Martha Devotion Huntington

Samuel Huntington, the son of a hard-working farmer and a future signer of the Declaration of Independence, married Martha Devotion, oldest daughter of Rev. Ebenezer Devotion and Martha Lathrop in 1761. She was 22 years old at the time of the marriage, and he was about 30 with a new law practice.

The couple established their home in Norwich where Samuel built an extensive law practice and began his involvement in political affairs. Martha was familiar with politics because her father was very interested in the politics of Connecticut and even represented Windham in the General Assembly from 1760 to 1771, the year of his death.

No children were born to Martha and Samuel, but they adopted two children of his brother, Rev. Joseph Huntington. The children, Samuel and Frances, were well reared and education. Samuel was elected Governor of Ohio in 1810 and 1811. Frances married Rev. Edward Door Griffin who was once President of Williams College.

Martha died in 1794 at age 55, and Samuel passed away two years later at age 65. They are buried side by side in the old Norwich burying ground.

Facts are from Wives of the Signers - The women behind the Declaration of Independence, pp 98-100.