Hello Allan and WRG, Re: Recent Abner Whitney Posting. At the expense of being redundant, but to further address the several questioning responses to the recent Posting regarding Abner Whitney, I made an additional inquiry to an acquaintance who works at the aforementioned Portland Room at the Portland, Maine Public Library where numerous records are in repository. Firstly, since Abner Whitney was enumerated in Saco, Maine in 1850, and another with such name obviously died in Portland, Maine during 1855, I felt the Portland Street Directories may, at least, tell a story as to the possibility of the Saco, Maine Abner relocating 15 miles north to Portland after his 1850 tabulation, not to mention his wife's death in 1845 allowing him greater mobility . Indeed, the only time Abner Whitney appears in the street directories of Portland, Maine is in the 1852/53 directory where he is a laborer living on 120 Washington Avenue. The following research points were gained through additional exploration of Abner Whitney: *Referencing "Maine Cemetery Inscriptions for York County Maine" confirm his burial marker location in the Laurel Hill Cemetery at Saco, Maine bearing an inscription of his death occurring on July 16, 1855, age 54 years 8 months. (Seemingly a not so unusual calculation error by the chiseler or a family member since his birth occurred on December 15, 1799.) *Referencing "Burial Records 1717 to 1962 of the Eastern Cemetery, Portland Maine", compiled by William B. Jordan Jr., cpywte.1987 by W. B. J. Jr., Heritage Books Inc., Bowie, MD. - The volume states Abner Whitney is buried at the Eastern Cemetery thusly: "Whitney, Abner, died 14 July 1855, age 62 years, GSL [Grave Site Lost] (p. 150). Note: The Eastern Cemetery is the more ancient of cemeteries in Portland, and have found that a number of persons have been disinterred there and placed elsewhere, noticeably at the Evergreen Cemetery on Stevens Avenue, Portland. *Referencing "Pre 1892 Delayed Returns", microfilm # 104 - Whitney to Wilson, Department of Human Services, Vital Records/Statistics, User Copy 70V, Source of records - City Clerks Office, Portland, Maine. Abner Whitney, died July 14, 1855, age 62 years, White Male, Cause of Death - Choked with [sic/while/when] intoxicated. *Pepperellborough,Maine (Later Saco) vital records show twice the birth of Abner Whitney as December 15, 1799. Some thoughts on Abner Whitney who apparently suffered an untimely demise in Portland, Maine in 1855. Given the absence of any other known or currently identified Abners in the geographic area of Southern Maine and the similarity of his recorded death with burial marker inscription relative to month, day and year, as well as the singular appearance of an Abner Whitney in Portland during 1852/53 as a laborer in the commercial district of Portland, all indicants seem to favor the Saco and Portland Abners as one and the same individual. It remains a possibility that Abner left Saco for Portland shortly after 1850, traveling the 15 miles in search of work. Undoubtedly continued research is needed to either prove or disprove this fact, for none of the above comments by themselves can add confirmation. Assuming both Abners are the selfsame person, the primary question needing resolution is the discrepancy of age, that is, actual 55 years vs the recorded 62 years. Perhaps thi! s further examination might involve the literal Portland, Maine vital records to determine whether a numeric transposition error occurred, who reported the death, and why Abner's death was suspiciously catagorized as delayed. Though not specified here, certainly there are a number of reasons why Abner's age may have been misjudged or incorrectly ciphered. Perhaps even delving into the newspaper pages of the "Eastern Argus" of Portland could offer a death notice with accompanying information. Hopefully some descendant of Abner's can add some clarity to this issue in the future. Thank you Allan, as well as Robert and Ken for all your tireless work for the WRG! Best Wishes, Larry Tracy Jr. Kennebunkport, Maine