Last Will and Testament of Daniel Thurston, Walton, Eaton County, Michigan



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SUBJECT: Last Will and Testament of Daniel Thurston, Walton, Eaton Co.
SUBMITTER: Jeannette Gates Smith
EMAIL: flowerlady@mashell.com
DATE: Jun 12, 1999
SURNAMES: Thurston, Ganoung, Spalding, Gates
The last will and testament of Daniel Thurston.
I, Daniel Thurston of the town of Walton, County of Eaton, and State of
Michigan, being of sound mind do make and publish this, my last will and
testament, revolking all wills by me heretofore made;
I give and bequeath to my wife, Bathsheba, the use of the undivided one
1/2 of the farm on which I now live (the other 1/2 having been deeded to
my soninlaw, T. Ganoung) I also give and bequeath the use of all of my
personal property of which I shall die seized to my said wife during her
natural life.

The remainder of my real estate may be sold by my executor and after paying
my debts and funeral expenses, be divided between my children as follows.

To my son Newell $100 and to my daughter Lucy G(?) Spalding $50, the remainder
of all my property at the decease of my wife to be equally divided between
my sons Newell and Daniel and my daughters, Lydia Gates and Nancy Ganoung.
My daughter Nancy to have her share out of the undivided 1/2 of the farm
on which I now live; the avials of the sales of lands I may own except
the undivided 1/2 of the farm on which I live to be distributed as soon
as may be after my decease.

2. The legacies above devised are subject to the following deductions for
means advanced to the children respectively.

to Daniel a reduction of $770.

to Newell a reduction of $750.

to Lydia Gates a reduction of $60.

to Nancy Ganoung a reduction of $60.
I also will and direct that my soninlaw T. Ganoung shall have pay for all
permanent improvements he may make on my farm where I new reside. I hereby
nominate and appoint my son, Newell Thurston and my soninlaw Thadeus Ganoung
executors of this my last will and testament.

Dated at Walton his 5th day of Feby, 1868.

Signed Daniel Thurston
The above document consisting of one sheet of paper was here signed by
the testator in our presence and declared by him to be his last will and
testament, and we by his request and in his presence and in the presence
of each other sign our names as attesting witnesses.
Osman Chappell, Olivet Eaton Co., Mich.
Flora A. Chappell, Olivet, Eaton Co. Mich.
Allen R. Chappell Olivet, Eaton County, Mich.



PERSONAL NOTE FROM DANIEL THURSTON'S WIDOW
In with the court probate papers was the following hand written note from
Bathsheba Thurston.

Hope, Kan. May 27, 1875
Probate Judge of Eaton Co. Mich.
Sirs,
I am the widow of Daniel Thurstin diseased am living with my son in Kan.
the will I suppose is in your hands Osman Chappel is Admistrator I have
had no money fo a long while I have written to Chappel time and again can
not get any word from him I have no money to use or pay board with times
are hard and I need some will you be so kind as to see Chappel and stir
him up I would like all he can send me Yours truly X Bathsheba Thurstin
( this is copied exactly as Bathsheba wrote it, notice she spells last
name with an i, and no punctuation.

Included with the probate papers is a list of assets owned by Daniel at
the time of his death and papers showing dispersments of all funds. Most
interesting in this group was the list of personal belongings which included,
caldron Kettle, Buffalo Robe $10, one horse 4 years old, small $60; one
cow 12 years old $25; 3 cider barrells $2.50 3 pork barrels $2.50 one corn
sheller $10; one cider mill $10. Lumber one horse wagon $35; one carriage
$35; old framing mill, $5; one shot gun, $3; new single harness $20; old
harness $5; household goods, $150.