Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

424 GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BAKNSTABLE FAMILIES.
ent man in promoting in its settlement, and Capt. John Pliinney,
of Barnstable, was the father of the colonists.
Col. Gorham spent much time and money in promoting the
settlement of Gorhamtown. He bouglit the shares of many who
did not desire to emigrate, and his speculations in wild lands
proved unfortunate. Buying such lands, is like buying lottery
tickets, a few get prizes. Col. Gorham was not one of the iucky
ones. He died insolvent in 1746, his own children being his principal
creditors'. *
29. John Gorham, Esq., 3d of the name, was an active, intelligent
man. His father bought for him the estate of James
Hamblin, on the east of Coggin's Pond, and adjoining to the estate
of Gov. Hinckley, on which he built a large and elegant
mansion house, which was taken down about forty years since.
He was a merchant and was engaged in the cod and whale fisheries,
in the coasting trade, and in the West Indian trade. He
'built the wharf at Calves Pasture point, known as Gorham's
wharf, and now owned by N. & D. Scudder. This is one of the
most eligible places for business in Barnstable, and for many
years was the center of trade. During nearly half a century he
was -the most active and successful business man in Barnstable,
and to give details would be to write the commercial histoj-y of the
town during that period.
He married Oct. 21, 1712, Prudence, daughter of Joseph
Crocker, of West Barnstable, and had fourteen children. He
died in 1770, aged 82, and his widow in 1778, aged 86.
30. Thankful Gorham married June 16, 1710, Lieut. John
Fuller, a son of Dr. John, and a grandson of Capt. Matthew.
STie resided on Scorton Neck.
31. Job Gorham inherited the dwelling-house built by his
grandfather, and the lands in the immediate vicinity, and the
same are yet owned by his descendants. Job Gorham about the
year 1745, took down the old mansion and built the one now
standing on the same spbt. A part of the materials of the old
house were used in the construction of the present. He married
Dec. 4, 1719, Desire Dimmock, and second. Widow Bethia Freeman,
of Fairfield, Conn. He died in 1762.
32. Mercy Gorham, the youngest daughter, was a woman of
rare accomplishments. She married Hon. Sylvauus Bourne, and
a notice of her has already been published. (See Bourne.)
7-6. Joseph Gorham, only son of Capt. John, recorded as
born in Yarmouth, married Sarah in 1678. His children
are all recorded as born in Yarmouth ; but as he resided in Barnstable
till 1681, it is probable that his oldest child was born in
*Shubael Grorham was Col. of the 7th Mass. B^iment in the Louisburg Expedition
commission dated Feb. 2, 1744. He was also Captfin of the First company. John Gorham
Lieut. Col. and Captain of the Second company; com. dated Feb. 20, 1744. S.