George Anderson's 101 Page Will / Probate and a Twist to this Story

In March 2015, I contacted Dane County, Wisconsin for copies of a will and probate records pertaining to George Anderson (he died Jan. 10, 1879 at the age of 94). He was my third great-grandfather, born in New Jersey. Months later, I learned that the entire probate packet was 101 pages long. I just read those pages this past week, his will is below, transcribed by me, followed by the actual copy, and the correspondence to the courthouse. There is no need to read it until you get to September. (I included it for my documentation.)

It took almost a month to get the exact copies I needed from the courthouse. There is a big twist to this story because six months after I initially wrote, I made a discovery. If I had waited until September, I could have saved some money and a whole lot of time and no confusion.

The Will and Codicil

Page 1717 

I George Anderson of the town of Sun Prairie-Dane County, Wisconsin being of sound mind and memory and mindful of the uncertainty of human life do make publish and declare this my last will and testament.

First—That all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.

Second—I give grant devise and bequest unto my well-beloved wife Euphemia B. all my property and estate real and personal for and during her natural life for her comfort and support. It is my will and intention that she use and dispose of the personal property for her own support as she may find necessary or convenient and that she has the use occupation and income of the real estate but it is not my will or intention that she should sell or incubus the real estate.

Third--As a token of my affection and remembrance I give to each of my sons who may be living at the time of my death, the sum of seventy dollars To Wit-Simone Anderson—George W. Anderson—Richard L. Anderson—Cornelius Anderson and Jeremiah T. Anderson to be claimed and paid within one year after my decease and if not claimed within that time to go to the body of my estate.

Page 1718

Fourth—It is my will that all my property and estate real and personal remaining at the death of my said wife Euphemia B. shall be equally divided between my two daughters. To wit Martha Maria Adams wife of Liberty Adams of Genesee County and State of New York and Jane Maria Peckham wife of Benjamin Peckham of Sun Prairie Dane County Wisconsin and I hereby give grant devise and bequest all my estate real and personal which shall remain at the time of the death of my said wife to my said daughters to be divided equally between them and share and share alike—And in case my said daughters or either of them shall not be living at the time of the death of my said wife then the share of such daughter so deceased shall descend and go to the child or children of such deceased daughter or the lineal descendant of any deceased child or children of such deceased daughter in the same proportion as they would inherit by law. It is my intention that this will shall embrace and include all property of which I may (unfortunately, I can't determine the words underlined in red, if you know, please let me know. Thank you.) or in any manner by entitled to either by inheritance or otherwise at the time of my death. It is my will and intention that my said wife

Page 1719

shall use only so much of the personal property as may be necessary for her own support first using the income of the real estate and from real property and in case that shall be found insufficient for her support then she may use so much of the principal of the personal estate as may be necessary for her suitable and comfortable support the reminder and residue to go to my said daughters or their descendant as hereinbefore mentioned Fifth— I hereby appoint my said wife Euphemia B. Anderson executrix of this my last Will and Testament and authorize her to compromise and settle any claims or demands which may be against or in favor of my estate. I hereby exclude My said executrix from giving the residual bonds requested of executors and administrators and are willing to entrust the keeping and management of the estate to her, as I have full confidence in discussions and integrity. In witnesses whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 27th day of January in this year AD one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five. George Anderson      SEAL

Page 1720

The above and foregoing instrument consisting of one sheet was signed published and declared by the said testator George Anderson to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have signed our names at his request as witnesses in his presence and in presence of each other this 27th day of January 1865.

Chauncy Abbott

B. E. Hutchinson

Page 1721

Codicil

I George Anderson now residing in the city of Madison Dane County and State of Wisconsin. Do hereby make and declare this to be a codicil to my last Will and Testament hereto annexed executed by me January 27, 1865. To wit

1st Whereas since the making of said will I have advanced to my daughter Martha Maria Adams of Genesee County State of New York what I devise her fair portion of my estate and what I intended for her portion.* Now therefore I do hereby revoke and amend any and all provisions in said will for her benefit and any and all devises and bequests therein to her are withdrawn.

2nd. My son Richard L. Anderson having died since the making of such will all provisions in the same for his benefit is hereby revoked and amended.

