Martha Edwards

Martha Branch Osborne Edwards (Goode)

Find A Grave Memorial ID # 207827991

Thomas Jefferson (d.1697) married Martha Branch, daughter of William & Jane Branch and sister of John Branch, former husband of Thomas Osborne's second wife. They had son Thomas Jefferson (d.1731) who married Mary Field, daughter of Major Peter & Judith Field. They in turn had son Peter Jefferson (d.1757) who married Jane Randolph and had son Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and president of the United States (The Osbornes and Related Families, Chapter 3, p. 17).

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Martha (widow of John Branch who died in 1688) did certainly marry, as a second husband, Thomas Osborne, of Henrico County, and this Thomas was no other than Thomas Osborne, Sr., whose will dated October 20, 1691, probated June 1, 1692 (Henrico Records), was the father of Thomas Osborne [Jr.], who married Martha Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones of Bermuda Hundred.

This Thomas Osborne [Jr.] was certainly of age in 1691 when his father made his will, therefore he was certainly born as early as 1670, and as Thomas Osborne, Sr. did not marry Martha, widow of John Branch, until sometime between April, 1688 (date of administration of John Branch's estate) and October, 1691 (date of Thomas Osborne, Sr.'s will mentioning his wife Martha) therefore Thomas Osborne [Jr.] was not the son of his father by his marriage to Martha, widow of John Branch, but by a former wife, whose name is not yet known.

This who matter is further confirmed by the following entry in the orders of Henrico Court Order under date of August, 1693: "Mr. Thomas Edwards who married the relict of Mr. Thomas Osborne, Sr., who married the relict of Mr. John Branch, deceased, do appear at next court to be held and enter security for saving this court harmless (Henrico Records, Vol. 1677-1739, p. 34).

William and Mary Quarterly Historical Magazine, Volume 25, Whittet & Shepperson Printers, Richmond, Virginia, 1917, p. 113.

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The widow of John Branch married Thomas Osborne, Sr. after April 1688, the date of administration of John Branch's will. Thomas Sr. died in 1691, will dated October 1691...named wife Martha. She was Thomas Jr.'s stepmother.