Margaret (Unknown) Gerrad (abt. 1716 - abt. 1798)

Born about 1716 in Pennsylvania [uncertain]

Wife of David Gerrad — married 1731 in Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died about 1798 at about age 82 in Berks, Pennsylvania, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Bobby Lykins [send private message] and Sara Patton [send private message]

Research Note: There are a number of trees on Ancestry.com and in Family Search that claim Margaret Gerrad's maiden name was Miller or O'Conner, though no documentary evidence has been found to support these suppositions. Some give her as the daughter of Andrew Miller and Magdalena Conrad, born "Mary" Margaret in Adams Co, PA or Bucks Co, PA ca. 1716. Others give her father's name as Macy O’Connor, b. 1695, Reading, Adams County, PA. Findagrave gives her birth place as Ireland. It should be noted that unless there is good documentation to support these claims, they should not be considered as accurate. For instance, there was no Adams Co, PA until 1800. Others had Allentown, PA--again settled later than Margaret's birth and no records for Andrew Miller or Macy O Connor. In trying to follow up on these trees in Ancestry.com, none had any documentation for the parentage of Margaret. It seems to me it's more important to list the information that we do know, than to add information we don't know. Below is what we do know!

Biography

Sara Patton research notes:
Very little is known about Margaret Gerrad, except for her first name and her spouse, David Gerrad. No birth, marriage or death records have been found for her. She is mentioned by name in her husband's will as Margaret. Widow Margaret "Jarred" appears on Berks Co., PA Tax Lists in 1762, 1763 and 1765. Prior to this (1754-1761), her husband David is listed. She disappears from tax lists after 1765 perhaps moving in with one of her children, probably John, the eldest son who moves to the family farm. All but 3 of her 12 children moved to Virginia (and parts of WV which were then still part of Virginia) after her husband's death.

She apparently was literate as she signs her name in David's probate records. And she is NOT a Quaker as she "swears" her oath in his estate settlement whereas two other witnesses who were Quakers "affirmed" their oaths. It appears that she died ca 1798 which is when her husband's estate is finally and fully settled by their eldest son, John Gerrad. Unless David had an earlier wife, Margaret was the mother of at least 12 children who are named in her husband's estate settlement in 1798 and 1800. The estate papers name all of the adult children, the spouses of the daughters and in some cases, the names of several grandchildren. Margaret died about 40 yrs after her husband's death and is probably buried on the family farm in Berks Co.

Abstract of the will of David Gerrad of Robeson Twp., Berks Co., PA To wife Margaret- all real and personal estate during widowhood-towards maintaining three youngest children [not named therein].
To Nathaniel Gerrad, son of John- 10 lbs. when he reaches age 21.
Executors: wife Margaret and son-in-law Jonathan Stephens
Signed: 10 Feb 1760 Proved: 16/17 Nov 1761 (Both dates in court records-see below)
Witnesses: Samuel Embree Samuel Wolleson Jr.

Original Will on file under name of "David Gehret" Berks Co Wills and Administration files; also recorded in Berks Co. Will Bk1:107 (Transcribed by SSP)

Will written 10 Feb 1760, proved 17 Nov 1761. It is interesting to note that the two witnesses, Samuel Embree and Samuel Woolleson, Jr., were identified as Quakers, though Margaret Gerrad, wife of David Gerrad, "swore" her oath for Letters of Testamentary, indicating she was not a Quaker. Jonathon Stephen, son-in-law and the other executor, affirmed his oath, indicating he too was a Quaker.

The estate records also show that a payment to John Scarlett for the coffin was made on November 10, 1761, almost a week before the will was actually proved in court records. Whether David had died by November 10 or was only expected to die soon is not known, but he was definitely gone by November 16th -17th as indicated in the Berks Co Will Book when the will was officially recorded.

