Isaiah Gilbert was a man on the move throughout his long life:
from Connecticut , where he grew up and married;
to upstate New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as a soldier during the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars;
to western Vermont and central New York after the Revolutionary War.
His movements and other facts of his life are documented by a rich variety of sources.
Birth
Isaiah was born in Hartford Connecticut about 1733 to Joseph Gilbert and Hannah Wadsworth.[1] His year of birth is implied by two sources. First, his father's June 1750 probate record states that "Isaiah GIlbert, a minor, 17 years of age, son of Joseph Gilbert, chose his brother Theodore Gilbert of New Hartford to be his guardian". Isaiah was bequethed 717 pounds. Second, the record of Isaiah's death in Cornwall, Vermont documents that he died 15 Feb. 15 1825 at age 93.[2][3]
Move from Hartford to Woodbury CT
Lucius Barbour noted in his Families of Early Hartford that Isaiah and his brother Joseph "went to Woodbury" in LItchfield County, Connecticut.[4]
The Gilbert Family genealogical history cites a series of land records from 1757 to 1788 referring to Isaiah Gilbert "of Woodbury" -- 40 miles to the southwest of Hartford.[5][6][7]
These included a deed of 1757 whereby he purchased Woodbury land with a dwelling house[8] and a deed of 1770 whereby he added 2 1/2 acres to what had become his "home lot".[9] Isaiah sold this property in 1788 (about the time he moved to Cornwall, Vermont). While the deed specified that there were then buildings on the property, it did NOT refer to the parcel as his home lot.[10]
First marriage and children
On 14 Feb 1758, Isaiah married Esther Bull from Farmington (near Hartford). The mariage was recorded both in Farmington[11] and in Woodbury.[12][13]
Isaiah married second, in Woodbury, Experience (Wright) Gilbert (1742-1803) -- the widow of Philip Pond Jr (1740-bef.1776). The marriage took place sometime between Philip's death in 1776 and 23 February 1781 when a probate court recorded the distribution of Philip's estate -- with $146 going to "... the late widow but now wife of Isaiah Gilbert".[21]
In August 1757, during the French and Indian War, Isaiah Gilbert, age 23, was among the roughly 5,000 Connecticut provincial soldiers "recruited at the time of the alarram for the Relefe of the Fort William Henrey and places adjacent". The seige of Fort William Henry on New York's Lake George and subsequent "massacre" of the surrendering British soldiers by native American allies of the French was later dramatized by James Fenimore Cooper's book, The Last of the Mohicans.[27] Isaiah was not among the 1,400 Connecticut men recruited earlier that year (into the regiment of Phineas Lyman) some of whom may have been besieged from August 3 to August 9, 1757 with George Munro in the Fort. Rather, the service of Isaiah's company is recorded as extending from August 7 to August 25 and "Isah Gilbort" was among the "Men that Brought Back the horses".[28][29]
Isaiah was forty-three years old at the onset of the U.S. Revolutionary War. Isaiah served as a corporal under his brother-in-law Captain Thomas Bull in his Light Horse Company of MaJor Elija Sheldon's Horse Regiment.[30][31][32]. As a member of the cavalry's quarter master unit, Isaiah accompanied George Washington's Continental forces as they retreated from New York through New Jersey in the fall of 1776.[33]
Migration from Connecticut to Vermont
Sometime between 1787 (when the guardianship bond for Philip Pond showed that Isaiah was "of Woodbury") or 1788 (when "Isaiah Gilbert of Woodbury" signed a deed selling what had been his home lot in the Middle Quarter of Woodbury[34]) and October 1789 (when Isaiah's step-daughter Lorinda Pond married Stephen Tampbling in Cornwall[35]), Isaiah Gilbert moved from Woodbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut to Cornwall, Addison County, Vermont. There he built a house and served as a town Selectman from 1793 to 1795.[36] Note that the Linsley's were another family which, after the Revolutionary War moved from Litchfield County, Connecticut to Cornwall. Joel Linsley (1756-1819) married Isaiah's elest daughter Levina (Gilbert) Linsley (1758-1843)) while Abiel Linsley (1757-) married Isaiah's second oldest daughter Anne (Gilbert) Linsley (1763-1848)).
