From Virginia Through the Southwest:Information about Martha Jefferson
Martha Jefferson (b. 1709, d. 1797)
Notes for Martha Jefferson:
Martha Jefferson was about five years old when her mother, Mary Field Jefferson died.Martha was about 15 years old when her father, Thomas Jefferson II, wrote his will.Martha was probably of age at the time of his death in 1731, and mentioned as follows:
WILL OF THOMAS JEFFERSON II,March 15, 1725. Recorded April 1731
ITEM. I give unto my son PETER JEFFERSON and to his Heirs forever all my land on Fine Creek and on Manakin Creek, but if my said Son should die before he be Twenty One Years of Age, then I give my Land aforesaid to be equally divided between my Three Daughters JUDITH, MARY, and MARTHA and their heirs forever. I also give unto my Son PETER my Chest and Wearing Cloathes with the Cloth and Trimming that is in the Chest, my Cane, Six Silver Spoons, which I bought of Turpin, two Horses named Normand Squirrell, my Trooping Arms and Gunn I had of Joseph Wilkinson, two Featherbeds, Ruggs and Blankets, one Suit of Curtains and Vallains, a Diaper Table Cloth and six Napkins, two Iron Potts and Hooks, one large and one small, A brass Kettle I had of Thomas Edwards, the Couch standing in the Hall and the two Tables standing there, six Leather Chairs, half my Stock of Cattle, Sheep and Hogs, on condition my Son PETER live to be Twenty One years old, but if he die before he arrive to that age then I give the said two Negros and all the Things aforementioned to be equally divided between my two daughters MARY and MARTHA and their Heirs for ever.
ITEM. I will and direct that my one half Part of Gilly's Mill, the Land I lately bought of George Carter, the Land mortgaged by Grill and all the remaining part of my Estate (except my Two Negros Jenny and Nanny) be sold by Major William Kennon and Henry Wood and that Ten Pounds of the Money (after my just Debts are first paid and discharged) be given unto my Daughter JUDITH FARRAR and the remaining Part be equally divided between my Two Daughters MARY and MARTHA.
ITEM. I give unto my Daughter MARTHA and to her Heirs for ever my Negro Girl Nanny. I also will that the Labour of my Negro Woman Jenny shall be towards the maintaining my Daughter and that when my said Daughter shall be sixteen years old I will and devise my said Negro Jenny and all her increase to be equally divided between my Daughters MARY and MARTHA and their Heirs for ever.
ITEM. I desire my Sister MARTHA WINN to take care of my Daughter MARTHA and I desire Capt. Henry Randolph to take care of my Daughter MARY.
ITEM. My will is that if my Daughter MARY or MARTHA die before they are of Age or married that then the several legacies hereby bequeathed be and remain to the Survivour of them. If they both die then that every Thing given them in this Will be equally divided between my Son PETER and my Daughter JUDITH FARRAR and their Heirs.
ITEM. My Will is that if my Son FIELD or his Heirs shall recover the Money I received for those Negros that were hanged that the same be equally paid out of what I have given my Son PETER and two Daughters MARYand MARTHA.
Proved in Henrico County Court, First Monday in April 1731 by PETER JEFFERSON.
More About Martha Jefferson and Bennett Goode:
Marriage: 1740, Virginia.