Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

William Gillett

Male Abt 1574 - Bef 1641  (~ 67 years)


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  • Name William Gillett 
    Born Abt 1574  Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Christened 25 Jan 1579  North Petherton, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died Bef 2 Apr 1641  Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 16 Apr 1641  Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I1895  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Gillett,   b. , Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F1167  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Habiathia Pye,   b. Bef 1590, of Donyatt, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 May 1681, Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age > 91 years) 
    Married 18 Sep 1609  Donytt, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Jonathan Gillett,   b. Abt 1610, of Kingstone, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Aug 1677, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 67 years)
     2. Nathan Gillett,   b. Abt 1611, of Kingstone, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Sep 1689, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 78 years)
     3. Elias Gillett,   c. 11/11 Feb 1611/2, Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location
     4. William Gillett,   b. From 1613 to 1620, Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1641, , , England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 29 years)
     5. Jeremiah Gillett,   b. From 1613 to 1620, Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 10 Aug 1676, of Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 63 years)
     6. Mary Gillett,   b. From 1613 to 1620, Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1641, , , England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 29 years)
     7. Habiah Gillett,   b. From 1613 to 1620, Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1641, of, , England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 29 years)
     8. Thomas Gillett,   c. 27 Mar 1621, Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1641, , , England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 21 years)
     9. Andrew Gillett,   b. Apr 1623, Chaffcombe, Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1163  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Rector of Chaffcombe, Somerset, England who was instituted to that benefice 4 Feb 1609/10 and who died early in 1641, before 2 April, when the inventory of his estate was taken by Thomas Palmer and Lawrence Seley, two of his parishioners. His will was dated 1641, and proved by the executor William Gillet in the Arch deaconry Court at Taunton 16 April 1641. The estate was worth L259-14 sh.-3 d., which included L13-6 sh.-08 d. for silver plate and equal sum for books. Abstract of will is noted in "Some of Descendants of Jonathan Gillett" in source noted below.

      2. Transcribed copy of letter found in the Gillett family file at the Windsor Connecticut Historical Society:
      "Somerset Record Office
      Obridge Road, Taunton, TA2 7PU
      County Archivist: Derek M. M. Shorrocks, M.A.
      Telephone: Taunton 87600 & 78805 (2 lines)
      11 July, 1979.
      [Addressed to:] Mr. R.P. Gillette, Box 75A, RFD 1, Mason, NH, 03048
      Dear Mr. Gillette,
      Thank your for your letter of 2nd July, 1979.
      The clergyman who was rector of Chaffcombe during the period you describe was the Rev. William Gillett (not Edward). Nothing certain is known of his origins or education and he does not appear to have studied at Oxford or Cambridge. A William Gyllett signs a bishop's transcript of 1599 as curate of Chillington (only two miles east of Chaffcombe) and the will of a John Gillett of Chillington (the original destroyed by bombing during the last war) was proved in 1618. He might have been William's father.
      William was instituted as rector of Chaffcombe on 4th February, 1610 (new style) and held the living until his death. His will does not survive but we hold an inventory of his possessions, valued at over ₤100, taken on 2nd April, 1641, probably within a few days of his death. There is every likelihood that he was buried at Chaffcombe. The parish registers of Chaffcombe survive only from 1678 although isolated bishop's transcripts supply the baptism of three of his sons: Elias on 11 February, 1611/12, Thomas on 27th March, 1621 and Andrew in April, 1623.
      [signature] DM. M. Shorrocks."

      3. From the booklet "Search for the Passengers of the Mary & John, 1630," vol. 13, "New Ancestral Discoveries -1990," The Mary & John Clearing House, 1990, Burton W. Spear, 5602-305th Street, Toledo, OH, 43611, copy in the Windsor, CT, Historical Society Library, p. 23:
      A. "Abstract of Will of William Gylette of Chaffcombe, Somerset (Taunton Wills 1641, File 13) Printed in NYGBR vol. 41, 1910 p. 282-3:
      'My daughters, Habish & Mary; land which my son, Nathan made over to me by letter of attorney. My son, William, the next reversion of said land, shall surrender his estate (therein) unto Thomas, when requested there unto, I give & bequeath unto my son, Jeremiah, my chatell (lease) of Courtground. To all my children, I give two silver spoons apiece. I give and bequeath unto my son, William and his heirs, my land called Bowers (lease) on condition that he do pay out the same one annuity of twelve pounds; vizt; to my daughters, Habiah, 4 pounds; to my daughter, Mary, 4 pounds, and to my sons, Jeremiah, 40 shillings. To Thomas, Jeremiah, Mary and Habiah, each of them one chayre and one frame stool. The rest of my goods I give to my son, William, whom I make executor, and Mr. Joseph Greenfield, Mr. Luffe, my brother, Richard and my kinsman, Henry Hutchings, Overseers. No witnesses.' This is the will of the father of the emigrants...
      The communion cup used by Rev. William Gylett is supposedly still in use [in Chaffcombe]."
      B. "Jonathan, Nathan, & Jeremiah Gillett - There is no basis for the claim that the Gillett family of Somerset has a French-Huguenot ancestry because there were Gilletts in the area before the Huguenots emigrated to England. Nothing is known about this family before 1609, when Rev. William Gylett became the vicar of Chaffcombe, Somerset (1609-1641). In TAG Vol. 42, p. 160-163, George McCracken published five Gillett wills in their entirety..." the following "wills do not appear to help trace the ancestry of Rev. William Gylett, except that he had a brother, Richard Gylett" [as mentioned in William's will transcribed in the note above]:
      a. "William Gylett, 16 Aug 1568, probated 22 Jan 1568/9. (Pcc 1 Sheffield), Admin. 14 Aug 1579. He mentioned burial in Corfe, Dorset (5 miles S. of Wareham), wife Jone, Richard Harvey, Robert Ryves & Margaret, his wife. (Note: This Margaret, dau. of William Gylett m. Robert Ryves of Randleston, who was son of John Ryves of Damery Court and Amy Harvey of Lawnsone, Dorset. (See 1623 Visitiations of Dorset, p. 80). Also mentioned, son, Zachery Gillett (only son mentioned), Matthew Harvey, daughters Elner, Margaret, and Annys. Overseers: Robert Ryves and William Cullyford (note: One of William Gylett's daus. m. Henry Collyford of Collyford, Devon and they had a son William. See Visitations of Dorset, 1623, p. 33 and 1677, p. 16). Witnesses: William Clavell (See 1623 Visitations of Dorset, p. 29) and John Ryves."
      b. "Johan Gylett, widow (of above), late of Wareham, Dorset, dated March 1568, probated June 1571 (PCC 27 Holney). Administration to William Clavell, brother-William Clavell (Note: He was pos. son of John Clabell, Clauill of Barneston Dorset - not found - (See 1623 Visitations of Dorset, p. 29), nephew - Thomas Clavell, John Ryves son of Robert Ryves. Witnesses: John Burges, Robert Ryves, James Arnewood, Richard Frank, Frances Burge & Agnes Smythe."
      c. "John Gillett, Thelder [the elder], of West Stafford (Dorset), dated 11 Oct 33 Elizabet, probated, 18 Dec 1591 (PCC 94 Sainberbe). West Stafford is 3 miles E. of Dorchester. Mentions wife Johane, son Jesper Gillett and his children, unmarried daus. Edith Perius (Perys) Children, son John. Overseers: Mr. Robert Miller, William Burde and John Loder. Witnesses: Richard Russell and Robert Payne."
      d. "Richard Gillett of Caudel Haddon, Dorset, husbandman, dated 1 Jul 1600, probated 16 Jul 1600 (PCC 55 Wallop). Caudle Haddon not found. Will mentions: wife, Alice to be buried at Caudle, son William - 10 pounds, son Edward - 5 pounds at end of his apprenticeship (indicating that he was young), dau. Mary, 10 pounds at marriage, son Richard's children, 10 pounds between them, son-in-law, William Sheppard who had a son, William, son John Gillett. Witnesses: William Appkyn, William Adames, Richard Same, Robert Grannte and curate, William Sweet of Caudle."

