31. Martha⁴ Purnell (Martha³ Bowen, William², William¹) birth date unknown.

She married Outten Sturgis (Capt.). Outten was born about 1730. Outten was the son of Jonathan Sturgis and Esther Outten. Outten died 1796 in Worcester Co., MD, at 66 years of age. He made a will in Worcester Co., MD, September 18, 1795. (Ruth T. Dryden, Worcester Co., MD Wills JWB f.265, p.27)

Outten's will was probated in Worcester Co., MD, October 25, 1796. Outten served in the Lower House of the Maryland Legislature from Worcester County 1778-1779; Committee of Observation 1776; Commissioner of the Tax 1777-1778; Judge of the Court of Appeals under the Act to Procure Troops 1778; County Court Justice 1787-1795. He took the Oath of Allegiance in Worcester County in 1778 before the Hon. Nehemiah Holland and rendered patriotic service by supplying corn for the use of the military on March 8, 1780, and July 10, 1780. (Henry C. Peden, Jr., Revolutionary Patriots of Worcester & Somerset Counties, Willow Bend Books, Westminster, MD, 1999)

In 1755, Outten bought part of "Pharsalia" called "Buck Neck"; In 1795, he left 300 acres to daughters Polly, Martha and Esther. (Ruth T. Dryden, Worcester Land Records, p. 472). In 1768, George & Martha Stewart of Accomack sold 295 acres "Kings Neck" to Martha Sturgis. In 1790, Outten and Martha sold the 295 acres fo Joshua. In 1796, George Turner sold 39 acres to Joshua of Outten. The 1783 tax list shows Outten with "Pharsalia," and "King Harry's Neck," 2 males, five females.

He is called son-in-law by Martha Selby in her 1780 will. His wife at the time of his death was Sarah. Outten and Sarah are named in a claim of Atkinsons heirs against James Townsend's estate and that Outten and Sarah are guardians to William Cord Townsend. (David V. Heise, Worcester Co. MD Orphans Court Proceedings Vol I) he mentions a grave for his wife now deceased. He named granddaughter Elizabeth Custis Sturgis, grandson William Custis and granddaughter Polly Custis, and sons-in-law Benjamin Gunby, James Selby and Benjamin Aydelotte as executors. He names his daughters Polly Selby, Martha Aydelotte and Esther Gunby. Outten added a codicil naming Esther, daughter of Abraham Outten Sturgis. Her mother's will calls her Martha Sturgis; the administration of her sister's estate calls her wife of Outten Sturgis in 1752.

Martha Purnell and Outten Sturgis(Capt.) had the following children:

+ 90 i. Thomas Purnall⁵ Sturgis.

+ 91 ii. Martha Sturgis.

+ 92 iii. Joshua Sturgis.

93 iv. Esther Sturgis. She married Benjamin Gunby in Worcester Co., MD, July 12, 1796. (Barnes, Maryland Marriages) Named in her father's 1795 will and her grandmother's 1780 will. She joined with her sisters and their husbands to sell land given them by their father.

+ 94 v. Mary Sturgis.

+ 95 vi. Daughter Sturgis.

96 vii. John Sturgis. John died before 1795 in Worcester Co., MD. John was named by his grandmother, Martha Selby, in her 1780 will. Outten did not name a son, John, in his 1795 will.

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