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Finding a will or a probate record for your ancestor helps prove relationships to heirs. They may become clues that help you unlock your genealogy mysteries.
What am I Looking For When Doing Genealogy Research in Probate Records?
I have clues from John's death records, early census records, descendancy research, and online trees. I hope to find connections in John Townley's probate records to serve as waypoints to Effingham and/or Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Occasionally, when doing genealogy research in probate records, I read clerks who mention lands received from a predecessor or where the person originated. It's a long shot, but we want a reasonably exhaustive search. I'd instead look and not find, then not look and miss a clue.
I also hope George W or Major J Townley appear in John's probate records as they outlive him. Perhaps they served as witnesses. They may be named as creditors paid or persons who bought items from an estate sale.
After exploring probate records for John, I'll also explore such documents for Effingham Townley, the potential ancestor discovered in my online tree exploration.
Clues in 1890 Probate for John Townley
Knowledge Gathered
Estate number 35852
Will dated 2 January 1889
Daughter-in-law Catherine Townley (widow of Asa H Townley), the farm in Campbell County, Kentucky, at Flagg Spring, and Nellie Townley receive this land for her inheritance.
Daughter Eliza Woodruff receives a piano, the lots 101 and 103 on Barr Street, and $8,000 (paid in bonds)
Grandsons Grandison Osborn, $4,000; Richard Osborn, $2,000; and William Osborn, $1,000
Daughter Mary Speer, house and lot on Eight Street, including a home on Van Horn Street. And $5,000 in bonds
Son, Richard, has a house on 110 Barr Street, where he lives, and $8,510 in bonds.
Wife Eveline Townley - all the remainder of my property
[granddaughter] Evaline Townley (daughter of Richard Townley) and [grandson] William Spear $1,000 each, but only if there is a surplus in the estate
Son Richard Townley and son-in-law Alfred Speer to be executors
Witnesses: WM C Hefferman and John C Riley
Ada Riley and Ella Riley witnessed John C Riley's signature (who was now deceased) on John Townley's will. 6 August 1890
Probate presented 16 August 1890
An intriguing detail involved the death of John's witness, John Riley, and his heirs' need to attest to John's signature. You never know what you'll find in these court records.
I don't know how WM C Hefferman and John C Riley are related to John Townley. I'll add that to my To-Do list.
As a side note, I still need to investigate why the heirs received their money in bonds. This practice is new to me, and I'm interested in learning more.
I was disappointed that neither George nor Major Townley served as witnesses to John's will.
1890 Estate Docket for John Townley
Knowledge Gathered
Will of John Townley is deceased, admitted for probate, and recorded.
Richard Townley and Alfred Speer, Executors
Eliza Woodruff, Martha Speer, Mary J Speer, and Catharine M Townley sureties for a$40,000 bond
Will Recorded Vol 42 Pg 548
N Wright Jr, Geo H Kattenhorn, and Wm G Hosea Appraisers
I am currently unaware of Martha Speer's identity. She's likely John's daughter Mary's in-law. Why is she involved in providing sureties?
Catherine M Townley is the wife of Asa Townley, who was deceased.
The appraisers are not relatives, but they were worth noting for future reference if needed.
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1890 Newspaper Notice
Knowledge Gathered
$40,000 is left to the widow and children
Richard Townley and Alfred Speers are executors
John Townley is a well-known insurance man
The information in the probate notice aligns with what I had discovered in other records, with one exception. As far as I have researched in census records, John Townley was a bricklayer. Did he change careers near the 1890s?
Additional Analysis of John's Probate Records
The above highlights from John's probate records generate several clues and resolutions.
I have more evidence that further validates the death date and place of John Townley.
These records provide details about his wealth status.
I have another set of records to explore: Campbell County, Kentucky land records. These records won't necessarily break through John's brick wall. Still, they will help me better understand John's relationship with his son Asa.
George and Major do not appear in John Townley's records, which further supports the idea that they are not siblings and are not likely close kin.
They did arrive from New Jersey at the same time with the same last name.
Any further research of George and Major Townley in Cincinnati will purely benefit my genealogy research skill development.
Researching My Genealogy Hypothesis in Probate Records
In the post "Can Online Family Trees Offer Clues?" I hypothesized that John's parents are Effingham and Rhoda Townley from Elizabethtown, New Jersey.
Effingham’s name did not appear in the 1830 Census record, and searching the 1820 Census record would not help me confirm the link between John and Effingham, so I sought out probate records.
Before researching Effingham in the 1820 census, I wanted to investigate him in probate records.
According to the 1828 Will of Effingham Townley, his five children, Richard, Abby, John, Jane, and Caleb, receive an inheritance. His deceased son William is also named. Effingham names his sons John and Richard executors. Olivia I Halsted, Jacob Gages, and Joseph D Price witnessed the signing of the will. Upon Effingham's death, Richard proceeded to probate the will.
If you want your own genealogy research plan template, get a copy of my Research Plan Template, print it out, or use it online.
Watch this research plan development process in action in this video.
Time to Update the Research Log
In full disclosure, I have not obtained the entire probate packet for Effingham due to Covid lockdowns. Still, I'm interested in discovering John's identity, who is named in this will.
Hopefully, when viewing the entire file, I'll learn what I need to link Effingham to a specific John Townley.
Additionally, it's time to turn my attention to Land records! Before I do that, I must transfer these notes to my research plan. Check out my updated research plan using the link below.
John Townley Genealogy Research Series
My Genealogy Research Brick Wall: The John Townley Case Study
Clues on Death Records for My Genealogy Brick Wall: The John Townley Case Study
Using Descendancy Research for Clues to Bust a Genealogy Brick Wall
Research Early US Census Records for Genealogy Clues to Bust Brick Walls
Online Family Trees - Can you find clues for your genealogy brick walls?
Using Wills and Probate Records For Clues to Bust Genealogy Brick Walls (YOU'RE HERE)
City Directories Research Clues for Genealogy Brick Wall Busting
How Land Records Helped Me Chip Away at My Genealogy Brick Walls
Researching Same-Named Individuals to Solve Genealogy Brick Walls
Can Ancestry DNA ThruLines Help Solve Genealogy Brick Walls?
Additional "Using Probate Clues " Show Notes
Continue learning about probate records and other resources for your genealogy quest through the following blog posts and videos.