Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Estate Papers of Jeremiah Lanphear of Wilna NY (died 1862)

Another of the sets of Estate Papers in Jefferson County, New York is that of Jeremiah Lanphear of Wilna, New York, who died in 1862. The 20-page Estate Paper collection includes this Petition by Jeremiah's wife, Fanny Lanphear, to be appointed Executor of his Estate:


The transcription of this Petition is (without actual line breaks and with handwritten portion denoted by _underscores_):

COUNTY OF JEFFERSON -- Surrogate's Court

To MILTON H. MERWIN, Surrogate of the Court of Jefferson

The Petition of _Fanny Lanphear_ of the Town of _Wilna_ said county, RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH:

That _Jerimiah Lanphear_ late of the town of _Wilna_ in said county, departed this life in the town of _Wilna_ aforesaid, on the _13th_ day of _September_ 186_2_, having previously, as your petitioner is informed and believes, duly made and executed _his_ last Will and Testament. That your petitioner is ["one of" struck out] the _executor_ named in the said Will. That the said deceased was a citizen of the United States. That _he_ was at or immediately previous to _---_ his death an inhabitant of the county of Jefferson, owning real and person estate therein, and that said last Will and Testament relates to both real and personal estate. _That the whole amount of property is less in value than $5000.00_.

Your petitioner further shows that the heirs and next of kin of the said _Jeremiah Lanphear, deceased, are as follows, and none other or others, to the best knowledge, information and belief of your petitioner, viz: _Lydia E. Edwards wife of John Edwards Jr. and Nelson W. Lanphear of Wilna Jefferson County N.Y., Hiram K. Lanphear of Denmark, Lewis County, N.Y., and Mary M. Thompson wife of James A. Thompson of Corona, Shiawassu County, Michigan, all of full age, and Ellen Lanphear and Simeon F. Lanphear, minors having no general guardian, residing in Wilna aforesaid. That said heirs and next of kin are all children of said Jeremiah Lanphear deceased --_

That _Fanny Lanphear_ residing in the town of _Wilna_ aforesaid, of
full age, is the widow of said _Jeremiah Lanphear deceased_.

Your petitioner further shows that _she_ is informed and believes that the Surrogate of the said county has jurisdiction to take the proof of the said last Will and Testament, and over the executor thereof, and the power of granting Letters Testamentary thereof, with all powers incidental thereto. And that _she_ is desirous that such proof should be taken, and such Letters granted, and that such further or other proceedings in the premises should be had, as are legal and proper.

Your petitioner therefore prays that a Citation may issue out of, and under the seal of, this Court, to be directed to the proper persons, pursuant to the Statute in such case made and provided, requiring them and each of them, at such time and place as shall be in said Citation mentioned, to appear and attend the probate of the said last Will and Testament, and that such further or other proceedings in the premises should be duly had as may be required, to the proving and recording of the said last Will and Testament, and the granting Probate and Letters Testamentary thereof. And your petitioner will ever pray, &c.

DATED _October 16th A.D. 1862_

_M. Bickford, witness_ ........... _Fanny Lanphear_

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Source Citation: Jeremiah Lanphear Estate Papers, New York Surrogate's Court (Jefferson County), Estate papers 1905-1945 (original records in Jefferson County Courthouse, Watertown, New York. Microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1967; 278 microfilm reels.); Case File L-46 (accessed on Family History Library US/CAN Film 0,527,036 (Box L 4-7 Cases 17-59, 1805-1900 by Randy Seaver on 21 July 2009).

The beauty of these documents is that they name the heirs-at-law of the deceased. This may be the only record that provides the married name of the daughters or provides evidence of their maiden name.

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