      4. From the publication "Clues of English Archives Contributory to America," pp. 282-283:
      "William Gyllett of Chaffcombe, co. Somerset, dated 1641. (The top of this will is defective, a large V-shaped piece being eaten out of it by damp.) My daughters Habiah and Mary. Land which my son Nathan made over to me by letter of Attorney. My son William, the next reversioner of said land, shall surrender his estate (therein) unto Thomas when requested thereunto. I give and bequeath unto my son Jeremiah my chattle (lease) of court ground. To all my children in England I give two silver spoones apiece. I give and bequeath unto my son William and his heirs my land called Bomers lease, on condition that he do pay out of the same one annuity of twelve pounds, vizt., to my daughter Habiah, ₤4, to my daughter Mary ₤6, and to my son Jeremiah 40s. To Thomas, Jeremiah, Mary and Habiah each of them one chayre and one frame stool. The rest of my goods I give to my son William, whom I make executor, and Mr. Joseph Greenfield, Mr. Luffe, my brother Richard, and my kinsman Henry Hutchins overseers. Signed: (William Gyllett). Witnesses: None. Proved 16 April, 1641, by the executor. (Taunton Wills, 1641, File 13.)
      The Christian names in this will give unmistakable evidence that we are here dealing with a member of the family of that Jonathan Gillett who came, with his brother Nathan or Nathaniel, to Dorchester, Mass., where he was freeman 6 May, 1635, Nathan having been admitted the preceeding [sic] year, and both of whom removed later to Windsor, Conn.
      Jonathan had a son Jeremiah, born 12 and baptised 20 February, 1647, at Windsor, and Nathan a daughter Abia, born 22 August, 1641, a coindence [sic] of unusual names which can hardly have been accidental. (Stiles' "Hist. Windsor, II, 289, 297; "Savage," II, 255; Pope's "Pioneers," 187.)
      It seems highly probable that in the testator, William Gillett, we have the father of the two emigrant brothers, bequests to whom were omitted because they had received their portions before leaving England, and the casual mention of Nathan having made over land by Power of Attorney probably refers to an act performed at the time of his departure. In this connection the bequest "to all my children in England" is noteworthy."

      5. "The American Genealogist," No. 223, Vol. 56, No. 3, July 1980, Article "Nathan Gillett's Earlier Descendants," by George E. McCracken:
      "All writers on the Gillett family listed in our recent bibliography (TAG 55:170) are unanimous in stating that Jonathan Gillett had with him in Windsor, Connecticut, a brother named Nathan Gillett, yet the great majority of them, having once mentioned Nathan, drop him like a hot potato, and the few exceptions give brief and faulty accounts of him. It is therefore high time that some attention be given Jonathan's earlier descendants.
      Before 1641 Nathan had by powers of attorney made some conveyance to his father, the Rev. William Gyllett, rector of Chaffcombe, Somersetshire, as indicated in the father's will. Whether he came to America with his brother Jonathan, either on the first trip or the second, is not certain, but Nathan was made a freeman of Massachusetts Bay in 1634 and by 1635 he had removed to Connecticut where he lived at Windsor, serving in the Pequot War in 1637, for which service he received in 1671 a grant of 50 acres (Connecticut Colonial Records 2:161)..."

      6. 20 Mar 2008 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bart/Gillet.htm:
      A. "Richard Gylett born 1551(?) in Caudle Haddon, Dorset, England, married (1) Joan ENBERG 11 Aug. 1567[4] in Burton Parish, Dorset, married (2) Alice [-?-], died in July 1600, buried in the churchyard at Caudle Haddon. Joan was born ca. 1550 in Chaffcombe, Somerset.
      Richard Gillett of Caudle Haddon, Dorset, husbandman, wrote his will 1 July 1600. It was probated 16 July 1600 (PCC 55 Wallopp). He bequeathed 2 shillings to the poor of Caudle; to son William, £10; to son Edward at end of his apprenticeship, £5; to daughter Mary at marriage, £10; to children of son Richard, 10 shillings parted between them; to son-in-law William Sheppard one brass pan, and to the latter's son William 2/6; residue to wife Alice and son John equally, they to be executors.[5]
      Richard's children were:
      i. William GILETT.
      ii. Richard Gillett born 1576. By 1600 he had 2 children. In 1641 he was named one of four overseers of his brother William's will.
      iii. Edward Gillett living in 1600.
      iv. Mary Gillett living in 1600.
      v. John Gillett living in 1600.
      vi. [-?-] Gillett married William SHEPPARD before 1600."
      Footnotes:
      "[3] McCracken, George E., "New Gillett Information from England" (TAG, 1979), 55:173.
      [4] Bishop, Rebecca A., "Ancestors of Frederick Devilo Bishop" (<http://familytreemaker.com/users/b/i/s/Rebecca-A-Bishop/GENE3-0017.html>); McCracken, George E., "New Gillett Information from England" (TAG, 1979), 55:172.
      [5] McCracken, George E., "English Gillet Wills" (TAG, 1966), 42:160-161."
      B. "Rev. William Gyllett born ca. 1574 in Chaffcombe, Somerset, England, christened 25 Jan. 1579 in N. Petherton, Somerset, [6] married Habiathia Pye 18 Sept. 1609 in Donytt, Somerset, died 2/4 Apr. 1641 in Chaffcombe, buried 16 Apr. 1641 in Chaffcombe. Habiathia, born ca. 1578 in Chaffcombe, died 14 May 1681 in Chaffcombe.
      William was confirmed Rector of the Chaffcombe Parish on 4 Feb. 1609/10. Chaffcombe lies 5 miles west of Crewkerne[7]. William Gyllett signed the extant Bishops' Transcripts of the Chaffcombe Parish Registers as Rector of Chaffcombe in 1623 and 1638.[8]
      William wrote his will in 1641. It was proved 16 Apr. 1641. The 2 Apr. 1641 inventory showed the estate to be worth £259/14/8, which included £13/6/8 for silver plate and an equal sum for books. In his will William referred to land which his son Nathan had made over to him by letter of attorney. To all his children in England he gave two silver spoons apiece. Beneficiaries were his children William, Thomas, Jeremiah, Habiah and Mary. Overseers were Joseph Greenfield, Mr. Luffe, brother Richard and kinsman Henry Hutchins.[9]
      The children of William & Habiathia were:[10]
      i. Jonathan Gillett.
      ii. Habiah (Abiah) Gyllett born ca. 1602(?) in England, living in England in 1641.
      iii. Mary Gylett born ca. 1604(?) in England, living in England in 1641.
      iv. Nathan Gillet.
      v. William Gylett born ca. 1610(?) in Chaffcombe Parish, Somerset, living in England in 1641. He was executor of his father's will.
      vi. Elias Gylet baptized 11 Feb. 1611/12 in Chaffcombe Parish. According to Joseph Forster, ed., Alumni Oxonienses, 1500-1714, Oxford, 1891, Vol. WP. 569, "Gillett Elias, son of William of Chaffcombe, Somerset, sacred (i.e., priest, clergyman) New Hal Inn, matriculated 7 May 1632, aged 20; B.A. 7 June 1632; M.A. 23 April 1635."[15]
      vii. Jeremiah Gyllett born ca. 1616(?) in Chaffcombe Parish, Somerset. Apparently Jeremiah also emigrated to New England since he was granted land for his service in the Pequot War of 1637 but by 1641 he had returned to England.
      Son Sgt. Jeremiah Gillett received a grant of land in Simsbury in 1678. On 9 Mar. 1679/80 the committee appointed by the General Court "for settling of ye plantation of Simsbury" determined that proprietor Jermiah Gillyt's land should be on the "east side." On 13 Dec. 1678, "giuen to Jeremiah Gylitt" 12 acres. There was a difference concerning the place for the meeting house, and among the signers was "Jere Gillyt." On 28 May 1685 (1683?), Jeremiah Gillit was chosen Sergeant. "Jere Gillyt was a signer of the agreement with the minister, Mr. Edward Thompson, 27 June 1687, and Jeremiah Gillit signed the agreement about the mills. On 28 Apr. 1702, Jeremiah Gyllit of Simsbury, for £5, conveyed to John Humphris: the acknowledgement was entered as made by "Sergt Jeremiah.[16]
      viii. Thomas Gyllet baptized 27 Mar. 1623 in Chaffcombe Parish, Somerset, living in England in 1641.
      ix. Andrew Gyllet baptized in Apr. 1623 in Chaffcombe Parish, Somerset."
      Footnotes:
      "[6] <http://www.pcez.com/~bigshoe/du/Holc/culver.html>.
      [7] Plummer, John, "Identifying George P~?~ of the Recovery, 1633 [1634]" (NGSQ, 1989), 252.
      [8] Coddington, John I., "Jonathan Gillett of Dorchester, Mass., & Windsor, Conn., & Mary Dolbere or Dolbiar, His Wife" (TAG,1938/9), 15:208-209.
      [9] Anderson, Robert C., "The Great Migration Begins" (1995), 2: 769-772; Lea, J. Henry & J. R. Hutchinson, "Clues from English Archives Contributory to American Genealogy" (NYG&BR, 1910), 41:282-283; McCracken, George E., "New Gillett Information from England" (TAG, 1979), 55:171.
      [10] McCracken, George E., "New Gillett Information from England" (TAG, 1979), 55:171; Susan L. Bayton, "Descendants of William Gylett" (http://familytreemaker.com/users/b/a/y/Susan-L-Bayton/GENE2-0001.html).
      [15] Aldridge, Bertha B., "Gillette Family Including some of the Descendants of the Immigrants Jonathan & Nathan Gillet" (1955), 12.
      [16] Jacobus, Donald L., "Gillett Addenda" (TAG, 1950), 26:52."