3rd. Since the making of said will I have become convinced that my son Cornelius Anderson is dead do hereby revoke and amend any and all

(* Martha Maria Adams was my great-great-grandmother. Her husband had recently died. She possibly asked for some help with her three children under 15.)

Page 1722

provisions in said will for his benefit. It being my wish and intention that said original will shall stand and be in force. The name as if it contained no provisions for the previous herein named. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 25th day of June 1869 George Anderson SEAL The forgoing codicil to the will of George Anderson of late of January 27, 1865, and being hereby attached to the will before the will was signed was by this said George Anderson who is personally known to each of us designated in our presence and was made by him at the same time published and declared to be a codicil This said Last Will and Testament, __?__ at the same time as his new request and in his presence and in the presence of each three hereto subscribe our names as attesting witnesses on the day of the date of said codicil.

C. Gregory Madison, Wis.

T. A. Phinney Madison, Wis.

Correspondence with the Dane, Wisconsin Courthouse

I initially called the Dane County courthouse in Wisconsin on March 6, 2015 to 608-266-4311 or 608-266-4142? and was told to send an email request.

to: dane.courtrecords@wicourts.gov

date: Fri, Mar 6, 2015 at 11:01 AM

subject: George Anderson probate records

Greetings,

I am requesting copies you have pertaining to George Anderson, aka General George Anderson. He was my 3rd great-grandfather. Below is pertinent information.

Date of death: 10 Jan. 1879, Madison

Lived in Madison, Baraboo and Sun Prairie from abt. 1839 to 1879.

Date of birth: 1784 Thank you.

(I received an automated reply stating they received my email and I should hear from them.)

-----

My Reply

Records Request

ADAMS & ANDERSON

Karen Meier <Karen.Meier@wicourts.gov>

Mar 23, 2015

Hello Barbara,

This email is in response to your request regarding probate records for your great-grandfather.  I have found the probate record on microfilm.  There is a $4.00 fee for the search and copies are $1.00 per page.  Are you looking for anything specific to be copied?  For such an old case, there are a lot of documents on microfilm.

 When I've determined the total cost due, I'll email you an invoice.  Upon payment of the invoice, I will email the copies to you.

 Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Karen B. Meier

Deputy Clerk

Dane County Circuit Court

Record Center

215 S. Hamilton Street

Room 1002

Madison, WI  53703

608-283-4865

-----

Mar 23, 2015

Dear Karen,

Yes, please let me know the cost for all the pages.

Thank you so much.

Barbara Poole

-----

Karen Meier

Mar 26, 2015

Hi Barbara,

Things haven't slowed down here in the record center.  After I got off of the phone with you the other day, I realized that I had already copied some of the documents from the microfilm.  I want to go back to the film to see what more was on there, but since I'm out of the office starting tomorrow until 4-6...what I'm going to do is send you what I've already copied...it's attached to this email.  Take a look at it and when I get back, we can touch base and see if you need anything further and determine the cost.

 Karen

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Barbara Poole

Mar 27, 2015

Hi Karen,

It's now Friday evening, and I want to thank you for going over and above in getting the documents to me so I can see them. A brief count shows 14 (but 2 are repeats), I need to do it again when I'm not rushed.

Yes, we will touch base when you return. I am pleased and they provided a few clues.

When you get the chance, I'm here. Enjoy your week, and Happy Easter as well.

Barbara Poole

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Karen Meier

Apr 8, 2015

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for your patience.  I do sometimes make duplicate copies, just to make sure if you can't read something on one of the copies, you will be able to on another.  Of course, you'll only be charged one copy fee.

I've attached a copy of the court docket entries to this email to help you determine what additional documents you would like copied.  I don't know why I didn't think of doing that before I went on vacation...but there it is.

I did also take a quick look at the microfilm again...most of the documents are 1 or 2 pages long...just a reminder that our copy fee is $1.00 per page and there will be a $4.00 search fee as well.

I'll wait to hear back from you which additional documents you would like copied.  I did notice if I blow up the size of the page, it's a little easier to read.

Karen

-----

Apr 9, 2015

Hi Karen,

I'm gone for the day, but will write tomorrow. OR, may I call you tomorrow?

