Gershom FLAGG, Sr ^{1 2 3}

   Cause of his death was Fall from roof.

   Ancestral File Number: 1HV5-15M. User ID: 300.

   General Notes:

Housewright, Slater.

BOOK
FAMILY RECORDS of the Descendants of GERSHOM FLAGG [Born 1730] of Lancaster Massahusettes (sic) with Other Genealogical Records of THE FLAGG FAMILY Descended from THOMAS FLEGG OF WATERTOWN MASS and Including THE FLEGG LINEAGE IN ENGLAND Compiled and Published by Norman Gersom Flagg and Lucius C S Flagg 1907
Chapter III The Flagg Lineage from Thomas Flegg of Watertown Mass to Gershom Flagg (Born 1730) of Lancaster Mass 1637-1758
John and Abiah Flagg were the parents of nine children, whose names are given in Chapter VII. Their third child was Eleazer Flagg, who we shall see later on was the grandfather of the two soldier boys of '76, Ebenezer and Gershom...
pg 23: The Fourth Generation in America
Eleazer Flagg
Of Eleazer Flagg little is known; he was born in Boston 2 Feb 1703, and was at one time an inn-keeper there. In a deed of date 1740, we find Eleazer Flagg mentioned as a 'Retailer" of Boston...
As there has been some discussion among the Flagg descendants as to which of the Flaggs owned this 'slate-rocks' Mr Clark has examined all records very carefully. While Gershom Flagg of Lancaster, with whom this record especially deals never was owner of the property, his father certainly was, of which the foregoing deeds are sufficient evidence. At the death of Eleazer Flagg in 1749, to avoid a forced sale of the Lancaster property, the Court settled this 'slate rocks' together with other real estate upon Eleazer's daughter Mary, wife of Garven (Gawen) Brown. Upon Mary's death soon after, Eleazer's brother Gershom Flagg (b1705) purchased the Lancaster real estate from G Brown, and he in turn bequeathed it to his son Gershom (b 1743) who moved from Lancaster to Clinton ME in 1789 selling the quarry to Joseph Wales.
Eleazer Flagg married mary Buck, of Scituate, presumably in the Spring of 1724 for their intentions of marriage were declared 17 Feb 1724 (Boston Marriages 1700-1751). He probably passed his entire life in boston, and his son William lived in the Boston home after his father's death in 1749; the son Gersom lived on the Lancaster farm, as is shown by memoranda of the estate. At Eleazer Flagg's death, his brother Gershom (b 1705) administered the estate, according to the Suffolk Co Mass Registry of Probate case 9832: '15 Oct 1749 Gershom Flagg of Boston housewright and glazier appointed administrator of the estate of his brother Eleazer Flagg, late of Boston innholder. Bondsmen, Joseph Callender and Joseph Callender Jr bakers.'
To Eleazer Flagg and Mary (Buck) Flagg were born six children:
I. Eleazer b 6 Nov 1725, m Arabethiah, d in London Abt 1751-2 probably without issue.
II. Mary b 18 Mar 1728, m Garven (Gawen) Brown prior to Jul 1760.
III. Gershom of Lancaster b 10 Jun 1730 (see next record).
IV. William b 10 Jul 1732, m 22 Apr 1756 Sally Mecom, niece of Benjamin Franklin; his eldest child was Josiah Flagg b 1760, Town Clerk of Lancaster MA for 34 years.
V. Sarah b 18 Jul 1733, m John Newman of Boston.
VI. Aviah b 2 Jan 173-, m Jacob Homer of Boston.
pg 30: The Fifth Generation in America
Gershom Flagg of Lancaster, third child and second son of Eleazer and Mary (Buck) Flagg, was born 10 Jun 1730, presumably in Boston, for his parents lived in that city many years prior and subsequent to that date. He was a housewright and a slater by trade, and moved to Lancaster, Mass, before attaining his majority. Why Gershom Flagg left Boston to make his home in Lancaster, we can only surmise, but at least two reason seem evident. First, his father Eleazer Flagg had, in 1740, purchased the 'Slate-Rocks' situated four miles from Lancaster Center, and a second and more sentimental reason is suggested by the following record, copied from the Lancaster Register of births, deaths, and marriages:
'Gershom flagg entered his intentions of marriage with Mary Willard, Nov ye 14, 1750.' [Lancaster Register]
They were married 'Dec ye t, 1750, by Jos Wilder, Junn'. Mary Willard was the daughter of Aaron and Mary Willard of Lancaster, and was born 21 Jan 1729.
In a letter dated Lee, NH, 13 Feb 1853 after a visit to Lancaster, Willard Flagg Bliss wrote as follows concerning the old homestead of his greagrandfather Gershom Flagg: "I was shown where the barn stood, where the tree stood which bore such great plums and the apple trees still bearing from which our ancestors ate. Our greatgrandfather is described as 'a spare light-complected man straight as a candle and a great hand for business.' I drank from the old well which is said to be sun several feet into the solid rock; it is said in summer to be the best water in Massachusetts. I have a piece of the slate which came from the roof of the old house and which our greatgrandfather probably made with his own hands."
