Monday, July 16, 2012

Amanuensis Monday - the Codicil of Alvina M. Seaver

Genea-blogger John Newmark (who writes the excellent TransylvanianDutch blog) started a Monday blog theme many months ago called Amanuensis Monday. What does "amanuensis" mean? John offers this definition:

"A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."

The subject today is the codicil to the will of Alvina Matilda (Bradley) (Lewis) Seaver, the third wife and widow of Isaac Seaver (1823-1901).  I posted the will transcription last week in 
Amanuensis Monday - the Will of Alvina Seaver (1848-1923).

Alvina (Bradley) (Lewis) Seaver died in Clinton, Massachusetts on 20 April 1923, testate, and her probate papers are in Worcester County Probate Records, Probate Packet B-80132 (accessed and copied at Worcester County, Massachusetts Court House in 1991).  Her handwritten and signed codicil to her will reads (handwritten portions in italics):


I, Alvina M. Seaver, of Clinton, Massachusetts, make this codicil to my last will dated January 3, 1923.

I give the sum of two thousand dollars ($2000) to my brother, Frank Bradley, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts.  This is in addition to the sum of one thousand dollars ($1000) given him in said will, and in case of his death or the death of both him and his wife before my death is to be given in accordance with the directions concerning said bequest in said will.


I five my bracelets and my third watch chain to my nephew, Leland H. Bradley, of Madrid, Iowa.

I revoke the direction in said will that my executor should distribute the rest of my jewelry, clothing, furniture and household effects to my brother Frank Bradley, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

In all other respects I confirm the provisions of said will.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and in the presence of three witnesses declare this to be the first codicil to my last will this seventeenth day of March, 1923.

.....................  Alvina M. Seaver

On this seventeenth day of March in 1923,Alvina M. Seaver, of Clinton, Massachusetts, signed the foregoing instrument in our presence, declaring it to be a codicil to her last will and as witnesses whereof we three do now at her request, in her presence, and in the presence of each other subscribe our names.


..................... Anna B. Lyman
..................... Rubie W. Morrison
..................... Harold L. French

This is a fairly straightforward codicil, but it shifted more money to her brother and removed him from the bequest for her jewelry, clothing, furniture and household effects.  

I wonder if I will ever be contacted by descendants of Alvina's relatives?  Or descendants of the friends that she bequeathed money to.  It might be interesting if there were family heirlooms with her initials on them, or someone that remembers their parent or grandparent talking about her.

I will transcribe the heirs-at-law document next week for Alvina M. (Bradley) (Lewis) Seaver.

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Copyright (c) 2012, Randall J. Seaver

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