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Thomas Gregson (bef. 1602 - 1646)

Thomas Gregson
Born before in Thurvaston, Derbyshire, Englandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Died after age 43 in At Seamap
Profile last modified | Created 25 Sep 2010
This page has been accessed 4,421 times.
The Puritan Great Migration.
Thomas Gregson migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 141)
Join: Puritan Great Migration Project
Discuss: pgm

Contents

Disputed Associations

The immigrant Thomas Gregson has been associated in print as the Thomas baptized Duffield, Derbyshire, England, 1611, son of Henry and Edith (Allestree) Gregson. This association was disputed by Donald Lines Jacobus in 1956; [1] it is now disputed by WikiTree collaborators. Current work (2022) is progressing to address this conflict. See Research Notes.

Biography

Thomas Gregson was an early settler and founder of East Haven, Connecticut.

He was probably born at Sutton-on-the-Hill, Derbyshire, England, baptized there 3 October 1602,[2] the son of John Gregson and his wife, Joan Hill; he was lost at sea in 1645/6 en route to seek a charter from the English Parliament.

Thomas married at England, probably shortly before 1630, Jane _____,[3] who died New Haven, Connecticut Colony, 4 June 1702,[4] sick and weak" and "aged above 80." [5][6]

Immigration

By early 1637, "Mr. John Davenport, Mr. Samuel Eaton, Theophilus Eaton and Edward Hopkins, Esquires, Mr. Thomas Gregson and many others of good character and fortunes" were organized by a group of London merchants for the purpose of establishing a commercial settlement at New England. The group arrived Boston 26 June 1637. On 30 March 1638 the group sailed from Boston and settled at Quinnipiac (present day New Haven).[7]

Further details of the family's immigration are not known, but Thomas' wife and English born children are presumed to have accompanied him or joined him at New Haven shortly.

At New England

The New Haven founders settled on land obtained under the terms of a treaty signed by Quinnipiac Grand Sachem Momauguin ("along with others of his council")[8] on what was the east side of the harbor, "between the water and the Saybrook fort."[9]

At New Haven Colony, Thomas served as "Truck Master"[10] The following year he was chosen colony treasurer; elected to the office again several years in succession. In 1642, he was chosen to be a magistrate, and chosen again for that position in 1646.[11]

In 1643, Mr. Gregson was named, with the governor, as New Haven Colony's first commissioners to the "United Colonies of New England.

The lost voyage. WIP

The ship upon which he sailed, in Jan. 1646, with "Lamberton and divers other godly persons" for London was never heard from afterward.[citation needed]

Estates. An inventory of Thomas' estate was made on 2 November 1647, but the distribution was was not settled until 2 April 1716.[12] Named in the distribution are, "the heirs of Richard [Gregson], the eldest and only Son of the Dec'd"; "the heirs of Mr. Anna Daniells"; "the heirs of Susannah Crittenden"; "the heirs of Rebeckah Bowers"; "the heirs of Sarah Whitehead"; "Phebe Russell youngest Daughter of the Deceased."

"Jane Grigson" left a will dated 5 February 1701/2 and codicil "made some short time after ye making of sd will." The inventory of her estate was made 4 August 1702.[13] In the will, Jane mentions her daughter "Anna Daniell," "some of the Children (one or more of them) of my son Richard Gregson in England"; "my daughter Mary in England ... and her heirs," "the rest of my children," "my grandchild Ruth Frisbie of Branford," "daughter Susanna Crittenden," "daughter Phebe," "grandchild Elizabeth Winston," "grandchild Johanna Thompson," "grandchild Rebecka Thompson," "great-grandchild Elizabeth Glover that now lives with me," and "the four children of my daughter Whitehead."

On the 1st Monday of June 1710, a division of certain land and meadow of Mrs. Jane Gregson, "on the south side of New haven harbor" was ordered "to ye several Legatees." The division was made "Tuesday the day following," to Mrs. Ruth Frisby alias Hoadly, Mrs. Susanna Crittenden, Joanna Thompson, and Mrs. Mary Wyke."[14][15]

Family

Children,[16][17][18]

