Abygall (Porter) Corbe (1704 - 1764)

Born 10 Jul 1704 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut Colony

Ancestors

Wife of Samuel Corbe — married 21 Jan 1725 in East Haddam, Middlesex, Connecticut Colony

Died 29 Nov 1764 at age 60 in East Haddam, Middlesex, Connecticut Colony

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Biography

Moses Rowley's stepdaughter Abigail "Abygall Porter" was born 10 July 1704 at Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut. As recorded in Windsor, her mother was Martha Porter and her "reputed" father was Benjamin Allyn,^[1][2] of the prominent Allyn family of Windsor and Hartford. Benjamin Allyn's uncle was Col. John Allyn, the long-time Secretary of the Connecticut Colony. Abigail would marry at East Haddam, Samuel Corby, Jr., only son of Moses's stepmother, Mary (Crippen) (Corby) Rowley. Samuel and Abigail had no children but both left extensive wills. In 2021 a person named in Abigail's 1764 will would lead to living persons who are descendants of another Mayflower Pilgrim but had no prior understanding they were also descendants of Pilgrim Edward Fuller. ^{[citation needed]}

She was raised by Moses III as a daughter and used his last name.^{[citation needed]} Abigail "[_]" married Jan. 21, 1724-5, Samuel Corbe,^[3] son of Samuel and Mary (Crippen) Corbe, b. Dec. 10, 1694, in East Haddam; d. there Sept. 15, 1757, in his 63rd year. She d. there Nov. 29, 1764, without issue, leaving a will in which she names brothers Moses, Daniel Rowley, nephew Joseph Langrell Rowley, sisters Mehitabel Chapman, and nieces Anna Olmstead, Abigail Fuller, and Lavinia Phelps; also Azariah and Samuel Corbet Heath.^[4]

Probate

In her will dated 16 November 1764 and proved in April 1765, Abigail Corbet of East Haddam named her brother Moses Rowlee; brother Daniel Rowlee and son Joseph Langril Rowlee; sister Mehetabal Chapman; cousins Anna Olmstead, Abigail Fuller, Levine Phelps; Azeriah Heath and Samuell Corbet Heath; sister Mary Fuller named as executrix. Witnesses: Joseph Fowler, Daniel Brainerd Jr., Jane Lather. Her estate was inventoried on 05 December 1764.^[5]

Research Notes

The following is left here with no source and the speculations are inaccurate according to the Silver Book Vol 4, Ed 4, pg 104. For example, the Honored Mother Mary undoubtedly refers to Abigail's step-mother Mary (Porter) Rowley.

"A study-- Who was the wife of Samuel Corbee or Corbet

"Samuel Corbee m. 21 Jan. 1724-25, with Abigail. In his will of 26 Aug. 1757, he named "hon'd mother, Mary Rowley." Did his own mother Mary (Crippen) Corbe m. ----- Rowley? If so, which one, or was his wife Abigail, born Rowley? If so, whose daughter?

"His wife, Abigail, in her will of 16 Nov. 1764, proved in April, 1765, mentioned her brothers and sisters, Moses Rowley, Daniel Rowley, (also Daniel's son, Joseph Langrell Rowley.), Mehitabel Chapman, and Mary Fuller. Of these four it seems possible to identify the first three, Moses Rowley, Daniel Rowley, and Mehitabel Chapman, as the children of Moses3 and Martha (Porter) Rowley, but in that household they seem to have no sister Abigail to marry with Samuel Corbee, and their mother was not Mary, if we have rightly read and arranged the records.

"She also named cousins, Anna Olmsted, Abigail Fuller, Levina Phelps, Azariah Heath and Samuel Corbet Heath.

"Anna Olmsted may have been a daughter of William Olmsted by his second wife, Anna Rowley, a sister of Moses, Daniel, and Mehitabel, but no such daughter is on record for them. This might have made her a niece of the testator, and so might have been called cousin.

"Levine Phelps has not been identified. Two of that name, or Lavina, are known later, but no one so early.

"Azariah Heath, however related, was brought up in their household and was still living with them. Samuel Corbet Heath was his son."

Sources

1. ↑ Windsor, Connecticut, Birth, Marriage & Death Records Vol. 2:1.

   "Abigaell daughter of Martha Porter and the reputed Daughter of Benjamin Allyn was Born July ye 10th 1704."

2. ↑ Connecticut: Vital Records (The Barbour Collection), 1630-1870 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011.) From original typescripts, Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection, 1928. Reference Windsor volume, page 237 via $American Ancestors
3. ↑ Connecticut: Vital Records (The Barbour Collection), 1630-1870 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011.) From original typescripts, Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection, 1928. Reference East Haddam volume, page 62 via $American Ancestors
4. ↑ MacGunnigle, Bruce Campbell. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations Descendants of the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth, Mass, December 1620, Volume Four, Third Edition, Family of Edward Fuller. Plymouth, MA: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2006, pg 104-5.Link on AmericanAncestors.org by $ubscription. NOTE: This volume calls Abigail the daughter of Moses by an unnamed first wife, not a step-daughter or adopted daughter.
5. ↑ Colchester District Probate Records, Vol. 4:260-261 will & inventory of Abigail Corbet, East Haddam, 1765.

See also:

• Brainard, Homer, "Henry Rowley and Some of his Descendants," NYGBR Vol. 37(1906):57-66, Moses Rowley and daughter Abigail at p. 65.