In January of 1795, Isaiah Gilbert and Experience "of Cornwall, Vermont" signed a deed selling land in Woodbury to Mitchel Lamson.[37][38] This deed notes that the property was "distributed to said Experience as her thirds of dower in the estate of Philip Pond, her husband, late of Woodbury, deceased." This source thus proves that the Isaiah Gilbert of Cornwall was the same as the Isaiah Gilbert of Woodbury who had married Experience (Wright) Gilbert (1742-1803) and become the guardian of Philip Pond (1773-1831)
Isaiah and Experience would have been accompanied to Cornwall by Experiences' still teenage son Philip Pond (1773-1831) -- a ward of Isaiah. Thus, it seems likely that it was in Cornwall that Philip Pond (1773-1831) met and married Clarissa (Tilden) Pond (1778-1830) -- whose entire family had also migrated to Cornwall. Among the facts connecting Isaiah's family with the Tilden family is the fact that one of his younger daughters, Sally Gilbert married Luther Tilden (1776-1826).
The deed of January 1795, selling the widows third of land in Woodbury, was preceded by a deed of 25 December 1794 whereby all of the surviving children of Philip and the husbands of the surviving daughters agreed “for a valuable sum” to the sale of the property to Mitchel Lamson. The document is notable in that it says that Philp was “of Paris in the County of Herkimer and state of New York”. This suggests that Philip had migrated to New your earlier than the 1796 date on his headstone – or at least he had given New York as his residence when he signed. Experience (Pond) Martin gave her residence as Bethlehem, Connecticut. Lorenda (Pond) Tambling gave her residence as Cornwall, VT. Isaiah and Experience were "of Cornwall". (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSRZ-YQG4-6?i=52&cat=308222 ) Volume 28. Page 36.
During the French and Indian War, Isaiah had traveled to Lake George - 50 miles to the east of Augusta . Several of the in-laws of Experience (Wright) Gilbert (1742-1803) had fought in Oneida County during the Revolutionary War. As a prime example, Barnabas Pond (1755-1841), a nephew of Experience's first husband Philip Pond Jr (1740-bef.1776), had camped near Fort Schuyler then returned in 1787 to found the town of Clinton, in Oneida County.[39]
Isaiah and Experience were among the first members listed in the church records for Augusta, Congregational Church.[41] Experience died in Augusta in 1801 and church records show that Isaiah was "removed" from membership in the Augusta church in 1803. [42]
Oneida County land records show that on 12 Oct 1805 he sold land.[43]
Migration back to Cornwall and death
After the death of his 2nd wife Isaiah then moved back to Cornwall, Vermont. "... a house was erected at an early day by Isaiah Gilbert, for many years an active and useful citizen. Mr. Gilbert lived to extremely advanced age - beyond 90 years. He spent his last years with his dutiful daughters, Mrs. Luther Tilden (Sally (Gilbert) Tilden (1779-1829)) and Mrs. Joel Linsley. (Levina (Gilbert) Linsley (1758-1843))"[44]
There in Cornwall, "Isaiah Gilbert died Feb. 15 1825 AE 93 yrs". [45][46]
Research issues
The Gilbert Family genealogical history cites records from 1757 sales of land in Hartford and Woodbury in which Isaiah participated. Was the timing of these sales consistent with Isaiah's service August 7 to 25 of that year with the British military?
↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67695170/isaiah-gilbert : accessed 30 April 2022), memorial page for Isaiah Gilbert (10 Aug 1733–15 Feb 1825), Find a Grave Memorial ID 67695170, citing Cornwall Central Cemetery, Cornwall, Addison County, Vermont, USA.
↑ See page 192 & 193 (images 204 & 205) of THE GILBERT FAMILY. Descendants of THOMAS GILBERT, 1582(?)-1659 of Mt. Wollaston (Braintree), Windsor, and Wethersfield. By HOMER WORTHINGTON BRAINARD, HAROLD SIMEON GILBERT and CLARENCE ALMON TORREY. Authorities: Woodbury Land Records, vol.11, p. 105; vol. 17, p.114; vol. 19, p. 2 3; vol. 2 3, p. 229; vol. 24, p. 76; vol. 26, pp. 18, 156; vol. 28, p. 38.(https://www.seekingmyroots.com/members/files/G002800.pdf)
↑ 29 Jan 1788 – For 80 pounds, Isaiah Gilbert of Woodbury sold to Reuben Sherman 3 acres of land in the middle quarter. Bounded by land of Daniel Munn and Reuben Sherman. With buildings/ Woodbury land records. Volume 26. Page 156. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR8-W9GL?i=179&cat=308222 )
↑ Volume 034 Farmington. Ancestry.com. Connecticut, U.S., Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: 2013. Original data:Connecticut. Church Records Index. Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecticut. (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/133833:3032)
↑ "Connecticut, Vital Records, Prior to 1850," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP3V-5G7C : 15 April 2022), Isaiah Gilbert in entry for Esther Bull, ; citing Marriage, Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, United States, Compiled by Lucius A. and Lucius B. Barbour, housed at State Library, Hartford, Connecticut; FHL microfilm 008272223.
