Gano Family

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Gano, Henderson, Usselton,

Phoebe Gano, wife of John Henderson


Compiled by Judy Griffin, 2007 - email address



Etienne Gayneau

Most of the information on the Gano family comes from the Hervey Family History, 2001, Robert Hervey, lineage online and “Gano Family U.S.A., 1970,” by Howard Marshall Lemaster, Carlinville, Illinois, 1970. Most Gano researchers base their information on two publications: Rev. John Gano, “Biographical Memoirs of The Late Rev. John Gano of Frankfurt [Kentucky],” New York: Southwick and Hardcastle, NY, 1806; Stephen Gano in “The Life and Ministry of John Gano, 1727-1804,” ed. Terry Wolever, Springfield, MO: Particular Baptist Press, 1998.

Etienne Gayneau (1) was born circa 1640 in La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France, and died in1706 in Staten Island, New York. He married Lydia Mestereau on March 16, 1653 in La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France. She was born circa 1630 or 1635 in La Rochelle, and died in New York. The surname Mestereau became Metereau. Etienne Gaineau was a stovemaker merchant. The Notary deed of La Rochelle Notary, Lefbure, March 24, 1653, indicated that after their marriage, Etienne Gayneau and Lidia Mestereau took a perpetual lease for 25 years for a house, street Les Cloustiers. The Rental Agreement, between Georget and Guesneu (Etienne Gaineau), in Minutes of M. Lefbure, Notary, at La Rochelle, 1653: “Know all who appear before us: Lefbure of the City and Government of La Rochelle; Jeanne Georget, widow of deceased Paul Froze, a merchant, living in this city, who by these papers, transfers and rents to Etienne Guesneau, stovemaker merchant, and Lydia Mestereau, his wife, duly authorized by him. Property is a little house, covered with tile, situated in the street Les Cloustiers of this city, beside an old untenanted house formerly Georget’s, a common lot between the two; two doors into the old house may be closed by Guesneau and his wife. (Signed) Cherier Lefbure. Jeanne Gorget, Etienne Gayneau (signature), Isaac Mariet.”

Etienne Gayneau and Lydia Mestereau arrived in America on the ship De Beaver May 9, 1661, with three children born in La Rochelle, France (Etienne/Stephen, Liddie, and Marie). (2) Etienne was also known on the sailing list as Etienne Genejoy. Etienne probably died between 1680 and the 1706-09 Staten Island census, as he was not found there, though Lydia apparently was. His descendant Rev. John, in his “Memoirs,” said that he lived to the age of 103, which would put his death date around 1735.

Children of Etienne and Lydia:



Stephen Gano

Stephen Gano (Etienne1) was baptized on May 29, 1654 in La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France. He married Susannah Usselton (Vesleton) circa August 1, 1679 in Staten Island, Richmond, New York, daughter of Francis Usselton and Sarah Barnes. She was born circa 1658. When Stephen (Etienne) married, his father deeded him land and cattle (on his death): (3) “Know all men by these Presents that whereas Stephen Gayneau a Inhabitant of Staten Island and Susannah V-Uslton of the same place have agreed a contract of Matrimony by and with the consent of their parents, Stephen Gayneau, Senr, where in consideration for the good and welfare of the aforresaid Son and daughter first I Stephen Gayneau doe by these presents promisse and Engage to give to my aforsaid Son A Horse and a mare and a cow to bee the choise of all his cowes and a Heifer with calfe and the yearly beast and five pounds current to bee paid at New Yorke and seven Swine to bee a yeare old and upwards with a bed and beding and halfe his Land at New Yorke joynging to Jacob Linn opiset Roeliffe the butchers with the privilidges proporconable and after my decease to bee possest with all and every part thereof and twenty scheple of corn and two good fatt hoggs with a Lott of Land joyning to my owne upon the North side of the Island the aforsaid Engagements shall bee fully and wholly performed by mee at the day of marriage. In witttnesse whereeof I sett my hand on this 9th day of July in the yeare of our Lord 1679. (Wit.) Obadiah Holmes: Matthew (M) marke Rew. Estienne Gayneau.”

The next year: (4) “Whereas my deare father Estienne als Stephen Gayneau Senr., of Staten Island upon an agreement or contract of marriage between me Stephen Gayneau Junr. of Staten Island and Susannah Uselton, daughter of Francis Uselton of the same place did upon the 9th day of July 1679 Signe to a certain deed or writing wherein he engaged to give unot mee his son the severall particulars therin Specifyed of goods Chattels Cattle and moveables also halfe of his Lott and Land over against Roeleffe the butchers presently together with the other halfe after his deceased and also a Lott of Land joyning to his owne upon the north side of the Island&c the same to bee performed at the day or time of marriage as is therin sett forth. The wich being the whole Estate bothe reall and personall of his said Father whereof hee is sufficiently sensible his Father never intended to divest himself of without some compentence reserved for his deare daughter my onely Sister so that for want of a Right understanding of the writer who pretended to bee likewise Interpreter of another Language the said Error was committed. These presents may certify and declare that I have received the goods chattels cattle and moveables therein first exprest and have therefore given my discharge and for the Lotts of Land in Towne & upon the Island given or engaged to bee given mee by my said father presently or after his deceased I doe freely releease my said father of and from the same to enjoy to himself for Life and at his decease to bee divided between mee and my sister In Witnesse whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seale in New Yorke this 21st day of April 1680. Sealed and Delivered in the presence of Matthias Nicholls Paul Richards Estienne Gayneau (seal).”

