PROBATE: Betsey (Brown) Berry Backus; Groton, Tompkins co., NY
surname: Ashley, Backus, Bills, Boyce, Brown, Canedy, Curtis, Dunham, Duncan,
Fanning, Faucet, Francis, Gore, Guild, Guyld, Hasen, Hazen, Kennedy, Leonard,
Morton, Ormsby, Parkhurst, Phillips, Plumley, Shearer, Sherman, Smith,
Williams, Wolfe, Wolf, Woodard, Wilson

submitted by Sharon Jones (sharon.jones34 @ gte.net)
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Letter of Administration (Inestate)

As you can see by this list of surnames, many individuals were mentioned in
the estate of Betsey (Brown) Backus. Betsey was married twice, first to Joseph
Berry and second to John Backus. She is the daughter of David Brown. She never
had any children and died without a will, so her estate was divided amoungst
her living nieces and nephews and one living sister. During the administration
of her estate, two nephews and a niece died. Their share of the estate went to
their sons and daughters. Too see the a list of individuals entitled to a
share, scroll down to section which says HANDWRITTEN LIST OF HEIRS AND
RESIDENCES. For the final list of individuals scroll down to Schedule D of the
Final Settlement at the end of the posting. Special thanks go to Ken Chapman
for copying the documents.

27 Apr 1868 PETITION FOR LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE OF BETSEY
BACKUS
STATE OF NEW YORK --- TOMPKINS SURROGATE COURT
To the County Judge of the County of Tompkins:
The petition of David H Brown a Nephew of Betsey Backus deceased
Respectfully Represents, That the said Betsey Backus deceased, died a natural
death on or about the _____ day of October in the year 1867 in the town of
Groton in the County of Tompkins, without having left a last will and
testament, as far as your petitioner has been able to discover, or has heard,
knows, or believes. That at, or immediately previous to her death, the said
deceased was an inhabitant of the County of Tompkins; by means of which your
petitioner has been informed and believes the County Judge of said county of
Tompknis, has sole and exclusive power to grant letters of administration of
the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased.
That the said deceased has left Annah Guyld a sister and Mrs Orin Sanders a
niece of West Halifax, Windham County, Vermont; Noble Kennedy, Avery Kennedy &
Mordica Kennedy nephews of Stony Fork, Tioga County, Pennsylvania; Comfort
Kennedy a niece of Sylvania, Bradford County, Penn.; Chester Kennedy, Hosea
Kennedy nephews of Troy, Pennsylvania, Samuel Kennedy a nephew of Roseville,
Tioga Co, Penn; Sally Gore a niece of Sheshequin, Bradford County, Penn;
Margery Guyld a niece of Leona, Bradford County, Penn; Antis Fanning a niece
of the same place. Anis Ritch a niece and LeabyWolf niece of Columbia X Roads,
Bradford County, Penn; Demas Parkhurst a nephew of the same place; David Brown
a nephew of Cuyuga, New York, Cynthia Faucett a niece of Wellsville, Allegany
County, New York; Reuben Brown a nephew of Addison, Steuben County, New York;
Elihu Brown a nephew of Woodhull, Steuben County, New York; Frank Brown a
nephew of Springfield, Bradford County, Penn., Obadiah Williams and Chester
Williams nephews of Alba, Bradford County, Penn.; Angeline Curtis a niece of
of Capact, St Clair County, Michigan; Philander Williams & Edwin Williams
nephews of Springville, Linn County, Iowa; Richerson Williams a nephew Star
township, Hocking County, Ohio; Charles Williams and Joseph Williams nephews
of Wellsboro, Penn. Ralph Brown a nephew of Baraboo County, Wisconsin; Abigail
Sherman a niece of Columbia X Roads, Bradford County, Penn; Emeline Morton,
Susan Morton, Lydia E Williams, Betsey M Bills, nieces of Groton, New York;
Ruel Brown a nephew of Athens, Calhoun County, Michigan, Asa Brown a nephew
residence not known; Margaret Ormsby a niece of Vinto, Bento County, Iowa;
David H Brown a nephew your petitieoner of Groton, New York, Sally Kennedy a
deceased sister of intestate left several children whose names & residence
your petitioner has been unable to ascertain - her surviving, being all the
kindred and heirs, or legal representatives, of the said deceased, who are
entitled to interest in her estate, with their places of residence, as far as
can be ascertained by your petitioner. That all the goods, chattlels, credits,
personal estate and effects, of which said deceased died possessed, owned, or
was entitled to, do not exceed in value the sum of one thousand dollars.
That your petitioner is desirous that administration should be duly granted
upon the estate of the said deceased.
Your petitioner therefore prays that letter of administration of the goods,
chattels and credits, of the said deceased may be granted to him the
petitioner.
And your petitioner will ever pray, &c.
Dated this 27th day of April 1868
D. H. Brown

