Family:Whitney, Melvin Stow (1812-1865)

fMelvin Stow⁷ Whitney (Benjamin⁶, Abraham⁵, Benjamin⁴, John³, Benjamin², John¹), son of Benjamin⁶ and Bethiah (Woodward) Whitney, was born 9 Oct 1812, Lisbon, ME,^[1] and died 19 Jan 1865, Staten Island, New York, NY, aged 52 years,^[2] of suicide, because of business problems. He was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY.^[3]

Marriage intentions were published 30 Sep 1834, Bangor, ME, for him and Sarah Langley, both of Bangor.^[4] She was born abt. 1814 in Brookfield, ME and died 14 Feb 1878 in Bangor, ME. She is buried at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor, ME.

They were divorced. In 1865 she was living in Melrose, NY, he in New York, NY.

He married secondly, before 1855, Ellen M. -----. She was born about 1817, Suffolk Co., NY, and apparently died before 1860.

He married thirdly, after 3 Sep 1860, Betsey Lamont Mitchell, daughter of William and Abigail (Morse) Mitchell. She was born 12 Nov 1827, Leeds, ME, and "Elizabeth L. Mitchell" died 5 Feb 1903, Worcester, MA, aged 75 years 2 months 4 days, of senile decay and heart failure.^[5]

In 1855, Elizabeth Whitney "of NYC", married, bought land in Auburn, Maine (Deeds vol. 14, p. 90). Whether this was or wasn't pertinent to this family is unknown.

She resided in Worcester, MA, at the Wellington.

He resided New York, NY.

Abstract of the will of Melvin S. Whitney: Melvin S. Whitney of the City of New York, aged 45 years and upwards. Directs executor "to make provision for the prompt payment of a certain annuity to Sarah Whitney of $1,400, payable according to the condition of my bond to her, secured by mortgage on real estate, but only for the payment of the several sums secured or intended so to be, by said bond and mortgage, and in lieu and satisfaction of her dower in my real estate." To my mother, "the sum of $1,000 annually to be paid unto her, in equal quarter-yearly payments from and after my decease, for and during her natural life." To my nephew Melvin W. Gorham, $1,000. To "my housekeeper Mrs. Elizabeth L. Barnum the annual interest or income of $12,500 from and after my decease for and during her natural life, provided she shall so long live and remain single and unmarried . . . and she having hitherto been charged with the care of rearing my adopted daughter Elizabeth Whitney, which she has managed thus far much to my satisfaction it is my desire that so long as she shall remain single and unmarried, she should retain such care and should direct as to her education; in which it is my desire that no reasonable pains should be spared until she shall attain the age of eighteen years - provided the said Elizabeth L. Barnum shall so long remain singland and unmarried." Similarly the said adopted daughter Elizabeth Whitney should also have the annual interest or income of another $12,500, "for and during her natural life, provided she shall have no child or children born alive of her in lawful wedlock; and in the event of her having such child or children, then I give and bequeath to her, my said adopted daughter and her heirs forever, the said principal sum of $12,500. And in the event of the death of the said Elizabeth L. Barnum or of her marriage or of her ceasing to live and remain single, then I give and bequeath the interest or income of the said sum of $12,500 first above mentioned, which may accrue or grow thereout from thence thereafter, to my said adopted daughter for and during her natural life, provided she shall have no child or children born of her alvie in lawful wedlock, and I direct my said Executor to keep the same invested for that purpose; and in the event of her having such child or children, then I give and bequeath to her and her heirs forever also the said first mentioned sum of $12,500." Residue "to my brothers and sisters surviving me and the children of those not surviving me equally, that is to say, to the children of each not surviving me, a portion equal and only equal to that of each brother and sister surviving me; it being my intention that the children of each deceased brother or sister should receive share and share alike the portion their parent would received as aforesaid if living at my decease." Anyone contesting the above provisions to forfeit their share, it to go to adopted daughter Elizabeth Whitney. Executor P. T. Whitney & James M. Coburn John Sessions Esq. of the City of New York, Counselor at Law. 15th day of December in the year 1858. Witnesses Lewis B. Reed, 109 Remsen St., Brooklyn; O. Higgins, 3 Sullivan St., N.Y.

Codicil: I "revoke and cancel the provision . . . made in my siad will for her benefit. If my adopted daughter Elizabeth Whitney dies without issue, leaving Mrs. Elizabeth L. Barnum surviving, then the interest and income of the second $12,500 mentioned above, as long as she shall remain single and unmarried, and in case of her death or marriage, the principal sum to my residuary legatees. To Mrs. Elizabeth L. Barnum and my adopted daughter, my piano forte and all my jewelry and silver ware. Executor P. T. Whitney & James M. Coburn John Sessions Esq. of the City of New York, Counselor at Law. Third day of September, 1860. Witnesses Lewis B. Reed Jr., President St., Brooklyn; John P. Meyer, J.P., 225 West 31st st., N.Y.

