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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Amanuensis Monday -- Will of Delight Adams Benham of Batavia, NY

A copy of the Will and many legal documents were sent to me several weeks ago by my cousin.  Delight was my 2nd great-aunt. Two pages from the packet are below; the Will and a list of people who received distribution, and a copy of her obituary.


"I Mrs. Delight Benham of Batavia Genesee County, N.Y. being by the blessing of Almighty God of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make public and declare this to be my last will and testament. Namely--
First. I will and direct that my just debts and funeral and customary expenses be paid out of my property.

Second. I give and bequeath to Mrs. Jennie Adams of Batavia, N.Y. my parlor cook stove.

Third. I give and bequeath to the First Baptist Church of Batavia N.Y. formerly situated on Jackson Street and now situated on Main Street, the sum of Two Hundred Dollars.

Fourth. I give devise and bequeath all the rest residue and remainder of my property to my sister Grace Wilcox of Clifford, Oswego County, New York and my niece Lettie A. Adams of Battle Creek, Michigan to be equally divided between them, share and share alike.

I hereby nominate and appoint my friend W. Harris Day of Batavia New York to be the executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6th day of August, 1890.

Mrs. Delight Benham
Names listed are: Jennie Adams, Grace Wilcox, Lettie A. Adams, First Baptist Church, Edgar J. Adams, John A. Adams, and Yates A. Adams.

The obituary of Delight Adams Benham is below.


Batavia Daily News
5 July 1898

Mrs. Delight Benham of Batavia
Mrs. Delight Benham, a lifelong resident of Genesee county, died at her home, No. 19 Evans Street, at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, aged 79 years. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Grace Wilcox of Clifford; one niece Miss Lettie Fuller of Grand Rapids, Mich., and four nephews,  Edgar J. Adams of Batavia, Ebbott Y. Wilcox of Newark Valley, John A. Adams of Albion, Mich., and Yates A. Adams of Battle Creek, Mich.
The funeral will be held from the house at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.