Ralph Gorham

This picture, 'Gorham-history-02a', was taken on March 20th, 2016 in 21 Meadowood, Lane, Old Saybrook, CT and sourced from Ray C. Gregory. Picture Notes Shown  is markedup  page two of five typed pages of Gorham history provided by Mary Gorham, Grandaughter of John J. Gorham Jr. (Born 1809, Havana, Cuba - Llived in Billerica Middlesex, MA)

Ralph was born in 1575 in England, Northamptonshire, Benefield and his baptism took place there on January 28th, 1621.¹   Ralph's father was James Gorham and his mother was Agnes Bernington  .  His paternal grandparents were John Gorham and Elena   Gorham.  He was an only child.  He died at the age of 67 on April 5th, 1642 in England, Northamptonshire, Benefield.  He was buried in England, Northamptonshire, Benefield, St Mary Churchyard.^2 3 

• Death Notes

  Born and died in Benefield, Northampton, England

• General Notes

  Ralph was born in Benefield, Northamptonshire in 1575. 
  
  He came to America in 1635.  The ship's list for the Phillip, show a Thomas Gorham age 19 and John Gorham age 18.  They may have been his sons.  His son John Gorham was baptized in 1620 so they were most likely his children.
  
  He was in Plymouth (or the Plymouth Colony) in 1637 when he was granted land on which to build a house on October 2, 1637.  In 1638 he was referred to as 'Ralph the elder' indicating he had a son named Ralph as well. However, only this son, John Gorman, had his birth recorded and John was the only one mentioned in the records of the Plymouth Colony.
  
  
  
  
  COMMENTS: On 5 March 1638/9 Ralph Gorham the elder was presented for beating Webb Adey [PCR 1:118].
  
  Webb Adey is probably the best-recorded antisocial pauper in Plymouth Colony. Although he seems to have done his best at all times to live by his own rules and not those of the Colony, he did receive grants of land, and at his death had not one house but two.
  
  In some records his names are reversed, and he appears as Addy Webb; this version of his name is seen only at his first appearance, in the tax lists, and in his death record. At all other times he is Webb Adey, and that is the sequence used here. (Savage enters him under the surname "Webb," and in another place misrepresents him as "William Adey.")
  
  Ralph Gorham was granted land at Plymouth Colony (now in MA) for a house and garden on 2 October 1637.  Apparently he did not get along with his neighbors as he sued and was sued by them several times.  He married Margaret Stephenson 23 May 1610 at Oundle, England.  Information about her ancestry is unknown.  They had at least one child:
  1. John Gorham
      b.  c28 January 1620/1 at                  Benefield, Northamptonshire,                 England
      d. c5 February 1675/6 at Swansea,          Plymouth Colony (now Bristol Co.,          MA)
      m.  c1643 to Desire Howland at                  Barnstable, Plymouth Colony (               now Barnstable Co., MA)
  
  
  

Details of Ralph's family with Margaret Stephenson