This line is very interesting. Paul wrote: > William B., b. 13 Oct 1771, d. 1815 > Abigail Coffin, b.?, d. abt 1815, m. abt 1799 4 children Is this an assertion that the marriage of William BLANCHARD to Abigail WHEELER in 1800 does not represent the parents of John Wheeler Blanchard? Or does it signify that Abigail Coffin 1st married a Wheeler and then William B? In other words, what is the basis for assigning the maiden name COFFIN to William's wife? Also, where did this William die? As I reported yesterday, there are probate files in Suffolk County for Williams in 1807, 1809, and 1844, but I didn't see one in 1815. Finally, what is the evidence that the William born in 1771 in Stoughton came and settled in Boston (or did he *not* settle in Boston)? > William B., b. 31 Aug 1747, d. 21 Jan 1814 > Rachael Spear (1st of 3 wives), b. abt 1751, d. bef 1782, m. 4 Apr > 1771, 1 child I presume the second marriage was to Betty Man in 1782. Who was the 3rd wife, and when did they marry? Where is the documentation for William's death in 1814? Is there proof that William of Stoughton was the same person as the William born in Braintree in 1747? Finally, if Rachel had only one child, then who were the three extra females counted in William's household in 1790? (Presumably two of the five in all were wife Betty and daughter Betty Jr). > Samuel B., b. 30 Aug 1724, d. Aft 1765 > Mary Whitman (Whitmarsh), b. 1724, d. aft 1765, m. 4 Jan 1743/44, 9 > children Is there proof that Samuel of Stoughton was indeed the same Samuel who married Mary Whitmarsh in Braintree and also the same Samuel who was born in Weymouth in 1724? I have seen a conflicting report that he was instead the Samuel born in Braintree c1706 to Nathaniel Blanchard. What is the significance of the "Whitman" name for Samuel's wife? (Note that the marriage record calls her Whitmarsh.) Was there a Mary Whitman who is known to have married a Blanchard? I might add that there was a Mary WHITMARSH born in 1721 in Abington, though I know of no evidence to indicate that she was the one who married Samuel. John