Tompkins County, ss: David H Brown
the above petitioner being duly sworn says that the matters set forth in the
preceeding petition are true to the best of his knowledge, information and
belief.
Sworn this 27th day of April 1868 before me D H Brown
Sidney Hopkins, Justice of the Peace

State of New York, County of Tompknis, ss:
I, David H Brown do swear and declare that I well, honestly and faithfully
discharge the duty of administer of the estate of Betsey Backus deceased,
according to law.
Subscribed and sworn this 27th day of
April A. D. 1868 before me D H Brown
Sidney Hopkins Justice of the Peace

1 Jul 1868: APPOINTMENT OF DAVID H BROWN AS ADINISTRATOR OF BETSEY BACKUS
ESTATE
In the matter of the Administration of the goods, chattels and credits of
Betsey Backus Deceased.
The People of the State of New York - To David H Brown
Whereas, Betsey Backus late of the town of Groton in the County of Tompkins in
the State of New York, deceased, as is alleged, died intestate; having, while
living, and at the time of his death, goods, chattels and credits, within this
State, and you being entitled thereto; and having first taken and subscribed
an oath faithfully and honestly to discharge the duties of such Administrator
according to law; and having with your sureties, executed a Bond to us, for
the faithful performance of those duties; which oath and Bond are duly filed
in the Surrogate's Office of our said County of Tompkins we do by these
presents, Depute, Constitute and appoint you Administrator of all and singular
the goods, chattels and credits, which were of the said Betsey Backus
deceased; and do hereby grant unto you, the said David H Brown full power, by
these presents, to fully Administer upon his Personal Estate, and to do and
perform all duties and acts relating thereto, which by the laws of this State
are required of Administrators appointed by the Surrogate, and the performance
of which in the administration of the goods, chattels and credits aforesaid,
may be necessary for the due, faithful, and proper administration thereof.

In Testimony Whereof, We have caused the seal of our said Surrogate to be
hereunto affixed.
Witness M Van Valkenburgh County Judge of the said County, at Ithaca this
First day of July 1868.
M. Van. Valkenburgh County Judge

HAND WRITTEN LIST OF HEIRS AND RESIDENCE
1 Children of Thomas Canedy
Thomas Canedy Hartwellville Vermont
Milo " " "
Joseph " Northfield Minn
Jane Woodard Roaring Creek Wisconsin
Philura Hasen Deerfield Wisconsin
Adin Canedy Friendsville Ill
Catherin Duncan Granby Mass
Polly Sanders (crossed out, probably deceased before Betsey Backus and not
entitled to share of the estate)
Ransford Canedy North Adams Mass
Betsey Shearer Friendsville, Ill 10
2 Caterine Canedy (crossed out, same as above)
Avery Kennedy Stony Fork Tioga Co Pa
Noble " " " "
Mordica " " " "
Mrs Elanson Smith State Road " " (crossed out, same as above)
Chester Kennedy Troy Pa
Mrs George Wolf Columbia X Roads Pa
Mrs Ritch " "
Samuel Kennedy Roseville Bradford Co Pa
Comfort " Sylvania " "
Hosea " Leona " "
Mrs Margerie Guild Leona Brad. Co Pa
Mrs David Fanning " " "
Mrs Polly Gore Sheshequin " " 12
3 Avery Brown
Ralph Brown
Mrs Seth Sherman Columbia X Roads Pa
4 Adin Brown
Demas Parkhurst Springfield Brad Co Pa
Frank Brown " " "
David " Cayuga Bridge Ny
Cynthia Faucet Wellsville Ny
Reuben Brown Woodhull "
Ellihu " Adison " 6
5 Polly Williams
Obediah Williams Alba Brad Co Pa
Chester " " " "
Joseph " Wellsboro Tioga Co "
Charles " Oil City "
Philander " Springville Linn Co Iow
Edwin " " " "
Richardson " Starr township Hocking Co O
Angeline Curtis Cofact St Clair Co Mich 8
6 David Browns children
Asa Brown unknown
Ruel " Athens Calhoun Co, Mich
Joseph " Groton Ny
David H Brown " "
Emeline Morton " "
Susan " " "
Lydia E Williams " "
Margaret Ormsby Vinton Binton Co Iowa
Betsey M Bills Groton Ny
7 Annah Guild West Halifax Ver

