Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

408 GKNEALOGICAL NOTKS OF BAKNSTABLE FAMILIES.
tate appears on the records—none was required if he had only
one heir, and he of legal age. During the seventeenth century,
besides John and his descendants, no other person of the name of
Gorham is mentioned as a resident in the Colony.
Of the earJy life of John, little is known. He had a good
common school education, was brought up iu the Puritan faitli,
and during life was a consistent and exemplary Christian.! He
probably served an apprenticeship with a tanner and currier of
leather,' working at that business in the winter, and pursuing some
other calling in the summer. At the first settlement of the
country very few mechanics were employed at their trades during
the year. All had lands assigned to them, and in the summer
season labored mure or less on their farms. Even the governors
and their assistants had farms, which they tilled with their own
hands.
At an early age he had to rely on himself,—a young man, in
a strange land, with no family connections to sustain him, and
little wealth to aid him in the pursuit of the business of life.
However, he was an honest boy, and he grew up an honest man,
and his descendants have inherited, not only his good name, but
generally this trait of his character. I
In 1643, he being then twenty-two years of age, married Desii-e
Howland, one of the first born at Plymouth, a young woman
who had also been educated in the Puritan faith, and who, during
her long life was a pattern of good works, a kind hearted woman,'
and a Christian in name and spirit. § She was a daughter of
John, and a giand-daughter of John Tilley, both of whom came
over in the Mayflower.
In 1046 he removed from Plymouth to Marshfield, and in
1648 was chosen constable of that town. In the same year he
was propounded to become a freeman of the Colony, and June 4,
16.50, was admitted. In 1651 he was a member of the Grand Inquest
of the Colony.
Ill 1652 he removed to Yarmouth, and purchased the houselot
on the north County road, adjoining to the bounds of Barn-
t March 5,1655, John Gorham was presented for "uuseamly carriage toward Blanch
Hull at iinseasonabie time being in the ni^ht." She was then the wife of Trustrum Hull of
Barnstable, and after .vards the second wile of Capt. Wm. Hedge of Yarmouth. She was a
bad woman, being frequently envolved in broils and difficulties. Capt. Hedge, in his will,
cut her off with "a shilling," and gives as a reason that "she had proved false to him."
John Gorham was fined 40 shillings, Blanch 50 shillings—a poor speculation for Mrs. Hull.
X In examining the history of hundreds of his descendants, I have not yet found one of
the name who was convicted of crime. A few families of the name have run out, the children
partaking largely of the character of their mother's families.
§ Sometimes a trifling incident alfords an excellent and suggestive illustration of character.
A beautiful tribute to the memory of Mrs. (xorham is tound in the will of her old
servant Totoo. His dying request was, "Burj^ me as near as you can to the feet of my mistress."
There is true poetic feeling in the simple words of the dying servant. Tliey are
suggestive of a thousand acts of kindness that had lived in his memoiy during the'eight
years that his mistress had been dead,—and he craved no 'higher felicity in the spirit world
ihan to be allowoii to dwell near her whom he served on earth.