Susanna Gover (bef. 1660 - bef. 1723)

Wife of Francis Billingsley — married about 1676 (to 1696) in Calvert County, Maryland

Wife of Robert Gover — married 8 Dec 1699 (to before 1723) in Calvert County, Maryland

Descendants

Died before 14 Mar 1723 at about age 63 in Calvert County, Maryland

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Biography

Susanna should be listed as UNKNOWN for a last name. No evidence of her last name has been found in primary sources. She was married first to Francis Billingsley around 1676 and the birth of their daughter is listed in the minutes of the West River Quaker church:

Rebecka Billingsley, dau. of Francis and Susanna, b. 23rd day of 3rd month 1677.^[1]

Using her daughter's birth year and an age of at least 17 years for the mother when she was delivered, Susanna's birth year has been estimated as 1660.

Her daughter, Rebecca, is called Rebecca Birkhead in the will of Francis Billingsley and Rebecca's marriage to Abraham Birkhead is also recorded in the meeting minutes of the West River Quaker church with her parents consent for the second time on the 18th day of the 10th month 1691.^[1]

The marriage of Susanna Billingsley and Robert Gover is also in the West River Minutes:

Robert Gover and Susanna Billingsley intentions to marry, inquiry to be made into care of her chldren on the 8th day of the 10th month 1699.

She has been linked to a Robert Gover in her profile, but it may not be the correct one. She may also have been married to the father of the linked Robert Gover.

Abstract of Will

No record of the death of Robert Gover has been found, but Susannah wrote out her will on 2 SEP 1723, identifying herself as a widow of Calvert County.

• to my daughter Rebecca Birkhead, one negro woman named Joan and to her husband 20 shillings.
• to my two grandsons Abraham Birkhead and Eleazar Birkhead each a cow & a calf.
• all the rest of my estate to be divided among my six granddaughters, share and share alike.
• My daughter Rebecca Birkhead to be executor.

Signed with her mark "SB". Witnesses: John Pearson. Jno. Beckett. Thos. Chambers. Probated 14 MAR 1723.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Peden, Henry C. Quaker Records of Southern Maryland: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Abstracts from the Minutes, 1658-1800. Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend, 2000
2. ↑ Prerogative Court Wills Liber 18 folio 233