Friday, July 28, 2017

52 Ancestors - Week 185: #264 Amos Gates (1706-1783) of Stow, Massachusetts

Amos Gates (1706-1783(  is #264 on my Ahnentafel List, my 6th great-grandfather, who married #265 Mary Hubbard (1712-before 1754)  in 1732 in Concord, Massachusetts.


I am descended through:

*  their son #132 Simon Gates (1739-1803) who married #133, Susanna Reed (1745-1833) in 1766.
*  their so #66 Nathan Gates (1767-1830)  who married #67 Abigail Knowlton (1774-1855)  in 1790.
*  their daughter #33 Abigail Gates (1797-1867) who married  #32 Benjamin Seaver (1791-1825) in 1817.
*  their son #16 Isaac Seaver (1823-1901) who married #17 Lucretia Townsend Smith (1828-1884) in 1851.
*  their son #8 Frank Walton Seaver (1852-1922) who married #9 Hattie Louisa Hildreth (1857-1920) in 1874.
*  their son #4 Frederick Walton Seaver (1876-1942) who married #5 Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962) in 1900.
*  their son #2 Frederick Walton Seaver (1911-1983) who married #3 Betty Virginia Carringer (1919-2002) in 1942.
*  their son #1 Randall Jeffrey Seaver (1943-living)

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1)  PERSON (with source citations as indicated in brackets):
   
*  Name:                      Amos Gates[1–15]    
*  Sex:                          Male   

*  Father:                     Simon Gates (1667-1752)   
*  Mother:                   Hannah Benjamin (1668-1752)  

2)  INDIVIDUAL EVENTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):

*  Birth:                      October 1706, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[1]  
*  Deed:                     26 October 1744 (about age 38) sold 12.5 acres of land in Stow to Bezaleel Heald; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[3]   
*  Distribution:          22 June 1752 (about age 45), father's will proved; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[4]   
*  Deed:                     21 September 1757 (about age 50), sold 21 acres of land in Stow to James Davison; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[6]   
*  Deed:                     17 January 1762 (about age 55), gave 10 acres of land in Stow to son Oliver Gates; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[7]   
*  Deed:                    4 April 1764 (about age 57), sold 20 acres of land in Stow to Simon Gates; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[8]   
*  Deed:                    29 September 1768 (about age 61), sold 15 acres of land in Stow to Solomon Harthorn; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[9]   
*  Deed:                   2 January 1769 (about age 62), sold 2.75 acres of land in Stow to Daniel Bayley ; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[10]   
*  Deed:                  10 August 1772 (about age 65), sold 9 acres of land in Stow to Jesse Walcut; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[11]   
*  Deed:                  31 October 1776 (about age 70), sold 11 acres of land in Stow to Oliver Gates; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[12]   
*  Deed:                  11 January 1783 (about age 76), sold 6 acres of land in Stow to Joshua Brown; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[13]   
*  Death:                before 12 March 1783 (before about age 76), Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[14]   
*  Probate:            12 March 1783 (about age 76), administration granted, Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[14]   
*  Deed:               18 March 1791 (about age 84), estate sold 2 parcels of land in Stow to Isaac Whitman; Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[15]

3)  SHARED EVENTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):
   
*  Spouse 1:          Mary Hubbard (1712-1754)   
*  Marriage 1:       7 November 1732 (about age 26), Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[1–2]   
*  Child 1:            Oliver Gates (1733-1813)   
*  Child 2:            Amos Gates (1735-1804)   
*  Child 3:            Simon Gates (1739-1803)   
*  Child 4:            Abraham Gates (1741-1806)   
*  Child 5:            Isaac Gates (1746-1831)   

*  Spouse 2:         Deborah Thayer (1732-1822)   
*  Marriage 2:      10 December 1754 (about age 48), Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[1,5]   
*  Child 6:            Lois Gates (1761-1822)   
*  Child 7:            Deborah Gates (1763-1836)   
*  Child 8:            Susannah Gates (1765-    )   
*  Child 9:            Jacob Gates (1767-1792)   
*  Child 10:          Asaph Gates (1769-    )   
*  Child 11:          Bethia Gates (1773-    )  
   
4)  NOTES (with source citations as indicated in brackets):    

 Amos Gates was born in about 1706, in Stow, Massachusetts to Simon and Hannah (Benjamin) Gates, their 9th child[1].  

Information about the first five generations of the Gates family in New England was gleaned from the article:

Clarence Almon Torrey, "Stephen Gates and Some of His Descendants," New England Historic Genealogical Register, Volume 120, pages 161-170 (July 1966), 261-271 (October 1966).  The Amos Gates sketch says[1]:

"AMOS GATES (Simon, Stephen, Stephen), born in Stow, Mass., probably about 1706, died there before 12 March 1783, when administration on his estate was granted to his widow Deborah.  The estate proved to be insolvent.

"He married first, in Concord, Mass., 7 Nov. 1732, MRY HUBBARD, born 4 May 1712, living 2 Sept. 1747, when her father made his will, but died before 10 Dec. 1754, daughter of Samuel Hubbard; and secondly, 10 Dec. 1754, DEBORAH (THAYER) ROCKWOOD, widow of John Rockwood of Mendon, Mass.  She married thirly, 13 Nov. 1794, as his second wife, Joshua Parmenter of Framingham, Mass., who had a third wife, ----- Winch, and died there 29 Oct. 1822."

With his first wife, Mary Hubbard, he had five sons between 1733 and 1746.  It is not known when Mary died, but it was surely before December 1754.  Amos married his second wife, Deborah (Thayer) Rockwood on 10 December1754[5] in Mendon, Massachusetts, and they had six children between 1761 and 1773.

On 26 October 1744, Amos Gates of Stow, husbandman, sold 12.5 acres of land in Stow to Bezaleel Heald of Stow, husbandman, for 10 pounds lawful money[3].  The parcel was bounded by land of John Heald and the town line.  The deed was recorded 24 January 1756.

Amos Gates was appointed the executor of his father's 1743 will, which was proved 22 June 1752 in Middlesex County Probate Court[4], and was bequeathed the following:

"I give to my son Amos Gates (....) one set of cast irons allso I give to my said son Amos that parcel of land yt is called ye pasture joyning to the farm on wch I now live containing by estimation twelve acres be the same more or less both within ye fence and without it obliging him on confirmation thereof to give to me & my wife a decent Christian burial when we shall dye and as to my own burial I so far direct as to say yt my sd son shall give to my three surviving daughters viz. Hannah Heald, Mary Hains & Susanna Fitch mourning aparel that is robe gowns of Norwich ... of black and white ... crape as it is commonly called suitable in price and goodness for people of their fashion together with decent black gloves and vales and to each of my three sons decent black gloves & ...  My will further is that my sd son amos Gates shall pay to ye children of my daughter Elizabeth Wheler deceased in money as much as it shall cost him to ... either of daughters abovesd in mourning as above; that is to say to all of my grand children as much as one of my said daughters."

and:

"I give further to my son Amos Gates all my rights in the common land in said Stow and my whole property in sd Stow commons."

On 21 September 1757, Amos Gates of Stow, husbandman, sold 21 acres of upland and meadow in Stow to James Davison of Stow, husbandman for 20 pounds[6].  The parcel was bounded by Davison's land and common land.  The deed was recorded 23 October 1765.

On 17 January 1762, Amos Gates of Stow, yeoman, gave 10 acres of meadow, swamp and upland to his oldest son Oliver Gates for love and good will[7].  The parcel was bounded by the south side of Amos Gates farm, land of Benjamin Pool, and Elsabeth Brook.  The deed was recorded 29 April 1779.

On 4 April 1764, Amos Gates of Stow, yeoman, sold 20 acres of land in Stow to Simon Gates of Stow, husbandman, for 40 pounds lawful money[8].  The parcel was bounded by Amos Gates own land, land of Thomas Wetherbee, land of Bayley, and land of Amos and Simon Gates.  The deed was recorded 23 October 1765.

On 29 September 1768, Amos Gates of Stow, husbandman, sold 15 acres of land in Stow to Solomon Harthorn of Stow, cooper, for 40 pounds lawful money[9].  The parcel was bounded by land of Joshua Brown, Elsabeth Brook, and Amos Gates own land.  The deed was recorded 31 October 1771.

On 2 January 1769, Amos Gates of Stow, yeoman, sold 2.75 acres of land in Stow to Daniel Bayley of Monson, N.H. for 2 pounds, 4 shillings lawful money[10].  The parcel was bounded by land of the heirs of Susanna Fitch, Thomas Wetherbee, Amos Gates own land, and Lancaster Road.  The deed was recorded 12 July 1769.

On 10 August 1772, Amos Gates of Stow, husbandman, sold 9 acres of land in Stow to Jesse Walcut of Stow, yeoman, for 24 pounds lawful money[11].  The parcel was bounded by land of Jonas Hale, Thomas Wetherbee, and Amos Gates own land.  The deed was recorded 31 October 1798.

