The name Anne appears only once, the Ship Defence manifest. I believe that this is most likely an error by the recorder of the manifest, perhaps transposing Anne from Christian. This is also the opinion that I read once in another document regarding Jasper Gunns wifes' name. Also, I do not believe that Anne was his sister. This due to the birth of their first child in 1635, it is most likely that this person on the ship listed as Anne was expecting a child during the voyage.

With this I eliminate the name Anne as a possibility.

The name Mary appears in several places including church records in Roxbury, MA, Hartford, CT and Milford, CT. And, it is also the name on the memorial bridge stone for Jasper in Milford, CT.

The name Christian appears in her Last Will and Testament. Clearly this is the widdow of Jasper Gunn according to the document. But why the name Christian?

Comparing both Jasper's and Christian's wills, we see that both refer to the same children as their sons and daughters with two exceptions. Jasper does not make reference to Nathanial in his will, while Christian does not make reference to Abel. Jobamah, Mehetable, Daniel and Samuel are mentioned in both wills.

Abel died in 1688 and was not mentioned by Christian in her will while Nathanial died in 1662/1663 prior to Jasper or Christian's deaths, was not mentioned in Jasper's will, but was mentioned in Christian's will? Christian makes reference to Nathanial twice, first where she gives land to Jobamah, but if Jobamah is deceased then the land is to go to his brother Nathanial. Second she gives several personal items to Samll who is the son of Nathanial of Hatfield, MA (which is OUR Nathanial because that is where he lived). Perhaps she meant that in case Jobamah was deceased that the land was to go to Nathanial's heirs? Best guess I have at the moment.

Christian also, I believe, clearly indicates in her will that she prepared it after Jasper's death. She indicates she is the "widdow Gun" and also refers to a bed & bolster that she made since she was left a widdow. Also, she also asks that other family members not be upset with Daniell who apparently did not follow Jaspers' wishes and provide her with some support after Jaspers death.

Despite a few puzzling items in the documents, this leads me to believe that they were married to one another ONLY and neither had another spouse. Some have said that perhaps Anne was his first wife, then he remarried. I don't think so. Samuel their first child was born in 1635 in Roxbury, MA. This is the year they landed in the US, records indicate they were in Roxbury and both Jasper and Christian reference their son Samuel in their wills. They did not land until Oct 1635 so it is very likely that Jasper and Christian were expecting a child during their voyage to the US.

As was the custom in those days, female children were often named after their mother first, then their grandmother. Jobamah had one daughter named Mary and another named Christian. Jobamah's wife was Mary Bristol, so a daughter named Mary and a daughter named Christian would have pleased both the mother and grandmother if this is true. And, it also is noted that in her will Christian seemed to favor Jobamah. Also noted in Christian's will is the fond reference she makes regarding Mary as she refers to her as "her daughter".

Our theory after reviewing all available documents is that Mary and Christian are ONE AND THE SAME. What we will probably never resolve is was it? MARY CHRISTIAN or CHRISTIAN MARY. Several things to consider are, perhaps she preferred to use the name CHRISTIAN. Noted in her will, she refers to her daughter Mehetabell as Campe. So it appears others were referred to by other than their given name. And, note is taken of the way her will begins: "bequeath my soule into the hands of Jesus Christ my redeemer". Could she have preferred the name Christian because of her deep religious beliefs? Did Jasper refer to her as Mary rather than Christian. The men were the keepers of the documents exclusively in those days, maybe Jasper is the source of this confusion. I can see my wife nodding her head yes about now. And, keeping in mind the name Anne that appeared on the ship manifest, surely Anne could not be mistaken for the name Mary?

But, one would think that on matters of importance such as Church records, and her Will, both which she should have been aware of as they were created while she was alive, that these documents would bear the correct name. The memorial stone though is another issue as I am not aware of when it was created. It may have been created after both Jasper and her deaths.

My personal opinion is that her given name was Christian Mary Gunn. A grandchild was named Christian and she signed her will, made out in the name Christian with the signature Christian. The will she alone had control over and in my opinion is the one true authentic document signed by her.

One piece of information in the documents we have does cause some confusion and will likely never be resolved. The reference that Mary left the church in Milford for Hatfield, MA which is where Nathanial lived. Of course this could be an error, or if true it was done for a period of time (for whatever reason (temporary separation from Jasper, needed in Hatfield by Nathanial and his family, or?) and maybe she later rejoined the church but no record has been found to indicate that she rejoined. Or she may simply have quit the church for other reasons.

Thank you for reading this. It was written simply to generate some interest in resolving this issue, offered as my opinion and as an open invitation to others to comment as they please. All of the documents, the article on Jasper Gunn in the Milford Medical Society book and both their wills are available at this site for review.

Ken Gunn 7/5/96

I welcome any comments, additional information, etc. You can reach me at: kengunn@citynet.net

The documents I mention above are available: