John HARPER and Margaret ROBINSON A few comments on the speculations over the family of John HARPER and Margaret ROBINSON: 1. Margery is probably used as a nickname for Margaret. We do not need to invent new people every time we run into a nickname. In previous centuries nicknames often appear in documents because the "official" names were cumbersome, and were seldom used in daily life. Also, some nicknames were so common that no confusion resulted. For example, "Polly" was often used for Mary. 2. Let's stick with the legal principle of "best evidence," which means good documentation in place of speculation. The existence of a step-daughter surnamed Reyburn does not mean necessarily that Mrs. Harper was formerly married to someone with that surname. Step-children can come from many sources! Here is the WILL of John Harper, as recorded 18 Sep 1793; Will Book 2, page 195 (Berkeley Co., VA, now WV): "In the name of God Amen This 28th day of febry in the year of our Lord 1791 I John Harper of Berkeley County in the state of Virginia being sick in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God for his Mercys But Calling to mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die I therefore Recommend my soul into the hands of the All Mightie God that Gave It to me in sure and Certain hopes to receive it again at the General resurection, and my body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like Manner at the Descression of my executors hereafter Named and as Touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased Allmightie God to bless me with in this life I will and Dispose in the following manner, first I will that all my Just Debts and funeral charges be first paid and Discharged, and I will that Margery my wife shall have One third part of the price of my plantation which I allow to be sold and I give to her three Cows to be all hers as long as she remains my widow with her bed and bed Cloaths to be hers with what is before mentioned, I will that my son John Harper have five pounds paid out of my estate Over and above that which he hath already received which I allow to be his full share of my estate I will that Margery my beloved wife have her mare and Saddle with what is above mentioned, I will that my son William Harper have five pounds paid out of my estate which I allow to be his Share with what he hath received, I will that John Harper the son of my son William have Ten pounds paid to him, when he arrives to full age. I will that my daughter Jean Brown have five pounds paid her out of my estate which I allow to be her share with what She hath already received, I will that my daughter Mary Burcham have five pounds paid out of my estate which I allow to be her share with that which she hath recd I will that my Daughter Sarah Harper have forty pounds paid to her out of my estate which I allow to be her share of my estate, I will that all the remainder of my estate both real and personal be Divided equally between my three Sons James Harper Alexander Harper and Samuel Harper But It is my will that my son James have ten pounds more than his two Brothers all the above Leggases is to be paid in penselvania Currancy, if there should be any of my estate left in her hands after her death I allow it must be Equally Devided amongst all our Children, and I do make and Ordain my well beloved wife and her brother James Robinson to be whole and Sole Executor of this my last will and Testament Ratifying and Confirming this and no Other to be my last will and Testament, In Witness whereof I have hereunto my hand and Seal the day and year first written. Signed Sealed and delivered by the said John Harper as his last will & Testament in the presence of us John Harper (LS) John S----ing James Winning Jnr John Champion" So John HARPER's wife was Margery (or Margaret), who had a brother James ROBINSON. This implies that Margery's maiden-name was ROBINSON (unless James ROBINSON was some sort of in-law, such as the husband of her sister!). Someone has suggested the possibility that James ROBINSON might have been the husband of one of John HARPER's sisters. Such things are possible, but we know that John had two sisters: Sarah (m. Mathias KEEN), and Ann (m. Moses WELLS), with no hint of James ROBINSON being involved. Several sons and daughters are clearly listed for John HARPER. I would think that any reconstruction would include these relatively "hard" facts. The "plain meaning" of the will would give us the following children: John HARPER William HARPER (with a son, also William) Jean HARPER m. BROWN Mary HARPER m. BURCHAM Sarah HARPER James HARPER Alexander HARPER Samuel HARPER --Paul S. Boyer <[email protected]>