E 278 
 .G4 C89 
 Copy 1 
 
Qol. Sl?o(r)a5 Qilbert, 
 
 5f?e leader of j^u; ^ytyarjd 5orie5. 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN C. CRANE. 
 
 il 
 Resident member New England Historic Genealogical Society. 
 
 
 WORCESTER, MASS. 
 
 E. V. NEWTON, PUBLISHER: 
 
 1893. 
 
■ c 
 
 THOMAS GILBERT: 
 
 Born .... 1715, 
 
 Died - 1797. 
 
 Louisburg, Crown Point, 
 
 Lake George. 
 
 i 
 
Vj> 
 
Printed bj' permission of 
 The New England Historic Genealogical Society. 
 
/' ; 
 
 
ATa stated meeting of The New England Historic Genealogical Society, 
 1^1 held at the Hall of Boston University, 12 Somerset Street, Wednesday, Oct. 
 / 5, 1892, at 3 o'clock P. M., Ex-Govenor William Claflin, the President, in 
 
 the chair, John C. Crane of Millbury, Mass., spoke as follows: 
 
 Mr. President and Gentlemen of The New England Historic Genealogical 
 Society: I fully appreciate the honor confered upon me by the invitation to 
 read the following paper on 
 
Col. Thomas Gilbert, 
 
 The Leader of New England Tories. 
 
 John Gilbert from whom the subject of this sketch descended was born in 
 Devonshire, England. The year in which he came to this country is unknown, 
 Hotton making no mention of him, although many Gilberts appear in his book 
 of arrivals. Mr. Sabine thinks him to have been well along in years at th* 
 time of his coming, and that Dorchester, Mass. was his first place of residence 
 This much we do know, that he was here previous to 1636, and was know: 
 to be dead in 1654, his widow being then alive. John Gilbert and Henr; 
 Andrews had the honor of being the first two men to represent Taunton, Mass 
 at the Great and General Court. 
 
 Among the list of first and ancient purchasers of land at Taunton we find th \ 
 names of John Gilbert, Senior, his sons John and Thomas with forty thre 
 others, including that of Hugh Rossiter, whose daughter, Thomas, the son c 
 John Senior, married. Governor Winthrop in his history gives quite an accoun 
 of the escapade of this Thomas at Boston, whereat the Puritan Fathers of tha 
 city were greatly shocked. But he seems to have outlived whatever disgrac 
 may h;iye come to him in consequence, for we find he was afterward elected t 
 the General Court from Taunton in 1651. In 1653 he went to England, whet 
 he died in 167 6. Jane, his wife, remained at Taunton where she received th 
 news of his death. 
 
 Col. Thomas Gilbert of this family, son of Nathaniel, was born in wha 
 is now Berkley Bristol County, Mass. in 1715. A large part of th< 
 of the early settlers of Taunton being natives of Devonshire and Somersetshire 
 England, and many corning from Taunton in the mother country; it is fair t( 
 presume was the reason the Gilberts chose this town as their place of settlement 
 in the new world. Col. Gilbert on his mothers side was a descendent of William 
 Bradford, Plymouth Colony's second Governor. 
 
 As a Captain under Sir William Pepperell, he fought at the famous seige of 
 Louisburg in 1745. His next militaryduty was in the French warin 1755, under 
 Brig. Gen. Ruggles. Thus early in in the history of the country, Rugles and 
 Gilbert cemented their friendship on the field of battle, which relation did not 
 end until Gilbert became the leader and both found graves in the soil of New 
 Scotland the French Arcadia. 
 
 Col. Gilbert was with the Victorious forces that took possession of Crown 
 Point after General Amherst had subdued Ticonderoga. At Lake George, 
 Baron Dieskau led the French army against the English forces. Col. Ephraim 
 Williams, who commanded the regiment of which Gilbert was Lieutenant 
 Colonel, was slain and the latter became its commanding officer. 
 
 The conquest of Canada ended in 1763. Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Canada 
 and all the Islands in the gulf and river St. Lawrence passed from French to 
 
English hands. Colonel Gilbert and his men sought their respective homes and 
 we learn but little of him until a year or so, previous to the battle of Lexington. 
 In 1773, he has known to have been a Colonel doing military duty. He was 
 also a magistrate, justice of the quorum. As a representative he occupied a seat 
 in the General Court of the Colony, Freetown, Massachusetts, being his home. 
 The office of sheriff had been tendered him by the English authorities. It was 
 the wish of the people of Bristol county, that he should refuse to act in that 
 capacity under the laws then in force. Threats were made as to what would 
 follow if he disregarded their expressed opinion It would seem his action was 
 such as was not in accordance with their desire for at Dartmouth an attempt 
 was made later, to secure the person of the unflinching loyalist. B}' the aid of 
 Gilbert's friends this purpose was thwarted, but the sons of liberty in the county 
 of Bristol, neither slumbered nor slept. 
 
 The English rulers at Boston, watched with keen eyes the progress of events 
 in that city and elsewhere. The tory sympathizers in every town, reported all 
 acts looking like treason to George the Third. General Gage was bent on keep- 
 ing the colonists in subjection; knowing of the valuable service previously ren- 
 dered by Gilbert to the King and his cause in the French war, he requested him 
 to rally thetories of New England and form regiments to overawe the rebellious 
 subjects of England. Three hundred answered the call in Bristol County and 
 the old veteran who had helped conquer France in the new world assumed com- 
 mand. 
 