Barbara

-----

Karen Meier

Apr 9, 2015

I'm on the main phone lines all day today...so today would not be a good time to call me and tomorrow I have to be in the mailroom for part of the day...why don't you start by writing me and we'll take it from there.

-----

Apr 10, 2015

Karen,

I see you wear many hats on your job! I'm glad you aren't spending all your time looking at film.

I think we can end this project, the last document you sent didn't seem to have much that I needed, so I'll pass on that. From my count, there are 12 pages. I do have a few questions:

Could you tell me the title of the film and 1st-page number? (I'd like the source.)

My pages are the electronic ones or do you send hard copies?

Lastly, my bill is? (12 + 4, or is it more because you mentioned that some pages were longer.)

Sincerely,

Barbara Poole

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Karen Meier

Apr 14, 2015

Barbara, your comments are funny, as my first job with Dane County Clerk of Courts some 30 years ago was preparing files to be microfilmed and then checking the films once they were developed to make sure everything was legible.  I do have much more variety now : )

This case is on Dane County Circuit Court Probate Film 171-A-98 and is the first case on Index #4 which is Box 268.

I'm coming up with 11 pages for the number of copies...the last page is just one of those covers that used to get filed with documents indicating what was being filed...so I won't charge you for that.  I have attached our invoice to this email for the search and copy fees.  Payment instructions are on the invoice.  If you choose to mail a check please enclose a copy of the invoice with it.  I just saved the documents from the microfilm right to a PDF, so I didn't print out any hard copies.

I'm glad you were able to get some useful information from these records.  Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Karen

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Apr 14, 2015

Hi Karen,

Thank you very much. The check and envelope are written and they will be in the mail tomorrow.

It was very nice doing business with you.

Sincerely,

Barbara Poole

-----

Karen Meier

Apr 14, 2015

I enjoyed working on your request.  Take care.

Karen

-----------------------

Sep 2, 2015

Dear Karen,

I must share this with you. Back in April, I requested a will of George Anderson's, and you provided it. Since there were a lot of pages in his packet, it took some time, but you did it.

Just today, I discovered that Ancestry.com just released millions of wills and probate records to subscribers. (I think it is free for this weekend.) Anyway, I found my George Anderson...all pages are crystal clear and clean, all 101 pages! I thought you would be interested in this, and maybe get a chuckle.

Sincerely,

Barbara

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Karen Meier

Sep 3, 2015

Hi Barbara,

I do find this interesting...especially the fact that the copies were so clear.  I wonder where they obtained the copies...maybe they have better equipment to print from microfilm than we do.  Plus the fact that you got all of these additional documents for free is awesome!

This is information I'll pass on to other people requesting records from us...as I just had someone requesting some old probate records that were difficult to copy.

 Thanks for taking the time to email me...I enjoy hearing "the rest of the story". 

Take care and happy researching.

----------------------------------------------------------

Below is what Ancestry dot com listed, and you can see it was a huge packet of legal papers, including the will. 

 

I never got around to printing out the 101 pages or even reading it until this week. I used the below link as my source: From Ancestry.com (Sept. 2015). Unfortunately, six years later, the link doesn't take me to these records.

http://interactive.ancestry.com/9088/007711116_01714?pid=1202698&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26db%3Dusprobatewi%26gsfn%3Dgeorge%26gsln%3Danderson%26msddy%3D1879%26msdpn__ftp%3DWisconsin%252c%2BUSA%26msdpn%3D52%26submit%3DSearch%26rank%3D1%26msdpn__ftp_x%3DXO%26msddy_x%3D1%26msddp%3D_x%26gsln_x%3DXO%26gsfn_x%3DXO%26gss%3Dangs-d%26pcat%3DUS_WILLSPROBATE%26fh%3D0%26h%3D1202698%26recoff%3D%26ml_rpos%3D1&usePUB=true#?imageId=007711116_01709

However, when I did the link today, to compare, it takes you right to the packet.

Wisconsin, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1987

https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9088/images/007711116_01713?usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true&pId=1202698

Doctor, Medicine, Undertaker and Marshall Field Dress Bill, 1894

The below bills were submitted to probate after the death of my 2nd great-grandfather. There were a few other submissions, but I thought these were the most interesting.

