Below are transcriptions of probate documents concerning the estate of Newell N. NELSON. They are on file in Worcester County Probate Court, where I viewed them on 29 September 2000. Docket #38718 comprises the following documents:
BROWN, CLAFLIN, COOK, DAY, ELLIS, GRAVES, HIXON, MAYHEW, NELSON, NUTTING, PARKER, VANT, WALKER, WHITE
The original will is in Newell N. Nelson's hand. This is a verbatim copy.
Be it remembered that I, Newell N. Nelson of Hopedale in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being of sound mind and memory, but knowing the uncertainty of this life, do make this my last will and testament. After the payment of my just debts and funeral charges, I bequeath and devise as follows: 1st. To my sister, Sylvania K. Claflin, the sum of ten dollars in money. 2d. To my brother David Nelson, the sum of ten dollars in money. 3rd. To my niece Callie L. Hixon, the sum of one hundred dollars in money. 4th. To my said niece Callie L. Hixon, my homestead and about one acre of land situated on the easterly side of Green Street in said Hopedale. 5th. To Herbert A. Hixon, husband of my said niece Callie L. Hixon, the sum of one hundred dollars in money. 6th. To my nephew Henry D. Nelson, the sum of two hundred dollars in money. 7th. To my said nephew, Henry D. Nelson I bequeath the rent or income of my Cottage House, and about one acre of land situated on the westerly side of Green Street in said Hopedale during his life: at his decease, I bequeath the same said Cottage House and about one acre of land to my niece Mary Eliza Brown if she survives my said nephew Henry D. Nelson, if my said niece Mary Eliza Brown does not survive my said nephew Henry D. Nelson, I bequeath the same said Cottage House and about one acre of land to the lawful heirs of my said niece Mary Eliza Brown. 8th. To my said niece Mary Eliza Brown the sum of one hundred dollars in money. 9th. To Frank C. Nelson, son of my nephew Dr. Daniel T. Nelson the sum of two hundred dollars in money. 10th. To Everard L. Parker, nephew of my deceased Wife, Harriet N. Nelson, the sum of seven hundred dollars in money. 11th. To Lilla H. Nutting, the sum of one hundred dollars in money. 12th. All the residue of my Estate, real and personal I bequeath to my daughter-in-law Clara S. Nelson. I nominate my said daughter-in-law Clara S. Nelson to be the executrix of this Will; and I request she may be exempt from giving a surety or sureties on her bond as such executrix. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand; and in the presence of three witnesses declare this to be my last will this eighteenth day of April in the year one thousand nine hundred and six. /s/ Newell N. Nelson On this eighteenth day of April A. D. 1906 Newell N. Nelson of Hopedale Massachusetts, signed the foregoing instrument in our presence, declaring it to be his last will: and as witnesses thereof we three do now, at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other, hereto subscribe our names.
/s/ James E. Walker |
Abstract of Bass & Company's Milford Mass. Directory for the year 1907-8. These are the listings for the above witnesses.
James E. Walker | treas Milford Savings Bank 236 Main | home 29 Walnut - See pages 10 and 24 [advertisements] |
Aaron H. Mayhew | clerk Milford Savings Bank 236 Main | house 120 Congress |
Percy L. Walker | clerk M. Savings Bank 236 Main | boards 29 Walnut |
Respectfully represents Clara S. Nelson of Somerville in the County of Middlesex that Newell N. Nelson who last dwelt in Hopedale in said County of Worcester, died on the fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and six, possessed of goods and estate remaining to be administered, leaving as his only heirs at law and next of kin, the persons whose names, residences and relationships to the deceased are as follows, viz.:
Sylvania K. Claflin Milford, Mass. sister. David Nelson Hopedale, " brother. Ellen M. Cook Milford, " niece. Elizabeth White Boston, " niece. Anna F. Ellis Milford, " niece. Henrietta E. Day Chicago, Illinois. niece. Mary E. Brown Milford, Mass. niece. Lavinia T. Vant Milford, " niece. Daniel T. Nelson Chicago, Illinois. nephew. Willis N. Graves St. Louis, Missouri. nephew. Thomas O. Nelson Milford, Mass. nephew.
This is a verbatim abstract of the appraisal by James E. Walker, sworn August 9, 1907.
Household goods | $300.00 |
Cash in banks | $8000.00 |
Cottage house and land on the northerly side of Green street, Hopedale, Mass. |
$400.00 |
Cottage house and land on the southerly side of Green street, Hopedale, Mass. |
$1100.00 |
These are extracts from the nine releases; listed here are the recipients of bequests, their residence, the amount received, and date sworn.
Lavinia T. Vant, as executrix of the will of Sylvania K. Claflin |
Milford, County of Worcester | $10 | 2 Mar 1907 |
Lilla H. Nutting | Oak Park, State of Illinois | $100 | 7 Feb 1907 |
David Nelson | Hopedale, County of Worcester | $10 | 27 Jan 1907 |
Everard L. Parker | Brattleboro, State of Vermont | $700 | 21 Feb 1907 |
Frank C. Nelson | Three Oaks, State of Michigan | $200 | 4 Feb 1907 |
Henry D. Nelson | Boston, County of Suffolk | $200 | 22 Dec 1906 |
Mary Eliza Brown | Milford, County of Worcester | $100 | 29 Jan 1907 |
Callie L. Hixon | Hopedale, County of Worcester | $100 | 29 Jan 1907 |
Herbert A. Hixon | Hopedale, County of Worcester | $100 | 29 Jan 1907 |