Hi Leona, That article is from 1992, and the author appears to be using Bradford Descendants (published 1984 or 1985) as its source. That book contains what is undoubtedly a typo, in that Sarah is listed without a last name and Tabitha is "said to have been a FItzgerald." The author (my grandfather Vance Bradford actually) must have known that Samuel's first wife was a Fitzgerald rather than his second, as he included a photocopy of Samuel Hancock's original letter in the book, in which Samuel Hancock states that his grandmother was a Fitzgerald. I also tend to think Samuel's Tabitha was Tabitha Tarr, daughter of John. Other Bradford-Tarr connections tend to strengthen this conclusion, the greatest being the fact that Samuel's son James married Tabitha Tarr's neice Sarah H. Tarr (daughter of Israel). I found the transcription I made of the will of Peter Fitch Garrill [sic] of Somerset County, written 11 May 1739 and presented for probate 24 May 1739. He names 3 daughters: Molly (called Mary in the account of Peter's estate), Ann and Peggy (called Margrett in Peter's account). I think our best hypothesis at this point is that Samuel Bradford's first wife was one of these 3 daughters of Peter Fitch Garrill. On my next trip the MD Hall of Records I intend to have a look at the other records relating to Peter's estate and to see if I can discover clues as to what became of these 3 daughters. - Adam On 5/25/05, Leona <lmastan@jps.net> wrote: > Hi Adam and Jean, > > >From "Phelps County Missouri Heritage" Vol 1, 1992 pg 62-63, in an article submitted by Vivian Bradford: > "Adam Bradford descended from one of the earliest colonial families in America. He was born at Snow Hill, Maryland, on the Pocomoke River, in 1775, the son of Samuel Bradford and Sarah (Fitzgerald) Bradford. ......Samuel's second wife was Tabitha Fitzgerald, a sister to Sarah." > There author lists no documentation or source. > > I tend to believe that Samuel's second wife was Tabitha TARR, per the will of John Tarr, Sr dated 10 Nov 1784, probated 20 Jan 1785, Worcester Co, MD. > .....To wife Sarah, EX. Son Israel, EX. Son Nehemiah, daughter Tabitha Bradford. Daughter Sarah Harper. Daughter Eleanor Tarr. Wit; Stephen Sturgis, Richard Sturgis, Outten Sturgis...... > > I, too, descend from Samuel & his first wife > Adam > William J > Joseph > Susan Catherine (my gr grandmother). > > So, will the real first wife of our Samuel Bradford please stand up and make herself known to all of us frustrated searchers? > > Leona > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: adam bradford > To: BRADFORD-L@rootsweb.com > Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 7:24 AM > Subject: First Wife of Samuel Bradford of Worcester Co., Mar. > > > To all Samuel Bradford researchers: > > It has been commonly understood that Samuel Bradford's first wife was > named Sarah, but I have been unable to locate the source for this > information. As far as I can tell, the only clue to the identity of > Samuel's first wife is from a letter written by Samuel's grandson > Samuel Hancock (son of Samuel's daughter Sarah), in which he states > that his grandmother was a Fitzgerrald and that he doesn't know her > first name. > > In our search for Samuel's first wife, I think we may all be looking > for a Fitzgerrald with the wrong first name. > > - Adam Bradford > > > > ==== BRADFORD Mailing List ==== > Looking for a genealogy chat? Come check out Genealogy Chats, Inc. at http://www.genealogyforum.org > >