While slating the house of Dr Gardner, of Boston- according to the family tradition this house was situated between Boston and Lancaster- Gershom Flagg fell and was killed. He is said to have worn a cape-coat, whiloe on the roof on a windy day, and was blown off, striking upon his feet, but lived only long enough for his wife to reach him. He died 28 Dec 1758 aged twentyeight years.
The widow Mary (Willard) Flagg was admitted administratrix of the estate of 'Gershom Flagg, late of Lancaster, housewright, deceased,' on the fifth of Feb 1759, her bondsmen being simon Willard and Nathaniel Willard, yeomen. 8 Feb appraisers were appointed, and 28 May, their inventory was filed. Through the kindness of JCL Clark, Town Clerk of Lancaster (1906), it is possible to give below a very quaint and interesting copy verbatim of the inventory of Gershom Flagg's personal estate:
Worcester Co Probate Records, series A, case 21214, Lancaster 16 Feb 1759
"Pursueant to ye above commission we the subscribers have aprised all the estate of Gershom Flagg late of Lancaster decd. Show to us an invontary which is as follows vist:
1. The notes & bonds at intrist = L166.17.10
2d. The amory gun boyonett & cutlash = L1.13.
3d. The apearrile = L2.3.4
4. The household furniture = L16.12.4
5. Books & pamphlets = L1.19.1
6. Carpenters & joyners tools = L7.19.8
7. Liue stock = L3.6.8
8. Outdoor mouables = L3.18.11
Total = L204.10.11
PS Came to hand sundry other things
Two province notes = L40, To what is due on the book = L2.13.4, One coat = L0.8
A wig = L0.15, Fiue plates = L0.2, A shop = L2.2, Eight hundred boards = L0.16, Two pair of chisels = L0.4, Total = L47.1.0
Josiah White, Hooker Cosgood, Benja Ballard"
The adminstratix's account was accepted 7 Aug 1761.
Gershom Flagg's widow married again 17 Sep 1761 to William Phelps and lived in Lancaster until her death 22 Sep 1807 (according to letter o fthat date written by her nephew Josiah Flagg to her son Ebenezer Flagg- letter in possession of Mrs Mary Willard Flagg-Gillham, Wanda IL 1906). There can be little doubt that both Gershom Flagg and his wife were buried in a Lancaster cemetery, but no stones can be found to mark the location of their graves.
The children of Gershom and Mary (Willard) Flagg were:
I. Mary, born 27 Apr 1753 she married John Baker and had three children: John K, Thomas, and Charles. John K Baker was a printer in Burlington VT in 1800 and published the 'Northern Sentinel' in 1801; he subsequently moved to Plattsburg NY where he was proprietor of a hotel. Azariah C Flagg was a printer's apprentice under him from 1801 to 1806.
II. Ebenezer Flagg, born 7 Apr 1756 (see Chap IV).
III. Gershom Flagg, born 11 Apr 1758 (see Chap V).
When Gershom Flagg of Lancaster died 28 Dec 1758 from a fall while slating a roof, he left a widow Mary (Willard) Flagg and three young children, the daughter Mary aged 5 years, the son Ebenezer aged 2 1/2 years, and the infant son Gershom eight months old.
Aaron Willard, brother of Mary (Willard) Flagg, was at her request appointed guardian of the children, Mary, Ebenezer, and Gershom as is shown by the following petition:
"To John Chandler Esq Judge Pro for Worcester County, I desire my bro Capt Aaron Willard may be appointed guardian to my three children by late husband Gershom Flagg late of Lancaster, housewright Decd. 17 Mar 1759. Mary Flagg."
Subsequently, 9 Jan 1771, Abel Willard of Lancaster was appointed guardian of Mary and Ebenezer and 31 Mar 1773 of Gershom also. (Worcester Co Probate Records, Series A, Case 21, 178).

FAMILY SEARCH ANCESTRAL FILE
Ancestral File v4.19 1HV5-15M Born 1725 Lancaster Worcester MA.

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Http://www.ooten.com/famtree/wga8.html#1829: Gershom FLAGG (1730-1758), Born 10 Jun 1730 Boston Suffolk MA, Married Mary WILLARD (1729-1807) 6 Dec 1750 Lancaster MA, Died 28 Dec 1758 Boston MA, Assumed buried in Lancaster Cemetery but no stones can be found to mark the grave.

   Events:

1. Removed; Bef 1750, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. From Boston MA.

2. Marriage Intentions; 14 Nov 1750, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.

   Marriage Information:

Gershom married Mary WILLARD, daughter of Aaron WILLARD, Sr and Mary WRIGHT, on 6 Dec 1750 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ¹. (Mary WILLARD was born on 21 Jan 1728/29 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ^{1 3}, christened on 1 Mar 1728/29 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, died on 22 Sep 1807 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ^{1 3} and was buried in Sep 1807 in Cemetery, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ¹.)