from Goodale-Goodell Forebears by Helena M. (Goodale) Hargrave of Walnut Creek, California
In the 9th year of the reign of King Charles, 1634, Robert Goodell and wife Katherine Kilham (daughter probably of Henry and Alice Goodale Kilham) sailed from the port of Ipswich, Suffolk County, England, on April 30 on the ship Elizabeth, Capt. William Andrews, Master. With them were daughter
Mary, 4, and sons
Abraham, 2, and
Isaac 'age one-half year.'
They landed in Salem, Massachusetts, where Robert purchased 543 acres of land from the town of Salem and Danvers. That same year he received a grant of 40 acres from the town of Salem, between Ipswich River, Redding Road and the Newburyport turnpike. In 1652 the town laid out to him 504 acres.
Children born in Salem to Robert and Katherine were
Zachariah, 1638;
Jacob, 1640;
Hannah, 1642; and
Sarah, 1645.
In 1646 Katherine died and Robert married Margaret Larraby in 1647, by whom he had one daughter, Elizabeth.
Robert seems to have devoted his life to the development of his large grant for the benefit of his sons and daughters to whom, as they married, he gave generous acreages as wedding gifts, thus creating a family settlement about his own homestead.
His firm, clear handwriting would indicate a good education, but he took no part in governmental affairs and his name seldom appears in the records in any capacity except as plaintiff or defendant in suits based on the ownership of his land and stock.
On August 30, 1669, he made a settlement on his second wife, Margaret:
12 acres of land, a new dwelling house, two cowes and a horse or mare fitt for her to ride on.
He died and his will was proved June 27, 1683—he left his estate to his daughter Elizabeth and his grandson, John Smith. Wife Margaret was mentioned as having already been provided for, as were his other children.