On 31 October 1776, Amos Gates of Stow, yeoman, sold 11 acres of upland and meadow in Stow to Oliver Gates of Stow, yeoman, for 40 pounds lawful money[12].  The parcel was bounded by Elsabeth Brook, land of Oliver Gates, Jacob Hale and Amos Gates own land.  The deed was recorded 29 April 1779.

On 11 January 1783, Amos Gates of Stow, yeoman, sold 6 acre, 30 rods of land in Stow to Joshua Brown of Stow, gentleman, for 33 pounds lawful money[13].  The parcel was bounded by land of Joshua Brown, John Gates, Amos Gates own land, a wall, and the farm line.  The deed was recorded 13 March 1789.

Amos Gates, yeoman of Stow, died intestate before 12 March 1783 in Stow, Massachusetts.  The papers can be found in Middlesex County [Mass.] Probate Records, Packet 8,936[14].

*  His widow, Deborah, and Jabez Brown were granted administration on that date.

*  An inventory was taken by Jabez Brown, Joshua Brown and Jonas Hale, all of Stow.  The personal estate totalled 90 pounds, 15 shillings, and the real estate totalled 225 pounds.  The inventory was allowed on 14 May 1783 by the Court.

*  An account of the debts due, in the sum of 85 pounds, 9 shillings, 11 pence was allowed on 5 November 1783.

*  In the distribution of the land, the widow was allotted her thirds.  The land distribution document says:

"Pursuant to a Commission Constituted By the Honr^bl Oliver Prescott Esq^r Judge of Probate for the County of Middlesix to apprize all the Real Estate of Amos Gates Late of Stow in said County yeoman & Deceased Intestate. The Homestead Bounded as follows viz. Beginning at a heap of Stones & Corner of Lieut. Ephraim Wetherbees Land and runs Northerly fourteen rods on said Wetherbees Land to a Stump a corner of this farm their still, Northerly on Land of Silas Hall Ninety three rods to a Stake and Stones then Easterly on Land of Oliver Gates fifty Eight rods to a Stake then More Northerly Seventy Rods to the Brook then Northerly on said Brook Twenty Nine rods To Joshua Browns Land then westerly on said Browns Land Thirty two rods to a heap of Stones then Northerly on said Browns Land fifty two rods to a Stake and Stones then Westerly Thirty Two rods to a Stake and Stones then Southerly Twenty Seven rods to a mark in a pond then westerly on Land of Oliver Gates to the first Mentioned Bound Containing Thirty Seven acres apprized at  £195

"Also a piece of wood Land Bounded as follows viz. Begining at a white oak Tree and runs Southerly Thirty four Rods to a heap of Stones then westerly fifty three rods on Land of Berzaleel Hale to a heap of Stones on Bolton Line then Northerly on Bolton Line to a heap of Stones then Easterly fifty four rods to a white oak tree then Southeasterly to the first Mentioned Bound Containing Twelve acres apprized at £28

"Then we sett of to Deborah the said Deceased Widow for her Dower or Thirds During her Life a Certain part of the Homestead bounded as follows viz. Beginning at a stake and Stones at Joshua Browns Land and runs for Northerly Twenty rods to a stake and Stones then Northerly twenty seven rods to a Stake in the pond hole all on Joshua Browns Land then westerly on Oliver Gates Land to a heap of Stones a Corner at Lieut Wetherbees Land then Southerly fourteen rods to a corner of Silas Hales Land then Still Southerly on said Hales Land Twenty five rods To a Stake and Stones then Esterly on the Land of s^d Deceased to the first mentioned Bound with the the Dwelling House on the Same with the Easterly End of the Barn to the flour meay and the easterly part of the ^????^ with the Liberty to pass and repass to the same and Liberty is allowed for to pass and repass across said Thirds ?? ????? where the road is Said Pond and Liberty to use the well said Land Contains about Eleven acres apprized at   £65

"Also we have Sett of to the Said Widow four acres of wood Land Bound as follows Beginning at a Stake and Stones at the road and runs Southerly twelve rods Bounded on said road to Berzaleel Hales Land then westerly on said Hales Land fifty three rods to a heap of of Stones at Bolton Line then Northerly on said Bolton Line Twelve rods to another heap of Stones and Stake then Easterly to the first Mentioned bound apprized at  £9=12-0

"Stow May y^e 30^th 1783
Jabez Brown   }
Joshua Brown } Apprizers 
Jonas Hale      }

"This May Certify that we are Content with the above proceedings as Witness our Hands                                                                        her  
                                    Deborah ~ Gates                    
                                                mark

"Middlesex Ss Nov. 5^th 1783.
I accept of this Return of Commissioners & order the Same to be Recorded.                                                                                  Oliver Prescott Jprob."

