Margaret Gates Montgomery was the second wife of Peter Montgomery; they are my 5th great-grandparents.  He was born in France about 1684, and came to Charles County, Maryland, before 1712.  Peter Montgomery became a naturalized citizen in 1727, along with his two sons, Francis and John Baptiste.  A younger son by his first wife was named Peter.

In 1728 Peter married, as his second wife, Margaret Gates, the daughter of Robert Gates.  The couple had the following children:

1. Joseph Montgomery, born 11/12/1737, a twin, served in the American Revolution.
2. Mary Ellen Montgomery, born 11/12/1737, a twin, who married James McAtee.
3. Mary Magdalene Montgomery, born 6/26/1739, married to a Higdon at the time of her father’s will.
4. William Montgomery, born 4/6/1741, married Rebecca, moved to Washington County, Kentucky.
5. Elisha Montgomery, born 4/14/1743, a twin, died young.
6. Margaret Montgomery, born 4/14/1743, a twin, married William or Randolph Turner.
7. Ignatius Montgomery, born 1746, served in the American Revolution, died 8/7/1777.
8. Benjamin Montgomery, born 10/5/1748, died in 1775.
9. Charles Montgomery, born 7/25/1750, married Mary Ann Elder, moved to Washington County, Kentucky. My 4^th great-grandparents.
10. Anne Mary Montgomery, born 4/3/1752.
11. Elisha Montgomery, II, born 4/5/1745, died by 1766.
12. James Montgomery, born 7/24/1754, died in 1777.

13. Richard Montgomery?
14. Susana Montgomery?

The above list was taken from Sister Mary Louise Donnelly’s work, except 13 and 14.  Susana Higdon could be Anne Mary, or she could be another daughter Sister Mary Louise missed in her research.

Francis, John Baptiste, Peter, Joseph, William, Mary Magdalene Higdon, Elisha, James and Richard are listed in Peter’s will, click here.  Peter Montgomery’s will was written in 1752, when eight of his children were under the age of ten.

Joseph, Mary, William, Mary Macatee, Susana Higdon, Margaret Turner and Ignatius were listed in Margaret Montgomery’s will, written twenty-one years later, in 1773, when the youngest child was 19.  Margaret was evidently much younger than husband Peter since he was 44 years old at their marriage in 1728; she was probably 20 or less to have her last child in 1754, after 26 years of marriage.

Will of Margaret Montgomery

Charles County Will Book 6, Pages 215-217

In the name of God, amen.  I, Margaret Montgomery, of Charles County, being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect memory, do make and ordain this my

last will and testament.  First, touching and making void all other will or wills by me heretofore made and do acknowledge this to be my last will and testament as followeth.

First.  I give and bequeath unto my loving son, Joseph Montgomery, all that part of land being fifty-six acres that I bought of Peter Montgomery, to him and his heirs forever.

Secondly.  I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter, Mary [Magdalene] Montgomery, one feather bed with one pair of sheets and good covering, over and above, a child’s part.

Thirdly.  I give and bequeath unto my loving son, William Montgomery, one English shilling.

Fourthly.  I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter, Mary [Ellen] Macatee, one English shilling.

Fifthly.  I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter Susana Higdon [Anne Mary?] one English shilling.

Sixthly.  I give and bequeath unto my daughter Margaret Turner one English shilling.

Seventhly.  I give and bequeath unto my children that have not been married all my personal estate to be equally divided.  My will and desire is that none of my estate should be sold by my executor nor administration to be made, but to be equally divided amongst all my children that has not been married.

Lastly, I nominate and appoint my beloved son Ignatius Montgomery my whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament and I do hereby enjoin the said executor to pay my debts.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this tenth day of October, Anno Domini 1773.  Signed, sealed and published and declared to be the last will and testament of the above said Margaret Montgomery, in the presence of

Margaret Montgomery

Signed and delivered, William Turner, Rhoda Turner, James Montgomery

On the back of the foregoing will was the endorsed, to wit

Charles County for 20^th of December 1774.  Then came Ignatius Montgomery and made oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that the written instrument of writing is the true and whole will and testament of Margaret Montgomery, late of Charles County, deceased, that hath come to his hand or possession and that he doth not know of any other.  Certified by Daniel Jenifer, Deputy Clerk

And on the same day came William Turner and James Montgomery, two of the subscribing witnesses to the within last will and testament of Margaret Montgomery

late of Charles County, deceased, and made oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that they did see the testator therein named sign and seal this will and that they heard her publish, pronounce and declare the same to be her last will and testament, that at the time of her so doing she was to the best of their apprehensions of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, and that they, with Rhoda Turner, respectively signed their names as witnesses to this the will in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each other.

Certified by Daniel Jenifer, Deputy Clerk