 The open defiance of Col. Gilbert to the patriotic cause, filled the people with 
 indignation. The uprising in the region where he lived became so great and 
 threats of vengeance so loud against him and his followers, he began to make 
 sure of his lines of retreat, if worse came to worst for him and his loyal legions. 
 He sought the aid of Commander Wallace, then in charge of His Majesty's Ship 
 Rose, at Newport, R. I. A letter was written to that officer which fell into the 
 hands of his enemies, the patriots. Indignation against Gilbert rose to fever 
 heat. Just before the battle of Lexington the patriots in Assembly anathematized 
 the acknowledged leader of the New England Tories, as follows: " Col. Thomas 
 Gilbert is an inveterate enermr to his country, to reason, to justice and the com- 
 mon rights of mankind. Whoever has knowingly espoused his cause or taken 
 up arms for it? support, does in common with himself, deserve to be instantly 
 cut off from the benefit of commerce with, or countenance of any friend of virtue, 
 America or the human race. " That he was the recognized leader of the tory 
 party is evident from the fact of his being styled by the patriots in Assembly, 
 '• Gilbert and his Banditti." "Tory Gilbert," was a household term in those 
 da} T s and which passed from lip to lip among the patriots of New England and 
 by their descendents has been handed down to us. 
 
 Colonel Gilbert realized his danger. He felt the storm gathering over his head 
 would soon burst in all its fury — with the eye of an experienced soldier, lie saw 
 discretion was the better part of valor. His King had need of him and he fled. 
 He made his way to Newport, and went on board the Rose, whose commander 
 received him with open arms. From there he proceeded to Boston, from which 
 place under date of May 4th 1775, a letter was written to his sons at Freetown 
 and Berkley, urging them to meet him at Boston. 
 
 The battle of Lexington had been fought, the martyrs of liberty had passed 
 over the river of death, but the end was not yet. Percy and his fleeing Britons 
 
10 
 
 had fared hard on their way back to the Tri- mountain city. The fires of 
 patriotism burned bright on many hill-tops in the old Bay State. The heights 
 of Bunker showed its brightest green in the morning sunlight, soon to be wet 
 with the life blood of New England's best and bravest sons. The toiy leader 
 Gilbert, was an honored guest with his English friends at Boston. His forces 
 were scattered here and there over New England. His emmisaiies passed back 
 and forth between Worcester and other points. The committees of safety 
 were busy in many towns, weeding out those who did his bidding. Many were 
 proscribed and banished. Some confessed their error and made promise of amend- 
 ment, in many cases only to be broken as opportunity offered to aid the royal 
 cause. "Old Sutton as long as eternity," had blasted forever the hopes of "Gil- 
 bert's Banditti" on Worcester Common, in 1774, and soon alter John Murray, 
 Gilbert's lieutenant on Rutland hill, heard the tramp of patriot feet hastening to 
 his door. The right hand man and bosom friend of the tory chieftain, Ruggles of 
 Hardwick, brave in the lace of what seemed certain death, passed forever from 
 the soil he loved so well. Consternation lit among the tory camps as their lead- 
 ers flew from them. The list of those fleeing loyalists who left friends and prop- 
 erty behind is well filled. In it will be found the names of men eminent in the 
 higher walks of life. Worcester and Worcester County hid her share of such, 
 including the Chandlers, Pains and others, who felt it to be feheir duty to stand 
 for King George and the government of England. 
 
 In the month of March, 1776, Dorchester heights had been taken and occu- 
 pied by the patriots. In consequence of this action, the English Admiral feared 
 for the safety of his vessels in and about Boston. To Lord Wm. Howe, the suc- 
 cessor of General Gage, he communicated the unwelcome news when it was de- 
 termined to evacuate. On the 17th of the same month the English troops bo;-? **7 
 ed the fleet and sailed for Halifax. With him went the tory leader Gilbert. It 
 was not until 1778, that he was proscribed and banished in form. During the 
 Revolution he remained connected with the English army, probably most of the 
 time in the vicinity of Nova Scotia, though what expeditions he went in the ser- 
 vice of his king is unknown, but the earnestness he had previously shown in the 
 cause of England, leads us to beleive he was not inactive throughout the remain- 
 der of the contest. He is reported to have been at Conway, in the county of 
 Annapolis, Nova Scotia, bordering on the Bay of Funday, the 16th of November 
 1783. He had previously petitioned the English authorities for a grant of land. 
 From the letter of Mary Gilbert, his wife, which follows later, we find his where ' 
 abouts in 1784, and also learn the length of time he had been there. 
 
 That his claim on England was recognized, is fully shown by letters and docu- 
 ments that follow. His final home was on the river St. John, New Brunswick, , 
 which rises in a lake of the same name in Maine, and after a journev of 450 miles 
 empties itself into the Bay of Funday, which separates New Brunswick from 
 Nova Scotia. His possessions received from the King were mostly in Sunbury 
 and Queens Counties. 
 
 The province of New Brunswick was taken from Nova Scotia in 1784 the same 
 year the letter of his wile Mary, was written to Ephraim Winslow, from Gil- 
 bert's point, St. Mary's Bay. It is left on record that at the ending of the 
 French War in which Gilbert took prominent part, he refused to retire on half 
 pay, which he was entitled to do. His services in behalf of England, during the 
 
11 
 
 Revolutionary war, brought him a handsome reward from the King, although 
 during that period he held no written commission. Asa loyalist he met with 
 severe losses of property in Massachusetts which were more than made up to 
 him by the mother country. In a letter which appears further on in this sketch, 
 from Deborah Gilbert, his daughter, the time place and manner of his death is 
 fully given. The following letter explains itself: — 
 
 "Berkley, Mass., Oct. 6, 1890. 
 John C. Crane, 
 
 West Millburv Mass. 
 
 Dec. 13, 1759. Lemuel Crane and Rathsheba Gilbert, both of Berkley, were joined in 
 marriage by Thomas Gilbert, Justice of peace. The house in which they lived is now occupied by the Town 
 Clerk of Berkley. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 F. M. Dean, 
 
 For H. DEAN, Town Ci.kkk." 
 
