Family Talk:Whitney, William (c1795-1845)

In reviewing and tracking William Whitney's (c. 1795-1845) children back in age from the 1850 census to 1840 and then 1830, I think the birth year for the one of the two unidentified sons is incorrect.

The 1830 Census lists one male Under 5, which would be Francis born in 1831. It also lists one male Age 5-9, which would be the unnamed son shown in the current list as i.(son)7 Whitney, b. say 1824.

The 1840 Census lists two males Under 5, which would be James born in 1839 and an unnamed son born between 1836-1840. I think that the current list, showing ii.(son) Whitney, b. say 1826. should be changed to reflect this birth pattern. There is one male Age 5-9 in 1840, which would be Francis. There is no listing in the 1840 Census for a male aged 15-19, so presumably the unnamed eldest, i.(son)7 Whitney, b. say 1824, has either died or moved away.

The 1850 Census shows neither of the unnamed sons. The eldest i.(son)7 Whitney, b. say 1824, was already gone in the 1840 Census. The second unnamed son, who I think was born between 1836 - 1840 was not listed.

However, the 1850 Census does show a Nathaniel J Whitney, age 14 living 10 miles away in Poland, Maine with Ephraim and Mary Brown. He would be the correct age for this son. Based on my research I believe this is the second unnamed son of William and Mary Ann. I have a baptismal certificate for a Nathaniel Jordan Whitney, listing his father as William Whitney and his mother's maiden name as Mabrey (presumably an alternate spelling of Mayberry). The certificate lists his birth year as 1835.