The Gore Roll: A talk with Brenton Simons

The Gore Roll of Arms, the earliest known collection of heraldic arms in America, was the work of Christopher Gore’s father, John Gore (1718-1796). John Gore ran a paint shop in Boston and did fine decorative painting on coaches for the elite of Boston. The Gore Roll includes pen, ink, and watercolor arms for New England’s most prominent families, including the Winthrops, Saltonstalls, Brattles, and Winslows. Studied by many, a copy was created by Isaac Child in 1847. The original remained in the possession of the Gore family until it was lost in 1865. Boston physician and heraldic scholar Dr. Harold Bowditch helped to secure and donate the original to the New England Historic Genealogical Society. This new publication brings together for the first time facsimiles of the original Gore Roll as well as the 1847 Child and 1926 Harold Bowditch copies. The publication is enriched by scholarly commentary, including an introduction by D. Brenton Simons, OBE.

Brenton Simons is President Emeritus and Chief Stewardship Officer of the New England Historic Genealogical Society (AmericanAncestors.org). He is an author, historian, and genealogist. In this illustrated talk, Brenton will tell the story of John Gore’s remarkable book, its disappearance, and rediscovery.