 By this marriage Bathsheba Gilbert, became my great grandmother, her hus- 
 band being my great-grandfather, the fourth generation removed from Henry 
 Crane of Dorchester, Massachusetts, known to have been there in 1654, and 
 from whom I am descended. 
 
 As above shown, Col. Gilbert had himself married his second daughter to Mr. 
 Crane. The latter was also a loyalist and at the begining of the Revolution 
 took sides with George the Third. The records of Berkley show that in the earl v 
 part of the struggle he was " Proscribed as mimical to the country." To avoid 
 leaving it, he was forced to make a confession and promise ot amendment. The 
 same was accepted and placed on the town books. In his acknowledgement he 
 claims to have been " Disabled " in his feet or legs, yet he is known tohaveserved 
 when one or two special calls were made on the malitia for patriot service, 
 though no doubt much against his will.* 
 
 Lemuel Crane Esq., was a farmer and also a lawyer at Berkley. Not withstand- 
 ing the promise of amendment he had made, for some reason, the patriots of 
 that town and region about, were dissatisfied with him. Sometime previous 
 to the year 1779, as he was one day drawing a seine in Taunton River, the sons 
 of liberty descended on him and he was taken just as he was (but not stripped) 
 tarred and feathered and lodged in Taunton jail.f There he remained a short 
 time when he was liberated. In consequence ofthis action of his patriotic neigh- 
 bors, he determined on leaving the scene of his troubles. 
 
 In the winter of 1779, he went on horseback to Partridgefield, (now Peru 
 Mass.,) thinking there to locate. Not liking he went to Oxford, where he found 
 congenial spirits and tory sympathizers, among whom is said to have been a 
 captain Learned. He purchased the farm on Federal Hill, now owned by Miss 
 Lucy A. Pratt, a great grandaughter, the homestead having been willed to her 
 by Bradford G. Edson, a grandson of Mr. Crane. This farm was then owne i 
 by Darius Chase, who had formerly lived at Berkley. 
 
 Mr. Crane leaving his horse at Oxford, (owing to the great depth of snow) 
 proceeded on foot wearing snowshoes, to his home at Berkley. In 1780, In- 
 sold his farm there, 130 acres more or less, to Ebinezar Dean, for $3000.00 and 
 removed to Oxford taking with him his ten children. At the time Col. Gilbert 
 was on board the ship Rose at Newport, his son-in law Lemuel Crane paid him 
 
 •The old powder-horn used by Mr. Crane and bearing a date long before the Revolution, is n i w in po«s< 
 of his great-grandaughter, Miss Laura D. Stocltwell, of Oxford, Massachusetts. 
 f After removing to Oxford Mass., he is known to have shown liisc >at still bearing the tar an 1 feathers, to 
 
 the Chandlers, Paines and other tory sympathizers at Wore. 
 
12 
 
 a visit. On the latters return to Berkley, he brought from the vessel tea and 
 biaus. Some of the latter were in 1780, planted at Oxford, and every year 
 since beans have been raised on the Crane farm there, from seed thus procured. 
 
 It appears from letters received by the Gilberts while in exile at New Bruns 7 
 wick, that Lemuel Crane, Thomas Hathaway andEphraim Winslow, all sons-in- 
 law (the two latter from the region of Berkley as was Mr. Crane,* originally) 
 had visited them there. We should also infer from the contents of the letters 
 that many friends and sympathisers from Taunton, Berkley, Freetown and 
 other places, had also sought the protection of King George in that region. 
 
 Brigadeer Gen. Ruggles, of Hardvvick, Col. John Murray of Rutland, both 
 mandamus councillors, also found a refuge with their tory leader, in the region 
 known altogether as Nova Scotia, until 1784. 
 
 Of the sons of Col. Gilbert, we learn they were all in sympathy with him and 
 followed after to the British possessions. Captain Samuel Gilbert of Berkley, 
 Mass., was the one mentioned in the letter of Mary Gilbert, dated Nov. 1, 
 1784. He followed the fortunes of his brother, Col. Thomas, sailing with him 
 to Halifax, in 1776, leaving his family behind. He was proscribed as the others 
 were in 1778. He remained in New Brunswick until after the close of the Rev- 
 olution, when he returned to Berkley. The following letters and documents, in- 
 cluding a copy of the will of Col. Gilbert, in his own hand writing have laid 
 with their contents unknown to this generation. They give a history of the 
 life of Col. Gilbert and family, after his settlement on the river St. John, New 
 Brunswick. By them we take up the broken threads in the affairs of the great 
 tory leader, and the later life of himself and family stands revealed. In a histor- 
 ical point of view they are exceedingly valuable. It is a wonder that they have 
 escaped destruction in the years gone by. It is a satisfaction to lay before the 
 public these papers relating to one of my ancestors. 
 
 [Letter of Mary Gilbert, wife of Col. Gilbert.] 
 
 Gilbert's Point, St. Mary's Bay, Noy. 1, 1784, 
 
 Dear Children: — 
 
 I take this opportunity to let you know that your Father and I are well 
 and have been, ever since we have Lived in this healthy Province. 
 
 Our situation is good and your Father is well pleased with the goodness of the land, and the 
 multitude ofall sorts of Fish and fowl that inhabit here. My sons Thomas and Peres live very 
 nigh to us and have been closely engaged in Building a Saw mill for this two months, but have now 
 got it completed. 
 
 I wish that you or my son Crane, would come and see this fine country. We have been here one 
 year. 
 