The first one (figure 1) shows his doctor's visit cost $20, this was five days before his death. The medications he was given, and probably for his widow are shown in figure 2. The third bill is from the undertaker and embalmer. It gives you an idea of what the costs were in March 1894. I am not sure why 16 pr. of black gloves were needed (figure 3). Mr. Poole's body was then moved from Chicago to Salem, MA for burial. Figure 4 is a bill from Marshall Field and Co., a clothing store in Chicago. It shows a few items and costs for January and February, 1894 purchases, including a five dollar dress.

The death of William Frederick Poole was written about in my post, The Longest Obituary I've Ever Seen.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4 (above and below)

Partners in the firm of Marshall Field and Company
Marshall Field
Joseph N. Field
Harlow N. Higinbotham
John G. McWilliams
Robert M. Fair
Thomas Templeton
Lafayette McWilliams
Harry G. Selfridge
John G. Shedd

Will of Moses Knap -- Amanuensis Monday

There are seven Moses Knaps from Connecticut in my tree, and I've been contacted several times about their genealogy. The will I transcribed was copied on large paper, 11" x 17", as a result I had to scan one page twice and tried to piece it together for the blog. Although I've done about 15 wills, this seemed more difficult, guess that's why I'm now forcing myself to do it. There were at least 10 words I couldn't figure out, but by using my hint, "Can't Read a Will", all but one was solved. This will was located at the New England Historic and Genealogical Library (NEHGS), (F/93/C69/1989 (1641-1880). Probate District is Fairfield, town is Fairfield, date is 1755, No. 3674.

Moses was my 6th great grandfather.

In the name of God Amen September the fifth AD 1755

I Moses Knap of the Parish Reading of the Town and County of  Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut being of sound mind and memory (tho weak in body) calling to mind The mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Dye, I do make and ordain this my Last will and Testament touching and respecting such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life viz: After my just debts and funeral expenses are paid out of the same

Impress: I give and bequeath to Ganda my dearly beloved wife the use and improvement of all my estate both real and personal in using her natural life or so long as the continues my widow, but in case she should marry again then the use and improvement of the one half of all my said estate during her natural life after her said marriage and at her decease (having already given to my son David his full proportion or share of my said estate) do give all the remainder of my said estate to those of my children and grandchildren hereafter named, as followeth viz:

Item I give to daughter namely Rachel and Unice, ten pounds lawful money each to be paid to them out of my said estate.

Item I give to three of my daughters namely to Sarah, Rebeckah and Sarah five shillings lawful money each to be paid to them out of my estate and also five shillings like money to my daughter Ruth.

Item I give to my grandson John Phinne and to his heirs being the issue of his natural body and to their heirs and assigns forever five acres of land bounded westerly by three acres I formerly gave to my son Jonathan and to extend northerly as east line of said three acres up to the land given to my son David, and to extend easterly so far as to include to quantity of five acres bounded northerly by said David’s land and southerly by the highway.

Item I give to my daughter Mary the use and improvement of my dwelling house and all the remainder of my lands yet and profited of during her natural life after the decease of my said wife.

Item I give to my grandson Moses one of my said Jonathan’s  sons my said dwelling house and all the said remainder of my said lands during his natural life and after his decease to his heirs being the issue of his natural life and after his decease of his heirs being the issue of his natural body and to their heirs forever and for want of such issue to return to my natural heirs. This gift to commence upon the ____ of my said daughters marriage.

Item I give to my daughters Rachel and Unice and to my granddaughter Hannah the daughter of my daughter Ruth all my personal estate to be equally divided among them after my said wife’s decease.

And furthermore I do hereby constitute and on my said wife and my said son David my executors of this my Last Will and Testament, and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke all and every other former testaments wills legacies and bequeath and executors by me made ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I have here and set my hand and seal the date above.

