Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Gatchell/Getchell Descendants

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Gatchell/Getchell Descendants

Generation No. 2

2. JOHN² GATCHELL (UNKNOWN FATHER¹) was born Abt. 1611 in prob. West Monkton, Somerset, England, and died Aft. Mar 1683/84. He married WIBERA. She was born 1619, and died 1684.

Notes for JOHN GATCHELL:
From the 1909 "Family of Samuel Getchell" by Everett Lamont Getchell:
John and Samuel Getchell came to Salem, Massachusetts, in 1636. John settled in Marblehead, Massachusetts, where he had numerous family, and where many descendants lived for several generations.

In July 1879, Henry F. Waters wrote in the New England Historical and Genealogical Review (spelling recorded as presented): The Gatchell family were evidently not of puritan strain, as is shown ... by the following extract from the Salem Records: At "a Towne meeting this 21th of the 6th month 1637" -- "John Gatshell is fyend tenn shillings for building vpon the Towne ground wth out leaue, and in case he shall cutt of his lonng har of his head in to seuill frame in the mean time, shall haue abated fiue shillings, his fien to be paid in to the Towne meeting wth in too monthes from this time and haue leave to go on in his belding in the meane time."

As for the locality of John Gatchell's birth, it appears implied by the "Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English Emigrants to New England, 1620-1650" by Charles Edward Banks (1967). It appears clear that their ship came from the West Monkton area, and there is also other evidence of a significant Gatchell family presence in West Monkton at the correct time. However, apparently there are no definitive birth records proving the locality or parentage of the birth for John Gatchell or his brother Samuel Gatchell. Consequently, the presumed birth of John Gatchell and his brother in the West Monkton locality is based largely on circumstantial evidence.

David A. Getchell's 1991 Getchell Genealogy also concludes the brothers John and Samuel were "probably" born in West Monkton, as they came from this locality in 1636. This work cites records in England of a large Gatchell farm in this area divided into two areas of 500 acres each and known as Upper and Lower Clavelsleigh. This work also indicates that this farm was in the hands of a Henry Gatchell, the sheriff of the county, during the 17th century, and it mentions that Henry Gatchell had a brother Thomas, that neither Henry nor Thomas had male descendants, so consequently this farm property was passed to daughters who had married men by the names of Popham, Sanford and Fytch. Perhaps, however, Henry or Thomas did have sons, but maybe they left the local area for America.

Other Gatchell/Getchell researchers have claimed that Henry's brother Thomas married a Susan Peach and that they are the parents of both John and Samuel Gatchell. But apparently there is no direct evidence to support this conclusion.

According to the "History of Salem", Vol. III (1671-1716), on pages 184-188, John Gatchell's family was directly involved in the March 6, 1683/1684 "great Corwin burglary", in which the wealthy Captain George Corwin was robbed of a sizable sum of money.

In all, a total equal to Ł500 of English, New England and Spanish money was stolen during the night from the house of Captain George Corwin. The "History of Salem" claims that the 24-year-old Elizabeth (Lord) Godsoe conceived the plan to enter Captain Corwin's house and steal his money. Mrs. Godsoe had worked as a servant for Captain Corwin, and consequently she knew where he kep his money. She then convinced her husband William Godsoe and his associates to sneak into the house at night and escape with the money. Godsoe, the 28-year-old John Collier, Nathaniel Pickman and David, "a negro belonging to John Pilgrim" joined together in the attempt.

On the night of March 6th, the group went to Captain Corwin's house with a ladder. John Collier entered through a closet window and found a parcel of New England money and five bags, which he handed to his partners through the casement window, and then they escaped back to Godsoe's house. The "History of Salem" does not mention any of the Gatchell family as participating in the actual theft, but does mention a "Gatchell" as carrying away English and Spanish money "to Stage Point".

At any rate, the Gatchell family involvement must have been significant. When the perpetrators were caught and brought before the Salem court later in June, John Gatchell, his wife Wibera and his son Thomas were among the group of people charged in connection with the burglary. A Bethiah Gatchell was also charged, and she could have been the wife of John's son Samuel. A Joseph Gatchell was named during the subsequent trial's questioning of the accused, and this Joseph was likely another of John's sons. Others charged in the crime included Nathaniel Pickman, John Collier, William Lord, Sr., Reuben Guppy, Jane Lord, Abigail Guppy, Deborah Winter, Richard Harris, Thomas Russell, William Godsoe and David ("Mr. Pilgrim's negro").

The History of Salem account, which was written by Sidney Perley in the 1920s, indicates that many of these individuals were convicted for their part in this crime. The stiffest punishment was meted out to William Godsoe and his wife Elizabeth, who originally conceived the crime. They were each branded with the letter 'B' on their forehead, whipped 39 lashes and fined Ł10. Among the others, both John Gatchell and his son Thomas Gatchell were convicted for their part as accessories to the burglary. They were each ordered to pay treble damages, be whipped severely 39 lashes or pay Ł10.