 Everything grows well, we have a small stock of Cattle, Eight cows, Four oxen, Six Horses and 
 some young mares and make Hay enough for them. Capt. Sam'l Gilbert is well and now lives with 
 us and wishes to be remembered to his Loving wife and family. Bradford lives at St. Johns, and 
 
 * * * * * * * * * 
 
 Henry Tisdales * * Ephr'm Tisdale and family are well. Eben'zr Hath- 
 
 away lives at the head of the Bay of Funda^v all well. Welthy Ruggles * * 
 
 * are all well and prosper. 
 
 All our friends from Freetown are well. I must conclude with Remembering nn r love and tender 
 affection to all my children, all my Brothers and Sisters and their tamlies. ( Captain Jale Hatha- 
 w.iv, Capt'n Brightman, Mr Nicolls, Hathaway and their families, Capt'n Canay, Mr. Abuer— and 
 their familys; Graney— Job Anthony and all friends) was I as young as rou I would not trouble 
 myself to send love but would go and carry it. I hope to see Some of you next Summer if God spares 
 
 *[ From Massachusetts Spy, Oct. 5, 1814.] 
 " Died in Oxford, very suddenly, Mr. Lemuel Crane "Jn the 78th year of his age." 
 
13 
 
 our lives, but if it be otherwise ordered by ye Go venor of all Flesh, I hope to meet you in Heaven 
 where I hope to rest. To Eph'm Winslovr(my love to Patt) Mar3 r Gilbert. 
 
 [Letter of Thomas Gilbert Jr.] 
 
 Gilberts Point St. Mary's Bay, Nov. 2, 1784. 
 *Patt. I take this opportunity to let you know where 1 live and the situation of this 
 Place. 1 have a fine Neck of Land of Six Hundred acres Given to me by the King. I think it the 
 best Land and lies the most comodiously to make a fine Farm that I ever see in my life. Fish and 
 fowl of all sorts, Salt meadows enough and Pasture, already cleared to my hand. 1 have made plen- 
 ty of Butter and Cheese. On the Creek and Stream I found lumber sufficient for a Vessel of two Hun- 
 dred Tons Burden. Brother Peres Lot joins to mine and we have built a fine sawmill on a good 
 stream, where we have Plenty of Timber. Your old Master and Mistress live on the other side 
 comfortably and agreeably seated and in Good health. Deborah Lives them, my four sons which 
 my wife bore unto me in the Land of Berklej\are well and grown very stout. 
 
 Perhaps you or some others may think odd that I Direct this letter to you, but, ths reason why 
 I do it is, because I have been out of the sight of my Brothers and Sisters and old acquaintances 
 almost ten years, Duri ig that time I have wrote two letters tomy Sister Hathaway' in her lifetime, 
 two to Brother and Sister Crane, three to brother and Sister Winslow, one to mother Evens, 
 one to Sam'l Godfrey, all— This is all there is left of the letter, but the letters refered to above had probably 
 remained unanswered. There are some figures on the back of the epistle, and the name Samuel Davis 2 acres 
 appears. ) 
 
 That Col, Gilbert was in a state of uncertainty as to property left behind in 
 Massachusetts, is shown by what appears in the following deed made b} r himself. 
 
 Know all men by these presents that 1 Thomas Gilbert of Gagetown, in Queens County and 
 province of New Brunswick Es p, for and in consideration of the love, good will and natural affec- 
 tion which I have and do bare to my loving Daughter, Bathsheba Crane, (the lawful wife of Lem- 
 ual Crane, of oxford in the county of Worcester, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts Bay, Gentle- 
 man,) and many other causes and considerations, me thereunto moving-, have given, granted, con- 
 veyed and by these presents do convey and forever quit claim and confirm to her the said Bathsheba 
 Crane, her heirs and assigns forever, All my right, title and interest, which I have, or of right ought 
 to have in and to sundry lots ofceder swamp, which layeth in Taunton in the county of Bristol in 
 said commonwealth, together with that part of said Swamp, belonging to me, which is known 
 and distinguished and commonly called the burnt ground. I also give grant and convey to my said 
 daughter my purchase rights, which I have in stud Taunton proprierty, with all the undivided and 
 Sequestored hinds, to said rights belonging, the rights and lands given and granted as above de- 
 scribed, was given and conveyed to me by the last will and testament of my honered father Nathan- 
 iel Gilbert, late of Berkley in ye county aforesaid, Gentleman, Deceased, reterance to said will being 
 had for the proof of the said Bequest. 
 
 To have and to hold the above, given and granted and conveyed premises, with all the priviledges 
 and appurtenances to the same belongings or in any way appertaining, to her the said Bathsheba 
 Crane, her heirs and assigns forever, in witness wlieroff the said Thomas Gilbert, hath hereunto set 
 his hand and seal the Seventeenth Day of August in ye thirty third year of his Majestys Reign 
 A. D. 1793. 
 
 Thomas Gilbert. 
 
 Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of us: 
 
 Thomas Gilbert Junior, 
 Pekes Gilbert. 
 The following appears on the outside of this Deed: Col. Gilbert's Deed of Gift to his Daughter 
 Crane. 
 
 Recorded— paid 2 shillings 6 penes, and these names Thomas Gilbert, James Worts and John Ging- 
 gals; also something about their rights. 
 
 Queens CouNTy, S. S. Aug. 20, 1793. 
 Then appeared Thomas Gilbert Esq., subscriber to the within written instrument and acknowl- 
 edged the same to be his act and Deed, before me— Zebulon Esty, 
 
 Justice Peace. 
 Bristol, S. S. Oct. 9th 1793. 
 
 *Patt was formerly a female slave of Col. Gilbert in Massachusetts. 
 
14 
 
 Then received their Deed and Recorded the same in Book 72 Folio 202. 
 
 Attest James Williams, Register. 
 
 There is also this statement : This land contained in this Deed Sold to Robert and Nathaniel 
 Brittain. 
 