Signed Sealed Published pronounced
(Signed) Moses Knap

And Declared to be my Last Will

And Testament, in Person of

John Mallery

David Lyons

Ebenezer Green

Amanuensis Monday -- Will of Hendrick Schremling

Transcribing a six-page legal sized will is a challenge. The one below was obtained over 10 years ago, and I'm just now reading and transcribing it. My scanner wouldn't take this 8 1/2 x 14" document, so I went to FedEx to have them scan it for me. Because of it's length, I'm doing one page per week. Hendrick Schremling  / Scramling / Scrambling was a Revolutionary War patriot, buried in Oneonta, New York and has hundreds of descendants. Several distant cousins have received copies of the will from me, so I'm hoping others will benefit from this being online as well. I can't tell you how many times I used my hint as described HERE.

LIBER C Pgs. 18-23

Otsego County Clerk

(No idea where I got it from, and who used the yellow marker.)

Page 18
The Record of Hendrick Schremlings Will

In the name of god Amen  I Hendrick Schremling of the town of Otego in the County of Otsego and State of New York Considering the Uncertainty of this mortal Life and being of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last Will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say)

First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Eva Schremling all my Real and personal Estate from the day of my decease forward during the time of her Natural life provided she shall remain my Widow but incase of her remarriage the above devise Shall immediately cease determine and from the time of her remarriage be considered as null and void.

I also give and bequeath to my oldest daughter Lena Cornue wife of Luke Cornue the sum of Fifty dollars to be paid to her or her heirs ors assigns at the expiration of one year after my decease by my two sons George Schrembling and Hendrick Schrembling Junior their heirs executors or administrators

I do also give and bequeath to my Daughter Catharine wife of Jacob S. Vrooman the sum of Fifty dollars to be paid to her or her heirs or assigns at the expiration of one year after my decease by my – son Peter Schramling his heirs executors or administrators.

I do also give and bequeath to my Youngest daughter Margret Schremling the sum of fifty Dollars to be paid to her, her heirs or assigns at the expiration of one year after my

Page 19

Decease to be paid to her by my three Sons (viz) George Schremling, Hendrick Schremling Junior, and Abraham Schremling and I do by these presents Nominate and appoint their Mother my beloved wife Eva Schramling Guardian for my said youngest Daughter Margaret Schremling and do hereby Order and direct that this Money shall be by her let out upon Interest for the use and benefit of my said youngest daughter Margaret Schremling until my said daughter shall be of age or married but if it should so happen that if my said daughter Margaret Schremling dies before she marries and without heirs of her Body lawfully be gotten that then this money together with the Interest thereof to abide and remain in the hands of my beloved wife Eva Schremling to her sole and only for her use forever

I further give devise and bequeath to my two Sons Peter Schremling and Abraham Schremling their heirs and assigns forever All that farm on Lot of Land Containing one hundred acres of land on intervale Land /be the Same more or less) where on my son Peter Schremling now lives in the town of Otego in the County Otsego and State of New York to be equally divided between my Said two Sons Peter Schremling and Abraham Schremling and their heirs forever immediately after my son Abraham Schremling shall have arrived at the age of twenty one years to be divided equally between them and their heirs and assigns as well in quality as quantity together with all the improvements that is now or hereafter shall be made in the same Farm or Lot of land untill [sic] the said Abraham Schremling Shall arrive at the age of twenty one years---and I do further order will devise demise and bequeath unto my Said Son Peter Schramling his heirs executors and Administrators that

Page 20

That he or they may occupie [sic] process and enjoy the whole of the said Premises and all the profits there of from the time of my demise until my son Abraham Schremling shall have arrived at the age of Twenty one years

Provided my said son Peter Schremling pay to my beloved Eva Schremling for the use of my Son Abraham Schremling the sum of fifty dollars per year yearly and every year from the time of my demise until my said son Abraham Schremling arrives at the age of twenty one years to be applied by his mother whom I do by these presents Nominate and appoint as his Guardian to sell for and receive the said sum of fifty Dollars per year from my said Son Peter Schremling his heirs executors or Administrators which said money I do appoint his Said Abraham Schremlings mother and Guardian to apply to the maintenance Clothing and such Schooling as she my Said wife Eva Schremling may think fitting and best for the Improvement of my Said son Abraham Schremling in life—Provided never the less that after my decease incase my Said son Abraham Schremling should not live to the age of twenty one years and at the time of his decease should be without an heir or heirs of Lawfully begotten of his body that then and in such case all the Estate hereby abovemaid? [sic] to him and his heirs shall cease and determine and that all the Estate above made to him and his heirs Shall revert to (and in such case) I do give bequeath devise and demise all the property intended to be hereby made to my Said son Abraham Schremling that is shall revert to and be the property of my sons Peter Schremling, George Schremling and Hendrick Schremling Junior to be equally