      7. "The New England Historical and Genealogical Register," v. 162, April 2008, p. 113, article: "Various English Wills Relating to New England Colonists: Gillett, Swaine, Cheney, and Tutty-Knight-Whitman," by Leslie Mahler:
      "New Evidence in the English Ancestry of Jonathan Gillett and Nathan Gillett of Windsor, Connecticut.
      The critical clue to the English ancestry of brothers Jonathan and Nathan Gillett of Windsor, Connecticut, was published a century ago by James H. Lea and John R. Hutchinson. They presented an abstract of the will of William Gillett, parson of Chaffcombe, Somerset, dated 1641, proved 16 April 1641, (1) which mentions 'land which my son Nathan made over to me by letter of Attorney,' as well as son Jeremiah and daughter Abiah (these two names were used by the Gillett family in Windsor). The will includes a statement regarding 'all my children in England,' implying that some children were overseas. A later article by George McCracken located a few more items relating to the Gillett family in England from bishops transcripts. (2) Work coordinated by Burton Spear in the 1990s located a marriage license dated 18 September 1609 for William Gillett, clerk and curate of Kingstone, Somerset, and 'Habiathia' Pye of Donyatt, Somerset. (3)
      The will of Rev. William Tyes, dated 1 April 1623, proved 28 June 1623, (4) proves that Jonathan Gillett was a son of Rev. William Gillett (emphasis added):
      'William Tyes by the p(ro)vidence of god pastor of the Church of Donniate w(i)thin the dioces of Bathe and Wells... give unto the Church of Donniate to be imployed in necessary uses about the same at the discretion of my executor within one yeare nexte after my decease ffortye shillings Item I give to the poore of the same p(ar)ishe whose names are menco(n)ed at the later end of this my last will and testament tenn pound Item I give to the poore people of the p(ar)ishe of Bromham in Wiltes where I was born ffoure pound Item I give to the poore of p(ar)ishe of Ilmi(n)ster ffortye shillings Item I give to the poore of Sainte James p(ar)ishe in Taunton but especiallye to them of Cannon Streate fforty shillings All w(hi)ch sev(er)all sumes I will to be distributed by my executor within one yeare nexte after my decease Item I give unto my wife Julian Tyes twenty pound and alsoe those two bonds by vertue where of there is ten pound yearely during her life five pound from my brother James Tyes in respecte of the Tenement that he enioyeth in Wiltes(hire) whereof I stand above fforty pound of the fyne and five pound from my kinsman Elias Tyes Clarke in Consideracon of a Tenem(en)t that I bought for him in Ileminster and payed the whole fyne Also I give unto my saied wife my househouldstuffe Item I give unto my brother John Tyes my best gowne and Cassoke and ten pound in money Item I give to his eldest sonn John in gold twenty two shillings Item I give my brother James Tyes his daughter Neiomey five pound Item I give unto my Cosin Elias Tyes twenty pound Item I give unto my Cozen Bancks her children tenn pound w(hi)che I will that John Tyes and Elias Tyes her brethren to be ymployed by them for their sister benefitt untill they shall come to the age of xxitie years Item whereas I have an estate for fowerscore and Nyneteene years determynable uppon the death of three lives as well in closes of meadow and pasture ground called Barrells scituate lyinge and beinge w(i)thin the p(ar)ishe of Rowd in the County of Wilte(shire) as alsoe the yearlye rents of these three sev(er)all Cottages or Tenements nowe in tennures or occupacons of Walter Clements John Barley als Okesey and Andrew Chandeler as by the Originall Lease therof made more plainely appeareth All w(hi)ch before recited p(re)mises and ev(er)ye of p(ar)te and p(ar)cell thereof I doe hereby give devise and bequeath unto Jonathan Gillet the sonne of Will(ia)m Gillett Clarke p(ar)son of Chafecombe in the Countie of Soms(e)t for and during all the tearme of the said ffowerscore and Nyneteen years that shalbe to come and unexpired after my decease upon Condicon the Mrs Elianor Willes widowe now resident and abidinge at my house in Donniate aforesaid shall have r(e)ceave take and gather to her p(ro)per use as well the rents p(ro)fitts and Commodities of the said two closes of meadowe and pasture as alsoe the yearly rents of the said three severall Cottages of Tenem(en)ts for the tearme and time of eighteene yeares to Commence & begin ymediately after my said decease yf she the said Elianor shall soe long live and noe longer otherwise Item I give to the said Elianor Willes a quarter of good wheate to be paid an delive(red) unto her w(i)thin one quart of a yeare after my decease Item I give to my cosen Margaret Hawkins her children ten pound to be imployed as before for her sisters children Item I give to Jonathan Gillett twenty pound and to the rest of my daughter in lawe Abia her children twenty pound to be devided equallye amonge them Item I give to my Cosen Richard Hancocke and James Hancocke their children to be equally devided amonge them (interlined tenn pound) Item I give to Susan Dell my wives kinswoman ffive pound Item I give to the children of Andrew Dell Sarah Dwellye and of Ann Gollape beinge of my wives kindred tenn pound equallye to be devided amonge them Item I give unto Rose Pullen my wives sister her children seaven pound to be equallie devided amonge them.'
      The rest of his good and chattels unbequeathed were given to son-in-law William Gillett, who was named executor, with the legacies to be paid in one year. Cousins John and Elias Tyes were made overseers. William Tyes was rector of Donyatt since at least 1606, when he was listed in glebe terrier for that parish. (5) There is no record of him as a student of Cambridge or Oxford."
      Footnotes:
      (1) Taunton Wills, 1641, File 13, originally published in 'The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,' 41 (1910):282-83, reprinted in 'English Origins of American Colonists From The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1991), 59-60. The Somerset wills were destroyed in World War II. There are good accounts of the Gillett brothers in Robert Charles Anderson, 'The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to the New England, 1620-1633,' 3 volumes. (Boston: NEHGS, 1995), 2:766-770 (Jonathan Gillett), 770-72 (Nathan Gillett).
      (2) George E. McCracken, 'New Gillett Information from England,' 'The American Genealogist' 55 (1979): 170-73.
      (3) Somerset Record Office, D/DOI 18 (bondsman was Roger Gillett of Chillington), cited in Burton Spear, ed., 'Search for the Passengers of the Mary & John 1630,' 27 vols. (Toledo, Ohio: Mary & John Clearing House, 1985-99), 25:35-36 (this reference was pointed out by David Morehouse of Hopkins, Minnesota).
      (4) Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 56 Swann (FHL 0,092,092). The will calls Abiah daughter-in-law and her husband William Gillett son-in-law. A likely scenario is that Abiah was the stepdaughter of William Tyes, daughter of his wife Julian by a previous marriage.
      (5) The Donyatt terrier for 1606 was published in 'Notes & Queries for Somerset and Dorset' 8 (1899):63.

