Climbing My Family Tree

George Agee declined being Executor

Jenn — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:06 +0000

George Agee was my great-grandmother, Viva Agee Edwards’ brother.

I’m not sure why he declined being executor of his father’s estate. I’m assuming that it’s because he lived in South Dakota and couldn’t do it from afar. He left it to his brother, John.

I, George Agee, do herein decline the appointment as one of the executors of my father’s estate, and respectfully asks the court to name only one Executor, namely, John Agee. I further state that I know it to be the desire of all of my brothers and sisters that John Agee be the sole Executor. Dated at Jefferson, So. Dak. this 9th day of July 1938.

{signed} George S. Agee

Subscribed and sworn to me this 11th day of July, 1938, by George Agee personally known by me to be the same identical person whose signature appears above.

{signed} William Moon, Notary Public

County of Union, State of South Dakota

Old Newspaper Finds: Prohibition Punch Recipe

Jenn — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:32 +0000

I found this in the Bridgeton Evening News, dated 5 June 1920. I can’t imagine living during Prohibition – not that I”m a drinker or anything {because I”m definitely not}!

Not-So Wordless Wednesday: My mom in 1967

Jenn — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:01 +0000

I think that what I love about this picture so much is the pattern on her dress. You can’t get any more 60′s than that. (In my head at least – I never lived in the 60′s!)

Tombstone Tuesday: Ranney Gravestone, Lockport, NY

Jenn — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:00:55 +0000

Cold Springs Cemetery, Lockport, Niagara County, NY

RANNEY

Michael J. (1909-1991), Marie (1906-1995), and Michael J. Jr. (1935-)

Amanuensis Monday: Will of John C. Davidson (1855-1928), Leavenworth Co, KS

Jenn — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:44 +0000

This is the will of John C. Davidson (1855-1928), son of John C. Davidson and Sophia F. Talbot.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, and to all whom these presents may concern, be it known that I, John C. Davidson, of the County of Leavenworth and State of Kansas, being of mature age and sound mind and realizing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death and being desirous of making full and complete provision for the final settlement and disposition of all my worldly goods and possessions after my dissolution, do hereby make and declare this my last Will and Testament.

First. It is my wish that all my just debts and funeral expenses, be first paid out of my estate.

Second. I give, devise and bequeath to my brother Thomas Davidson all of my property, both personal and real, during his natural life, and at his death, it is my wish, that said estate be sold and equally divided among my nephews and nieces, as follows: share and share alike, Clyde C. Davidson, one sixth; Bertha Howard, one sixth; Thomas Alexander Davidson, one sixth; Paul G. Davidson, one sixth; and Belle Norwine, daughter of my sister Martha J. Stafford, deceased, one sixth; Leta M. Davidson, one twelfth; John C. Davidson, one twelfth; the last two mentioned are children of my nephew John C. Davidson Jr., deceased and Hattie Davidson. The interest of said last mentioned children shall be paid to the Tonganoxie State Bank, to be held in trust for said Leta M. Davidson and John C. Davidson until they reach the age of majority.

I make constitute and appoint Thomas Davidson, without bond, of Leavenworth County and State of Kansas, executor of this my last Will and Testament, and I hereby _____ each and every will and codicil heretofore made by me.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of May 1918.

{signed} John C. Davidson

The foregoing instrument was subscribed in our presence and acknowledged to us by said testator, and subscribed by us at the request of said testator, in his presence and in hte presence of each other, this 17th day of May, A.D. 1918.

{Signed} {3 signatures}

Census Sunday: John C. Davidson in the 1859 Kansas Territory Census

Jenn — Sun, 12 May 2013 10:00:25 +0000

This is the territorial census of Kansas from 1859. John C. Davidson was my husband’s 3rd great-grandfather. He was originally from Virginia, then moved to Missouri, and on to the Kansas Territory.

John C. Davidson, Date of Settlement 1855, 6 minors in the household, total of 8 people in the household

A Narrow Escape {Ellsworth Pierce}

Jenn — Sat, 11 May 2013 10:00:53 +0000

Ellsworth Pierce was a brother to my husband’s great-grandmother, Lillian Pierce. This is from the Bridgeton Evening News in Bridgeton, New Jersey, dated 9 January 1919.
A NARROW ESCAPE

Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Pierce, of Fayette street, have returned from visiting friends at Garretstown, Pa. While taking an automobile trip they had a very narrow escape from severe injury. They were going down a steep hill when the brakes refused to work and the car went down into a deep rut and the occupants were thrown against the hood with great force. Mrs. Pierce’s face was cut and bruised and she suffered from shock.

Old Newspaper Finds: Notice to German Alien Enemies

Jenn — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:00:18 +0000

I found this notice in the Bridgeton Evening News, dated 30 January 1918. It is a notice to German Alien Enemies, telling them to register.

This must have been a horrible time to be a German in America.

Old Newspaper Finds: 1908 cartoons

Jenn — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:00:06 +0000

These cartoons are from the Bridgeton Evening News, dated 21 July 1908, in Bridgeton, New Jersey

Not-So Wordless Wednesday: Antique Store Photo

Jenn — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:00:26 +0000

I did some browsing at Whoopee Bowl Antiques a couple of months ago. They have a lot of wild stuff there.

No, I did not come home with a snowman or a crystal ball. Instead, I bought this photograph.

I have no idea who these people are, but I love old photos and I couldn’t resist buying it. Besides, it was taken by the “Photographers to the Queen” – Done & Ball (successors to Brown, Barnes, + Bell). How could I pass that up?