*  There are no probate papers in the probate packet that provide for the distribution of the rest of the real estate or the personal estate to the other heirs.

*  On 12 March 1783, Charles Whitman was appointed guardian of Asaph Gates and Bethiah Gates (under 14 years).  On 13 October 1784, Asaph chose Charles Whitman to be his guardian.

*  On 12 March 1783, Jacob Gates (above 14 years) chose Charles Whitman to be his guardian. 

On 18 March 1791, Deborah Gates, the widow and administratrix of the estate of Amos Gates, sold two parcels of land to Isaac Whitman for 101 pounds lawful money[15].  The first parcel was 27.5 acres of land in Stow which included the Amos Gates homestead in Stow except for Deborah Gates widow's thirds.  The parcel was bounded by the land of Joshua Brown, the Brook, liver Gates and Charles Hale.  The second parcel was 8 acres, 60 rods of land on Long Hill in Stow, and was bounded by widow Deborah Gates land, Thomas Osborne's land, the road to Bezaleel Hale's, and land of Jesse Wolcott.  The deed was recorded 16 May 1791.

Isaac Whitman was the husband of Susannah Gates, the daughter of Amos and Deborah (Thayer) Gates.  It is probable that Deborah Gates continued residing on the property with her daughter's family.  
 
5)  SOURCES

1. Clarence Almon Torrey, "Stephen Gates and Some of His Descendants," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 120, pages 161-170 (July 1966), and pages 261-271 (October 1966), Volume 120, page 269, Amos Gates sketch.

2. George Tolman (compiler), Concord, Massachusetts Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1635-1850 (Concord, Mass. : Committee on Printing, 1894), Volume II, page 131, Amos Gates and Mary Hubburd entry.

3. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org :, Volume 63, page 322 (image 512 of 628), Amos Gates to Bezaleel Heald, 1744 (recorded 24 Jan 1756).

4. "Probate Records 1648-1924 (Middlesex County, Massachusetts),"  886 FHL US/CAN Microfilms,  Packet #8,994 (accessed on FHL Microfilm 0,397,071 ), Simon Gates will proved.

5. Thomas W. Baldwin, Vital records of Mendon, Massachusetts, to the year 1850 (Boston, Mass. : New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1920).

6. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, Volume 65, page 75 (image 43 of 654) Amos Gates to James Davison, 1757 (recorded 23 October 1765).

7. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, Volume 80, page 188 (image 188 of 374), Amos Gates to Oliver Gates, 1762 (recorded 29 April 1779).

8. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, Volume 64, page 82 (image 590 of 824) Amos Gates to Simon Gates, 1764 (recorded 24 Jan 1756).

9. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, Volume 72, page 231 (image 126 of 581), Amos Gates to Solomon Harthorn, 1768 (recorded  31 October 1771).

10. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, Volume 69, page 347 (image 184 of 649), Amos Gates to Daniel Bayley, 1769 (recorded 12 July 1769).

11. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, Volume 130, page 225 (image 122 of 287), Amos Gates to Jesse Walcut, 1772 (recorded 31 Oct 1798).

12. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, Volume 80 , page 189 (image 188 of 374), Amos Gates to Oliver Gates, 1776 (recorded 29 April 1779).

13. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, Volume 84, page 476 (image 245 of 627), Amos Gates to Joshua Brown, 1783 (recorded 13 March 1789).

14. "Middlesex County, MA: Probate Papers, 1648-1871," digital image, American Ancestors (http://www.AmericanAncestors.org : accessed, Probate Packet 8,936 (10 images), Amos Gates, 1783, images 9 and 10, Distribution of Real Estate to widow.

15. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, Volume 104, page 371 (image 219 of 311), Deborah Gates (widow and administratrix) to Isaac Whitman, 1791 (recorded 16 May 1791).

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NOTE:  Amy Johnson Crow suggested a weekly blog theme of "52 Ancestors" in her blog post Challenge:  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks on the No Story Too Small blog.  I have extended this theme in 2017 to 208 Ancestors in 208 Weeks.


Copyright (c) 2017, Randall J. Seaver

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