Taken directly from the booklet, "The 'Mary and John'", A story of the founding of Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1630 by Maude Pinney Kuhns, published by Charles E. Tuttle Company, Rutland, Vermont:

"John Gilbert was born about 1580. (In 1643 he was over sixty years of age and not subject to military duty). He was the son of Giles Gilbert (d. June 17, 1595) of Dunweare Parish of Bridgwater, Somersetshire, England, who married in St. Mary's Church, Aug. 10, 1571, Joan Pearce (d. Apr. 18, 1597). Both are buried in St. Mary's churchyard.

Susanna Gilbert, sister of John, was baptised Dec. 9, 1584; married Jan. 18, 1602, Nicholas, son of Nicholas and Mary Street, and was the mother of Rev. Nicholas Street, who came to New England. Susanna died at the birth of her son, and was buried Feb. 22, 1603.

John Gilbert married (1) Jan. 17, 1602, in St. Mary's Church, Mary, daughter of Nicholas and Mary Street, baptised Mar. 22, 1578, in Taunton, England. She died before 1630, as when John Gilbert came to America in 1630, he had with him his second wife, widow Winnifred Peaslee. The first wife was probably the mother of Thomas and John Gilbert, who are described by Savage (whoever that is) as "well grown youths." She may also have been the mother of Elizabeth, who is mentioned Nov. 16, 1632, in the will of Emma Escott of Bridgwater, England, but is not mentioned in the will of John Gilbert.

In 1637, John Gilbert and his two sons were members of an incorporated body of forty who purchased of Sachem Massasoit about 162 acres of land lying west of Plymouth, which was named Taunton. Here the family established itself, and here descendants were to be found for over 140 years. John Gilbert was made freeman of Taunton, Dec. 4, 1638, and was constable in 1640. In 1641 he received a grant of land from the town, with others, "for their great charges in attending courts, laying out lands and other occasions for the town."