Tabiatha Sammis

     Tabiatha was born circa 1723 in Huntington, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. She was the daughter of David Sammis [Samwayas] and Sarah (?) Tabiatha married Jotham Wright I, son of Edmund Wright II and Sarah Townsend, on 27 May 1745 in Huntington, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, at the First Church. Jotham & Tabiatha removed from Oyster Bay to Rye, New York in 1747 where they bought a house & land on the road leading to Harrison's Purchase. He sold this property with other lands in 1763. In 1768, his brother, Thomas released to him all of his rights to the messnage of twenty acres of land, which Jotham had bought of Timothy Wetmore. As early as 1771, he bought the old "square house" which was built before 1731. He kept this as an Inn and Coach House called "Wrights" until near the close of the Revolution. With the dangers of the war, Jotham & his family removed to New York City for safety. It is not known whether this move was voluntarily or by force. The family remained there. Jotham & Tabiatha both died in a smallpox epidemic in 1777. It is not known who cared for their children after their death.     Jotham was noted as being a Joyner. The family was Episcopal. Jotham was named after his uncle Jotham Townsend.¹ Tabiatha's husband, Jotham, died on 20 July 1777 in New York City, New York County, New York, leaving her a widow. Tabiatha died on Wednesday, 6 August 1777 in New York City, New York County, New York, during a smallpox epidemic. She was buried there in the yard of the old Trinity Church. The church was located on Broadway.