  1. Annah Gregson (aka Hannah), baptized at St Augustine, Watling Street, London, England, 16 October 1632;[19] died 3 May 1709; married [1651], Stephen Daniels.
  2. Stephen Gregson, baptized at St Augustine, Watling Street, London, England, 17 October 1633;[20] must have died young as the probate records for Thomas and Jane report Richard as the "eldest and only son."
  3. Rebecca Gregson, baptized at St Augustine, Watling Street, London, England, 6 January 1634;[21] married Rev. John Bowers.
  4. Richard Gregson, baptized at St Augustine, Watling Street, London, England, 20 March 1635/6;[22] seated in 1656; returned to England and resided there at Bristol.
  5. John Gregson, baptized at St Augustine, Watling Street, London, England, 31 March 1637;[23] buried there 3 April 1637.[24]
  6. Susannah Gregson, probably born New Haven, say 1638, died 8 September 1712, married 13 May 1661, Abraham Crittenden.
  7. Mary Gregson, baptized at First Congregational Society, New Haven, 26 January 1639/40; returned to England, married at England, ______ Wyke.
  8. Phebe Gregson, baptized 15 October 1643, died 19 September 1730; married (1) 1673, Rev. John Whiting of Hartford; married (2) 1692, Rev. John Russell of Hadley.
  9. Abigail Gregson, baptized 23 February 1644/5, died young.
  10. Sarah Gregson, born about 1646, died 1697; married (1) 12 December 1667, John Gilbert; married (2) 9 May 1676, Samuel Whitehead.

Research Notes

See also Gregson Ancestry per Prindle 1973-1974
See 2022 G2G, "Proposal to update parentage of Thomas Gregson, founder of New Haven (PGM)."
See also Richard Gregson of Bristol 1640s-1660s

Errors in Print as to Parentage. In 1954, Edith B. Summer associated the immigrant Thomas Gregson as the son of Henry and Edith (Allestree) Gregson in Ancestry and descendants of Amaziah Hall and Betsey Baldwin.[25] This association found its way to numerous family files and has been broadly shared. In 1954, Donald Lines Jacobus, FASG, disputed this association, writing, "It is proved Thomas Gregson came from the Derbyshire family, but he would seem to be an older man that the Thomas baptized at Dunffield ... 1611, and may have been an older cousin." The immigrant's parentage was the subject of a lengthy 1973-1974 Register series, "English Ancestry of Mr. Thomas Gregson of New Haven" by Paul W. Prindle, FASG.

His updated parentage draws on a complex set of documents,

  • Thomas Gregson 1716 estate distribution
  • Will of Jane Gregson, 1691/2 (she died 1702), mentioning children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
  • The English will of Richard Gregson, proved 1640, mentioning "kinsman Thomas Gregson ... and his wife Mary," and "Thomas Gregson in New England," possibly also Richard's son, Thomas Gregson, a cousin Richard Gregson of Bristol, "my brother Henry Gregson ..."
  • Will of Henry Gregson (1583-bef.1653) dated 17 January 1652/3 as "Henrici Gregson of Tuentdity, Derbyshire, England" mentions "son-in-law Richard Perkins of Hull, Alice Perkins his wife and John Perkins their son; and [makes] his son George Gregson his residual heir and sole executor." Apparently the will does not name relatives at New England (such as a widowed daughter in law and grandchildren). Reference for the will includes Ancestry Sharing Link.
  • Various documents regarding the family of only son Richard Gregson, his son and grandson, both William--conveyances and/or deeds, possibly both at England and New Haven.
  • Yet other wills and parish register surveys.

From the answer by Stephen Heathcote on G2G (2022),

There were three candidates for the emigrant to New England. Of these, the son of Henry Gregson of Turnditch (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Gregson-1098) can be eliminated as a possibility because he can be shown to have died in London in 1664. Similarly, Thomas the son of Gregory Gregson of Thurvaston lived in London between 1615 and 1656 (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Gregson-1075). That leaves Thomas the son of John and Joan as the only remaining candidate.

Directory. GM Directory p. 141 Gregson, Thomas: London, 1637; New Haven; died at sea 1646 while returning to England. [NHCR 1:25; NHCHR 1; Waters 563-65; NEHGR 81:124, 127:167-77, 260-27, 128:65-73, 105-12; Abandoning 124-25.

Birth/Baptism. A prior version of this profile reported Thomas son of Henry Gregson of Turnditch was christened at Duffield, Derbyshire, on 14 July 1611.[26][27][28]

The profile also reported "Alternate birth record appears as March 5, 1597."

