Tracing
the Summers, my wife’s paternal side, is proving difficult. Do you have any
idea how many Summers lived in southern Illinois, the homelands of my wife’s
line? Lots. But once in a while, one finds a new resource for answering
questions and unraveling mysteries. The Genealogy Division of the Benton,
Illinois, Public Library, is proving such a Resource for Summers Family
research.
Many
years ago, in 1968, Dorothy Pickard, a Franklin County, Illinois, family
history researcher, wrote my wife’s grandmother, Verne (Crabtree) Summers, a
letter that included the following comments on an estate record for William K.
Summers, grandfather of Verne’s husband, John:
Elizabeth Jane Summers wife of late William K Summers
says he died on or about Dec. 10, 1870.
His personal estate will probably amount to $250.00
that William K. Summers left at the time of his death his widow Elizabeth Jane
Summers and following children.
[1842] John K or John R. wife Sarah Ann
[44] William C. wife E. Elizabeth of St. Frances Co.
Ark 1883
[46] Martha married Joseph Collins
[48] Tanzil Tanzil Summers married Louis A Gough
[50] "Prudy" Prudence married first to
Thomas Summers second to Braxton P. Cook.
[52] Elizabeth full name Sarah Elizabeth married
William Wilson
[55] B. T. K. Summers wife Melvina
[59] James J. was a bachelor at time of his signing
Deed July 13, 1877 Could this be your Jordan?
[60] Cordelia J. names hers last name as Roberson no
husband first name
[62] Parthenia A. wife of Elias Allman
[865] Robert Franklin
[68] Luetta and wife of Emund M. Bain also listed as
Edmon M. Bane.
[870] Milton E. Summers his children [Milton died at
age 17]
Signed by Elizabeth J. Summers mark on Sept 19, 1871
But
how much of this information was actually in the estate record, and how much was
comments, additions, and notes? Dorothy is long gone, as is Verne. And the estate
record, filed in the Franklin County, Illinois, courthouse, has never appeared
on the web. But thanks to the diligent efforts of Pam Teague, Genealogy Director
for the Benton Illinois Public Library, we now know that much of the
information provided by Dorothy was correct, though much was added. Pam found
the original document in the local courthouse. And here it is. Thanks, for your
help, Pam.
My transcription:
Affidavit
of Decease and Names of Heirs
State
of Illinois
FRANKLIN
COUNTY
Elizabeth Jane Summers being duly sworn deposes and says that William K.
Summers late of the County of FRANKLIN, and State of Illinois, is dead, and
that he died on or about the 10th day of December A.D.
1870…….
and that his PERSONAL ESTATE will probably
amount to $250.00 that said William K. Summers left at the time
of his decease Elizabeth J Summers his widow, and John R William C
Martha Tamzil-Prudy Elizabeth B.T.R Summers James J. Codelia J. Parthenia A. Robert
F. Luetta & Milton E. Summers his children
her
Elizabeth J. + Summers
mark
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 19th day of Sept A.D. 1871
C. M. Clark Clerk
