The Giffords of
Taunton are just as well documented as the Westovers, which
is to say, they weren't. The
name reaches back to the Norman conquest of 1066, given to a
round-faced or chubby cheeked person, as the root means
'jaw'. This family's spelling is also seen as Jefford in
many genealogies.
At the time of this writing, I have only
been able to go back to 1550, in Hampshire County, England.
1.William
Gifford
born 1550, Hampshire, England
married Unknown
died: unknown
2. George Gifford
born 1570,
Somerset, England
married Joan Gifford
(born abt 1570, Somerset. Unknown parentage.)
died: unknown
3. Joanne
born 1598,
Somerset
died 22
April 1692, Taunton, Somerset, England.
3. Elizabeth
born unknown, Somerset
died abt 17 July 1654, Somerset.
(There is a record of Elizabeth's alteration of her will in the book Genealogical Gleanings in England, Volume 1, pg 752: Elizabeth Smith of Taunton, Somerset, widow, 7 March 1653, with a codicil dated 31 March 1654, proved 17 July 1654. My kinswoman, Elizabeth wife of Lawrence Richardson of Taunton, who liveth with me. Joane Westover the younger who liveth with me. Johane Westover the elder who liveth with me and Jane Williams of New England. The said Johane Westover the elder, my kinswoman. I give the to the aforesaid Jane Williams (the wife of William Williams of New England) my sister's daughter (certain articles of apparel) and six diaper napkins marked with R: S: E: to Elizabeth Williams (the daughter of said Jane Williams) a piece of gold of eleven shillings. To my kinswoman[?] Jonas Westover of New England a piece of gold of two and twenty shillings. To my kinsman John Westover of London a piece of gold of twenty shillings. To Judith Westover (wife of Richard Westover of Taunton, my kinsman) and the children of said Richard, who dwell with him. Johane Westover the younger, who liveth with me (the daughter of the said Richard) Richard, Gabriel and Jane Westover, her brothers and sister. Alchin, 247. [editor's note: William Williams, named in this will, was of Hartford, CT as early as 1645. He was a cooper, born about 1625; married Nov. 20, 1647, Jane Westover and died Dec. 17, 1689. His widow died Dec. 25, 1689. They had 9 children. See Memorial History of Hartford County, vol. 1, p. 276. There was a Jonas Westover over at Windsor, CT in 1640, who removed to Kellingworth. See Savage's Genealogical Dictionary.]" )