      8. On file with me from the Gillett family file at the Windsor Historical Society in Connecticut are four photographs with the following explanation (original source unknown except the pages are numbered 110 and 111:
      "The Residence of Rev. William Gillett, the Rectory of Chaffcombe, Somerset. Chaffcombe, Somerset, is two miles northeast of Chard and it is surrounded by a haphazard network of tortuous, circuitous roads. Rev. William Gillett, father of the emigrants, Jonathan, Nathan, and Jeremiah Gillett, was the rector here from 1609 to his death in 1641. In 1606, just before William came to Chaffcomb the rectory house was described as unfirt as residence. It was a farmhouse until 1900. Called the Old Rectory, this house built of stone, with thatched roof is in good repair."
      Photo 1: "The Old Rectory, Chaffcombe, Somerset -1989."
      Photo 2: "The Old Rectory, Rear View - 1989."
      Photo 3: "St. Michael and All Angels Church, Chaffcombe."
      Photo 4: "Church Chancel from which Rev. Gillett Preached."

      9. From a booklet "Gillett," 1970, by Wilma Gillet Thomas, copy at the Windsor, CT, Historical Society. Within the booklet is a copy from "The American Genealogist," p. 171; however, no volume or date is given. The author is George McCracken:
      "Now, through the kindness of Patricia Conver (Mrs. S.C.) Spencer of Carthage, Missouri, we are privileged to print new information on the Gillet family of Chaffcombe, Somersetshire, ancestral to the Connecticut Gilletts, which was received in 1978 from Mr. Derek M.M. Shorrocks, M.A., Somersetshire County Archivist, Somerset Record Office, Obridge Road, Taunton TA2 7PU, England.
      The Chaffcombe parish registers begin only in 1678 but Bishop's Transcripts survive from the years 1611, 1621, 1623, 1634, 1636, 1638 and 1639, all signed by the Rev. William Gyllett, our ancestor, and among them the following Gillet items:
      Elias, son of William Gylet, bapt. 11 Feb. 1611/12.
      Thomas, son of William Gyllet, parson, bapt. 27 March 1621.
      Andrew, son of William Gyllet, rector, bapt. April 1623.
      These are precious items, since they provide a baptismal date for one child (Thomas), mentioned in the will [of Rev. William Gillett]; confirm our belief that the son Elias, not mentioned in the will in 1641 though still living, was a son of this father; and give us a hitherto unknown youngest Child, Andrew, of whom nothing more is found. They also confirm our previous belief that Jonathan, Nathan, William, Habiah and Mary, were all born before the institution of their father as rector of Chaffcombe on 4 Feb 1609/10, and baptized at some other parish, where unknown as yet.
      The records of the Manor of Chaffcombe Buller, within which our Gilletts held some leases, are incomplete but there are three items of interest (ref. DD/SS, Bundle 30):
      10 Aug 1676: William and Jeremiah Gillett who held by copy of court roll for their lives successively a cottage, 2 acres of land and certain demesne land, viz. 2 closes called Morell and Millmore of 5 acres, other closes called Parkemead, Spires Meade, Court Garden, and three Parocks, containing 16 acres, surrendered the same and William Gillett took a new grant from the steward for the lives of himself and his son William, at a rent of 16s a year.
      17 Oct 1687: Lease to William Gillett of Chaffcombe, yeoman, who held a lease for 99 years or the lives of himself and his son, Elias, of four close of land of 10 acres called Murrens in Chaffcombe, and took a lease of the reversion on the life of Mary, daughter of Elias Gillett, rent 16s.
      23 Oct 1687: Lease to Elias Gillett of Misterton, clerk, of a roofless tenement in the manor of Chaffcombe Poulett of 20 acres, formerly occupied by Edith Sealye, to be held for 99 years or the lives of Mary Gillett, his wife, and Phillippa and William, his children, 20s.
      The first two of these leases appear to be renewals of already existing leases and were probably occasioned by the recent deaths, respectively, of Jeremiah and Elias. The thing is, however, not a renewal. The William Gillett leading off the first two leases was, I believe, the same man in each case and identical with the son of that name mentioned in the 1641 will of the rector [Rev. William Gillett]. The Jeremiah joined with him in the first lease was probably his brother of that name. Mr. Jacobus was inclined to think he had been in America and had served in the Pequot War but neither Mrs. Spencer nor I are of that opinion now. We get, however, an approximate date for the death of the brother of Jonathan and Nathan Gillet of Connecticut.
      The Elias recently dead when the lease of 17 Oct 1687 was signed was neither the Elias baptized 11 Feb 1611/12 nor the Elias who is described as of Misterton, clerk, in the third item, but a son of the William with whom he is joined in the lease. This Elias would appear to have died in 1687 leaving a daughter Mary, great-granddaughter of the first Rev. William Gyllett (d. 1641).
      The Elias Gillett of Misterton, clerk, was certainly a member of this family but we cannot as yet prove that he was a son of the Elias baptized 11 Feb 1611/12, though this is the most probable connection. Elias born 1612, is recorded by Joseph Foster, 'Alumni Oxonnienses 1500-1744 (Oxford 1891) 2:568, as of New Inn hall, Oxford, matriculated 7 May 1632 aet. 20, B.A. 7 June 1632, MA 23 April 1635, and is alleged to have succeeded his father as rector of Chaffcombe, but the father was immediately succeeded on 22 Nov. 1642 by Peter Cox (F.W. Weaver, 'Somerset Incumbents' (Bristol 1889) p. 327). Foster says that the younger Elias was of Christ Church, certainly the most prestigious of the Oxford colleges, ordained deacon 19 Sept. 1675, priest 20 Dec 167? [smeared number], instituted rector of Misterton, which is about ten miles east of Chaffcombe, 15 Feb. 1680/1, in succession to Jacob Tompkins (Weaver 401; 'Somerset & Dorset Notes & Queries 7:41, 89), where he remained until he died in 1703. Mr. Shorrocks quotes the Misterton registers as stating the Elyas Gyllet, vicar of Misterton was buried at Chaffcombe, 21 June 1703, but that there is a gap in the Chaffcombe burials 1697-1704. According to these registers he had a son Philip baptized 10 June 1685, and a son William Baptized 8 Feb 1686/7. The mother of these two sons was named Mary, which is congruent with the third lease cited above, but the lease says 'Philippa' and the baptismal register calls the child Phi?? [print smeared] a son. We think the child was more probably a son than a daughter. The younger son William matriculated at Wadham College, 7 March 1703/4, aet. 18, M.A. 1712, after which he disappears from our view.
      Mr. Shorrocks, well aware that the rector's will mentions a brother living in 1641 named Richard, calls attention to a the fact that among other Gillett references in the Bruton parish registers were two men of this name, one who married Joan Esberg on 11 Aug. 1567 (a possible pair of candidates to be parents of the rector) and another whom married Ursela Shute on 12 June 1638. One marriage is too early, the other too late, to be that of the rector's brother."

      10. TAG 55:170-173 "New Gillett Information from England," by George E. McCracken:
      "A considerable bibliography on the Gillett family of Hartford County, Connecticut, begins with two obsolete items, an article in "American Ancestry" 8:157, and another by Salmon Cone Gillette, ed. by the Rev. Henry Clay Alvord, "Descendants of Jonathan Gillett of Dorchester and Windsor" (NEHGR 47:168-177). Much more important are the following: John Insley Coddington, "Jonathan Gillett of Dorchester, Mass., Windsor, Conn., and Mary Dolbere or Dolbiar, his Wife" (TAG 15:208-2l7; see also 17:136 f.); Miss Alice Lucinda Priest, "The Brothers Jonathan and Nathan Gillett and Some of Their Descendants" (NEHGR 100:272-277; 101:43-49, 153-160, 237-242, 283-290), which contains, despite its title, rather little on Nathan. Other articles of importance are Donald Lines Jacobus, 'The "Other" Gillets' (TAG 25:174-191); also "Gill Items and Queries" (TAG 25:200-203). "Gillett Addenda" (TAG 26:52 f.); "Erratum" (TAG 27:99); "The Second Marriage Miriam (Dibble) Gillett" (TAG 32:179). See also Mrs. William C. Clark. "A Reuben Gillett Problem" (TAG 26:169 f.); "William Hooker Gillette, Actor and Playwright" (TAG 45:225-228); Which Nathan Gillett Married Hannah Buckland?" (TAG 47:70 f.); Earl Z. Arthur, "John Gillett Family of Scott, N.Y." (TAG 44:189 f.); "Mamre (Gaylord) (Gillett) Bishop of Canaan and Norfolk, Conn." (TAG 47:71 f.); also John Insley Coddington, "Jonathan Gillett" (TAG 32:179); George E. McCracken, "Early Connecticut Items-Gillett" (TAG 37:26); "English Gillet Wills" (TAG 42:160-163). See also "McArthur-Barnes Ancestral Lines" (1964) 73-85. The important will of the Rev. WilliamA Gyllett is abstracted by Lea and Hutchinson (NYGBR 41:282 f.).
      In addition there are several items of considerably less importance: [Chloe Dell Mantle]: "The Gillett Family: Descendants of Horace Asahel Gillett (1804-1891) and Zilpha Ballard His Wife (1805-l862)" (Utica NY 1934), Horace Asahel being son of Asahel7(Joab6, Jacob5, Isaac4, Nathan3, Nathan2, Nathan1); Rachel Elizabeth Kuns Gillett, "History and Family Records of the Gillett Family" (1936) which starts with Hosea and Hannah whose son John, born 1825, was father to Charles Edwin Gillet, a minister of the Church of the Brethren (1857-1935); Esther Gillett Latham, of Appleton, WI, "Genealogical Data Concerning the families of Gillet-Gillett-Gillette Chiefly pertaining to the Descendants of Jonathan Gillet who came from Chafcombe, Somersetshire, England to Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1630 and removed to Windsor, Connecticut in 1636. Also the descendants of his brothers, Nathan and Jeremiah, with mention of a number of intermarried families (1953, 50 copies only dittoed) and this shows the inevitable coat of arms, swallows the Huguenot story, and starts with a Rev. Jacques de Gillet (ca. 1572). Bertha Bortle Beal Aidridge, "Gillette Families (Gillet-Gillett-Gillette), "Some of the Descendants of the immigrants Jonathan Gillet and Nathan Gillet, brothers from Chalcombe [sic], Somersetshire, England, to Nantasket, Mass., 1630, to Windsor, Conn., 1632, also the Descendants of Barton Ezra Gillet, a Descendant of Jonathan the immigrant, 1800-1955" (Victor NY 1955); Wilma Gillet Thomas, "The Joseph Gillet/Gillett/Gillett Family of Connecticut Ohio and Kansas" (Chicago 1970), which also accepts the Huguenot origin.
      Now, through the kindness of Patricia Confer (Mrs. S. C.) Spencer of Carthage, Missouri, we are privileged to print new information on the Gillet family of Chaffcombe, Somersetshire, ancestral to the Connecticut Gilletts, which was received in 1978 from Mr. Derek M. M. Shorrocks, M.A., Somersetshire County Archivist Somerset Record Office, O-bridge Road Taunton TA2 7PU, England.
      The Chaffeombe parish registers begin only in 1678 but Bishop's Transcripts survive from the years 1611, 1621, 1623, 1634, 1636, 1638 and 1639, all signed by the Rev. William Gyllett, our ancestor, and among them the following Gillett items:
      Elias, son of William Gylet, bapt. 11 Feb. 1611/12
      Thomas, son of William Gyllet, parson bapt. 27 March 1621
      Andrew, son of William Gyllet, rector bapt. April 1623
      These are precious items, since they provide a baptismal date for one child (Thomas), mentioned in the will; confirm our belief that the son Elias, not mentioned in the will in 1641, though still living, was a son of this father; and give us a hitherto unknown youngest Child, Andrew, of whom nothing more is found. They also confirm our previous belief that Jonathan, Nathan, William, Habiah and Mary, were all born before the institution of their father as rector of Chaffcome on 4 Feb. 1609/10, and baptized at some other parish, where unknown as yet.
      The records of the Manor of Chaffcombe Buller, within which our Gilletts held some leases, are incomplete but there are three items of interest (ref. DD/SS, Bundle 30):
      10 Aug. 1676: William and Jeremiah Gillett who held by copy of court roll for their lives successively a cottage, 2 acres of land and certain demesne land, viz. 2 closes called Morell and Millmore of 5 acres, other closes called Parkemead, Spires Meade, Court Garden, and three Parocks, containing 16 acres, surrendered the same and William Gillett took a new grant from the steward for the lives of himself and his son William, at a rent of 16s a year.
      17 Oct. 1687: Lease to William Gillett of Chaffcombe, yeoman, who held a lease for 99 years or the lives of himself and his son, Elias, of four closes of land of 10 acres called Murrens in Chaffcombe, and took a lease of the reversion on the life of Mary, daughter of Elias Gillett, rent 16s.
      28 Oct. 1687: Lease to Elias Gillett of Misterton, clerk, of a roofless tenement in the manor of Chaffcombe Poulett of 20 acres, formerly occupied by Edith Sealye, to be held for 99 years or the lives of Mary Gillett, his wife, and Philippa and William, his children, 20s.
      The first two of these leases appear to be renewals of already existing leases and were probably occasioned by the recent deaths, respectively of Jeremiah and Elias. The third is, however, not a renewal. The William Gillett leading off the first two leases was, I believe, the same man in each case and identical with the son of that name mentioned in the 1641 will of the rector. The Jeremiah joined with him in the first lease was probably his brother of that name. Mr. Jacobus was inclined to think he had been in America and had served in the Pequot War but neither Mrs Spencer nor I are of that opinion now. We get, however, an approximate date for the death of the brother of Jonathan1 and Nathan1 of Connecticut.
      The Elias recently dead when the lease of 17 Oct. 1687 was signed was neither the Elias baptized 11 Feb. 1611/12 nor the Elias who is described as of Misterton, clerk, in the third item, but a son of the William with whom he is joined in the lease. This Elias would appear to have died in 1687, leaving a daughter Mary, great-granddaughter of the first Rev. William Gyllett (d. 1641).
      The Elias Gillett of Misterton clerk, was certainly a member of this family but we cannot as yet prove that he was a son of the Elias baptized 11 Feb. 1611/12 though this is the most probable connection. Elias born 1612 is recorded by Joseph Foster, "Alumni Oxonienses 1500-1744" (Oxford 1891) 2:568, as of New Inn Hall, Oxford, matriculated 7 May 1632 aet. 20, B.A. 7 June 1632, M.A. 23 April 1635, and is alleged to have succeeded his father as rector of Chaffcombe, but the father was immediately succeeded on 22 Nov. 1642 by Peter Cox (F. W. Weaver, "Somerset Incumbents" [Bristol 1889] p. 327). Foster says that the younger Elias was of Christ Church, certainly the most prestigious of the Oxford colleges, ordained deacon 19 Sept. 1675, priest 20 Dec. 1679, instituted rector of Misterton, which is about ten miles east of Chaffcombe, 15 Feb. 1680/1, in succession to Jacob Tompkins (Weaver 402; "Somerset & Dorset Notes & Queries" 7:41, 89), where he remained until he died in 1703. Mr. Shorrocks quotes the Misterton registers as stating that Elyas Gyllett vicar of Misterton was buried at Chaffcombe 21 June 1703, but that there is a gap in the Chaffcombe burials 1697-1704. According to these registers he had a son Philip baptized 10 June 1685, and a son William baptized 8 Feb. 1686/7. The mother of these two sons was named Mary, which is congruent with the third lease cited above, but the lease says "Philippa" and the baptismal register calls the child Philip a son. We think the child was more probably a son rather than a daughter. The younger son William matriculated at Wadham College, 7 March 1703/4, aet. 18, M.A. 1712, after which he disappeared from our view.
      Mr. Shorrocks, well aware that the rector's will mentions a brother living in 1641 named Richard, calls attention to the fact that among other Gillett references in the Bruton parish registers were two men of this name, one who married Joan Esberg on 11 Aug. 1567 (a possible pair of candidates to be parents of the rector) and another who married Ursulah Shute on 12 June 1638. One marriage is too early, the other
      too late, to be that of the rector's brother.
      That this Gillett family were Huguenots has long been the favorite view of hoi polloi. I feel certain that this is false. The principal objection is the fact that the name Gillett is to be found in the west country of England at dates before there was such a thing as a Protestant in England, France, Germany or elsewhere though there were proto-protestants called Lollards in the preceding century but only in England. Consider the will of one John Gyllet thelder of Cranebourn, Dorset, in the diocese of Salisbury, dated 1 June 1502, probated 29 Oct. 1502 (PCC 12 Blamyr), one of the Gillett wills which I printed in TAG 42:160-163. There was also the institution of one Nic. Gylett as incumbent of Sts Peter and Paul, Muchelney Dorset, 28 Aug. 1512, in succession to Ric. Stabylle, and himself succeeded by Joh. Hurman on 20 Nov. 1574, after a very long pastorate which spanned the troubles of the reigns of Henry VIII and Mary I.
      I am inclined to believe that the name Gillett was pronounced in the 17th century about the way we say the word "gullet" and that nobody would have thought it looked French until in the 19th century some began to spell the word Gillette at a time when there was a shift of emphasis from he first to the final syllable.
      Future research ought to be concentrated on getting complete reading of all occurrences of the name in the parish registers of Bruton, Somersetshire and of Muchelney Cranebourn and Caudle Hatton, all in Dorset, in which there ought to be entries not yet brought to light."