30 Aug 1865, Elizabeth L. Whitney, widow of the testator, and Ozayier Whitney, daughter and heir at law of the testator, require that the usual notice of all proceeding to be sent on to her lawyer Wm. C. Hofhagen, at his office, 37 Park Row, New York City. List of interested parties:

• Sarah Whitney, residing at Tarrytown, N.Y.;
• Joseph D. Whitney, residing at Port Huron, Michigan;
• Hezekiah W. Whitney, residing at Monroe, Wis.;
• Caroline Curtis, residing at Freeport, Me.;
• Alfred Soul and Augusta J. Lovett, of full age, and Melissa P. Soul, a minor, severally residing at West Falmouth, Me.;
• Priscilla Gould, Octavia T. Neal, of full age, and Melvin Whitten, Zoraida Whitten, minors, severally residing at Lisbon, Me.; and
• Henry Soul, whose place of residence upon diligent enquiry made cannot be ascertained.

Notice published in the Albany Atlas & Argus, once in each week for six weeks commencing on 17 Feb 1865. Notice delivered to each either in person or by mail to appear in Surrogate Court on 30 Mar 1865.^[6]

On 4 Sep 1865, a petition was filed by Hezekiah W. Whitney for administration of the estate with will annexed of Melvin S. Whitney. He had died 18 Jan 1865, but his will had failed to appoint an executor.^[7]

On 28 Oct 1867, a petition was filed by Henry F. Quackenbos, a creditor, for an accounting of his estate, and an inventory of it, since Hezekiah W. Whitney has not rendered any accounting of his administration of it.^[8]

On 4 Sep 1867, Hezekiah W. Whitney, David Wagstaff, and Horace B. Claflin, all of New York City, posted bond for $60,000, Whitney as administrator of the estate of Melvin S. Whitney, and Wagstaff and Claflin as bondsmen.^[9]

Children of Melvin Stow⁷ and Sarah (Langley) Whitney:

i.

Elizabeth8 Whitney, b. 22 Nov 1857 (adopted); d. 6 Mar 1895, Chicago, IL, aged 38 years; m. 17 Apr 1879, Chicago, IL, William S. Forrest. William S. Forrest was b. 9 Jul 1852, Baltimore, MD, and received an excellent preparatory education; he entered Dartmouth college, was honored with an election to the Psi Upsilon fraternity, and graduated in the class of 1875. Soon afterwards he began reading law in Boston with Gaston, Field & Jewett and remained with that firm till he went to Chicago in 1878, and was admitted to the various bars in October of that year. Since becoming a resident of that city he has been engaged in several noted criminal cases, but, although powerful in that line he is a general practitioner in his profession. In politics he is a Democrat and many of his addresses have attracted considerable attention. Probably he is the most prominent criminal lawyer in the city of Chicago, and was the leading attorney in the celebrated Cronin case. They res. 3264 Groveland Ave., Chicago, IL. Children: a. Marjorie Forrest, b. 3 Feb 1880; d. 3 Apr 1883. b. Elizabeth Forrest, b. 22 Mar 1882. c. Marshall Forrest, b. 21 Jun 1886. d. (child) Forrest, b. 21 Oct 1893.

Children of Melvin Stow⁷ and Ellen M. (-----) Whitney, if any, unknown.

Children of Melvin Stow⁷ and Betsey Lamont (Mitchell) Whitney:

ii.	Ozayier8 Whitney, b. ca. 1863, ME or NY; d. 22 Jun 1939, Worcester, MA; m. 7 Dec 1882, Lowell, MA, William E. Turple.[10] They res. Worcester, MA. Children: a. Whitney Turple, b. Jan 1884. b. Dorothy Turple, b. Feb 1888.

Census

• 1840, Bangor, Penobscot Co., ME: Melvin S Whitney, 3 males 50-59, 10 males 40-49, 3 males 20-29, 1 male 10-14, 1 female 40-49, 1 female 20-29, 4 females 15-19, 1 female 10-14, and 1 female 5-9; 1 engaged in agriculture, 5 in commerce, 4 in manufacture or trades, 1 in learned professions or engineers.
• 1850, New York Ward 1, New York Co., NY:

Hotel 1 1 John M. Flint 49 M - Inn Keeper New York ... Miles S. Whitney 37 M - Merchant Maine Abner G. Wheeler 28 M - Clerk Ohio Eliza Whitney 30 F - Maine ...