 [Letter from Col. Gilbert addressed to Mr. Ephra Gilbert Edson, a youth of Bridgewater, New England.] 
 
 Favored by Mr Winslow, Gagetown, Province of New Bunswick, 25 July, 1795. 
 
 My dear Great Grandson. I received your loving letter some years past ( which I soon answered) 
 now having a favorable opportunity to inform you I with your great grandmother and your uncles 
 & aunts are in health and join in our love to your Father, Mother, Sister & all our friends &c. 
 
 Your uncle Winslow is here and Will be the bearer of these lines, with a small present, a pair of 
 small Gold Sleeve buttons," by which, I hope and pray you ma}- remember you had such a Grand- 
 father many years after I shall he here no more, but in another and a better county which I believe 
 is not this side Heaven, where if We live here as we ought to do, fearing God, and keeping his com- 
 mandments, we shall assuredly meet and rejoice together in that God, who is the author of our being 
 and through Jesus Christ, hath redeemed us to eternal salvation. 
 
 Youthful days, tho days of vanity, are the best and surest days to prepare for Eternity which God 
 Grant you may improve this early part oi your time, as may all your youthful relations and others 
 to that great end, is the sincere wish and humble prayers of your Great Grandfather 
 
 Thomas Gilbert, 
 
 in the Eighty first year of his age. Ephraim Gilbert Edson. 
 
 [Letter of Lueretia Gilbert, wife of Peres Gilbert.] 
 
 Gagetown (New Brunswick) the 23, 1799. 
 Dear Sister :— 
 
 1 cannot neglect so good an opportunity as this By Mr. Hathaway. Forget you 
 I never shall 'till Death for the kindness received from you when from home. It makes me thank- 
 ful with a greatful heart. Presume you have heard of the Death of your father. Mother is as well 
 as she has been for some years. She has been 3 times to our neighbors this summer. Your brother 
 is as well as 1 could expect to see him, for he works himself almost to Death, and it is not in the 
 power of friends or foes to persuade him from it, though he has but one child in 1 he world, so I think 
 it matters not whether we have a great share of this worlds goods or not. But we are of that un- 
 easy make, that we are never enjoying this life. We should be pleased to see \ r ou or any of your fam- 
 ily. Your brother sends his love to you and your family. 
 
 I.lcretia Gilbert. 
 Pray write to me by the first opportunity. Remember me to Mr. Crane. Mrs. Bathsheba Crane 
 
 By Air. Hathaway. 
 [2d Letter of Thomas Gilbert Jr.] 
 On Board Major's Island. 
 
 (New Brunswick) Sept'r 30, 1799. 
 Dear Brother And Sister:— 
 
 Air. Hathaway, will wait on you with these lines, wherein you will 
 be informed of the Death of our Hon'd Father, which I beleive yon have heard before this. Our 
 Mother is well and hearty considering her age. Deborah Lives with her at Brother Peres, and they 
 are blest with plenty. Since you was here, I have made Great improvements on board of this Island. 
 Three summers ago, I built a Large House, the Carpenter just as he had finished the work, took a 
 brand of lire by accident, and burnt it all to ashes with three Hundred Pounds Property in it. It 
 happened the 15th of No v'r. winter set in next day. I fled to a small House I had on the Island. 
 Ice making in the River that there was no passing, but my Neighbors knew my situation and assem- 
 bled of their own good w ill — in foul weeks put me into a good Framed House forty feet long twen- 
 ty wide, with a good chimney, where I lived the Winter very- comfortably. Iu the spring, I went to 
 work and built a House 38 by 36 and set it on to the other which occupies the same Ground that 
 the other did, and I finished it to a latch from top to bottom. The same Summer 1 built a Barn on 
 the four lots 42 by 32. The summer past I have built me a Barn 80 feet by 34 completely finished, 
 and said to be the best in the Province. I wonder you Dont come yourself or send some of your 
 Family to help us enjoy this fine country, we feel no war nor pay any^ Tax. Our land brings fourth 
 abundantly, it is allmost incredible to see the Produce, it makes but little odds when you plant or 
 
 •These sleeve-buttons still remain in the family and are made of Spanish Gold Coin. 
 
15 
 
 sow — at harvest time you will have plenty — this last spring was late, the water was not off so that 
 I could plant 'till the 21st of June — and so 'till 20 we planted and you never see so much corn in 
 any part of the States to the acre, as I have got, and wheat and everything to the Greatest Perfec- 
 tion. I wonder how you and my Friends can Prefer, Digging among the Stones and Paying Rates 
 to an easy life in this country. Last year I sold Beef Pork and Mutton more than I wanted for my 
 family, for three Hundred Pounds, besides two colts for fonrty Pounds a piece — a lew days ago, I 
 sold four colts before they were broke, for one Hundred and ten pounds and I have sixteen left. I 
 have a fine stock of cattle and sheep — butter and cheese is as plenty here as herrings are at Taun- 
 ton — a tenant lives better here than a Landlord at Berkley. I am blesst with the best Neighbors 
 that ever Drew breath — they are made out of the same stuff that our fore Fathers were, that first 
 settled New England. (You must let me brag a little and no harm as its true) I have been unfort- 
 unate with my children. I have lost almost all of them. Samuel had a liking for the Sea, he left 
 me Six years ago, I have heard ol him several times that he was master of a ship and was doing 
 well — but now alas I hear that he is taken by the French and carried I know not where. 
 