Notes for WIBERA:
There are multiple spellings for Wibera's name in multiple references. These include Wiber, Wayburrow, Wribrough, Wibra, etc. in historical records and probate files in Essex County records. According to Theodore Gatchell in March 16, 1979, there was rumor ever since John married her, that Wibera was an Indian woman.

Children of JOHN GATCHELL and WIBERA are:

	i.		HENRY³ GATCHELL, b. Bet. 1635 - 1645.
	ii.		SAMUEL GATCHELL, b. 1639; m. BETHIAH; b. Unknown.
	iii.		JOHN GATCHELL, b. Abt. 1645; d. 14 Sep 1675.

Notes for JOHN GATCHELL:
Was killed in the Squakeag fight in King Philip's War.

4.	iv.	JONATHAN GATCHELL, b. Abt. 1646; d. Bef. 11 Jun 1691, Marblehead, Massachusetts.
5.	v.	JEREMIAH GATCHELL, b. Abt. 1648, Salem, Massachusetts; d. Bet. 06 Aug - 22 Oct 1720, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
6.	vi.	JOSEPH GATCHELL, b. Abt. 1652.
7.	vii.	THOMAS GATCHEL, b. Bef. 1660; d. Bet. 16 Feb 1731/32 - 04 Jul 1734, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

3. SAMUEL² GATCHELL (UNKNOWN FATHER¹) was born 1617 in prob. West Monkton, Somersetshire, England, and died Bef. 06 Oct 1697 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. He married DORCAS Abt. 1645 in Hampton, New Hampshire. She was born Abt. 1626, and died 12 Jan 1684/85 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts.

Notes for SAMUEL GATCHELL:
From the 1909 "Family of Samuel Getchell" by Everett Lamont Getchell: Samuel Getchell, with his brother John, came to America and settled first in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1636. Samuel then settled in Hampton, New Hampshire, and last he moved his family to Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts.

Regarding his life, "The Pioneers of Maine and New Hampshire, 1623 to 1660" by Charles Henry Pope, page 77, says that Samuel was a planter in Salem in 1637, that he moved to Hampton, where he was a proprietor in 1645. He sold a house and land there in 1648. He moved to Salisbury, where he was listed as a proprietor and commoner in 1650.

Also, this reference from the History of Salem, MA, Vol. II (1638-1670), Salt Making:
Jan. 1, 1637-8, the inhabitants of Marblehead were taxed eight pounds of the rate of one hundred and twenty pounds of Salem, as follows (the numer before each name probably has reference to the number of acres of land possessed by them there): 20 Samuel Gatchell

And additionally, from History of Salem, MA, Vol. II (1638-1670), Salt Making:
Samuel Gatchell, brother to John Gatchell; husbandman; of Hampton in 1644 and of Salisbury in 1648; married Dorcas -----; living in 1670.

Regarding his death, "The Pioneers of Maine and New Hampshire, 1623 to 1660" by Charles Henry Pope, says he died about 1694. His will was dated April 2, 1684 and probated on October 6, 1697.

As for the locality of Samuel Gatchell's birth, it appears implied by the "Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English Emigrants to New England, 1620-1650" by Charles Edward Banks (1967). It appears clear that their ship came from the West Monkton area, and there is also other evidence of a significant Gatchell family presence in West Monkton at the correct time. However, apparently there are no definitive birth records proving the locality or parentage of the birth for Samuel Gatchell or his brother John Gatchell. Consequently, the presumed birth of Samuel Gatchell and his brother in the West Monkton locality is based largely on circumstantial evidence.

Another Getchell Genealogy also concludes the brothers John and Samuel were "probably" born in West Monkton, as they came from this locality in 1636. This work cites records in England of a large Gatchell farm in this area divided into two areas of 500 acres each and known as Upper and Lower Clavelsleigh. This work also indicates that this farm was in the hands of a Henry Gatchell, the sheriff of the county, during the 17th century, and it mentions that Henry Gatchell had a brother Thomas, that neither Henry nor Thomas had male descendants, so consequently this farm property was passed to daughters who had married men by the names of Popham, Sanford and Fytch.

Other Gatchell/Getchell researchers have claimed that Henry's brother Thomas married a Susan Peach and that they are the parents of both John and Samuel Gatchell. But apparently there is no direct evidence to support this information.

Notes for DORCAS:
There's been a recurring notion among researchers that Dorcas' maiden name was "Wooden", or some spelling close to this. But no records of this have been found.

Children of SAMUEL GATCHELL and DORCAS are:

8.	i.	SUSANNA³ GATCHELL, b. 10 Mar 1641/42, Hampton, Rockingham, New Hampshire; d. 16 Aug 1724, Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts.
9.	ii.	PRISSILLA GATCHELL, b. 26 Feb 1648/49, Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts; d. 07 Feb 1725/26, Boston, Massachusetts.
10.	iii.	SAMUELL GATCHELL, JR., b. 08 Feb 1657/58, Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts; d. 07 Jul 1710, Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts.

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