WHITNEY, Jonas, [died] Dec. 23, 1781, in his 65th y. Revolutionary soldier. GR1
WHITNEY, Jonas, [died] Dec. 23, 1792, a. 84 y.
[Note: these are probably the same person since both say 23 Dec, however, neither record is correct. Both are wrong, creating massive confusion. Either that, or there are two additional Jonas Whitneys in Harvard for which no other indication is known.
1) The first record works out to a birth about 1717, which compared to the recorded birth is ten years off, which might happen if the calculation started from death date ten years off, i.e., 1791 would yield the correct birth about 1727. This record appears to be based on the information on the gravestone, i.e. the gravestone is incorrect.That he lived past this date is shown by his will dated 1791 which named wife Zebudah and children [Worcester Probate 64935], and, for example, a deed dated 1788 Worcester Vol. 113, p. 335 giving land to son Salmon for "love good will & affection"
2) The second record appears to be a copy of the original bottom line, p. 233, and the age is 20 years off, and the death year is one year off, as shown by the probate (heirs cited 10 Jan 1792). As always, probate records are sworn to in court and reviewed by a judge, so among the most reliable of all sources.
Conclusion: the correct death date is 23 Dec 1791, age 64, in his 65th year.]
