Ancestors

Martha Colvill

Martha Colvill was the wife of Joseph Colvill, who farmed on Opequon Creek in Frederick County, Virginia, and later in Cross Creek Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. She was very probably born a Colvill too, the daughter of James Colvill of Cedar Creek, south of Winchester. Marrying a Colvill, she kept the name, which is why her father's and her brother's wills both call her Martha Colvill.

Her father made his will on 16 March 1776. He left "my Grandson James Colvill the son of Joseph Colvill one Heifer" and "my daughter Martha Colvill Ten Pound." His other daughters shared his home plantation on Cedar Creek. Martha alone had no share of it. That was the usual way to treat a daughter who was already married and had been given her portion. Her husband Joseph was one of the three executors. The will was proved on 2 September 1777.

Her son James was born near Winchester in 1767. Her children, as Joseph's will of 1812 names them, were Robert, Mary, James, Ann, Martha and Jenny.

In 1777 her husband bought another hundred acres from Mary Wood. Within the next seventeen years the family moved west over the mountains to Washington County, in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania. On 1 April 1794 "Joseph Colvill & Martha his wife of Washington County and State of Pennsylvania" sold the Virginia land to Joseph Wood of Frederick County for four hundred pounds. It was "the Tract said Joseph Colvill lived on," 200 acres bought of Jost Hite, and the Mary Wood purchase, together 269 and a half acres on the south side of the Opequon. On 20 June 1794 Martha released her dower in it privately. A wife's release was taken apart from her husband, so the court could be sure she gave it freely.

Her brother John Colvil made his will on 2 November 1802. It was proved on 5 April 1803. He divided his estate into shares for "Bro. Samuel, Sister Margaret Newell, Sister Martha Colvill, her daughter Ann, Sister Jennet, my sister Ann Thompson, my daughter Mary Marquis." His executors were Samuel McCauly, John Adams, Robert Mattock and William Marquis. Martha's daughter Ann was the wife of John Adams. The same year John Colvil endowed the Cedar Creek Presbyterian congregation, the family's church.

She was living in November 1802. Her husband's will of May 1812 does not name her, so she probably died between those dates. Her son James became an associate judge of Knox County, Ohio, and her daughters Martha and Janet followed him there.

If Martha Colvill is in your family, start your own tree.

Cite: Heirology, "Martha Colvill", https://heirology.com/ancestors/martha-colvill-18ec29.