Thomas Gach (1702 - bef. 1770)

Born 1702 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Bloodgood — married 17 Aug 1721 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey

Descendants

Died before 9 Mar 1770 before age 68 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Randy Seaver [send private message] and CC Lee [send private message]

Biography

Thomas Gach (Gage) was a Quaker for at least part of his adult life. Many of his grandchildren were baptized in St John Episcopal Church in Elizabeth, Union Co, NJ, on 6 September 1761. Thomas was also the Town Clerk for Woodbridge from 1732 till his death in 1770. James Eddy, his executor and husband of daughter Mary Gach Eddy, returned the town books to the Freeholders meeting 2 weeks after his death.

Thomas Gach was born in about 1702, probably in Woodbridge, New Jersey. His parents were Thomas Gach (1660-1703) and Elizabeth (Hunt) Vail (1657-1747). His father died before 23 April 1703 when his will was proved in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Thomas married Elizabeth Bloodgood, daughter of Jan and Mary (Morgan) Bloodgood, after 17 August 1721 in Woodbridge, New Jersey, which is recorded in the Quaker book for Rahway and Plainfield Meeting. They had ten children, all born in Woodbridge and six of them were recorded in the Quaker church records:

• Elizabeth Gach (1722-1724)
• Mary Gach (1724-1789), married James Eddy (1710-1792) in 1743.
• Elizabeth Gach (1726-1778), married Elisha Inslee (1722-1750) in 1744.
• John Gach (1727-after 1770), married Sarah Dunham (1729-????) in about 1752.
• Sarah Gach (1727-????), married Nathaniel Pike (1727-1766) in 1747.
• Martha Gach (1730-????), married Samuel Fitz Randolph (1730-????) in 1750.
• Anna Gach (1732-????), married Isaac Dunham (1737-1802) in 1759.
• Thomas Gach (1734-????), married Keturah Clawson (1739-????) in 1759.
• Esther Gach (1736-1757), married Jacob Shotwell (1729-????) in 1754.
• Philip Gach (1744-1780), married Jennet Pike (1747-1821) in about 1768.

Thomas Gach was a Quaker, and was an active member of the Woodbridge Monthly Meeting until he was disowned for quarreling with his brother. He was clerk of the Town of Woodbridge for many years.

He is mentioned in his mother's will, dated 21 June 1739, and proved after her death on 3 November 1747:

Item, I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Gach all that remains in his hands (at the time of my decease) of those goods that I have left with him when I came to live with my son in law, William Bloodgood.

Thomas Gach wrote a will dated 12 April 1763 and it was proved 9 March 1770 in Middlesex County, New Jersey. The will reads:

In the Name of God, Amen. I Thomas Gach, of the Township of Woodbridge, in the County of Middlesex and Province of New Jersey, Esq'r, considering the Frailty of this Life, and that it is appointed for all Men once to die, and being at this Time of Sound Memory and Mind, blessed be God, do make this my Last Will and Testament, in Manner and form following, viz.

Imprimis: My Soul I commit to the Hands of a merciful God who gave it, Strongly hoping for a gracious Reception thro' the prevailing Death and Merits of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and my Body I resign to the Dust from whence it Sprang, to be interred in a decent manner, at the Discretion of those who may have the Direction thereof.

Item: Touching the Worldly Estate whereof the Divine Providence hath made me Steward, I give and bequeath to my eldest Son John Gach, his Heirs and Assigns forever, one Half of the Plantation whereon he now liveth, except the Ten Acre Lott at the West End thereof that was Surveyed in my own Right with four Acres of Salt Meadow lying at the South End of my Meadow below Strawberry hill, as also three Acres and a half lying in Rariton Meadows; together with one Half of my Freehold right in the Commons.

Item: I give and bequeath to my Grandson Thomas Gach the other Half of the above Plantation to him, his Heirs and Assigns forever; but that it remain to the sole Use and Benefit of his Father John Gach, during his the Said John Gach's natural Life.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son Philip Gach, his Heirs and Assigns forever all my home Plantation whereon I now reside, with the remaining Part of my Salt Meadows and Land on Strawberry Hill. Also the Lot of Land lying adjoining to Jonathan Harned and John Harned, and the above mentioned Ten Acres of Land lying at the Westerly End of the Plantation whereon my Son John Gach now live thas likewise the other half of my Freehold Right in the Commons of Woodbridge; But in Case my said Son Philip should depart this Life before he attain to the full Age of Twenty one years or have no legal Issue before that Time, that then the Bequests to him, I will to be divided between all my other Children, Share and Share alike, and to their Heirs or Assigns.

Item: I give and bequeath to my Daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, Martha and Anna all them several Lots and Parcels of Land, lying on the South East side of the Road that leads to Amboy, to be sold by my Executors herein after named, as soon after my Decease as shall be convenient, and the Monies arising by the Sale thereof to be equally divided between my said Daughters, and Thomas Shotwell, Son of my deceased Daughter Esther; But if said Thomas Shotwell should die before he attain to full age, then his Share to be equally divided among my said Daughters, their Heirs or Assigns.

Item: I give and bequeath to my well beloved Wife Elizabeth the Use of all the above mentioned Lands and Premises, or so much thereof, as She shall be fit to demand, during her natural Life or Widowhood; Also I give and bequeath to my said Wife all my Moveables and Personal Estate whatsoever, and wheresoever, to be at her own proper Use and Disposal, she paying thereout all my just Debts and Funeral Charges.

Lastly, I constitute and appoint my said Wife Elizabeth and James Eddy of Woodbridge aforesaid the Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, the Twelfth Day of April, Anno Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Three. Thomas Gach {Seal} Signed, Sealed and Delivered, by the said Thomas Gach, as his Last Will and Testament in the Presence of us Samuel F. Parker Samuel Inslee James Parker

Thomas Gach died before 9 March 1770 in Woodbridge, New Jersey. There is no known burial location.

Vitals

Source

• Woodbridge and Vicinity, by Joseph Dally, page 192
• Woodbridge and Vicinity, by Joseph Dally, page 202-3

Records

July 21st, 1732, "Thomas Gach is Desired to git the glass windows of the meeting house mended."

Source

• Woodbridge and Vicinity, by Joseph Dally, page 71.

Will

The will of Thomas Gach of Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, NJ was written 12 April 1763, and proved 9 March 1770.

Item:"Eldest son, John, one half the plantation where he lives (except 10 acres at the west end that was surveyed in my own right) with 4 acres of salt meadow at the south end of my meadow before Strawberry Hill; also three and a half acres in Raritan meadows with half my freehold right in the Commons.

Item: Grandson, Thomas Gach, the other half of said plantation, but to remain to the use of his father John Gach, during John's life.

Item: Son, Philip, my home plantation, where I live, and the rest of the salt meadow, and land on Strawberry Hill, and the lot adjoining Jonathan Harned and John Harned, and also the said 10 acres; also half of my freehold right in the Commons of Woodbridge, when he is 21.

Item: Daughters - Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, Martha and Anne; all the several lots on the south side of the road that leads to Amboy to be sold, and the money to be divided between them and Thomas Shotwell, son of my deceased daughter, Esther.

Item: Wife, Elizabeth, the use of the said lands.

Executors - my wife and James Eddy.

Witnesses - Samuel F. Parker, James Parker, Samuel Inslee."

Sources

• New Jersey Archives, Calendar of Wills Vol 4 1761-1770, Lib. K, p. 154.
• CFG - The Charles F. Grim Bible 1830 (privately held; written during the lifetime of Thomas and Elizabeth's granddaughter Elizabeth Eddy).
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LR91-3XM