 10, 1682, aged 64, and his second wife July 3, 1700 aged 74. they lie side by side in the ancient burial place at Hartford.

Jonathan Gilbert was the chief inn-holder of Hartford, and in his house the General Court usually met when they did not sit at the meeting-house. Mrs. Gilbert conducted the inn for many years after her husband's death.
He was a man of business, respectability and enterprise, engaged in the trade and coasting business of the young colonies, possessed of great wealth for the day, collector of customs at Hartford, Marshall of the Colony. He acquired large tracts of land in the different settlements, which he subsequently divided among his children.

Name:
Where he came from and who his parents were, is not definitely known but he and all his brothers and a sister shared in the estate of "Thomas Gilbert" and it seems likely he was their father. In January, 1654, the town allowed him to "sett up a waire-house: att the common Landing Place," and in 1658 he was one of the "Troopers" under Maj. John Mason; was townsman several times from 1659 to 1679, inclusive; Marshall of the colony; Deputy to the General Court, and collector of Customs at Hartford. In May, 1662, the General Court granted liberty "to ye Marshall, Jonathan Gilbert to keep an Ordinary at his house at Cold spring for releiueing of Travellers", etc. His most important services were rendered in dealing with the Indians, whose language he was well acquainted with, and he served constantly as intermediary between them and the English Government. In 1661, the General Court granted him 300 acres of upland and 50 acres of meadow, doubtless for such services. It was to him, as Marshal of the Colony, that was addressed the Royal Search Warrant of Charles II for the apprehension of the regicides, Goffe and Whalley. He was a man of the most resolute bravery and was generally called upon to lead in time of danger. He was also a man of business capacity, respectable and enterprising; he was engaged in trade and in the coasting business and acquired what was the thought great wealth. He had large tracts of land in the different settlements. Savage says of him---"He was a man of distinction and kept an inn."

Jonathan married Mary WHITE on 29 Jan 1645/6 in Hartford, Hartford County,Connecticut. Mary (daughter of Elder John WHITE and Mary LEVETT) was christened on 16 Jul 1626 in Messing, Essex, England; died about 1650. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]