Skepticism runs rampant through my Missouri-born blood vessels. I can’t help it. Yesterday, 2 hours and 45 minutes into my Saturday morning Library of Virginia research routine, I happened upon the last will and testament of Martha Hambleton, my 7th great grandmother. Martha belongs to my newly-discovered Sims line which has taken me to pre-Revolutionary War Cumberland County, Virginia. Written in 1758, her will was proven on 25 October 1765. (That means she’d died.)
Having found this genealogical gem, I decided to pack it up for the day and headed home. After a while, I fired up my family tree on Ancestry.com and proudly added this new information. Name: Martha Hambleton (maiden name unknown). Date of death: sometime before 25 Oct 1765. Place of death: likely Cumberland County, Virginia. Worldly possessions: four female slaves, a few cattle and hogs, three feather beds, two chests, two trunks, a table and other household and “cichen” furniture. William Hambleton, my 6th great grandfather, was named the Executor of her estate. This same William Hambleton was her only heir. The will was witnessed by Tho(mas) Davenport, Jr. and Elithabeath Ginhin (?). Date of the will: 6 Oct 1758.
Hello, new ancestress.
Then I made the mistake of peeking at information other researchers have on Granny Martha. I know better. First, Granny Martha died in 1733 in Henrico County (and then miraculously came back to life to die again in 1765 in Cumberland County). Highly unlikely. Second, Granny Martha had two husbands – James Hambleton (maybe) and John Moseby (highly doubtful). Despite having only ONE heir named in her will (William), Granny Martha had at least FOUR other children by her husband, John Moseby, all of whom were LIVING in 1765. And yet, none of her Moseby children were named in the will. Talk about bad blood – or bad research. Third, Martha’s maiden name, according to 100% of the trees on Ancestry.com, was “Womack”. We’ll see, but the microfilm is going to have to reveal its secrets and show me.
Next weekend…
Kenfolk: Tranthams
Relationship: 7th great grandmother
Common ancestors: not sure
Records of Martha Womack Mosby Hambleton:
https://sites.google.com/site/womackgen/family/abr
Henrico records show who she married. Her 1765 will lists slaves that were in the estate records of her 2nd husband. The 1778 will of her son William Hambleton names several children including “John Mosby Hambleton”.
Hi, Robert
You are correct! I should update this post because most, but not all, of what appears on Ancestry.com about her is correct! That almost never happens. Here goes. Obviously, she did NOT die in 1733. Martha’s first husband was indeed John Moseby and her second husband was James Hambleton. However, I could find no evidence that she and John Moseby had four children. John Moseby (Jr.) was likely her son and William’s half-brother. Totally makes sense that he’d name his son John Moseby Hambelton after his brother. Thanks for stopping by.
Ken