The significance of this article was lost on me because "Gainford" isn't a family name that I'd heard of ... however, upon reading the article, it became more interesting!
It seems that Mrs. Gainford (nee, Phebe Rockwell) was the daughter of Jabez Rockwell and Elizabeth Mulford. Jabez was born on October 3, 1761 and at the ripe old age of 15, he enlisted in the 7th Regiment, recruited in Connecticut under the supervision of Gen. Benedict Arnold, under whose command he fought and was wounded at the battle of Saratoga in 1777. He was later transferred to a division of the army under Gen. Putnam and went under the direction of Gen. George Washington with whom he passed the memorable winter of 1777-1778 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Jabez was in the boat with General Washington on December 25th, 1777 when he crossed the Delaware river at Trenton.
Pretty cool to have as a part of our family history, I'd say!
Phebe was the third child of seven children born to Jabez and his second wife, Elizabeth, who were married in September 1799 in Milford, Pennsylvania. His first wife, Sarah Rundell had died on May 24, 1798. They had been married in 1784 and had seven children who were left with Mr. Rockwell.
Phebe Rockwell Gainford had been married once before as well. Her first husband, Mr. John L. Kimble died about two years after their marriage.
I'll look for Jabez in the Rockwell book when I return to Florida but for now, let's all assume this is a legitimate ancestor! Cool beans!
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