Page 21

Divided between them share and share alike or their heirs and assigns forever as the same division is above ordered to be made between my sons Peter Schremling and Abraham Schremling and their heirs

I further give devise and bequeath unto my two sons George Schremling and Henry Schremling Junr their heirs and assigns forever, all my Farm on lot of land estimated at one hundred acres of Land (be the same more or less) whereon I now live at Otego town in the County of Otsego in the State of New York as well as all that Lot of forty acres of Land adjoining the same by me bought from Abraham G. Lansing of the County of Albion to be divided between them and their heirs equally according to the number of acres in each Lot but at the same time devising and bequeathing unto my Son George Schremling and his heirs and assigns forever that half of the same lands when on my House Barn and other Buildings are erected to assertain to my said son George Schremling his heirs and assigns forever but the Orchard to be equally divided between my said two sons George Schremling and Hendrick Schremling Jun^r their heirs and assigns forever according to the number of trees

I do also give and bequeath unto my youngest son Abraham Schremling his choice of two horses out of all my stock of horses Mares or Geldings which at the time of my demise I may be possessed of to be chosen by his mother and Guardian for his use within six weeks after my decease hereby empowering her if she sees fit as Guardian to my said youngest son Abraham Schremling to sell the same and to put the money arising from such sale on interest for the uses of my said son Abraham Schremling until he arrives at the age of twenty one years when the product of the same shall be paid to him or his heirs lawfully begotten of his body but in case the said Abraham Schremling shall die

Page 22

or depart this life before he arrives at the age of twenty one years without heirs of his body lawfully begotten then and in such case it is my will and devise that my said beloved wife Eva Schremling shall collect and pay over the amount of the same principal and interest money to my three sons Peter Schremling George Schremling and Hendrick Schremling Junr or their legal representatives to be equally divided between them    And lastly as to all the rest residue and remainders of my Personal Estate Goods and Chattels of what kind and nature soever give and bequeath to same to my said beloved wife Eva Schremling whom I hereby appoint Sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament

In witnesses whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-fourth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and eight.

                                                                                    Henrich Schemling (LS?)

Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Hendrick Schremling to be his last will will [sic] and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator the letters ee first line 2 page and the daughter between the 8^th page and the ninth line second page and the word at between 17 and 18 lines in page 4 interlined before executed, in presence of us

Peter Winn

David Life

Jno M_? Charlesworth

Recorded June 22^nd 1810

Page 23

Otsego County js? Be it remembered that on the twenty second day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten personally appeared before me Ambrose Clark Surrogate of the County of Otsego aforesaid Peter Winn of the County of Montgomery who being duly sworn testified and said that he saw Hendrick Schremling sign and seal the written Instrument in writing purporting to be the will of the said Hendrick Schremling and heard publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament that at the time thereof he the said Hendrick Schremling was of sound and disposing mind and memory to be the best of the knowledge and belief of him the deponent and that his name subscribed to the said will is of his own proper hand writing which he subscribed as a witness thereto in the testators presence and that he saw David Life; and Jno Mr Charlesworth the other witnesses to the said will subscribe their names as witnesses thereto in the testators presence and in the presence of each other.

                                                                        Ambrose Clark   Surrogate

The preceding Will of Hendrick Scremling Deceased with the Certificate of the proof thereof Recorded this twenty second day of June AD 1810 by me

                                                                        Ambrose Clark   Surrogate 

Amanuensis Monday was begun by John Newmark of the TransylvanianDutch blog. The term means, "a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another." Many bloggers enjoy doing this because it allows them to freely copy something that has been written.

Amanuensis Monday -- Samuel Griffin

Will for Samuel Griffin, my 6th great-grandfather.

