Benton Public Library, What a Resource!

 

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 10^th 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 19^th day of Sept A.D. 1871

C. M. Clark Clerk