      10. The publication "Search for the Passengers of the "Mary & John" 1630," by Burton W. Spear (Toledo, OH; The Mary & John Clearing House, 1989-2004), 2:87-88 [Also found verbatim in same publication 3:16-17]:
      "MORE INFORMATION ON THE ANCESTRY OF JONATHAN & NATHAN GILLETT
      In an article in The American Genealogist, Vol. 55, No. 3, p. 170, new information from England expands the Gillett ancestry in England. This article again disputes the French Huguenot ancestry of this family, as does others. One argument against the Huguenot ancestry is that the Gillett name was in the west counties of England before there were Protestants anywhere. There was a will of John Gyllet of Cranebourn, Dorset in 1502. In the 17th century the name may have been pronounced, "Gullett", and then later there was a shift of emphasis from the first to the last syllable, and then it began to sound French.
      Rev. William Gylett, father of the emigrants, Jonathan & Nathan, was the rector of Chaffcombe, Somerset, England. The Chaffcombe parish records begin only in 1678, but the Bishop's Transcripts survive for the years 1611, 1621, 1623, 1634, 1638 & 1639, and they were all signed by Rev. William Gylett. They list the following baptisms: Elias, 11 Feb. 1611/2, s. of William Gylet, Thomas, 27 Mar. 1621, s. of William Gylett, parson & Andrew, Apr. 1623, s. of William Gylett, rector. This is the first record of Andrew. Previous to this recent TAG article, the will of Rev. William Gylett of 1641, was the primary source for information on the English roots of the emigrants, Jonathan & Nathan.
      Rev. William Gylett had a brother, Richard. In the Bruton parish records there was a Richard Gylett, who m. Joan Esberg, 11 Aug. 1576, who possibly could have been the parents of Rev. William Gylett. Another Richard Gylett m. Urselah, 12 June 1638, who could have been the son of Richard, brother of William.
      Also, there was a will, dated 1 July 1600, probated, 16 July 1600, for Richard Gillett of Caudle Haddon, Dorset, husbandman. He listed sons, Richard & William, which would satisfy the chronological & geographical requirements of the father of William Gylett.
      The following ancestry combines the previously published information and the will of Rev. William Gylett & TAG 55:3.
      REV. WILLIAM GYLETT- He became rector of Chaffcombe, Somerset on 4 Feb. 1609/10. He had a brother, Richard Gylett and a kinsman, Henry Hutchins. After his bequests his will states, "The rest of my goods I give to my son, William, whom I make my executor, Mr. Joseph Greenfield, Mr. Luffe, my brother Richard & my kinsman; Henry Hutchins, overseers. His will was proved, 16 Apr. 1641 (Taunton wills, 1641, file 13). His inventory was taken by two parishioners, Thomas Palmer & Lawrence Seley. It listed 259 pounds, 14 shillings & 8 six-pence, which included 13 pounds of silver plate & an equal sum of books. To each of his children, "in England", he left two silver spoons apiece and one "chayre" and one frame stool.
      Children of Rev. William Gylett
      1. William Gylett Jr.- b. before 1609, place unknown. His father left him land called Bomers lease, upon the condition that he pay one annuity, 12 pounds to his sister, Hebiah, 4 pounds, to his sister, Mary, 4 pounds, and to his brother, Jeremiah, 40 shillings. William Jr. also received the residual goods of his father's estate.Jonathan & Nathan probably received their share when they left for New England. Nathan evidently retained land in England after he emigrated, which he turned; overto his father by a letter of attorney. In his will, Rev. William listed his son, William as the next reversioner of this land and in his will stated, "shall surrender this unto Thomas (his brother), when requested. Thomas was about 20 at the time. There are three Gillett leases in the records of the manor of Chaffcomb Buller.
      On 17 Oct. 1687, there was a lease to a William Gillett of Chaffcomb, yeoman, who held a lease for 99 years or the lives of himself and his son, Elias, of four closes of land of 10 acres called Murrens in Chaffcomb, and took a lease of the reversion of the like of Mary, dau. of Elias Gillett, 16 s.
      On 10 Aug. 1676, a William & Jeremiah Gillett (prob.-sons of Rev. William Gylett), held for their lives, successfully, a cottage, 2 acres of land and certain demesne land, v.s. 2 closes called Morell & Millmore of acres, other closes called Parkemead, Spires Meade, Court Garden & Three Parkocke, containing 16 acres, surrendered the same and William Gillett took a new grant from the steward for the lives of himself and his son, William, at a rent of 16 shillings a year. The above two leases may have been renewals of already, existing leases and were probably occasioned by the recent deaths of Jeremiah & Elias Gillett.
      On 28 Oct. 1687, there was a lease to Elias Gillett of Misterton (about 10 miles east of Chaffcomb), clerk, of a roofless tenement in the manor of Chaffcomb Poulett of 20 acres, formerly occupied by Edith Sealye, to be held for 99 years or lives of Mary Gillett, his wife & Phillips (Philip, his son), 20 shillings. The Elias was pos. s. of Elias, bpt. 1611/12.
      Children of William Gillet Jr.
      a. Prob. Elias Gillett- d.a. 1687. Children of Elias Gillett
      i. Mary Gillett
      2. Jonathan Gillett- Born before 1609, place unknown. Emigrated to New England in 1630.
      3. Nathan Gillett- Born before 1609, place unknown. Emigrated to New England in 1630.
      4. Jeremiah Gillett- b. before 1609. His father left him, "my chattel (lease) of court ground. Some sources say he came to New England with his brothers and then returned to England, but there appears to be no evidence to support this claim.
      5. Hebiah Gillett- b. before 1609. Mentioned in her father's will, 1641.
      6. Mary Gillett- b. before 1609. Mentioned in her father's will, 1641.
      7. Elias Gillett- bpt. 11 Feb. 1611/12, Chaffcombe, Somerset. He attended New Inn Hall, Oxford, matriculated, 7 May 1632 (age 20), B.A. 7 June 1632, M.A. 23 Apr. 1635. He allegedly succeeded his father in Chaffcombe, but his father was immediately succeeded by Peter Cox, on 22 Nov. 1642. Children of Elias Gillett"
      a. Elias Gillett Jr.- He attended Christchurch, the most prestigious Oxford College, ordained deacon, 19 Sept. 1675, priest, 20 Dec. 1679 and was instituted rector of Misterton. Somerset. 15 Feb. 1680/1, about 10 miles east of Chaffcombe. He remained there until he died in 1703. He was bu. 21 June 1730, Chaffcombe. Children of Elias Gillett Jr. & Mary:
      i. Philip Gillett- b. 10 June 1685, Misterton, Somerset.
      ii. William Gillett- bpt. 8 Feb. 1686/7, Misterton, Somerset.
      iii. Pos. Elias Gillett III.
      8. Thomas Gillett- bpt. 27 Mar. 1621, Chaffcombe. He was about 20 when his father died. His brother, Nathan, turned land over to his father, which, after his father's death, reverted to brother, William, and it was to be given to Thomas upon request.
      9. Andrew Gillett- bpt. Apr. 1623, Chaffcombe. Nothing more is known of him."

