Re: George Darling m. Katherine GRIDLEY?
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In reply to:
George Darling m. Katherine GRIDLEY?
Robert Forrest 7/23/00
I am not convinced that George Darling's wife Katherine was necessarily a Gridley, but I disagree that she "cannot" be such by reason of the reference in Frances Hawes' will to service rendered by a Katherine Dorlow in 1641.
For one thing, the concept that George Darling was already married and in the Salem area by 1641 is contradicted by (a) the lack of any other trace of thim there during that entire decade, and (b) the several indications that this couple's numerous children were all born no earlier than 1651.It does not stand to reason that, in this pre-pill period, a woman would have been married and childless for a decade, and then suddenly become fertile.Such cases are not unknown in medical history, but they are extremely rare.
For another, Dorlow and Dorland/Darling/Darlin do not sound alike.It is easy to confuse one nasal consonant with another.However, "Dorlow" involves quite a different vowel sound, and no nasal consonant at all -- unless the "w" was a misreading for "n" or "m."There may or may not be a final "g" but I have never seen this name written without a nasal consonant of some kind.Review of the original document could clarify whether there was any ambiguity in the way "Dorlow" was written.
Further, and most compelling, one simply cannot square the presence of Katherine married to George Darling in Mass. by 1641 if, as seems most probable, George was among the Dunbar captives of 1650 transported to labor in the Saugus Ironworks the following year.
On the other hand, I find it unusual (if not dispositive)that George and Katherine Darling named none of their children "Richard" or "Grace."But then if there was some family rift (as the marriage of a daughter to a Scottish ex-prisoner could provoke), this would not surprise.In this regard, I note that my ancestor Thomas Darling named none of his seven children for his parents, either.
Tn this regard, the case for a Gridley connection with John Dollen is strengthened if, as was asserted by a post on the Gridley Genforum, his wife's given name was Grace.
I am not sufficiently familiar with the full scope of the usage of the term "at the Eastward" in 17th cent. texts to be fully persuaded that this could ONLY refer to someone resident in what is now Maine, but would at least note that Marblehead is to the east of where Richard Gridley wrote his will, if I understand his circumstances correctly.
In short, I do not find enough in what I have seen to join the ranks of the converted in utterly rejecting the alleged Gridley connection.
More Replies:
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Re: George Darling m. Katherine GRIDLEY?
Lisa Gorman 11/18/02
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Re: George Darling m. Katherine GRIDLEY?
Barry Wood 11/19/02
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Re: George Darling m. Katherine GRIDLEY?
Barry Wood 11/19/02
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Re: George Darling m. Katherine GRIDLEY?
KAREN ROBERTS 1/28/03
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Re: George Darling m. Katherine GRIDLEY?
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Re: George Darling m. Katherine GRIDLEY?
Barry Wood 11/19/02
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Re: George Darling m. Katherine GRIDLEY?