Sources

  1. Book Reviews, The American Genealogist 32 (1956):255-56; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
  2. Thomas Gregson 1602 Baptism: "England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980"; Ancestry uk Record 1351 #5849139 (accessed 12 February 2022), Thomas Gregson baptism on 3 Oct 1602, son of Johannis & Joannae, in Sutton-on-the-Hill, Derbyshire, England.
  3. Paul W. Prindle, "English Ancestry of Mr. Thomas Gregson of New Haven," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 127 (1973):167-77, 260-267; 128 (1974):65-73, 105-12, at 128 (1974):65; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
  4. Order of the Founders and Patriots of America. Connecticut Society, Vital records of New Haven, 1649-1850 multiple volumes/parts (Hartford, The Connecticut society of the Order of the founders and patriots of America, 1917), 1:87; digital images, InternetArchive.
  5. Paul W. Prindle, "English Ancestry of Mr. Thomas Gregson of New Haven," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 127 (1973):167-77, 260-267; 128 (1974):65-73, 105-12, at 128 (1974):65; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
  6. Stephen Dodd, The East-Haven register: in three parts ... (New Haven : Pub. for the author, and sold by A. H. Maltby & co., 1824), 163; digital images, Hathi Trust.
  7. Citing Benjamin Trumbull, A Complete History of Connecticut, 1898 ed., 1:70," Paul W. Prindle, "English Ancestry of Mr. Thomas Gregson of New Haven," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 127 (1973):167-77, 260-267; 128 (1974):65-73, 105-12, at 128 (1974):65; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
  8. Without further reference, "Momauguin" in "Individuals of importance in Quinnipiac history" in "Quinnipiac"; web content, Wikipedia.
  9. Paul W. Prindle, "English Ancestry of Mr. Thomas Gregson of New Haven," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 127 (1973):167-77, 260-267; 128 (1974):65-73, 105-12, at 128 (1974):65; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
  10. Citing minutes of the General Court, 23 October 1640, Paul W. Prindle, "English Ancestry of Mr. Thomas Gregson of New Haven," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 127 (1973):167-77, 260-267; 128 (1974):65-73, 105-12, at 128 (1974):68; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
  11. Paul W. Prindle, "English Ancestry of Mr. Thomas Gregson of New Haven," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 127 (1973):167-77, 260-267; 128 (1974):65-73, 105-12, at 128 (1974):68; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
  12. Estate of Mr. Thomas Gregson, New Haven, Dec'd, New Haven (Conn.) probate records, 4:397; digital images, FamilySearch, FHL Digital Collection, DGS 7626740, images 407-408 of 502.
  13. Jane Grigson widdow, 5 February 1701/2 will (also codicil and inventory), New Haven (Conn.) probate records, 2 (2):281-283; digital images, FamilySearch, FHL Digital Collection, DGS 7626739, images 421 (recto)-423 of 452.
  14. New Haven (Conn.) probate records, 3:217-218 (223/224 struck through); digital images, FamilySearch, FHL Digital Collection, DGS 007626740, images 122-23 of 502.
  15. Citing "Page 223, vol. III., New Haven Prob. Rec.," Francis B. Trowbridge, in Henry F. Waters, "Genealogical Gleanings in England," in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register 46 (1892):151-53 (Gregson), at 152; digital images, Hathi Trust.
  16. Citing in part, "NHV" and "NHCI" and "G," Donald Lines Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven, originally 8 vols. (1922-1932, rpt. [1994?]), 3:689-90 (Gregson); digital images, Hathi Trust.
  17. Francis B. Trowbridge, in Henry F. Waters, "Genealogical Gleanings in England," in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register 46 (1892):151-53 (Gregson); digital images, Hathi Trust. N.B. Trowbridge writes (1892), "He left a widow, Jane ..., one son Richard, and, it is said, eight daughters, but then lists only eight children.
  18. Paul W. Prindle, "English Ancestry of Mr. Thomas Gregson of New Haven," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 127 (1973):167-77, 260-267; 128 (1974):65-73, 105-12, digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
  19. Hannah Gregson 1632 Baptism, "London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812," City of London > St Augustine, Watling Street > 1559-1653; Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 13 February 2022), Hannah Gregson baptised 16 October 1632, parents are Thomas and Jane.