 Nath'l and Humphrey live with me and are two Stout young men — and take good care how they 
 conduct — my wife is hearty and well, and is a good nurse to me in my old age. Our Father in his 
 last will gave to the heirs of Sister Molly, One Hundred Pounds, to be Divided Equally or to tin- 
 surviving ones. I wish if you had a chance to let them know, they may have it by sending, but I 
 had rather they would come. Sister Crane and Sister Winslow five Pounds each. Pray come your- 
 self or send some of your children. I live under the Protection of the King, and I am stationed by 
 his Laws on this Island, the finest farm in the Province. I-Dont intend to weigh my anchor nor 
 start from this, 'till I have orders from the Govenor of all things — then I hope to obey the summons 
 with joy and Ldaduess — with Great Expectation, to meet you in Heaven Where I hope to rest. 
 
 My Wife and sons Join with my love to you and all friends. I am your loving Brother, 
 
 L. & B. Crane. Thomas Gilbert. 
 
 Outside of letter addressed Lemuel Crane, 
 
 Oxford, 
 
 New England. 
 Pr Mr. Hathaway. 
 
 [Letter of Deborah Gilbert Daughter of Col. Gilbert — Giving'account of his death ] 
 
 Grimos (Newbrunswick) October 1,1799. 
 Dear Brother & Sister : — 
 
 How Do you Do — how have you Done for this six years past. 
 Your father is .^one, he Departed this life the first day of July of a Saturday night about twelve 
 o'clock in the 3'ear 1797, after fowr months dlness — But his complaint was in his head, sick at his 
 stomach — (he took a very bad cold no doubt )he seemed to be willing to die— he thought he had lived 
 long enough but willing to wait God's time— he often spoke about 3 r ou, wondered why you did 
 not write — he called all his Daughters a few nights Before his Death, I was laying Down — Brother 
 Thomas and Captain Hathaway were a sitting By him — he called with a hollow voice, Molley, Bash- 
 ey, Hannah and Deby and I started up and asked him what he wanted, he wanted nothing— I 
 suppose he was thinking about us. Brother told him Molly was Dead and he knew that. 0! sister, 
 how plain I could see you in him when he was sick, his Mouth seemed to fall in and he looked more 
 like you than any of us — how I long to see you — sometimes I think can it be I never shall see my 
 sister am- more in this world — according to my own age you Must be advanced and we Shurely 
 Must Die — poor little Bradfod lived one year and fi"e Days after his Grandfather. Dpn't sistcr 
 work too hard, let your children work. I have a greatcharge to take care of My Mother — we live 
 by ourselves. My father told me there was a blessing for children that was kind to their parents 
 and I Believe he thought I should obtain it. Your Mother has Been very ill this spring and sum- 
 mer, so weak she could not feed herself, hut she has recruited very much, so that she walks about out 
 Doors. It appears like a Miracle after being so low — But she cant remember one Moment to 
 another. Brother Peres has built a new kitchen out at the end towards the well, which Brings the 
 well and Milk house very handy, and the old chimney is taken Down and a new one put up and 
 the old kitchen is Alade a handsome parlor — the old stairs is taken away and we go up chamber 
 out of the new kitchen to a bedroom where Brother Peres and wife slept— which Makes it a great 
 way for My Mother and Me. Mother took the room which was the Most retired. My father Gives 
 Mother one half of his Dwelling house During her Life and then to Peres. My father wrote his will 
 himself some years ago and chose his three sons to settle his Estate. 
 
 He thought he had not done justice by Me and he wrote a will himself and he gave Me More than he 
 Did in his first will. I heard him tell Bradford he would say that for Daby she never is in Distress 
 
16 
 
 about her portion You Cant think how it pleased me to think he had took notice of it, for my part 
 I never could have thought of a will for it seemed as though Death was approaching. I sometimes 
 think I would give all the world if I could see him again, then I think I Must go to him and shortly 
 1 should have wrote you long ago but had not power, but it is so ordered that time should soften 
 grief. I have wrote sister Winslow, I hope you see her often and I hope you love one an other. 
 
 My father told us Children don't rou quarrel and he told My brother the debts he had due him 
 not to press upon nobody if they could not pay not to distress them, he died at peace with all 
 men and that he had hope of happiness and he hoped he should not lay asleep in the grave, But 
 should go immediately to Happiness. 
 
 Wether they have settled with you or not I don't know — he give five pounds to you and five to 
 Hannah and one hundred to Molley's children if there is any of them living, if not to be Equally 
 divided between our Brothers. Our father said it was the fashion to Give the Boys Most, if he 
 sluuld Give his Daughters as he did his, and they Marry rich, why they would have more than 
 their share — he made his will as he pleased, I am shure I knew not what was in it, nor I did not 
 want to know. I heard him say many years ago "I aways intendeed to have Given Daby Morse 
 that her other sisters, But I Dont know how she will come out" — he had a will by him but it was 
 wrote by Whitemore, where he was sick and he wrote last himself. I sent 3'ou a lock of your 
 father's hair — he had but very little on his head, we was obliged to shave it off to put on Blisters 
 to Draw out the pain. 
 
 I am yours, 
 
 Deborah Gilbert. 
 Lemuel Crane and wife. 
 
 (2d Letter of Deborah Gilbert,) 
 
 Gkixos, November 7, 1801* 
 Dear Brother & Sister :— 
 
 I have not forgot to write to 3'outhough I seldom hear from you— 
 how Do you Do — Does old age crowd upon you? Sometimes I think I never shall see you again ir. 
 this world. I want to hear from you and to no how you Do. I hear your children are all settled 
 but one or two. I want to know how you fare in this troublesome world. Your Mother is yet 
 alive, But almost gone. I have her to Dress and undress as a child and her memory fails very fast. 
 She is lest Every Day and Dont know where she is 'till she goes out into the kitchen and into the 
 Back room and searches round ihe house, Before she can be reconciled — and when she finds her home 
 she is overjoyed and perhaps in one minute she is lost again and then has the same course to take. 
 
 Your Brother Tommey and wife was to see us Day before yesterday and Humphry is here now 
 and they are all well, except Brother, he has the rheumatism. 
 
