Family:Robert Stephenson and Martha Crawford (1)

Information on Robert Stephenson and Martha (Unknown) Rankin

The widow Martha Rankin married secondly her neighbor Robert Stephenson who was a widower himself. Although the record is incomplete most researchers agree this is likely the same Robert who acquired, as Robert Stevenson, a license to marry 29 April 1768. [Chalkley vol. II p. 277 citing Augusta Co. Marriage Licenses] Robert’s will, gave his wife Martha one-third of his real estate plus a bay mare and side saddle, her choice of three cows and the pewter and bedding she brought with her into the marriage. He also gave her one third of his present crop and the wherewithal to purchase winter provisions. Curiously she was to receive his great Bible as well. Robert’s son Thomas received the rest of the real estate and other items. Each of Robert’s daughters (not named) received one Dollar. He ended the list of legacies with: “Mary Rankin my Daughter in Law my Black Colt. And the Residue ... if any ... be Equally Divided amongst all my grand-children and Mary Rankin.“

The Stephenson will was proved at the 18 August 1772 Court. This is the last mention of “Martha Stephenson” in the Augusta County Court records. According to Miss Dice, George and Martha, their son Thomas and his wife Mary (Crawford) are among those buried in unmarked graves in the Old Cemetery of Mt. Horeb Presbyterian Church. She asserted this is a different location than the Old Glebe burying ground for Augusta Stone Church.

Source: http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lksstarr/Rankin/Rankin%20narrative.html