  20. Stephen Gregson 1633 Baptism, "London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812," City of London > St Augustine, Watling Street > 1559-1653; Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 13 February 2022), Stephen Grigson baptised 17 October 1633, parents are Thomas and Jane.
  21. Rebeccah Gregson 1634 Baptism, "London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812," London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: P69/AUG/A/001/MS08872/001; Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 1624 #5292303 (accessed 13 February 2022), Rebeccan Gregson baptism on 6 Jan 1634, daughter of Thomas & Jane, in St Augustine, Watling Street, City of London, London, England.
  22. Richard Gregson 1635/6 Baptism, "London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812." City of London > St Augustine, Watling Street > 1559-1653; Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 13 February 2022), Richard Gregson baptised 20 March 1635/6; parents are Thomas and Jane.
  23. John Gregson 1637 Baptism, "London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812," City of London > St Augustine, Watling Street > 1559-1653; Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 13 February 2022), John Gregson baptised 31 day of March 1637, parents are Thomas and Jane.
  24. John Gregson 1637 Burial, "London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812," City of London > St Augustine, Watling Street > 1559-1653; Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 13 February 2022), John Gregson, "sonne of Thomas Gregson & Jane his wife."
  25. Edith B. Summer, Ancestry and descendants of Amaziah Hall and Betsey Baldwin (Los Angeles, Lithoprinted by American Offset Printers, 1954), 75-79, at 76-79; digital images, Hathi Trust.
  26. FamilySearch.
  27. Baptism: "Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812," Derbyshire Record Office; Matlock, Derbyshire, England; Diocese: Diocese of Derby; Reference Number: D 2402 A PI 1/1; Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 61407 #3790188 (accessed 10 February 2022), Thomas Gregson baptism on 14 Jul 1611 in Duffield, Derbyshire, England.
  28. Joseph Hunter. Familiae Minorum Gentium, Volume 1. John W. Clay, ed. London, 1894. Page 217.
See also--
  • Paul W. Prindle, "English Ancestry of Mr. Thomas Gregson of New Haven," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 127 (1973):167-77, 260-267; 128 (1974):65-73, 105-12; digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.
  • Parish Registers of Duffield, FamilySearch, image 20 of 86 (FHL Digital Collection, 4452018, item 463 of 715), Thomas Gregson burial or baptism, July 1611. NB: The entry seems listed to the left as a burial, but entered as a baptism; it was indexed by FamilySearch as a baptism.
  • Francis B. Trowbridge, in Henry F. Waters, "Genealogical Gleanings in England," in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register 46 (1892):151-53 (Gregson); digital images, Hathi Trust.
  • Winifred S. Alcorn, "Abstracts of the Early Probate Records of New Haven, Book I, Part I, 1647-1687," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 81 (1927):121-35, at 124 (Thomas Gregson); digital images, Hathi Trust.
  • Hoadly, Charles J. Records of the Colony and Plantation of New Haven, from 1638-1649. 1857. Link to index at archive.org
  • Donald Lines Jacobus, Families of ancient New Haven, originally 8 vols. (1922-1932, rpt. [1994?]), 3:689-90 (Gregson); digital images, Hathi Trust.
  • See Frederick Croswell, "History of Trinity Church" in Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical Society, multiple vols. (New Haven, Ct. : [The Society], 1865- ), 1 (1865):48-57 (A curious discovery … ); digital images, Hathi Trust, also as Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical Society (1865) Vol. 1, Page 50
  • Dodd, Stephen. The East-Haven Register, In Three Parts (A.H. Maltby & Co., 1824) Page 161: "1647. Thomas Gregson, first white settler in E. Haven."
  • Find A Grave: Memorial #27458041
  • Frisbee, Edward. Frisbee-Frisbie Genealogy (Tuttle Co., Rutland, VT, 1926) Page 27: see footnote
  • "A narrative of the Griswold family from Thomas Griswold, esq. of Weathersfield and Guilford 1695", Printed for the compiler by the Tuttle Co., 1931, Griswold, Ruth Lee, page 19 [1]
  • Baptism: "England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980"
    Ancestry uk Record 1351 #5849139 (accessed 12 February 2022)
    Thomas Gregson baptism on 3 Oct 1602, son of Johannis & Joannae, in Sutton-on-the-Hill, Derbyshire, England.