19 Jan 1871: PETITION FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT IN THE ESTATE OF BETSEY BACKUS
Tompkins County, Surrogate's Court
In the matter of the accounting of David H Brown Administrator of Betsey
Backus
TO THE SURROGATE OF TOMPKINS COUNTY:
I David H Brown of the town of Groton in Tompkins County, do render the
following account of my proceedings as the administrator of the estate of
Betsey Backus deceased, for final settlement.
On the 1st day of July in the year 1868 Letters of administration of the said
Betsey Backus late of the town of Groton deceased, were issued to him.
On the 21st day of Oct A. D. 1868 I caused an inventory of the personal estate
of the deceased to be filed in this office, which personal estate therein set
forth amounts by appraisment by the appraisers duly appointed, to $993.05.
SCHEDULE A., hereto annexed, contains a statement of all the property
contained in said inventory, sold by me at public sale, with the prices and
manner of sale; which sales were fairly made by me at the best prices that
could then be had, with due diligence, as I then believed. It also contains a
statement of all the debts due the said estate and mentioned in said
inventory, which have been collected, and also of all interest for moneys
received by me for which I am legally accountable.
SCHEDULE B., hereto annexed, contains a statement of all debts of the Estate
paid by me.
SCHEDULE C., hereto annexed, contains a statement of all moneys paid by me for
funeral and other necessary expenses for said estate, together with the
reasons and objects of such expenditure.

On or about the 19th day of Jany in the year 1870 caused a notice for
claimants to present their claims against said estate to me within the period
fixed by law, and at a certain place therein specified, to be published in a
newspaper, according to law, for six months, pursuant to an order of the
Surrogate of Tompkins County, to which order, notice and due proof of
publication, herewith filed, I refers as part of this account.

SCHEDULE D., hereto annexed, contains the names of all persons entitled, as
widow, legatee or next of kin of the deceased, to a share of the estate, with
their places of residence, degree of relationship, to the best of his
knowledge, information and belief.
SCHEDULE G., hereto annexed, contains a statement of all other facts affecting
adminstration of said estate, rights and those of others interested therein.
Charge
Amount of Inventory .....................................................$
" of increase as shown by exhibit A .............................
Credit
Amount of loss on sales as per shcedule B ................$
" debts not collected as per Do .....................................
" schedule C
..................................................................
" schedule D
..................................................................
" schedule E
..................................................................
Leaving a balance of ....................................................$
to be distributed to those entitled thereto.
The said schedules, which are severally signed by ________ are part of this
account

Tompkins County, Surrogate's Court
In the matter of the accounting of Betsey Backus
TOMPKINS COUNTY, ss: Davis H Brown of the town of Groton in Tompkins County,
being duly sworn, he say that the charges made in the foregoing account of
proceedings and schedules annexed, for moneys paid by me to creditors,
legatees and next of kin, and for necessary expenses, are correct, that I have
been charged therein all the interest for moneys received by me and embraced
in said account for which I am legally accountable; that the moneys stated in
said account as collected were all that was collectable, according to the best
of my knowledge, information and belief, on the debts stated in such account,
at the time of this settlement thereof; that the allowances in said account
for the decrease in the value of any assets, and the charges therein for the
incease in such value, are correctly made; and that I do not know of any error
in said account, or any thing omitted therefrom, which may in anywise
prejudice the rights of any party interested in said estate. And deponent
further say that the sums under twenty dollars charged in the said account for
which no vouchers or other evidences of payment are produced or for which may
not be able to produce vouchers or other evidences of payment, have actually
been paid and disbursed by as charged.
David H Brown
Sworn this 19th day of Jany 1871 before me,
M. Van Valkenburgh
Surrogate

