Do you have records in your files for the ‘wrong’ person? Admittedly, I have such records. As I was digitizing my THOMPSON paper records, I came across a will for William Thompson.
My third great grandfather, William T. Thompson died in 1898 and is buried in Wapello County, Iowa. William’s wife was Polly Ann Evans. If I’m remembering correctly, I first became aware of a second William Thompson in Wapello county, Iowa when looking for William Thompson in Find a Grave.
Not only are these two men of about the same age buried in the same cemetery but their wives both went by ‘Polly’.
The copy of the Wapello County, Iowa will in my files was dated in 1887, Since it only identified a wife named Polly, it could be for either William Thompson. However, a careful reading of what the clerk of the court wrote when recording the will provides another date of 24 August 1892. In addition, the clerk’s notes indicate that WIlliam Thompson is deceased. Thus, this will is for the William Thompson born in Ireland and NOT for my ancestor.
Wapello County Iowa
Will BooksVol. 3 (starts on image 279)
DGS 7592014Page 39 (Image 326)
Last Will and Testament
of
William ThompsonBe it remembered that I William Thompson of Kirk
ville in the County of Wapello and State of Iowa being of
sound mind and memory, of the age of 73 years do make
publish and declare this as my last will and testament
hereby revoking all former wills, by me made the dispo
sition of my property shall be in manner following
That is to say
1st I direct that my just debts shall be paid with all
convenient speed
2nd I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Polly
Thompson all of my property and every kind and caractor
and wherever found, including real estate and personal prop
erty. To do with as she may see fit and proper
In witness whereof I the above named testator, have here
unto set my hand and seal this 23rd day of July 1887
William ThompsonAt Kirkville, Iowa on this 23 day of July 1887 the
within named testator signed this instrument and pub
lished and declared the same to be his last will and
testament and one in his presence and at his request
and in the presence of each other have hereunto sub
scribed our names as witnesses
J E Page
Geo M. Davidson
Kirkville, IowaState of Iowa
Wapello County
I John Sheehan CLerk of the District
Court in and for said COunty doe hereby certify
that on this day at the August term AD 1892 of
said court the will and instrument in writing herepage 40
unto annexed and bearing the date on the 23 day of July 1887
was duly proved before and allowed by said Court as and
for the last will and testament of the real and personal
estate of Wm Thompson late of said county, deceased,
and was by said court ordered to be recorded as such
Will and testament
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of the said court at
my office in Ottumwa in said County, this
24 day of August A.D. 1892
John Sheehan
Clerk