"Miles" is an error for "Melvin".

• 1855 State, Brooklyn Ward 13, Kings Co., NY:

375 Frame $1000 573 Andrew W. Day 38 M - - N.Y. City 1 - 8m Mason 1 - - - - 1 - Angeline Day 26 F - Wife " " 1 - 8m - - - - - - - - Ann M. Day 9 F - Chld " " - - 8m - - - - - - - - Melvin Day 6 M - " " " - - 8m - - - - - - - - Sm. H. E. Day 2 M - " N.J. - - 8m - - - - - - - - Melvin Whitney 40 M - Brdr Maine 1 - 8m Agent 1 - - - - - - Ellen M. Whitney 38 F - " Suffolk 1 - 8m - - - - - - - -

Ellen seems to be an otherwise unknown second wife.

• 1855 State, New York Ward 5, New York Co., NY:

109 Brick $4000 207 Melvin Whitney 43 M - - Maine 1 - 20 Merchant 1 - - - - - - Elvi Whitney 27 F - Wife " 1 - 7 None - - - - - - - Lizetta Bond 40 F - Srvt Germany 1 - 7 Servant - - 1 - - - - Annie Bond 3 M - " New York - - 1 " - - - - - - -

Was Ellen/Elvi born in Suffolk Co., NY, or MA?

• 1860, New York Ward 15, New York Co., NY:

204 249 John S. Tucker 45 M - Hotel Keeper Massachusetts ... M. S. Whiteney 45 M - Merchant Maryland Lizzie " 40 F - do Elizabeth " 4 F - New York ...

"Maryland" is an error for "Maine".

• 1870, daughter Elizabeth not found, second wife Betsey and daughter Ozayier not found.
• 1880, Leeds, Androscoggin Co., ME:

Catherine KEITH 55 Self F M W ME Keeping House ME ME Lillian KEITH 18 Dau F S W ME ME ME Elizabeth WHITNEY 52 Oth F W W ME ME ME Ozayier WHITNEY 17 Oth F S W ME ME ME Joseph K BLANCHARD 59 Fath M M W ME Grocer ME ME Elizabeth T. BLANCHARD 55 Wife F M W ME Keeping House ME ME Frank L. BLANCHARD 21 Son M S W ME Student ME ME Minnie BLANCHARD 19 Dau F S W ME At Home ME ME Ida A. BLANCHARD 11 Dau F S W ME At School ME ME B. Galen EATON 22 Oth M S W ME Student ME ME William F. COWELL 18 Oth M S W ME Student ISLE OF MAN ME Fred F. BEAN 19 Oth M W ME Clerk In Store ME ME Lester LANE 25 Oth M W ME Clerk In Store ME ME

Elizabeth is living with her sister Catherine (Mitchell) Keith.

• 1900, 489 Pleasant St., Worcester Ward 8, Worcester Co., MA:

96 103 Turple, William A. Head W M Mar 1857 43 mar 17 Canada Eng. Canada Eng. Canada Eng. Druggist -----, Ozayier W. Wife W F Jul 1862 38 mar 17 3ch 2liv New York Maine Maine -----, Whitney Son W M Jan 1884 16 sgl Massachusetts Canada Eng. Canada Eng. At school -----, Dorothy Dau W F Feb 1888 12 sgl Massachusetts Canada Eng. Canada Eng. At school Whitney, Elizabeth L. MiL W F Nov 1827 73 wid 2ch 1liv Maine Maine Maine Pearson, Ida Srvt W F Aug 1878 22 sgl Sweden Sweden Sweden Housework, Immig. 1896

References

• Census records.

• All data imported from Frederick Clifton Pierce, The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came from London, England, to Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635, (Chicago: 1895), pp. 405-406.

1.^  "Melvin Stow [Whitney] s. Benjamin and Bethiah, b. Oct. 9, 1812," according to Marlene Alma Hinkley Groves, ed., Vital Records of Lisbon, Maine Prior to 1892, Maine Genealogical Society Special Publication No. 19 (Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1995).

2.^  New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, at FamilySearch.org.

3.^  FindAGrave Memorial #57230796, Melvin Whitney.

4.^  "Alvin S. Whitney and Sarah Langley, both of Bangor, 30 September 1834," according to Ruth Gray, ed., Penobscot County, Maine Marriage Records prior to 1892 (Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1994). "Alvin" is an apparent error for "Melvin".

5.^  "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 541, page 569.

6.^  New York, Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999, from Ancestry.com.

7.^  New York, Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999, from Ancestry.com.

8.^  New York, Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999, from Ancestry.com.

9.^  New York, Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999, from Ancestry.com.

10.^  "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 335, page 130.

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