 Brother Peresis not very well, old age and hard work Dont agree — his wife and son is well. Brad 
 ford and family is well, they all join in love to you and the family. 
 
 I am your loving Sister, 
 
 Do write, Deborah Gilberb. 
 
 Lemuel Crane, favored by Mr. Winslow. 
 
 (Will of Col. Gilbert,) 
 
 In the name of God, Amen. I Thomas Gilbert of Gagetown, Province of New Brunswick, Esq. 
 
 Being admonished of the certaininty of Death, and of perfect mind and memory, Blessed by God, 
 do ordain and Publish this to be my Last will and Testement in manner and form following (that 
 is to sa} f ) "First of all I Recomend my soul to almighty God who gave, in full hope Through the med- 
 itation of my Blessed Redeemer to receive full and Perfect Remission of all my sins. 
 
 2dly I Give my Body, to the Grave, to be Buried in a Christian and Decent, manner by my Execu- 
 tors hereafter named. And as to the worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to Bess me with I 
 give and Bequeath and Dispose of in the following manner — (that is to say) First I Give and Be- 
 queath to my Beloved wife Mary, one hundred and fifty pounds to be paid to her by my Executor 
 out of the money's, which may be Due to me at the time of my decease. I also Give her the use and 
 Improvement of one half part of the Dwelling house in which we now Dwell, for and During her 
 natural Life. I also Give her my wearing apparell and one half part of all my Indoor and House- 
 hold furniture, together with three cows. Twenty sheep and half the swine. This is over and above 
 what she may be Pleased to take, as her Right of Dower, out of nvy Real or Landed Estate which 
 by Law she is entitled to 
 
 Secondly — I Give and Bequeath to nry Eldest son Thomas Gilbert of Burton in the county of Sun- 
 bury and Province aioresaid Esq., all that Island called Major's Island Laying in the River St. John 
 
17 
 
 on which he now Dwells, together with four of the uppermost of the nine lots which I Purchased of 
 John Cutter Dight Esq. I also Give and Bequeath to my said son: all the Land and Buildings 
 which I have Either by Grant or purchase, (only Excpting the Land and Buildings morgaged to me 
 by Robert Ray of Bigby)) which I have and Hold in the Province of Nova Scotia, he to have and 
 Hold the same Lands, his heirs asigns forever. 
 
 Thirdly— I Give and Bequeath to my second son Peres Gilbert of Gagetown in Queens County 
 afores'd.all the Island called Grimos island with all the lands on Grimos neck which 1 Purchased of 
 Thomas Stoffield, with all the high 01 upland which I purchased of said Stoffield, the bounds of the 
 said Lands, by his Deed will fully appear— I also Give and Bequeath to my said son Peres that Lot 
 of Land which I Purchased of William Hazen Esq.— He to have and to Hold the said Lands with all 
 the Buildings thereon Standing or lieing Excepting the use and Improvement of one half part of the 
 Dwelling house— Thelmprovement of which is for my aforesaid wife and after her Decease to my 2nd 
 son Peres his heirs and asigns forever— I also Give my said son Peres all my farming utensils Scows 
 Boats and so forth Together with one Yoke of Oxen and two cows and a half of all my swine. 
 
 Fourthly— I Give and Bequeath to my third son Bradford Gilbert of the City of St. John and 
 Province aforesaid Esq., all the Land which I Purchased of Samuel Dickerson Esq., with all the 
 Buildings thereon, and also the Lot adjoining, which I Purchased of John McAlpin, I also Give and 
 Bequeath to my said son Bradford Five of ye Lowermost of the nine Lots of Land which I purchased 
 of John Butler Dight Esq., which are laying and being in the township of Sheffield, and adjoining 
 the four uppermost Lots which I have given my eldest son. 
 
 I Give and Bequeath to the heirs of my eldest daughter Molly Hathaway, Lately the wife of 
 Thomas Hathaway, one Hundred pounds to be paid by my Executors out of any money which may 
 be due to me. (Two or three lines follow which cannot be made out, but, probably refered to what 
 should be done with the bequest in case the heirs of Mrs. Hathaway were dead.) 
 
 Sixthly— I Give and Bequeath to my second Daughter Bathsheba Five Pounds to be paid her by 
 my Executors with what I have heretofore given my said Daughter as a full Proportion of my 
 Estate. 
 
 Seventhly— I Give and Bequeath to my Third Daughter Hannah Winslow, wife of Ephraim 
 Winslow, Five Pounds with what I haye heretofore Given her as a full Proportion of my Estate' 
 
 Eightly— I Give and Bequeath to my Fourth and youngest Daughter Deborah r,ilbert a single 
 maiden** who has Engaged for many years past and hath suffered many hardships for the comfort 
 and support of her parents and familly, all the moneys— by Bond or Mortgage, of the Houses and 
 Land which I have on the Estate of Robert Ray of Digby in the Province of Nova Scotia, mv said 
 Daughter to Have and Hold the same, her heirs and assigns forever. Further more I give my said 
 Daughter Two Hundred pounds to be paid to her by my Exc'rs. I also Give my s'd Daughter one 
 half part of all my Indoor Movables Equally to Divided with her mother. I Likewise Give my said 
 Daughter Deborah the mare which is called her name, with all ye colts which are foaled of the 
 same mare, which may not be Disposed of in my Lifetime— and also Give her, the mare and colt 
 which I had of Capt. Miles, that together with two good cows and ten sheep, she my said Daugh- 
 ter to have and Receive, the above Bequests to herself and her heirs and asigns. 
 
