Sarah, the widow of Robert Frank, left a verbal will in Westmoreland County, Virginia in 1725 (on June 20) naming John Marshall as guardian of her minor sons Robert and Samuel a couple named John and Mary Piper as guardians of her two minor children Martha and Nehemiah. She also had an older son, Thomas, as well as daughters Elizabeth and Sarah. Witness to her verbal will was John Plunkett.

She is speculated to have been a sister to either John Piper's wife Mary Marshall Piper. However, her parentage is questionable. Some sources have placed Sarah and Mary as daughters of Thomas Marshall of Westmoreland County (Thomas Marshall, of Westmorland County) and his wife Martha Sherwood. However, evidence for this is lacking, and conflicts exist about who this Thomas Marshall's children were.

Sarah Frank's children were Elizabeth, Sarah, Thomas, Robert, Samuel, Martha, Nehemiah

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Wills of Westmoreland County, Virginia , Page 81
FRANK, SARAH, widow of Robert * * * 20 June 1725.

(Nuncupative.) Eldest son Thomas; children Robert, Samuel, Martha and Neremiah to John Piper and his wife Mary until they come of age. Attested to by John Plunkett.

From: James Hughes [mailto:]
Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2005 12:31 AM Subject: RE: Will of Sarah Franks

WILL OF SARAH FRANKS, WIFE OF ROBERT FRANKS, JR.

From the book of Wills & Abstracts of Westmoreland, County, Virginia.

Franks, Sarah, widow of Robert, 20 June 1725, eldest son Thomas, should be declared of age upon my death. Children Robert, Samuel, Martha, Nehemiah to John Piper and wife Mary until they come of age. Attested by John Plunkett.

FINAL WILL OF SARAH FRANKS. From her death bed it seems, John Plunket saith that on the 6th of this Instant time he was desired by Sara Frank, late wife of Robert Frank, now deced. to be witness that it was her desire that John Marshall & John Piper should together with her Eldest son, Thomas Frank, be her executors & desired that John Marshall should have the care and education of her two sons, Robert and Samuel, and her other two children Martha and Nehemiah should be under the care of John Piper and his wife, Mary, and that the said John Marshall and John Piper should see the Estate equally divided among her children and that her son Thomas, should immediately be of age and for himself after her death. And further saith not. signed John Marshall.

In an extra note it stated that she also declared Elizabeth and Sara along with Thomas of age after her death. She declared this from her sick bed.

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Nov 12 2016, 21:50:44 UTC

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Had a nuncupative (oral) will stating that her four minor children would be left in the care of John Piper and his wife Mary until they came of age- Fogthergill's Wills of Westmoreland County, VA, p.81

Ancestry.com: Westmoreland County, Virginia Wills, 1654-1800

Name: Sarah Frank
Description: Decedent Notes: Frank, Sarah, widow of Robert, Nuncupative,