Person talk:Hannah Peck (2)

Maybe no unknown wife for John Shepard between Hannah Peck and Mary (Benton) (Cole) Bigelow. [5 October 2022]

The supposition that Hannah (Peck) Shepard died before 23 December 1695 is apparently based on the fact that she is not mentioned by name in her father's will of that date. That will does mention Paul Peck's other daughters: Martha Cornwall, Mary Andrews, Elizabeth Howe and Sarah Clarke leaving them each a legacy of £20. The will does not specify that these four were the only surviving daughters. It seems quite possible that Hannah was not mentioned because her husband, John Shepard, was given the lot on which he was (they were) living which would have been his property even if she had inherited it. This solution would eliminate the need for a second wife, mother of Rebecca and Timothy, although it would not explain the lengthy gap between Joseph and Rebecca (1689 to 1696).--jaques1724 03:01, 6 October 2022 (UTC)