Re: Origin of Gorrell name
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In reply to:
Re: Origin of Gorrell name
2/14/02
The 'Gorell' was launched in 1754 by Messrs Wm Pownall (later to become mayor of Liverpool) and John Gorell. She was a hagboat sterned vessel ideal for the timber trade. As far as I know no other vessel carried this name. It is interesting that she appears to have ended up in the USA as my ancestor (who was in a later partnership with John Gorell) made his money escorting convoys across to America to supply the troops fighting the 'rebellious colonists'. There was a yard by the Mersey known as Gorells Yard where she was built, and Pownall Street in Liverpool was previously called Gorell Street. John Gorell himself was a founder of the Public Infirmary, and a trustee of St Thomas Church in Liverpool. He died with no issue in April or May 1761. His will mentioned a kinsman John Gorell (weaver) living at or near Bowling Green, Bamford nr Rochdale, Lancs, to whom he left propert in Sankey Street, Warrington. There was also mention of a kinsman Robert Gorell(weaver) also of Bamford and Edward Gorell of Haslehall, Clapham, Co York (Yeoman for Life). A codicil mentions Robert Gorell of Bury (kinsman). A descendent of the Edward Gorell (above) became 1st Lord Gorell, Admiralty Lawyer, Queens Council, and President of the Admiralty Court. It is this family that claims their original name was Goring (one of their ancestors was the cavalier General Lord Goring who died in 1671). Apparently Lord Goring left no legitimate issue but Edward Goring (died 1703) of Chappell House, Slaidburne, Yorks, was his natural son. It is he who used the names Goring, Gorrell, and Gorill, and eventually settled on Gorell. Stewart-Brown believed that this families real name was Gorell, and that it only changed to Goring for a generation or so, as Gorell is a common name around Rochdale and Castleton. A tale is told of William Gorell of Castleton who took up arms on behalf of King James the Second. This proved unsuccessful at the Battle of the Boyne, in Ireland and he fled, first to Cheshire then (leaving his wife and children) to France when he was never seen again. His children used the names Garrol and Goring. I hope this info (although a bit rambling) is useful. Rob
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Re: Origin of Gorrell name
Greta Thomson 2/19/02