      11. The publication "Search for the Passengers of the "Mary & John" 1630," by Burton W. Spear (Toledo, OH; The Mary & John Clearing House, 1989-2004), 25:35-36, "GILLETT, JEREMIAH ( - ), GILLETT, JONATHAN ( -1677) & GILLETT, NATHAN ( -1689) all of Windsor, CT. Volume 18, p. 59":
      "Three Gillett brothers came to New England in the early 1630's. Jonathan probably came first on the "Mary & John" in 1630. He returned to England and married Mary Dolbiar in 1634 in Colyton, Devon and soon after came again on the "Recovery of London". His brothers, Jeremiah & Nathan possibly came with him in 1634 or soon after. The English Gillett ancestry appeared in the Search series, volume 18, pp. 59-65. It has been known, for many years, that their father was Rev. William Gylett, rector of Chaffcombe, Somerset; rom 1610 until his death in 1641, but nothing about his wife or anything prior to 1610 has been known about him. Robin Bush has now found his whereabouts as early as 1599 and the name of a wife.
      Provisional Gillett Ancestry.
      1. Pos. John Gillett of Chillington, Somerset, where Rev. William Gillett first appeared as the curate. A John Gillett was listed on the Lay subsidy rolls there of 1582, 1601 & 1603 and presumably was the John Gillett whose will (now destroyed in 1942 in the German bombing of Exeter), was proved in 1618. Another John Gylett of Chillington was paying tax in 1628/9 and who may have been the John Gillett who appears in an undated rental of the manor of Street & Leigh (spanning the borders of Chaffcombe & Winsham of c. 1628. (DD/TOR 224). In the same volume (a Street & Leigh manor court book), Bush found a prosecution on 27 April 1614 of John Gillett retaining Andrew Brangwell in his service beyond the age of 17. Children:
      a. Richard Gillett- Mentioned in the will of his brother, William in 1641.
      b. William Gillett- See below.
      2. Rev. William Gillett- Born say 1574. He first appears in the records in 1599, when he signed a Chillington bishops transcript, as curate there (he was clearly not a graduate). Chillington is 3 miles NE of Chaffcombe. He was ordained a priest by the Bishop of Bath & Wells on 28 Sept. 1600 & licensed as curate of Kingstone, Somerset (2 miles N. of Chillington) on 13 Oct. 1601, where he served until he was instituted as rector of Chaffeombe (2 miles NB of Chard) on 4 Feb. 1609/10, a post he held until his death shortly before 2 April 1641 (his inventory). A marriage license was issued on 18 Sept. 1609 for William Gillett, clerk, curate of Kingstone & Habiathia Pye of Donyatt (4 miles N. of Chaffcombe virgin, to be married at Donyatt, bondsman Roger Gillett of Chillington, yeoman (Somerset R.O. D/D/OI 18). There are no early parish registers for Chillington or Donyatt and the Bishops Transcripts are of no help so the baptisms of the Gillett brothers could not be found. In his will, William Gillett named all of his children (except Jonathan), his brother, Richard and a kinsman, Henry Hutchins. Children of William Gillett:
      a. Jonathan Gillett- Born prob. in Kingstone, before 1610.
      b. Jeremiah Gillett- Born prob. in Kingstone, before 1610.
      c. Nathan Gillett- Born prob. in Kingstone, before 1610.
      d. Elias Gillett- Bpt. 11 Feb. 1611/12, Chaffcombe. Alive in 1641.
      e. Thomas Gillett- Bpt. 27 Mar. 1621, Chaffcombe. Alive in 1641.
      f. Andrew Gillett- Bpt. April 1623, Chaffcombe. Pos. d.y.
      g. William Gillett- Named in 1641 will of his father.
      h. Habiah Gillett- Named in 1641 will of her father. Clearly named after her mother.
      i. Mary Gillett- Named in 1641 will of her father.
      For material previously published by the Mary& John Clearing House on the Gilletts, see the following Search series volumes:
      Volume 5, pp. 49-81 Four generations of descendants of Jonathan.
      Volume 5, pp. 83-90 Four generations of descendants of Nathan.
      Volume 13 pp. 58-71 American descendants of Jeremiah.
      Volume 18 pp. 59-63 English ancestry of Gillett brothers.
      For more information on these families see the Addendum."

      12. The publication "Search for the Passengers of the "Mary & John" 1630," by Burton W. Spear (Toledo, OH; The Mary & John Clearing House, 1989-2004), 18:59-61, "GILLETT, JONATHAN (a.1607-1677) OF WINDSOR, CT, NATHAN GILLETT ( -1689) AND JEREMIAH GILLETT ( - )":
      "Three Gillett brothers, from Chaffcombe, Somerset (2 mi. NE of Chard), sons of Rev. William Gylet, came to New England and were in Windsor, CT in the 1630's. Jonathan came on the "Mary & John" in 1630. He returned to England to marry and returned with is wife on the "Recovery of London" in 1634. His brothers Nathan and Jeremiah probably came on one of these ships also.
      Their paternal grandfather has not been found but there are some clues. In the will of the father Rev. William Gylett, 1641, he lists a brother, Richard.
      The claim that the Gilletts of Somerset have a French Huguenot ancestry has been widely disputed. The name was in the West Country before the French Protestants arrived, including a John Gyllett in Cranbourn, Dorset (14 mi. S of Salisbury, Wilts), whose will (PCC 12 Blamyr) was probated 29 Oct. 1502.
      Will of Richard Gillett of Caudle Haddon (not found), Dorset, husbandman dated 1 July 1600, probated 16 July 1600 (PCC 55 Wallopp) (TAG 42:160-161)
      To be buried in churchyard of Caudle
      To son William - 10 pounds
      To son Edward - 5 pounds at end of his apprenticeship
      To daughter Mary - 10 pounds at marriage
      To children of son Richard - 10 shillings between them
      To son-in-law William Sheppard and to his son William
      Residue to wife Alice and son John, executors
      Witnesses: William Appkyn, William Adames, Richard Same, Robert Grannte and William Swett, curate of that place.
      In TAG 42:160-163, George McCracken says the above will would satisfy the chronological and geographical requirements for the will of the father of Rev. William Gytlett this testator had sons William and Richard. The latter, however, was not a beneficiary of the will and is mentioned only as father of grandchildren who were. The presumption is reasonably strong that this Richard was dead in 1600, but his children received not the 10 pounds which William and Mary receive but only a twentieth as much, that to be divided among them, so it seems possible that Richard was still living, had already married, at which time he had received his portion, though this is not stated in so many words.
      1. Rev. William Gylett - Born about 1575. His will proved 16 Apr. 1641 (Taunton, Wills, 1641, file 13). He mentions brother Richard Gylett and kinsman Henry Hutchins. He became rector of Chaffcombe, Somerset (2 mi. NE of Chard), 4 Feb, 1609/10 and he served there until his death. The Old Rectory, in which he lived, is a beautiful thatch-roof cottage, used today as a private residence (for photos, see Search Series, Vol. 12, p. 110-111). Also, the silver Elizabethan Chalice, dated 1584, he used is still in the Chaffcomb Church. The lid, when inverted, becomes a patten for holding the bread. The font is Norman so would also have been used by Rev. Gylett. His whereabouts before 1609 are unknown but evidently married ___, about 1600 and he had at least six children born before moving to Chaffcombe.
      Abstract of will of William Gylett of Chaffcombe, Somerset dated 1641 and proved 16 Apr. 1641 (Taunton wills, 1641, file 13)
      Land to daughters, Habiah and Mary, "which my son Nathan made over to me by letter of attorney
      My son William
      To my son Jeremiah my chatell (lease) of courtground
      To son William and his heirs my land called Bowers (lease)
      To Thomas, Jeremiah, Mary and Habiah, each a chair and stool
      Residue to son William, executor
      Overseers: Mr. Joseph Greenfield, Mr. Luffe, my brother Richard and my kinsman Henry Hutchings
      Witnesses: None
      The records of the manor of Chaffcombe Buller, where the Gilletts held some leases are incomplete but there are three items of interest (Ref: DD/55 Bunelle 30):
      10 Aug. 1676: William and Jeremiah Gillett who held by copy of court roll for their lives successively a cottage, 2 acres of land and certain demesne land, viz. 2 closes called Morell and Millmore of 5 acres, other closes called Parkemead, Spires Meade, Court Garden, and three Parocks, containing 16 acres, surrendered the same and William Gillett took a new grant from the steward for the lives of himself and his son William, at a rent of 16s a year.
      17 Oct. 1687: Lease to William Gillett of Chaffcombe, yeoman, who held a lease for 99 years or the lives of himself and his son, Elias, of four closes of land of 10 acres called Murrens in Chaffcombe, and took a lease of the reversion on the life of Mary, daughter of Elias Gillett, rent 16s.
      28 Oct. 1687: Lease to Elias Gillett of Misterton, clerk, of a roofless tenement in the manor of Chaffcombe Poulett of 20 acres, formerly occupied by Edith Sealye, to be held for 99 years or the lives of Mary Gillett, his wife, and Philippa and William, his children, 20s.
      Children
      a. William Gylett - Born before 1609. Died after 17 Oct. 1687. In 1641 his father left him land called "Bomerslease". Child: i. Elias Gillett, D.a. 1687.
      b. Jonathan Gillett - See below.
      c. Nathan Gillett - See below.
      d. Jeremiah Gillett - See below.
      e. Hebiah Gillett - Born before 1609. Alive in 1641.
      f. Elias Gillett - Bpt. 11 Feb. 1611/12, Chaffcombe. He m. ___. He attended New Inn Hall; Oxford, matriculated 7 May 1632 (age 20); B.A. 7 June 1632; MA. 23 Apr. 1635. He allegedly succeeded his father in Chaffcombe, but the latter was immediately succeeded by Peter Cox on 22 Nov. 1642. Child: i. Elias Gillett Jr. - He attended Christ Church, Oxford; ordained deacon 19 Sept. 1675 and priest 20 Dec. 1679; rector of Misterton, Somerset (10 mi. E of Chaffcombe) 15 Feb. 1680/1. He remained there until he died. Bu. 21 June 1703, Chaffcombe.
      g. Thomas Gillett - Bpt. 27 Mar. 1621, Chaffcombe. He received some of his father's land after 1641.
      h. Andrew Gillett - Bpt. Apr. 1623, Chaffcombe. Nothing more known."