The children of Stephen Gano and Susanna Usselton were:


Susannah Usselton’s Family, Sometimes found as Vslton, Uslton, Usilton.

Francis Usselton (14) married Sarah Barnes on November 25, 1655 in Wenham, Massachusetts. He resided in Edgartown, Massachusetts Colony circa 1667 when he was authorized to take possession of Homes Hole Neck, which had been obtained from the Indians. He remained there for some months acting as an agent on the behalf of the purchasers, Thomas Layton and Peter Tallman. He is therefore considered to have been the first white man to reside within the limits of Vineyard Haven (Tinsbury, Martha’s Vineyard). It was here where two of his children were entered: Mary, born Aug. 17, 1656, and John, born Sept. 20, 1657. Living in Wenham at the same time was a Charles Usselton, who may have been a brother, or a son by a former marriage. The Essex County Court files furnish considerable evidence that Francis was a litigious man, as he is either plaintiff or defendant in civil and criminal suits in 1659 and 1660, a number of times; in the latter year he is called of Topsfield, the town adjoining Wenham. When he came to the Vineyard cannot be accurately determined, but the first recorded date is December 2, 1659.

He must have come about 1661, as the last date of his appearance in Essex County is October 8, 1660. His first appearance was in the Courts, in which he sued Thomas Jones for defamation, and James Pease sued Usselton for ‘Belying his wife.’ Both these cases, which are entered at one session of the court, may be related to one matter. It appears that Usselton bought at one time forty acres at the Elizabeth Islands of Thomas Mayhew, Sr., but the exact date is not known, and he may have moved there. He left the Tinsbury area soon after his eviction from the squatter rights he assumed in behalf of Layton and Tallman. A suit was brought against Layton and Tallman for trespass on the part of their agent (Usselton) and recovered judgment. Armed with this authority, Richard Sarson, John Eddy, John Gee, and James and John Pease of Edgartown were delegated to go to the Neck and dispossess, forcibly or otherwise, Tallman’s and Layton’s representative (Usselton). On June 18, 1667, as a reward for their services, Homes Hole Neck was deeded to these five men.

After leaving the Vineyard, Usselton went to Newport, Rhode Island, where he got into difficulties of a similar character. He was banished from that Colony about 1670 or 1671, but undertook to defy the authorities, as appears by the following record relating to the affair, June 6, 1671: (15) “Whereas, ffrancis Uselton was by the last Generall Court of Tryalls sentenced to depart this Island, and not to return without leave of two Magistrates; and he the said Uselton; contrary to the said Court of Tryall's sentence, comeinge into the towne of Newport and pubeckly walkeinge the streetes in the time of the Assemblys sittinge, which being taken notice off, and he sent for into the court, to answer for his contempt, instead of giveing the Assembly satisfaction; he the said Uselton, upon orders to the court to depart, as he was goeinge out of the Court turned back and did publickly in the Court jeere the authority in a scornfull manner, saying to the Governor, ‘Your honorable wife,’ and ‘I thanke your justice,’ with many other scornefull contemptuous carriages; for which misdemeanure and contempt, the Court doe sentence the said Uselton to be forthwith whipt, with fifteene stripes. And alsoe it is ordered that the said ffrancis Uselton shall forthwith depart the Colloney; and if he shall come to abide in any towne of this Colloney hereafter it shall be in the power of any two magistrates to cause the said Uselton to be sevearly whipt and sent away.” There is a story that Francis Usselton’s daughter Mary became pregnant out of wedlock. When she was asked who the father was she replied, ‘How would I know I have slept with 20 men.’“ Supposedly Francis decided the father was a wealthy widower and applied pressure to get the man to change his will in favor of Mary, and Mary was then married to this gentleman.



