WILL: Asa Crossman; Cato, Cayuga co., NY
surname: Crossman, Crosman, Sheldon, Sleight, Barnes, Webb, Hulett

submitted by Gary Welch (garywelch @ alum.rit.edu)
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Cayuga co NY Will Book Vol. Y page 622
Written: 24 Aug 1872
Probated: 11 Dec 1876

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN.

I, Asa Crosman of the town of Cato, Cayuga County N.Y. of the age of seventy
one years and upwards being of sound mind and memory and considering the
uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain,
publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament, that is to say:

First.   After all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, I give and
bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Mary A. Crosman the sum of three hundred
dollars in addition to what I have already agreed to give her in accordance
with the provisions of an ante-nuptial agreement made between me and her and
bearing the date the ninth day of September one thousand eight hundred and
seventy one, Said three hundred dollars and the provisions of said
ante-nuptial agreement to be hers in lieu of Dower.

Second   I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Barnes the wife of George
Barnes the sum of two hundred dollars.

Third   To my three grandchildren, children of my deceased daughter Harriet
Hulett late wife of Jesse Hulett now living near Lansing in the State of
Michigan I give and bequeath to each of them the sum of one hundred dollars to
be paid to them each at the age of 21 years.

Fourth   I will and direct my executors hereinafter named out of the estate
that I shall leave at my decease to take the sum of three thousand dollars and
Safely put the Same at interest for the comfort, support and maintainance
[sic] of my daughter Louisa Sheldon for and during the term of her natural
life and at her decease to dispose of such principle sum in accordance with
the provisions of the Sixth belowitem of this instrument.

Fifth   Legacies in the first and second and third items of this instrument I
will and direct to be paid to my said executors hereinafter named at the
expiration of eighteen months from the time of my decease, and all legacies
and provisions herein before named to commence drawing interest at the time of
my decease.

Sixth   All the rest and residue of the estate which I leave at my decease I
give and bequeath in equal shares to my children Hirem H. Crosman, Rufus
Crosman, Harrison Crosman, Squire A. Crosman, Caroline Sleight wife of Titus
Sleight, Martha Webb wife of Sidney L. Webb, and Marian Coleman wife of Samuel
Coleman, to them each and equally, Share and Share alike.

Seventh   For the purpose of carrying into effect the foregoing provisions of
this instrument, paying the aforesaid legacies, and making the aforesaid
provisions and divisions I hereby authorize my Executors hereinafter named to
dispose of and convert into money any or all of my estate of whatever name or
kind the same may be, and whether seal or personal or mixed and upon such
terms and conditions as in their Judgment may Seem best and most for the
interest of my estate and those concerned, and for that purpose to execute
acknowledge and deliver all and every necessary and proper Deed, conveyance,
contract, writing, acquittance, release, or paper to be given, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that they shall lawfully do or cause to be done
in the premises.

In case the foregoing provision of the interest of three thousand dollars
shall not be sufficient in the Judgment of my executors for the comfort,
support and maintenance of my Said daughter Louisa Sheldon as provided in the
fourth item of this instrument, then and in that case I direct them to use for
such purpose so much of the principal part thereof as may be necessary.

I direct that my coffin and the monument to my grave shall be of the same
material style quality and finish as those of my late deceased wife Sally
Crosman.

Likewise, I make, constitute and appoint my sons in law Sidney L. Webb and
Titus Sleight to be executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby
revoking any former Wills by me made.

In Witness Thereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the
twenty fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and seventy two

Asa Crossman

The above written instrument was subscribed by the said Asa Crosman in our
presence, and acknowledged by him to each of us; and he at the same time
declared the above instrument, so subscribed, to be his last Will and
Testament; and we, at his request, have signed our names hereto, in his
presence and in the presence of each other, and written our names our
respective places of residence that the same was so done at the date thereof
and that said instrument consists of what is written on both sides of the half
sheet of paper herewith connected and of what follows above on this side of
this half sheet of paper.

J Sprague Morley residing in Meridian Cayuga Co. N.Y.
Polly A Morley " " " "

[The following was written on the back of the will]

Cato oct 20 1876
The three hundred dollars given in this will to Mary A. Crossman is Paid and
Martha Webb has the receipt.
Asa Crossman

[Note: The surname was spelled "Crosman" throughout the will except in the
above note and Asa's signatures, where it was spelled "Crossman".]

[The following is the petition of the executors.]

To the Surrogate of the County of Cayuga:

The petition of Sidney L. Webb & Titus Sleight of the town of Cato County of
Cayuga and State of New York, respectfully sheweth:

That Asa Crossman late of the town of Cato in the County of Cayuga, aforesaid,
departed this life on or about the 6th day of December in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundren and seventy-six

That the said deceased was at the time of his death an inhabitant of the said
County of Cayuga; That he left a Will and Testament, which is dated the 24th
day of [rest of date not legible in crease]

That in and by said Will, the said deceased appointed your petitioners
Executors thereof; That the said deceased left the following heirs-at-law and
next of kin, to-wit:

Mary A. Crossman widow, residing in Cato Ny
Hirem Crossman Napoleon Henry Co. Ohio
Laura Sheldon Cato Cay Co Ny
Caroline Sleight " " "
Rufus Crossman Forsythe Macon Co Ill
Harrison Crossman " " "
Squire Crossman " " "
Mary Barnes Jordan Onon Co Ny
Martha Webb Cato Ny
Marian Coleman Victory Ny

Children of the deceased all of full age

and Marian Hulett, Charles Hulett and James Hulett grand children of decd  
all minors residing with Jessie Hulett their father at OKemmis [Okemos?],
Ingham Co Mich & having no general guardian.

That said will relates to both real and personal estate, the estimated value
of which is about $10 000 as your petitioner is informed and believes.

That your petitioners are desirous of proving said last Will and Testament as
a will or real and personal estate, that the same may be recorded as such, in
pursuance of the statute in such case made and provided. Your petitioners
therefore pray the Surrogate aforesaid, that the necessary steps may be taken
before him for that purpose.

Dated Dec 11, 1876

Sidney L. Webb
Titus Sleight