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385. Dorcas, born Abt. 1626; 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.
More About Samuel Gatchell:
Comment 1: 1678, Sued Samuel Fowler
Event 2: 1647, Moved to Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts
Immigration: 1636, Came to Salem, Massachusetts from England
Probate: 06 Oct 1697, Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts
Will: 02 Apr 1684
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.
More About Dorcas:
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