In the name of God Amen I Samuel Griffin Essex in the County of Chittenden in the state of Vermont being weak in body but of sound and of perfect mind and memory do make and publish with this my last will and Testament in manner and form following That is to say I give to my Beloved wife Mercy Griffin all my Household furniture during her life with other possessions hereafter mentioned -- I give to my son John my farm on which I now live together with my Cattle Sheep and Swine also my tyme peace and loom on the following conditions viz He is to support my wife during her life and provide and furnish her with all things necessary for her Comfort and Convenience he is to pay all my debts that I shall owe at my decease he is to pay sixty Dollars to my three Daughters viz Twenty to Lois Kelsey to Polly Dowd and Twenty to Azube Davis My son John is to pay the aforesaid sum to my Daughters in one year after my wife's Decease and he is to have my Farming  utensils -- my Carpenters and Joiners are to be equally divided between my five sons, viz Joel, Asahel, Samuel John and Dan after my wifes Decease her wearing apparel is to be given to my daughter Mercy Pelton and the remainder of my Houses hold furniture is to be divided as follows. Samuel and Dan are to have Each of them a bed and bedding The remainder is to [be] equally divided between my five sons above Mentioned excepting my son John lastly as to all the rest residue and remainder of my estate whether real or personal of what name or nature I give to my beloved wife Mercy Griffin whom I do appoint sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament Thereby revoking all other Wills by me made In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 16th of May in the year of our Lord 1808.

Signed sealed published and     }

declared by the above named

Samuel Griffin to be his last       

will and Testament in presence

of us who here unto subscribed

our names as witnesses in the   }

presence to the Testator      

Ezra Slater?

Zuriel Tyler

Benton Buck

                               Sam^l Griffin

 

An Inventory of the real and personal Estate of Samuel Griffin Late of Essex Deceased

Copies received from Joan Kaysen in July 2006 and Bradley Griffin in October 2009. Both are distant cousins, and it's taken me this long to discover I had two copies, and this long to transcribe it.

Amanuensis Monday was begun by John Newmark of the TransylvanianDutch blog. The term means, "a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another." Many bloggers enjoy doing this because it allows them to freely copy something that has been written.

Amanuensis Monday -- Finding the Will of Charles Adams

When I found the below document on microfilm at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, I quickly wrote down the page number and went to the scanning room where it was printed on two sheets, sized 11" x 17". For over three years, it has been in a pile. How embarrassing now to discover I never wrote down the source, as in the film number or name of the book. All I have are pages numbered 45 and 46.

However, sometimes my memory bank works. I thought maybe I got the volume number from David Samuelsen's website SAMPUBCO, covering New York Counties Will Testators Indexes,  so I went to that site and selected Genesee County, then went to another page where I selected the A-D tab with hope to find my ADAMS surname. Bingo. I now had a listing of surnames in Genesee County, with headings for Name of Testator, Place of Residence of Testator and the last column had County #, Volume # and Page #.

I looked for Adams and found my person: ADAMS, CHARLES W. STAFFORD  NY-19-25-45-48. It showed page 45, which matches what I wrote on the printed will. Researchers are not always so lucky when backtracking to find their original source, but I was lucky. However, I still don't know the FHL film number, but it shouldn't be difficult to find out.

Charles was my first cousin, four times removed.

(Transcribed by Barbara Poole)

Charles W. Adams Testator

At a Surrogate's Court, held in and for the County of Genesee, at the Surrogate's Office in the Town of Batavia, in said county, on the 1st day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven.

                                                    Present Hon. Stafford E. North    Surrogate

Genesee County, }SS.

Be it remembered, that heretofore, to wit : on the 14th day of S___ in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety ___ Marietta Adams, one of the Executors named in the Last Will and Testament of Charles W. Adams late of the town of Stafford. in the county of Genesee, deceased, appeared in open court before the Surrogate of said county, and made application to the said Last Will and Testament, which relates to real and personal estate, proved ; and on such application the Surrogate did ascertain, by satisfactory evidence, who were the heirs and next of kin of the said Testator and their respective residences.

And said Surrogate did thereupon issue a citation in due form of law, directed to certain of the said heirs and next of kin by their respective names, stating therein their respective places of residence, requiring them to appear before the said Surrogate at his office in the town of Batavia in said county, on the 1st day of November 1897, to attend the probate of such said Will.