"In the name of God Amen I David Gerrad of Robinson (sic-Robeson) Township in ye County of Berks in ye province of Pennsyla (sic) being indisposed & Weak in Body but of a perfect mind and Sound Memory and I Thank God for it do make this my Last Will and Testament hereby making Void all other and Former Wills by me Made either by Word or in Writing and this to be Taken for my Last Will and no other

Imprimis My Will is and I do order that all my Just Debts be first of all be honestly paid and Satisfied Item I give and Bequeath unto my well beloved Wife Margaret Gerrad all my Real and Personal Estate Quick and Dead as long as she remains of my Widow and Towards Maintaining of her and my three Youngest Children as also my Will is and I do order That when She is to leave this Earthly Tabernacle that she make her will and Distribute What is left amongst my Children. But the most she shall give to him or her that Takes ye most care of her in Sickness or Health. Item I do Bequeath to Nathaniel Gerrad the Son of John Gerrad the Sum of Ten Pounds of Current Money of America when he arives (sic) to the Age of Twenty One Years And I do appoint my Loving Wife Margaret and my Loving Son in Law Jonathan Stephen my Executors of this my last Will and Testament David Gerrad (his signature and red wax seal)

Signed Sealed published Pronounced and Declared by the above named David Gerrad to be his Last Will and Testament in ye Presence of us the Subscribers the Tenth Day of February Anno Dom 1760 Samuel Embree Samuel Woolleson Juner

Reading Berks County Pennsylvania of The 17th Day of November 1761 Then personally appeared Samuel Embree and Samuel Wooleson junior the Witnesses to the afore written Will and being of the People called Quakers upon their Solemn affirmation according to Law did declare and Say That they were both of them present and saw and heard David Gerrad the Testator with same Will named Sign Seal publish pronounce and declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament and that if the Time of the Doing thereof he was of sound Mind Memory and understanding as they verily believe and further that the names Samuel Embree and Samuel Woolleson juner thereto subscribed are of the proper Hand Writing of the said Affirmants respectively by them Subscribed thereto as Witnesses in the presence of each other and at the Request and in the Presence of the said Testator. James Read D Regt.

Register General's Office Reading Berks County 16th November 1761 Letters Testamentary in Commonform under the Seal of the said Office on the Will aforewritten of the said David Gerrad deceased were granted to Margaret Gerrad and Jonathan Stephen Executors therein named she being first Solemnly Sworn in and he being first Solemnly affirmed thereto according to Law. Inventory to be Exhibited on or before the Sixteenth Day of December and an amount of their Administration when thereunto Required. Registered and Examined by James Read. D. Regt."

On Nov 16, 1762, Margaret Gerrad submitted an "Accompt of the Administration of the Estate of David Gerrad late of Robeson Township in Berks County deceased, by Margaret Gerrad his Widow and Executrix ...Jonathon Stephens the Executor therein named not having intermedled therewith." The account lists £58.16 for Margaret and the following payment to others:

1761

Nov 10 To John Scarlet for a Coffin...............£ --.10.

Nov 16 --James Read Deputy Register for Probate and Letters Testamentary etc......£1

1762

Jan 1 --Enos Ellis, for digging Grave...............£ --. 5.--

June 5 --Jonathan Stephen...................£ 1.10.--

Nov 6 --Johannes Weisthman/Wigthman.......£--.10. --

Nov 9 --John Griffith....................................... £ --.10. 5

Nov 3 --John Hughes.......................................£ 3. 8. 6

Nov -- --George Henton....................................£ --. 5. --

Nov 15 --Bridget Bird Admx of Wm Bird Deced..£ --.10. 4

Nov -- -- William Collins.................£ 3. 7.11

Nov -- --Bond & Interest, Thomas. Lee............£ 4. 4. 6

Nov 16 --Benjamin Lightfoot..............................£ --. 2. 3

Nov -- -Adam Witman........................................£ 2.9. 5

Nov 6 --Elisabeth Eschelman admx of Jacob Eschelman deceased...£ 2

Nov 16 --James Read for his drawing & ?ing, passing & filing this acct....£ 2.12. 6

TOTAL.....................................................................£21. 5. 7

Margaret Gerrad signed with her mark "M"

The names listed above are undoubtedly friends, neighbors, and at least two relatives (Jonathon Stephen and William Collins, sons in law). John Griffith is probably related to the wives of two of David's sons and the Ellis and Hughes families are also Greenbrier/Kanawha Co names who later intermarried with Jarrett grandchildren.

Sources

• Berks Co, PA Tax records 1762, 1763, 1765

• Berks Co, PA Wills and Probate records, filed under the name "Gehret."

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154536246/margaret-mary-gerrad