Martha Coles

     Martha was born on Thursday, 12 May 1701. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Coles and Rose Wright. Martha married Jotham Townsend, son of "Mill" John Townsend and Ester Smith, circa 1720 in Queens County, Long Island, New York. Jotham & Martha had children: Freelove [1721-2/25/1744] & John [ca. 1723-12/07/1785][m. Judith Townsend, d/o of Penn]. Martha departed this life on Friday, 23 July 1723 in Oyster Bay Town at age 22 years, 2 months and 11 days. The following inscription was taken from her headstone on Mill Hill: "Here lyes the body of Mrs. Martha Townsend, wife of Mr. Jotham Townsend, who died July 23d, 1723, aged 22 years, 2 months, and 11 days." She was buried there in Mill Hill. The inscription on her tombstone reads: Here lyes the body of Mrs. Martha Townsend, wife of Mr. Jotham Townsend, who died July 23d, 1723, aged 22 years, 2 months, and 11 days.