The family of Martin Root 1721-1793

Martin Root, the head of the family we're reviewing today, was born in 1721 in Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts, the son of Samuel and Mary Gunn Root.   He died in Westfield in 1793. Presumably he left the town for short trips but other than that, he stayed there his whole life.  One of his contributions to the town was another generation of Roots, several of whom stayed in the town their whole lives.  He married, in 1745, Unis/Eunis/Eunice Lamb, the daughter of Samuel and Martha Stebbins Lamb.  Their children are:

Unis, born in 1746 and died in 1747.  It must have been terribly hard to lose their first child, despite the presence in the town of many family members.

Miriam, born a few months before Unis's death, in 1747.  She married Samuel Falley, the son of Richard and Anna Lamb Falley.  (I have not been able to determine any relationship between Anna Lamb, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, and Eunice Lamb, whose roots go back to Dorchester, England.)  Samuel Falley is also our ancestor, through another line.  Miriam and Samuel Falley's children are Anna, Samuel, Miriam, Theodosia, Rachel, and Rhoda.  Miriam died in 1813 in Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts.

Samuel, their first son, born in 1749. He married Tryphena Kellogg, the daughter of Samuel and Merab (Mary) Nash Kellogg, and died in 1817 in Westfield.  Their children are Tryphena, Samuel, Mary, Lucinda, John, Polly, and Samuel.  I have seen Warham also listed as their son but this seems to relate to a Warham born and died in eastern Massachusetts.  I think he likely belongs to another family, but am certainly open to additional information.

Unis, born in 1751 and a bit of a mystery.  She was single when her father wrote his will in 1817, because she was provided for in the will as a single woman.  She died in 1819 so it may be that she was in ill health or physically challenged in some way.  Some sites say she married a Recompence Miller but I can find no documentation for that, nor can I find any information about Mr. Miller.  If she did marry, it was for a very short time.  She died in Westfield.

Martin Jr, born in 1753 is our line and I will write of him in an upcoming post.  He married Ruth Noble, the daughter of Stephen and Ruth Church Noble.  Their children are Noble, Martin, Ruth, Charlotte, Charles, and Eunice. Ruth died in 1790 and Martin then married Lois Smith, the daughter of Warham and Martha Belding Smith, still in Westfield.    They had two children together, Edmund and Linus.    Martin died in 1822 in Buchanan, Harrison County, (West) Virginia.

Jared, born and died in 1756.

Jonathan, born and died in 1757.  This makes three children who died as infants/toddlers within 10 years.  

Theodosia, born in 1759, and died in 1812 in Westfield.  She married Gad Root, her third cousin.  He was the son of Solomon and Mary Church Root.  (Mary was a descendant of John and Sarah Beckley Church, who are also our ancestors.  It's complicated!) Their children are Isabella, Gad, Grace, Sophronia, Asher, "King William", Theodore, and Elizabeth.  

Sarah, born in 1767 and died in 1846 in Westfield.  She married Moses Drake, the son of Moses and Mary Shepard Drake.  Their children are David, Elijah, Moses, Sally, Hiram, Samuel, and Oliver.

Peggy was born in 1765.  She married Matthias Gates, possibly the son of Matthias and Thankful Ackley Gates.  Their children are Richard, Martin, Theodocia, John, Matthias, Roderick, Hannah, Jarvis, Minerva and Peggy.  I am lacking a death date and location for her.  I have seen two additional marriages listed for her but I believe those are for her daughter Peggy, although I am open to additional information as always.  

William, born in 1767 may or may not be their child.  I have been unable to find any information about him so perhaps he died young, or perhaps he doesn't belong to this family.  

If this list is complete and accurate, Martin and Eunice are the grandparents to 46.  And the Roots are beginning to spread out, with Martin Jr moving to what was then western Virginia.