Person:Mary Banks (2)

Called Polly in 1850 United States Census

Living with son Washington and family in 1860

The following is found in Genealogy of the Wardwell Family, written by Ralph S. Wardwell in 1943 (typescript):

"When Polly Banks Wardwell died at the age of 90 [sic] years, several of the women in the neighborhood went to the house to make preparations for the funeral and one of the women opened the window and spoke to a man on the street. He answered back and the woman grabbed a book from off the shelf and threw it after him. This was on September 4, 1862. While traveling through the air, the book opened and money of all denominations dropped out of the book and blew in all directions, which to say the least was very surprising.

"They found her bed blocked up with stovewood and under the bed was an iron kettle filled with all kinds of money. It seems that all over the house there was concealed various amounts of money. Because of her failing mind during the last years o her life, the Selectmen had been looking out for her interests, not dreaming that she had any money. The first selectman of the town (I dare not mention his name) was notified; he immediately took charge and it is said he left town a few days afterwards and was gone several days. No record was ever made of her leaving any estate!

"I personally talked with a man in town who gave me the above story and, up until a few years ago, this man (Arthur G. Thomas) said that he had in his possession one of the silver coins that came out of the iron kettle. A part of the so-called money was English and pound notes."

1. ↑ Penobscot, Maine Vital Records.
2. ↑ Penobscot, Maine Vital Records.