This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SRB.2ACE/12056.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1 Message Board Post: Dee, Thanks for posing this info. I agree that Abel is a good guess for a son of the John Stafford of Ellington. Given the available data, I would come to this conclusion also. But it troubles me that Abel does not appear in John Stafford's will. I am trying to think of a reason why this could be. There is always the chance that I might have missed Abel three years ago when I looked at John Stafford's will. Abel's name could have been buried in the document and I just didn't pick it up. The wills in Erie, PA are on microfiche and must be read on dim readers in the basement of the courthouse. My eyes and my patience were tried. Had I copied the entire will, I could be absolutely certain. Now I am going to guess as to why the will is in Erie, PA. I think that John may have died there, perhaps while living with his daughter in Union Twp, Erie Co, PA. She was Sally Killbourne [Stafford] Mather, wife of Louis Mather (thank you Mike Stafford for finding them there). Perhaps the will was made after John took sick and was done in anticipation of his death. Then as now, lawyers sought to include all of the potential claimants to an estate in a will so as to make the testator's wishes as clear as possible and to preclude any unwanted claims. If an an heir had been adequately provided for in the testator's eyes, then that person would usually receive a token amount, perhaps a dollar. This would happen even in cases of estrangement. But for a stirps heir not to be mentioned... well, I would think that should raise questions. The 1812 claim could provide some additional information as it mentions "heirs." These claims usually consist of one legal-sized form (front and back). They usually lack affidavits and supporting documents and are generally of limited use in providing relationships. This one could be an exception and would expect the heirs to be mentioned. Some of the written claims are quite illustrative and give some picture of the veteran's service during the war. These claims can be found at the NY State Archives in Albany. http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/aboutnysa/index.shtml I closing, I have satisfied myself that Abel Stafford probably does not belong to one of the Stafford lines I am studying. He probably does belong to Isaac Stafford's line and I would place him as a son of John Stafford if not for the will. It looks like he belongs with that family. But could this Abel be a nephew of John's instead of a son? I note from Mike Stafford that the book "Vermont Families in 1791 - Vol 2" edited by Scott A Bartley that Abel Stafford is placed as a son of John Stafford and as a grandson of Isaac Stafford (pages 185 and 186). This information was supplied by Doris R Sheridan, 4 Sunset View Ave, Troy, NY 12180-6528. But I am left wondering where she got the information. There is some mention of the DAR and a Randall book as a source for some of these children and grandchildren. When I get the chance, I'll take a closer look and see what I can find. Rob