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Comments: 10

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Gregson-1091 and Gregson-3 appear to represent the same person because: Same person. Gregson-3 had incorrect parents and birth record. See G2G post.
posted by Stephen Heathcote
John son of Thomas Gregson and Jane his wife was buried at St Augustine, Watling Street in the City of London, on 3 April 1637. That was obviously prior to Thomas and Jane setting off for New England.
posted by Stephen Heathcote
Unless there are objections, I will work to update the profile of this immigrant, his birth, wife, children, etc.

I will update the narrative as to his parents, but won't unlink those currently attached until members of the English Project are on board with the claims and proof/references, and we may opt for a G2G in advance of making those changes. --Gene

posted by GeneJ X
edited by GeneJ X
A considerable update to Trowbridge's 1892 account was published as Paul W. Prindle, FASG, "English Ancestry of Mr. Thomas Gregson of New Haven," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 127 (1973):167-177, [https://www.americanancestors.org/DB202/i/11718/260/0 260-267; 128 (1974):65-73, 105-112, digital images by subscription, AmericanAncestors.

Extensive survey work was published with this account. Will take time to review.

Identifies the immigrant as Thomas, "undoubtedly baptized ... St. Michael Old Angels, Sutton-on-the-Hill, Derbyshire, during the hiatus of 5 March to 3 June 1598" ...; his father is John, who in turn is the son of Thomas.

Will edit to add more details.--Gene

Edited to add: Have set up a free space page to sort through some of Prindle's work, see WIP Gregson Ancestry per Prindle 1973-1974

posted by GeneJ X
edited by GeneJ X
A good find - thank you! I have the Sutton on the Hill parish register on the screen in front of me: there are no entries between 5 March and 25 May 1598, but that is not unusual for a small parish. There is no obvious gap. "St Michael Old Angels" makes me suspicious - the church name is simply "St Michael", but "St Michael and All Angels" is quite common. Would it be possible for you to download a e-mail the article? The christening may have been at another nearby church whose records have not survived.
posted by Stephen Heathcote
Thank you Stephen. I have followed up by private message.

Have not gotten to the parish register, etc. extracts yet, but have begun to cataloging the wills included in the article. Gregson Ancestry per Prindle 1973-1974

posted by GeneJ X
"St. Michael Old Angels, Sutton-on the-Hill, Derbyshire." "Entries taken by the author from the church register from its beginning in 1567 through 1618. Entries from 5 March 1597/8 to 3 June 1598 and from 1618 to January 1623 are omitted in the register." (127:176-77, AmericanAncestors)

There follows a published page of entries.

posted by GeneJ X
edited by GeneJ X
There is indeed a note following the entry on 9 March 1618/19 that "five yeares next left out through the negligence of the vicar and his curate". The next entry is 9 January 1623 (New Style).

John Gregson's will in 1607 names children Thomas, Edward and Elizabeth for whom I cannot find christenings in the parish register. Henry's son Thomas certainly lived and died in London, so this profile has the wrong parents attached.

PS: Christening records for Thomas, Edward and Elizabeth now found and added to their profiles.

posted by Stephen Heathcote
edited by Stephen Heathcote
How do we know that the Thomas who immigrated to New England is the same person who was baptized 1611 at Derbyshire?

From what I have quickly learned, the process of proving Thomas' parentage is complex, involving multiple generations across a broader family. The work to retrace the family members involved doesn't seem documented on WikiTree. Rather, it seems we have moved step by step to document "a" Thomas born to "a" Henry, but not necessarily the right Thomas/Henry (or Thomas/[Father of Thomas]).

Edited to add: Some WikiTree backstory,

  • 2010 -- No sources were included in the initial GEDCOM import by which Thomas' profile was created in 2010. The profile then reported parents Henry and Edith (Allestree) Gregson with a birth in the data field as "1597-03-05" in Sutton on Hill, Derbyshire, but as "14 Jul 1611" at Duffield Derby England in the narrative.
  • 2013 -- Sources "FindAGrave" and "Millennium File" were added to the profile during a merge, and his birth in the date field was updated from "1597-03-05". to 1611. with the note, "Millennium file says birth year 1598 and parents Henry Gregson and Edith Allestree, daughter Rebecca Gregson." Shortly, a note was added, "Alternate birth record appears as March 5, 1597."
  • Since then, WikiTree collaborators have worked to refine, clarify and provide reliable sources, all in an effort to support claims in the biography--that "a" Henry Gregson had "a" son Thomas ...

We are documenting the trees, but let's make sure we are in the right forest.--Gene

posted by GeneJ X
edited by GeneJ X
I'm going to work on this profile: A Signer of the New Haven Fundamental Agreement
posted by Anne B

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