My Family Tree

This Margaret McRobert is mentioned in early history of Springfield, VT, wife of James Martin, Jr. They opened a tavern in Springfield 1772 having come to Boston, MA then Hartford, CT earlier from Scotland.
See "Stray Wives: Marital Conflict in Early National New England" by Mary Beth Sievens. Since our McRoberts also went to Springfield, VT and one of them married James Martin, Sr, they are probably related, and my best guess is she was the daughter of Alexander McCrobert, brother of James.

Here is Margaret (married 2nd Mose Gaylord) in the US Census -
Name: Margt Gaylord
Home in 1800 (City, County, State): Springfield, Windsor, Vermont
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 4
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over: 2 ( born <1755 )
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 6

1810 United States Federal Census about Margarett Galed
Name: Margarett Galed
Home in 1810 (City, County, State): Springfield, Windsor, Vermont
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44 : 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2

1820 United States Federal Census about Wm Martin
Name: Wm Martin (their son)
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Springfield, Windsor, Vermont
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: William Goodnow
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Springfield, Windsor, Vermont
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69: 1 (born <1761)
...
Free White Persons - Females - 80 thru 89: 1 (Margaret Gaylord) (born 1741-1750)

from "Eighteenth Century Springfield - From Wilderness to Vermont Statehood, 1751-1791" by Frederick Richardson
"James Martin, Jr. was a Welshman, born in 1750. While living in Scotland, he fell in love with an heiress, Margaret McRobert, and eloped with her"

another account from "Folklore of Springfield", pg 86
"... known as the Gaylord fund.

Tradition tells us that James Martin, of Scotland, fell in love with Margaret McRoberts, a lass of greater wealth than his own, and eloped with her. The Scottish law, it is said, imposes severe penalties for abducting an heiress, so he rode the pillion while she sat in the saddle and held the reins. Thus they reached the coast and sailed for America. After some years they came to Springfield, where they had a tavern and a store. The Hon. Capt. James Martin, as his headstone reads, was a man of good education and filled important offices in town. He was town clerk six years, writing the books in a handsome hand. His wife may have inherited more wealth than he, but the records show that she signed important papers with her mark. Mr. Martin died Oct. 5, 1789, and in 1791 Mrs. Martin married one Moses Gaylord, who a few years later deserted her, taking with him, it is said, much of her property.
Mrs. Gaylord died, leaving a will which the court pronounced invalid, and the estate came by escheat to the town, no lawful heirs being found. Much discussion was excited at the time as to the propriety of the town's taking the money or the possibility of refusing it. There had been two Martin children, a daughter who died in childhood and a son, William Martin, who received a liberal education and was a teacher of some note. Later he became dissipated, and action was taken in town meeting to appoint a guardian for him, lest he become a town charge, though the sworn appraisal of his estate was $3346.67. He lived but a few years after this.
In 1838 the town "voted that the selectmen be authorized to loan the proceeds of Margaret Gaylord's estate on mortgage security, and the interest thereof be annually appropriated and divided for the support of common schools."

She lives with son William Martin in Springfield, VT 1820 , age 45+
She lives with friend ( who she bequeathed her estate to ) William Goodenow in 1830, age 80-89
==> thus , born 1741-1750 and too young to be Margaret, d/o William, who was born before 1730.

 

Moses is said to have absconded with Margaret's wealth a few years after they married.