Isaac Gano

Isaac Gano was (Stephen2, Etienne1) born in 1696 in Richmond, Staten Island, New York, and died in 1776 in Amwell Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He married Jane Gulick before 1728, probably in Amwell Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Jane was born circa 1700-02 in Amwell Township, and died in 1788. Sons Stephen Ganoe, John Gano and James Gano are said to have been in Hampshire and Berkeley Counties, Virginia by 1795. Isaac’s will of June 1772 named his wife Jane; sons Stephen, Isaac, David, Nicholas, James (soldier in Revolutionary War), John, and daughters Jane, Charlotte, Sarah. Witnesses were: Garret Williamson, William Gano, William Taylor, Jr, and Andrew Larson. Isaac’s will was proved on January 21, 1788. (16) The David listed in the will was not listed in the settlement in 1792. Listed in the 1780 list of Ratables for Amwell Township were: (17) Issaac Gano, Junr., John Gano 193 acres, Nicholas Gano 98 acres. The children of Isaac and Jane:




Endnotes

1 Records of Etienne were contributed by Mrs. C. Harrison Dwight, (nee Virgina Moore Burke, descendant of James Gano). Some were furnished to her by the archivist, Les Archives, La Rochelle; others were copied by her there in 1965.

2 Year Book of The Holland Society of New York, 1902, pp. 17, 18.

3 American Genealogist” July 1942. “Identity of Susannah, wife of Stephen Gano, Jr. Reference: Land Records, Albany, N.Y., Book 6, page 168, July 9. 1679.

4 Book 6 page 169, Land Records, Albany.

5 Woodward & Hageman’s “History of Burlington and Mercer Counties,” Hopewell Tax payers of 1722, p. 817.

6 “Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, New Jersey” by James P. Snell, pub. by Everta & Peck, Phila, 1881.

7 On page 12, Vol. 33, New Jersey Archives, Calendar of Wills, 1st Ser, Vol 4, 1761-1770, witness, will of Benj. Drake, Hopewell, June 22, 1763, proved Aug 30, 1763 with John Lambert and John Drake; same vol, p. 194, for the Hobbs will mentioned.

8 Delaware Archives, Vol. 87, p. 116.

9 Stout Family Genealogy.

10 “History of Delaware, Kent County,” by J. Thomas Scharf, under Leipsic, p. 1121.

11 A typed copy of the will of Elinor Fouke may be seen in the Delaware Archives, Book C, Vol. 1, p. 188.

12 “A Calendar of Delaware Wills, New Castle County, 1682-1800,” by Fred H. Hitchcock, New York, 1911, p. 22.

13 Reformed Dutch Church Records, p. 12, of Stillwell’s “NY & NJ Miscellany” where Louis Guineau and Anna Ciseau have daughter Susanna baptized April 20, 1729.

14 Annals of Tisbury (Tisbury, Dukes County, Massachusetts), history.vineyard.net/banks2a.htm.

15 Colonial Records of Rhode Island. Dated June 6, 1671.

16 Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Book 31, p. 103.

17 A list of the Ratables in the Township of Amwell in County of Hunterdon in the State of New Jersey with the assessments made thereon in the months of Jany and feby Anno Domiai 1780 by Jno Lambert Assr.

18 Stephen Gano entry. Ancestry Family Tree, Aug 25, 2001. “Birth: 1728 in Hunterdon Co., NJ Death: 1809 in Hampshire co, VA, Note: In will of Abraham Duboys dated 22 Jan 1755 NJ names daughter Elizabeth wife of Stephen Gano. [Is this the] Right Stephen?

19 Gano - Henderson. Email from Madeline Bechtold, May 11, 2004. Her source for Gano information is John M. Henderson. She also notes that a Frank Henderson has the GEDCOM on World Connect at worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=fhenders&id=I285.

20 Early Records of Hampshire County, Virginia, Sage & Jones.

21 30 Apr 1809 (Hampshire Co VA Synopsis of Wills) Will of Ganoe, Stephen - 4/30/1809. Wife, not named. Ch. and representatives. Son, Stephen. Names, Moses Henderson, David Henderson, William Williams,, William Harnass (Hannas); gr. sons, Stephen, William and Peter Bird; dau., long since dec’d. Exec., s-i-l, David Henderson and friend, Wm. Ely. Wit.: John Higgins, Wm. Doman, Jonas Combs. (Extracted by Combs Researcher Leslie Owens from “Early Records of Hampshire Co., VA,” Clara McC Sage & Laura S. Jones, An Alphabetically Arranged Synopsis of Wills; Books I to XXI; Many found only in the original Romney, Hampshire County, Virginia (now West Virginia).

22 Martinsburg Orphan’s Bond, Book No. 2, p. 71.

23 Guardian Accounts, WB 6, p. 530, Feb 8, 1823.

24 Some important some are in Deed Book 19, p. 83, June 25, 1804; Deed Book 20, p. 215, June, 1807; Deed Book 26, p. 45, March 31, 1814.

25 Unpublished New Jersey records, State Archives, Trenton, Dept of History and Education.

26 Will Book 2, p. 266, Martinsburg.

27 1850 census, family 1378, pp. 815, 408, Berkeley County, Virginia.

28 Marriage Book 1, p. 6.

29 Hunterdon County, New Jersey, June 10, 1819, proved December 1, 1819.

30 Marriage Book 2, p. 124, Berkeley County, Virginia.

31 Marriage Book 3, p. 229, Berkeley County, Virginia.

32 Lib. K: 202, Middlesex County.