 Ninethly and Lastly— as to all the Residue or Remainder of my Personal Estate Goods and 
 EffectsLofwhat name and nature soever, Give to my said three sons— They to have to Hold the same 
 Equally to be Divided Between them after Paying my Just Debts and funeral Charges, and the sev- 
 eral sums heretofore given— and I Do hereby appoint my said three sons Thomas, Peres and Brad- 
 ford Joint Excutors to this my Last will and Testament Hereby Revoking all former wills by me 
 made. In witness whereof have hereunto set my hand and seal the Twenty ninth Day of Octoljer in 
 the Thirty-fifth year of his majesties Reign George ye Third of Great Britian France and Ireland and 
 soforth— In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred andninty five— Sign'd Seal'd Published 
 and Delivered by the within named Thomas Gilbert, to be his last will and Testament in presence of 
 us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the Testators Presence and in the pres- 
 ence of each other. 
 
 Thomas Gilbert. 
 Richard Clarke 
 
 Thomas Hartt 
 
 Samuel R. Clarke 
 
 Yesterday (Oct. 4, 1892) I received from Gen. Ebenezar Weaver Pierce, ofFreetown, Mass 
 ** She later married a Schofield, of Nova Scotia. 
 
18 
 
 a member of this Society a letter— with it he also kindly sent views of the former home oi Col. Gil- 
 bert in that place. Gen. Pierce says the h jus" was built about 145 years ago. He further writes 
 that his mother wasborn in tlie Gilbert house 106 years ago. I quote from the letter of Gen. Pierce— 
 
 " Much of the interior finish now, is what was there when occupied by Colonel Gilbert. I have 
 the Spontoon that Gen. Thomas Gage sent to Col, Thomas Gilbert, early in 1775. It was taken 
 from the tories by the whigs April 9, 1775. I have had the Spontoon about 55 years. 
 
 Respectfully etc. 
 
 E- W. Pierci:." 
 
 The writer though a lineal descendent of Colonel Thomas Gilbert, has but little 
 tj offer in extenuation of his action during the struggle for American Indepen- 
 dence. He has endeavored to faithfully give the facts connected with t ie career 
 of this remarkable man. That Col. Gilbert was honest in his convictions of duty 
 to his King, there is not the shadow of a doubt. The faithlullness with which 
 ne served England in the French war, and all his subsequent action until the 
 separation of the colonies from the mother country, prove the truth oi this ns- 
 sertion. A born leader, he moulded men to his will The documents he left be- 
 hind, show him to have been a man of superior education. In his family he was 
 1 )\ed and respected to his dying hour. His descendents are numerous in the ;m- 
 ciant Arcadia and memories of the Tory Chieftain yet live in the annals of New 
 Scotland. 
 
 (A modern writer says of the family.) 
 
 " The name of Gilbert is eminent in the annals of the church, state and learn- 
 in" - of England through several centuries. Its early home is in Devonshire — 
 many branches planted in this country issued from this stock. The name is of 
 Saxon origin, and means a bright or brave pledge. In 1060, Gilbert de Gaunt 
 came in with William the Conqueror. In 1115 a Gilbert who joined the Crusa- 
 ders was father of Thomas A. Becket. In 121^ one is treasurer of Lincoln Cath- 
 edral. In 1240,' Archdeacon of Stow. In 1414- bishop of London. In 1475, an 
 Otho Gilbert is high sheriff of Devonshire. Sir Humphrey Gilbert, that high- 
 spirited and skillful mathamatician and hydrographer, was born in 1539. His 
 early youth was devoted to liberal studies, which with his brothers. — Sir John 
 Sir Adrian and Sir Walter, — they pursued under one roof with the enthusiasm 
 of great minds — they became valiant and well experienced in nautical affairs, 
 and to the brothers Humphrey and Raleigh is ascribed the honor of laying the 
 foundation of the trade and naval power of Great Britian. In 1570, Sir Hum- 
 phrey proposed to Queen Elizabeth a plan for a university in the metropolis. 
 Letters patent were granted him June 11, 1578. 'to take possession of all re- 
 mote and tortuous lands for himself and his heirs forever,' His first voyage 
 was unsuccessful, but five years later he discovers and lays claims to the New- 
 foundland fisheries, and while coasting along the country, his vessel— the " Squir- 
 rel,"? went down in a violent storm, September 9, 1583. He was last seen 
 sit tin"" in the storm with an open book in his hand, and his last words were, 
 ' We are as near heaven by sea as by land.' His son, Raleigh Gilbert, of Comp- 
 ton Castle, had a son Humphrey, who, in 1620 was five years old." This Hum-f 
 phrey is supposed to be the one who was settled in Ipswich, Mass., in 1648. 
 The "writer further says of him, " In 1650 he bought one hundred acres near the 
 bounds of Wenharn— his age, as shown by a deposition of his on file, agrees 
 with Sir Humphrey's grandson, and that the name Humphrey is in no other 
 family of Gilberts either in England or this country. His will was made in 
 
19 
 
 1657-58-By his wife, Elizabeth Kilham, daughter of Daniel Kilham he had 
 one son, John, and three daughters." 
 
 The dependents of this Humphrey settled in Gloucester, Marblehead, Brookfield 
 and Littletown, Massachusetts. That this Humphry, son of Raleigh of Com, 
 ton Castle, was closely related to John Gilbert first spoken of at the beginin. 
 of this sketch is plainly evident. fc Jillli g 
 
 [the end.] 
 
 GENEALOGY OF COL. GILBERT. 
 
 John [1] Gilbert, from Devonshire, Eng. ; then Dorchester. Mass.; then Taunton. 
 Thomas [21 " of Taunton, married Jane Rossiter. 
 
 r „ n - Anna Black. 
 
 Thomas |_«>J 
 
 Nathaniel [4] » " Berkley, born 16S3. 
 Col. Thomas [5] >l " " "" 171 °- 
 
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