What I am looking for is the parentage of this particular Benjamin Washburn. Benjamin Washburn of Buckland married Christiana Galloway of Conway int. 14 Apr 1786 Conway, MA Within a few years after his marriage this couple goes to New York. (ref in 1791 land deed) What sparked my interest is a land deed recorded in Franklin Co., MA It is obviously a settled among Galloway siblings of land held by either a father or a grandfather (original ownership of land not stated) This deed uses the term "spinster" in a manner I have never seen. my definition Spinster - unmarried woman, sometimes referring to young widowed women who could remarry but hasn't In this deed each woman called spinster is actuall the GALLOWAY wife of the man mentioned. Deed dated: 1791 from copy of original received 23 May 1794 Grantors William Patrick Shields of Buckland & Anna Shields spinster [actually Nancy] Margaret Galloway II of Conway, spinster (she actually is a spinster) John Woodward of Worthington & Sarah Woodward, spinster John Wells of Whately & Elizabeth Wells, spinster Benjamin Washburn of NY & Lucretia [!] Washburn, Spinster (Signature on deed is of Benjamin Washburn & Christiana Washburn] Isabel Priest, spinster Grantee: Margaret Galloway Selling land in Conway The marriages or intentions found are John Woodward & Sarah Galloway int 2 Mar 1786 John Wells & Betsy Galloway - moved to Hamilton, NY about 1795 Nancy Galloway & Patrick WIlliam Shields married [ forgot to write down date - will check] Isabel Galloway married Jonas Priest 16 Dec 1787 West Stockbridge, MA (He was a Rev. War soldier - may have died - she appears to be in NY with her sister Christiana who married Benjamin Washburn) Washburn marriage mentioned above The only other clue I can offer is that Ezra Washburn was one of the witnesses. Would love to identify Benjamin Washburn's parents - anyone have anything further on this line? Susan Bingler Fairfax, VA