      MARRIAGE:
      1. The date of 1609 as reported by 20 Mar 2008 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bart/Gillet.htm as quoted above does not work with the birth of their child Jonathan in 1605. No reference is given for the date and further research is needed.

      QUESTIONS:
      1. In his will mentions "my kinsman, Henry Hutchings." Relation?

      SOURCES_MISC:
      1. Per family group sheet archive record submitted by Mrs. Gladys C. Dean (8ggdau) box 284, Ephraim, Utah 84627. References:"New England Hist. and Gen. Reg. Vol 47 p168, (Our Family Tree" Gillet; Gillette, Gillett B17A211; Desc. of Jonathan, Nathan, and Jeremiah Gillett; Rev. Henry Clay Alvord (Pastor of Old South Church, So. Weymouth Mass.); Taunton Wills 1641 File 13; #4 Marr. St. Andrews Church, Colyton, Devonshire, Eng."

      2. Bertha Bortle Beal Aldridge, "Gillette Families, Some of the Descendants of Jonathan Gillet and Nathan Gillet, 1572-1800"; Collection entitled, "Genealogy and Local History," by University Microfilming, Inc. of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Microfiche no. G-1135; Public Library call no. GEN-R 929.3.

      3. From a booklet "Gillett," 1970, by Wilma Gillet Thomas, copy at the Windsor, CT, Historical Society. Within the booklet is a copy from "The American Genealogist," p. 171; however, no volume or date is given. The author is George McCracken. In this article, he lists a bibliography for research into the Gillett family as follows:
      "A considerable bilbliography on the Gillett family of Hartford County, CT, begins with two obsolete items, an article in 'American Ancestry' 8:157, and another by Salmon Cone Gillette, ed. by the Rev. Henry Clay Alvord, 'Descendants of Jonathan Gillett of Dorchester and Windsor; (NEHGR 47: 168-177). Much more imporatant are the following: John Insley Coddington, 'Jonathan Gillett of Dorchester, Mass., and Windsor, Conn., and Mary Dolber or Dolbiar, his Wife' (TAG 15: 208-217; see also 17:136 f.); Miss Alice Lucinda Priest, 'The Brothers Jonathan and Nathan Gillett and Some of Their Descendants' (NEHGR 100:272-277; 101:43-49, 153-160, 237-242, 283-290), which contians, despite it title, rather little on Nathan. Other articles of importance are Donald Lines Jacobus, 'The "Other" Gillets' (TAG 25:174-191); also 'Gillet Items and Queries' (TAG 25: 200-203); 'Gillett Addenda' (TAG 26:52 f); 'Erratum' (TAG 27:99); 'The Second Marriage of Miriam (Dibble) Gillett' (TAG 32:179). See also Mrs. William C. Clark, 'A Reuben Gillett Problem' (TAG 26:169 f); 'William Hooker Gillette, Actor and playwright' (TAG 45:225-228); 'Why Nathan Gillett Married Hannah Bckland?' (TAG 47:70 f); Mrs. Earl Z. Arthur, 'John Gillett Family of Scott, N.Y.' (TAG 44: 189 f); 'Mamre (Gaylord) (Gillett) Bishop of Canaan and Norfolk, Conn.' (TAG 47:71 f); also John Insley Coddington 'Jonathan Gillett' (TAG 32:179); George E. McCracken, 'Early Connecticut Items-Gillett' (TAG 37:26); 'Early Gillett Wills; (TAG 42:160-163). See also 'MaArthur-Barnes Ancestral Lines' (1964) 73-85. The important will of the Rev. William Gyllet is abstracted by Lea and Hutchinson (NYGHR 41:282 f).
      In addition there are several items of considerably less importance: (Chloe Dell Mantle): 'The Gillet Family: Descendants of Horace Asahel Gillett (1804-1891) and Zilpha Balla?? [print smeared] His Wife (1805-1862)' (Utica, NY 1934), Horace Asahel being son of Asahel(7), {Joab (6), Jacob(5), Isaac(4), Nathan(3), Nathan(2), Nathan(1)}; Rachel Elizabeth Kuns Gillett, 'History and Family Records of the Gillett Family' (1936) which starts with Hosea and Hannah whose son John, born 1825, was father to Charles Edwin Gillett, a minister of the Church of the Brethren (1857-1935); Esther Gillett Latham, Appleton, WI, 'Genealogical Data Concerning the families of Gillet-Gillett-Gillette Chiefly pertaining to the Descendants of Jonathan Gillet who came form Chafcombe, Somersetshire, England to Dorcheser, Massachusetss in 1630, and Removed to Windsor, CT in 1636.' Also the Descendnants of his brothers, Nathan and Jeremiah, with mention of number of intermarried families' (1953), 50 copies only dittoed and this shows the inevitable coat of arms, swallows the Huguenot storry, and starts with a Rev. Jacques de Gillet; Bertha Bortle Beal Aldridge, 'Gillette Families (Gillet-Gillett-Gillette). Some of the Descendants of the Immigrants Jonathan Gillet and Nathan Gillet, brothers from Chalcombe (sic), Somersetshire, England, to Nantasket, Mass., 1630, to Windsor, Conn., 1632, also the Descendants of Barton Ezra Gillet, A Descendant of Jonathan the Immigrant, 1800-1955,' (Victor NY 1955); Wilma Gillet Thomas, 'The Joseph Gillet/Gillett/Gillette Family of Connecticut, Ohio and Kansas' (Chicago 1970), which also accepts the Huguenot origin."