In a message dated 99-02-26 15:50:57 EST, you write: << My ancestor is Abial Hedden (1767-1841) son of Jonathan and Phebe. His wife was his first cousin, Elizabeth Hedden (1768-1848), widow of Samuel Sayre. Samuel having been killed in the Rev. War. I have never been able to answer the question as to who Elizabeth Hedden's parents were. >> Dear Bill, Phebe (Canfield) Hedden remains a mystery, but I can help you with your other problem. Last April I heard from a Bill Semeyn (kiltbill@accn.org) who is also a descendant of Abiel. He found the will of a John Low proved 27 Sep 1774, which listed his daughter Margaret Hedden and his grandson John Farrand. Elijah Hedden, brother of Jonathan, md. as his 2nd wife Margaret (Low) Farrand. She was the widow of Dr. Daniel Farrand, and dau. of John Low and his wife Sarah Provoost, born 15 Sep. 1734. He goes on to say that he thinks Betsy is Elijah and Margaret's dau. based on the fact that Betsy and her 1st husband named their first son John Low Sayre and Abiel and Betsey named one of their daughters Sarah Low Hedden. John Low's will is in "Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1900", Vol. 33 - Abstracts of Wills on file at the surrogates office, City of New York, Vol. IX, Jan 7, 1777 - Feb 7, 1783, p.256-257. Since his will was proved in 1774, I don't know why it's in that volume. Maybe Bill has either the date it was proved or the date on the volume wrong. Not absolute proof but a definite possibility. Joanna Curtis CA