And afterwards on the 1st day of November aforesaid, satisfactory evidence by affidavit was produced  and presented to said Surrogate, of the due service of said citation, in the mode prescribed by law, and said Marietta Adams and E. W. Moulthrop Executors as aforesaid, appearing for the purposes of proving said Will and all the remaining heirs at law and next of kin, being of full age, having severally duly in writing waived the issue and service upon them of a citation to appear in this court and attend the proof and probate of said will, and no one appearing to contest the probate of such Will, such proceedings were thereupon had, that the Surrogate took the  proof of said Will hereinafter set forth, upon this 1st day of November A. D. 1897, and adjudges and proofs are as follows, that is to say :

In the name of God Amen I Charles W. Adams of Batavia New York being of sound mind and memory do make publish and declare the following as and for my last will and testament.

First I direct all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid

Second  I direct my executors hereinafter names to place a suitable tombstone over my grave

Third  I hereby give devise and bequeath the use and income of my farm where I now reside to my beloved wife and after her death to my brothers and sisters Horace Adams Quincy Adams George Adams Jane Jones and Mary Blair

Fourth  I hereby bequeath to Jane Adams the sum of three hundred dollars

Fifth  I hereby bequeath to Mary Jones Hattie Blatchford Ada Sherwin Emma Blair and Charles Adams each the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars.

Sixth  I hereby give devise and bequeath all the rest residue and remainder of my estate of whatsoever name or native to my beloved wife Marietta Adams absolutely.

Lastly, I hereby nominate and appointment my wife Marietta Adams and E. W. Moulthrop executors of this last will hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this this [sic] 14th day of August 1897.

                                                                           C. W. Adams (L.S.)

We the undersigned do hereby certify that Charles W. Adams duly signed published and declared the above instrument as and for his last will and testament and we at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other duly signed our names as witnesses hereto.

L.E. Curtice  Buffalo, N. Y.

Frederick G. Bagley, Buffalo, N. Y.

Amanuensis Monday was begun by John Newmark of the TransylvanianDutch blog. The term means, "a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another." Many bloggers enjoy doing this because it allows them to freely copy something that has been written.

The Sad End of Liberty Adams

Twenty-five years after Liberty Adams was born, he married, and twenty-one years later, he died, leaving a widow and three children. A letter from his son in 1906 says Liberty died of peritonitis after an illness of five days.  He was reported to be an alcoholic.  The coffin and box cost $30, and his burial lot was $6.

Liberty's Probate packet consisted of 30 pages for the estate of Liberty Adams, who died intestate on March 14, 1867, at the age of 45. He left behind his widow, Martha Anderson Adams, and three children, John A. Adams, Yates A. Adams, and Aletta B. Adams (the last two under age 14). My cousin Claire obtained the probate papers and sent them to me.  Important documents were either typed or scanned and are displayed below. These were obtained from the Batavia Court House, I believe, maybe 20 years ago. As of January 15, 2023, they are not online. 

Genesee County,

Surrogate's Court.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE

OF 

Liberty Adams

Deceased.

TO THE SURROGATE OF THE COUNTY OF GENESEE ;

I, Martha Adams,

Administratrix of the goods, chattels, and credits of Liberty Adams late of the town of Stafford, in the County of Genesee, do render the following account of my proceedings as such Administratrix for the final settlement, allowance, and distribution, viz :

On the 29th day of March 1867, Letters of Administration of the estate of said deceased were issued to me.

On the 10th day of April 1867, I caused an Inventory of the personal estate of said deceased to be filed in the Surrogate's Office of said County, which personal estate therein set forth amounts by appraisement of Appraisers to the sum of $979.99.

On or about the first day of October 1867, caused a notice to creditors to present their claims, to be published as required by law, pursuant to the order of the Surrogate. (Below are Schedules A-F.)

"All moneys paid for funeral and other necessary expenses for said estate."

Receipt indicating the Burial Lot number for Liberty.

"Contains the names, places of residence of all persons entitled as a widow or next of kin, of the said deceased, and if any of them are minors, the ages of such minors, and the names and places of residence of their guardians, if they have guardians.