Martha Lake
© January 2005
Compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber
22937 Long Branch Road, Rush, KY 41168
Martha Lake, was born 20 July 1624 in North Benfleet, Essex, England; died 05 April 1700 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of John Lake and Margaret Reade. She came to America with her mother Margaret and sister Ann probably on the ship Abigail circa 1635. They resided with her uncle Governor John Winthrop Jr.
She married Thomas Harris 15 November 1647 in Ipswich, Essex County Massachusetts. Thomas and Martha had nine children all born in Ipswich. But we know nothing of the eldest son other than he died beyond the sea and may have been in Turkey according to his father.
Thomas died in 1687 leaving Martha the dwelling house, a barn, orchard, garden and three marsh lots on Plumb Island. He gave her 2/3rd of a planting lot in town on the south side of the highway and ½ of Claypitt meadow. He provided her with cows, oxen, sheep and swine. He also gave Martha 2/3rds of a marsh lot "at the hundreds with my parte in the boate." Son John was to receive a third of the fruit from the orchard every year during his mother’s life.
Year’s after his death, in January 1696 Martha appeared in court on behalf of her two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret stating that they had not been mentioned in the will and that she wished the court to settle personal property from the estate for. Martha died 5 April 1700 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts.