Individual Details

Martha Claiborne Jarratt was the wife of Reverend Devereux Jarratt. Her father was Burnell Claiborne and her mother Hannah Ravenscroft. MARTHA and DEVEREUX HAD NO CHILDREN, but were reported to have reared her nephew, Devereux Jarratt Claiborne. In Reverend Devereux Jarratt's autobiography, he described his family as "my wife, her cousin, and myself." Reverend John Coleman wrote in the introduction of Jarratt's book that Martha had an affectionate husband.

In 1763 after Jarratt returned from ordination in England, he wanted a church. His job interview with Leonard Claiborne, Jr. culminated with Jarratt's election as Rector of Bath Parish, Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Mr. Claiborne was the uncle of Martha Claiborne. Martha may not have gotten just a new minister for her parish, but also a life-long partner. Reverend Devereux's account of the first meeting with the Claiborne family was as follows: "I met with a civil reception from Mr. Claiborne and his family, and we were presently free and sociable, as if we had been acquainted all our lives."

Martha loved a man who risked ridicule for the sake of the Body of Christ in obedience to his LORD AND SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS. Martha served this preacher whose bounds of ministering had a diameter of 600 miles plus the three churches he alternated each Sunday. Martha would have to see him off as he preached in five counties of North Carolina and in twenty one counties of Virginia. Martha suffered when he suffered. When funds were cut off from the Revolution for years, Martha guarded the home expenses. Martha supported a man who sacrificed much in the "Great Awakening" in service to God. However, Martha also sacrificially gave of herself in her devotion to her husband and God's work. Notice that the monument to the right is made out to Rev. D. Jarratt and Wife.

Inscription:
Head stone:
"Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. Martha Jarratt
Wife of Reverend D. Jarratt
B 1744 OB March 9, 1826"

Monument (about 8 feet high)
"ERECTED
TO THE MEMORY OF
REV. D. JARRATT
AND WIFE
A testimonial of the
respect and reverence of
a succeeding generation
1858"

Buried Sapony Cemetery, Dinwiddie Co. VA

Birth	1744	Virginia
Death	9 Mar 1826	Dinwiddie County, Virginia
Marriage		Rev. Devereux Jarratt

Spouse

Rev. Devereux Jarratt (1733 - 1801)