As research tools, wills illuminate lives of ancestors

Is it worth the effort to find out whether your forebear left a will? Most certainly – especially if the maker had a common name such as William Smith. A will could be very useful in helping us make sure we were following the right William Smith.

William and wife Mary Smith sold some land in 1824 in Deep Run, Va., to son James and his wife, Eleanor.

And then, writes E. Louise (Smith) Towle, author of “The Smiths of Madison County, Virginia and Their Ancestors,” “No more is known of William Smith from that date to his death in 1836.”

Twelve years of no information. So every bit in William’s will is useful.

First off, he names “all my six children to wit: James Smith, Mary Ann Hickerson, Lucinda Ellington, Elizabeth Fox, John Smith and William Smith.”

The inventory filed in Fauquier County comprises 72 items, ranging from a clock valued at $10, a bay horse at $100 and two calves at $6, to slaves listed by first name and valued at $250 to $800. Records don’t indicate what became of them after William died.

Here is something else:

“In those days in Virginia,” Louise wrote, “a widow had to buy from the estate whatever items she wished to have beyond the one-third she was entitled to as a Widow’s Dower. The documents on file show that Mary bought a number of items from her husband’s estate.”

Louise is descended from William’s son, James, and wife, Eleanor (Ensor), a well-known surname in the area.

Through Eleanor, a Washington descendant, Louise is a cousin to George Washington.

I also enjoyed the Maine section of Louise’s book relating to her husband, the late Frederick D. Towle of Bangor.

Fred was the son of Patrick Donald Towle of Prince Edward Island and Maggie (Moran) Towle. Patrick’s parents were Irish immigrants Bernard Toole of Dublin and Sarah (McDonald) of County Mayo.

I know Louise through our membership in Frances Dighton Williams Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. So I was very interested in her chapter on patriotic service, which mentions the six ancestors she has (so far) that have been approved by the DAR as soldiers or patriots during the Revolutionary War: Andrew Carpenter, Cornelius Carpenter, John Weaver Jr., Mathia Weaver, Benajah Rice and Sarah Nelms Rice, who furnished supplies to the Patriots after husband William died.

George and John Smith served in the Civil War from Warrenton, Va., and Eppa Hunton was a brigadier general in the Virginia Militia, also being wounded at Gettysburg.

The Towles also served in several wars – more on that next week.

Louise Towle did a marvelous job with this book, and as soon as I’ve finished with it, “The Smiths of Madison County, Virginia and Their Ancestors” will be donated to Bangor Public Library as requested by the author.

Those interested in obtaining a copy of Towle’s book may do so for $35, postage included. To order, contact her at 942-6462.

. Youngsters ages 8 to 14 are invited to attend Genealogy for Kids Day at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, in the Story Room on the first floor at Bangor Public Library.

The Penobscot County Genealogical Society will be on hand to help kids learn about the excitement of genealogy. Guest instructors include Dale Mower and Phil Getchell.

A free lunch will be provided by Leadbetter’s Super Stop East, and prizes given out. Register at the Children’s Desk, 947-8337, or www.bpl.lib.me.us

. The Penobscot County Genealogy Society will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, in the Lecture Hall, third floor, Bangor Public Library. Go in the children’s entrance and take the elevator.

The meeting will be an open discussion on “brick wall” efforts and successes. Bring your achievements and give the group a short presentation. We also will leave time for open discussion so that members and guests can present their desires for upcoming meetings.

There will be a preview of planned or “in-work” projects or events. Join the group for some great discussions and refreshments. All are welcome. If you’ve wanted to start your genealogy, now is a great time with the good weather.

. A Memorial Wreath Laying Service for Civil War nurse Sarah E. Palmer and Gen. Wainwright Cushing will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at the Dover Cemetery in Dover-Foxcroft. Members of the Sons & Daughters of Union Veterans will be in costume, and all are welcome to attend the brief service. For information or directions, call the Batticks at 564-3576.

Send genealogy queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or e-mail queries to familyti@bangordailynews.net.