As I've said, I hit a brick wall with William Poland. I can't seem to figure out who his parents are. There is a very popular opinion that his parents were John Poland and Sarah Smock Bennett. I believe there is proof that this is not the case albeit there is not proof of who his actual parents are.
Evidence that the William Poland born to John Poland and Sarah Smock Bennett is not the same William Poland who raised a large family in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana is best laid out in a post by Bill Poland from 2011 (click here to read that post). Bill does a fabulous job of making the case that they are in fact two different people.
With that said, we still need to determine who William's parents were. I'm convinced he was born in Virginia, probably in 1788. There is an elderly woman living with him in 1830 and 1840. Since we know where Mary's mother is during this time-frame (Elizabeth Hevener died Apr 1 1826 in Highland County, Ohio), we can assume this is likely William's mother. The fact that she is alone would indicate his father may be dead by 1830? I have looked for newspaper's online for the 1840-1850 time-frame to see if I could find an entry for the death of a Poland woman, but no luck.
Below is a synopsis of what I have found on William Poland thus far. I have a current working theory that I will detail in a future post, but would love to hear from any of you on the topic!!
What I know:
- In the 1850 census, William says he was born in VA.
- His children in the 1880 census list their father has having been born in:
- John: VA
- Nicholas: leaves it blank
- Nathaniel: VA
- Catherine: IN
- Elizabeth: VA
- Samuel: VA
- Henry: VA
- Martin: OH
- William lists his age inconsistently.
- Sep 28 1850 he says 62
- Oct 1850 he says 64
- Apr 7 1855 he says 66
- Tombstone says 67 in Jan 1856
- William marries Mary Swadley on Jan 17, 1810 in Highland County, Ohio.
- William serves in the War of 1812 in Captain Daniel McCreery's company of the Ohio militia. His NARA Service Record lists 2 merchants from the town of Hillsborough Ohio as his power of attornies.
- William is listed in Paint Township, Highland County, Ohio in the 1820 census.
- He buys 34 acres from Bazel Musset in Highland County, Ohio in July of 1820.
- In Jan 1828, William is issued a land patent for 80 acres in Marion County, Indiana.
- William is listed in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana in the 1830 census.
- There is a 60-69 year old female in the household. We know where Mary's mother is in 1830, so this must be William's mother?
- William buys and sells land several times in Indiana between 1830 and his death. He sells his land in Highland County, Ohio in June of 1830 after he has moved to Indiana.
- In the 1840 census, William is still living in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana.
- The older female is still in his household (70-79)
- In 1844, William can be found mentioned in the newspaper. He is listed as part of the committee from Wayne Township that will help make arrangements for Gen. Cass's visit.
- In 1846, William is listed in the newspaper as one of the 40 delegates appointed to the county Democratic convention.
- In 1850, William is once again in the newspaper. He is listed as one of the "old soldiers" that are signing the resolution to be sent to congress asking for bounty lands to be given to soldiers of the last war with Great Brittan.
- On Apr 26 1855, William writes his son John (who's living in Illinois) to let him know that Mary died on Apr 22.
- William had a will that lists all his "heirs". Separately, he leaves $5 to Matilda. Matilda is not listed with all the other children as "heirs".
- William is Buried in Bethel Cemetery (now a nested cemetery inside Concordia Cemetery).
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