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The following will is transcribed by Walter Stromquist
on June 14, 1999 from a recent photocopy of pages I421-423 of the record
maintained by Schenectady County. The
transcription is intended to be exact as to words and spelling, but only approximate
as to punctuation, capitalization, and graphical elements. No attempt has been made to preserve line or
page breaks or end-of-line hyphenation.
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Summary by the transcriber: Elizabeth Bradshaw’s will was dated October 4, 1865, offered for probate on October 29, 1868, and admitted to probate on December 23, 1868, in Schenectady County, New York. Elizabeth Bradshaw is “of the town of Princetown,” identifies herself as the widow of Joseph Bradshaw, and is described in the examinations as about age 65 when she made the will. She lists these heirs:
James J. Bradshaw (son)
Robert Bradshaw (son)
Ann E. Bradshaw (daughter)
and the three children of her deceased son John Bradshaw:
Jane Elizabeth Bradshaw
Robert James Bradshaw
George Bradshaw.
The lot and house were left to James J. Bradshaw. James and Ann were the executors, and it was James who brought the will to court. Samuel W. Jackson and Alexander J. Thomson of the City of Schenectady were the witnesses and were the only persons examined in proving the will.
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October
29, 1868. James J. Bradshaw one of the
persons named as executor in the last will and testament of above named
deceased, presented a petition in writing duly verified and filed praying that
the said will might be proved as a will of real & personal estate, and such
proceedings were thereupon had, that on the 28th day of December
1868 the said will was duly proved & admitted to probate and with the
proofs & examinations taken thereon, was ordered to be recorded, pursuant
to the Statute in such case made & provided, which said last will &
testament and the proofs & examinations taken thereon are in the words and
figures following to wit:
Will
I, Elizabeth Bradshaw widow of Joseph Bradshaw, being of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say.
First. I give and devise to my son James J. Bradshaw the house and lot owned by me wherein I live and in case I sell and dispose of the same before I die then I give and bequeath to him the avails of such sale, whether it be money or other property, and in case of such sale, and in case that I shall with the proceeds of such sale or with other property purchase other real estate, then I give and devise such other real estate to my son James J. Bradshaw which shall be deemed and considered for all the purposes of this will to be the avails of the sale of the house & lot wherein I now live.
Secondly. I give and bequeath to my said son James J. Bradshaw my kitchen stove & pipe and all other kitchen furniture, cooking utensils and implements also two feather beds—one being the one whereon he sleeps and the other to be selected by him from among those that I may have at my decease, also a bolster, two pillows, a straw tick, two pillow cases, two sheets & two flannel blankets for each bed, also one bedstead one quilt—and one spread, all of which are to be chosen and selected by him from among those that I may have at the time of my decease.
Thirdly. I give and bequeath to each of the children of my deceased son John Bradshaw, namely, Jane Elizabeth Bradshaw, Robert James Bradshaw, and George Bradshaw the sum of twenty dollars to be paid one year after my decease without interest.
Fourthly. I direct all my lawful debts to be paid and also that tomb-stones be procured & put at my grave to be selected by my son James, he to have full discretion as to the expense and character thereof, but the same are to be paid for out of my estate.
Fifthly. All the rest and residue of my estate of every kind and description I give devise and bequeath to my three children James J. Bradshaw, Robert Bradshaw and Ann E. Bradshaw to be divided equally between them share and share alike.
Lastly. I nominate constitute and appoint my son James J. Bradshaw and my daughter Ann E. Bradshaw the executor and executrix of this my last will and testament.
The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day of October in the year 1865.
her
Elizabeth ´ Bradshaw
mark
The above instrument on the day of the date thereof was signed by the testator Elizabeth Bradshaw in our presence and in the presence of each of us and at the same time she published & declared the said instrument to be her last will and testament in our presence & in the presence of each of us whereupon we at the same time and at her request, and in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses to the said will.
S. W. Jackson City of Schenectady
Alex J. Thomson “ “
Schenectady County—Surrogates Court— In the matter of proving the last will & testament of Elizabeth Bradshaw late of the town of Princetown deceased
Schenectady County S.S.
Samuel W. Jackson of the City of Schenectady and Alexander J. Thomson of the City of Schenectady: being first duly sworn in open court on their oaths do depose and say that they are the subscribing witnesses to the last will and testament of Elizabeth Bradshaw late of the town of Princetown in the County of Schenectady deceased.
And these deponents further say that the said deceased did in the presence of these deponents subscribe her name at the end of the instrument now shown to these deponents, and which purports to be the last will and testament of said deceased & which bears date the 4th day of October 1865, that the said deceased did at the time of subscribing her name to said instrument as aforesaid, declare the same to be her last will and testament; that these deponents did thereupon subscribe their own names at the end of said instrument as attesting witnesses to the execution thereof at the request of the said deceased, and in her presence, and in the presence of each other: that the said deceased at the time of subscribing her name to said instrument as aforesaid appeared to be about 65 years of age, that she appeared to be of sound mind, and was not under any restraint to the knowledge or belief of deponents
Subscribed &sworn this S. W. Jackson
23 day of December 1868 Alex J. Thomson
J. S. Landon
County Judge
County of Schenectady S.S.
It appearing upon proofs and examinations duly had & taken before me the undersigned County Judge of the County of Schenectady, of the last will & testament of Elizabeth Bradshaw, that the said last will & testament was duly executed as a will of real & personal estate, by the said testatrix, that at the time of the execution thereof, the said testatrix was of sound mind memory & understanding and not under restraint the same is admitted to probate, and with the proofs and examinations taken thereon as aforesaid, is hereby recorded certified &signed pursuant to Statute in such case made & provided this 23d day of December 1868. J. S. Landon
County Judge