The Gallup Genealogy

The Gallup name is heard just about every night on the nightly news - usually regarding a poll on the ebb and flows of some politician.  When I found out that I had Gallup ancestry, I was very interested in finding out more information.  I started out my search by trying to go through the DAR books at the local library…they were interesting and rife with possibilities but at the time, I knew little beyond my great great grandmother’s name.   Not too long after my initial search, my great uncle provided me access to a wonderful resource – the 1966 Gallup genealogy.

If you are lucky enough to have a New England family in your background, especially one as prominent as the Gallup family there are usually numerous resources not available for many other researchers.  The Gallup Association was instituted in the late 1800’s primarily with the goal to maintain the family cemetery at Gallup hill in Ledyard, CT.  They were also kind enough to write genealogies in 1893, 1966, 1987, and 2009.  I have copies of the final three genealogies and the original genealogy can be ordered online if so desired. 

Researching a Gallup line can be illuminating in many ways.  There are many family members that demand more attention because of their interesting lives and the times in which they lived.  The first Gallup that immigrated to this country was John Gallop – (the name changed not too long after they arrived).  He arrived in 1630 on the “Mary and John” as part of the Winthrop Fleet.  At first John Gallop came on his own and he settled in Boston, got land and built a wharf and house.  He had a ship and traded up and down the coast.  From all accounts he was an excellent captain and discovered a new channel into the Boston harbor.  Unfortunately for John Gallop – his wife wasn’t too keen to come to the New World.  Governor Winthrop was concerned with the possibility that John Gallop might return back England.  He wrote to the Rev John White in Dorchester the following letter:

I have much difficultye to keep John Gallop here by reason of his wife will not come. 

I marvayle at the woman's weaknesse.  I pray pursuade her and further her coming by all means.  If she will come, let her have the remainder of his wages; if not, let it be bestowed to bring over his childre, if so he desires.  It would be about 40 pounds losse to him to come for her.

                                                Your assured in the Lord's worke,

                                                Massachusetts, July 4, 1632

                                                                J. Winthrop.

Christobel, John’s wife, finally agreed to come and she and her children arrived in 1633 on the Griffin.  Christobel and John had the following children:

• John Gallup b. 1615 Bridport, Dorsetshire, England d. 19 Dec 1675 Narragansett Fort, RI
• Joan Gallop b. 1618 Bridport, Dorsetshire, England d. 20 Mar 1691 Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA m. Thomas Joy
• William Gallop b. 1622 Mostern, Dorset England – returned to England and fought under Cromwell and died.
• Francis Gallop b. abt 1625 Bridport, Dorsetshire, England d. 18 Nov 1625 Bridport, Dorsetshire, England
• Nathaniel Gallop b. 16 Aug 1629 Mosterne, Dorset, England d. 1676
• Samuel Gallop b. 16 Aug 1629 Mosterne, Dorset, England d. bet 1667-1679.
• John Gallop died on 11 Jan 1650 in Boston, MA and his wife died on 27 Sep 1655 in Boston, MA. 

If you are descended from John Gallup b. 1615 – you are very fortunate.  This is the line that has been the best researched and documented of all of the Gallup lines in the United States.  If you are descended from Nathaniel or Samuel – you aren’t quite so lucky.  The information is somewhat sketchy and only someone who is descended from those two individuals is likely to spend much time on their line.  However, if you are descended from John – you are likely to have several intersecting branches with other Gallup’s as well as family names like: Palmer, Denison, Cheseborough, Prentice, Fish, Crary, Wheeler, Stanton, Williams, and Prentice.  Honestly…there are too many to count.  More on my interesting Gallup family later!