↑ "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F77V-88H : 7 January 2020), Isaiah Gilbert in entry for Levinah Gilbert, 1758. Name - Levinah Gilbert; Sex - Female; Birth Date - 28 Dec 1758; Birthplace - Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, British Colonial America. Mother - Esther.
↑ "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F74M-VMJ : 7 January 2020), Isaiah Gilbert in entry for Ashley Gilbert, 1761. Name Ashley Gilbert; Sex Male; Birth Date 10 Feb 1761; Birthplace Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, British Colonial America. Mother - Esther.
↑ Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F77V-887 : 7 January 2020), Isaiah Gilbert in entry for Anna Gilbert, 1763. Name Anna Gilbert; Sex Female; Birth Date 26 Apr 1763; Birthplace Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, British Colonial America. Mother - Esther.
↑ "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F77V-888 : 7 January 2020), Isaiah Gilbert in entry for Esther Gilbert, 1766. Name Esther Gilbert; Sex Female; Birth Date 14 Dec 1766; Birthplace Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, British Colonial America; Mother - Esther.
↑ "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F77V-8ZS : 7 January 2020), Isaiah Gilbert in entry for Bettey Gilbert, 1768. Name Bettey Gilbert; Sex Female; Birth Date 17 Feb 1768; Birthplace Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, British Colonial America; Mother - Esther.
↑ "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F74M-VMH : 7 January 2020), Isaiah Gilbert in entry for Amos Gilbert, 1770. Name Amos Gilbert; Sex Male; Birth Date 16 Jul 1770; Birthplace Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, British Colonial America; Mother - Esther.
↑ A Complete History of Connecticut: Civil and Ecclesiastical, from the Emigration of Its First Planters, from England, in the Year 1630, to the Year 1764 and to the Close of the Indian Wars, Volume 2. By Benjamin Trumbull. 1818. (https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=X7wbCBMF5usC&pg=GBS.PA382&hl=en)
↑ "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG2M-1C69 : 1 March 2021), Isaiah Gilbert, Corporal, marched 23 Sep 1776, discharged 30 Dec 1776; citing Military Service, Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 101711093.
↑ "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2DG-VK2V : 20 February 2021), Isaiah Gilbert, 22 Oct 1776; citing 22 Oct 1776, Connecticut, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,305.
↑ See page 193 (image 205) of THE GILBERT FAMILY. Descendants of THOMAS GILBERT, 1582(?)-1659 of Mt. Wollaston (Braintree), Windsor, and Wethersfield. By HOMER WORTHINGTON BRAINARD, HAROLD SIMEON GILBERT and CLARENCE ALMON TORREY. Authorities: Woodbury Land Records, vol.11, p. 105; vol. 17, p.114; vol. 19, p. 2 3; vol. 2 3, p. 229; vol. 24, p. 76; vol. 26, pp. 18, 156; vol. 28, p. 38.(https://www.seekingmyroots.com/members/files/G002800.pdf)
↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67695170/isaiah-gilbert : accessed 07 June 2022), memorial page for Isaiah Gilbert (10 Aug 1733–15 Feb 1825), Find a Grave Memorial ID 67695170, citing Cornwall Central Cemetery, Cornwall, Addison County, Vermont, USA ; Maintained by Stephen Payne (contributor 47327291) .
THE GILBERT FAMILY, DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS GILBERT BY HOMER WORTHINGTON BRAINARD, HAROLD SMITH GILBERT, AND CLARENCE ALMON TORREY. NEW HAVEN, 1953
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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Isaiah by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA.
However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line.
It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Isaiah: