Cause of Death: Drowned

William V. SCHOLFIELD
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

William V. SCHOLFIELD


Drowned in the Pawcatuck River in Westerly, RI, on 4 Feb 1852, William V. SCHOLFIELD probably ventured out onto thin ice and drowned. He was only 14 years old. The flower on his grave is symbolic of a life just coming into bloom.


He is buried behind his parents, Joseph A. Scholfield (1815-1855) and his wife Eunice C. Vibber (1817-1902) who were my third great grandparents.


It is still unclear as to whether this boy had another brother named William. The History of Montville, CT lists both a William V. and a William A. in this family!


I have located both gravestones but why a family would name two boys with the same first name before the first one had died is a mystery. I am assuming that this William's middle name is Vibber (his mother's maiden name).

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William V. SCHOLFIELD, son of Joseph Arthur SCHOLFIELD and Eunice C. VIBBER was born 11 Oct 1837. He was drowned in the Pawcatuck River in Westerly, RI on 4 February 1852 at the age of 14 years, 3 months and 21 days.

William was the oldest child.

Source:
History of Montville, page 275, #71 [note: this source lists another son named William who was born in 1850 and lived to adulthood but this may be incorrect as he is not listed in the household in 1850]
1850 Federal Census, Montville, CT: William is 12 years old.