Schedule A
Moneys received
1 Bureau 9.00
Sheets 9.01 pillow cases $3.70 table cloths 2.00 14.71
Stand 1.00 old dresses .55 spread .45 old cloak .50 2.50
Bowl .08 shawl .88 wash bowl .36 1.32
Silk shawl 1.00 bed cord .30 1.30
Thr shawll .80 spectacles .26 mirror 1.38 2.44
Bed .30 chest & drawer 1.00 kettle 1.30 2.60
Table 5.00 2 bed steads .75 do 1.00 6.75
Trunk 3.75 box 1.00 bushel of rags .25 5.00
Chairs 3.00 Feth bed 12.80 dig .69 16.49
Bed quilts comforables & c 15.58 15.58
Set old dishes 1.65 Teaspoons 4.00 5.65
Umbrella 1.06 chest & contents .50 1.56
Set knives & forks .50 chest & contents 1.40 1.90
Dresses 4.00 woolen sheets 2.56 6.56
Parasol .65 sacet .50 carpet 6.35 7.50
Stove & pipe 1.00 2 spinng wheels 1.55 2.55

Cash 44.90
Morton note 355.42
Note against Buell Berry 136.27
Beardsley note 342.00
-------------
980.00
Interest to be added 60.00
-------------
$1040.00

Schdule B
Debts of the Estate paid
Paid Bewel Berry's account 212.91
" Dr John Goodyear 24.32
" William Morton a/e 9.16
" Charles Williams 26.75
" for Examiner & c 4.25
______
277.19

Schedule C
Funeral expanses and expenses of settling the estate
Dec 7, 1868 Expenses to Ithaca 2.50
" going to Ithaca to take administration 3.00
" Expenses of Letters " 7.50
" Justice fees .75
" dig grave 2.00
" making sh 2.00
" Grave stones 38.00
" for counsel 5.00
" Funeral 42.80
" For auction 5.00
Jany 1st 1870 " To Ithaca at Hotel .50
" for postage 1.00
" Sidney Hopkins .50
" 19 " " To Ithaca living & c 4.40
" For advertising for claims 6.50
May 9 " " To Ithaca 4.25
Nov 21 " " " 4.75
Jany 19 1871 " " 3.90
Postage on citations 2.46
The Argus printing notice & c 10.32
The Groton Journal " " 4.50
" Postage 1.00
Expenses of account 20.00
---------------
$172.63
2.18
---------------
174.81

Schedule D
Contains the names of those entitled to share in the surplus
(These are the children of brother David Brown)

David H Brown nephew Groton New York 9.24
Joseph Brown nephew " " "
Susan Morton niece " " "
Lydia E Williams niece " " "
Betsey A Bills niece " " "
Children of Emeline Morton who was a niece
David B Morton " " 1.54
Miles " " " "
Harry " " " "
George " " " "
Porter " " " "
Horace Morton son of Emeline Morton deceased also died since the death of the
intestate leaving two children to wit:
Alice Morton " " .77
Adin " " " .77
Margaret Ormsby niece Vinton Benton Co Iowa 9.24
Reuel Brown nephew Athens Calhoun Co Mich 9.24
(These are the children of sister Sally Kennedy)
Tho Kennedy nephew Hartwellville VT 8.21
Milo " " " " "
Joseph " " Northfield Minn "
Jane Woodard niece Roaring Creek Wis "
Philura Hazen niece Deerfield Wis 8.21
Adin Kennedy nephew Friendsvill Ill 8.21
Catharin Dunham niece Granby Mass 8.21
Ransford Kennedy nephew North Adams 8.21
Betsey Shearer niece Friendsvill Ill 8.21
(These are the children of sister Catharin Kennedy)
Avery Kennedy a nephew has died since the death of intestate leaving 13
children
Philura Phillips .31 Delmar Tioga PA
Mary Plumley .31 " "
Avery Kennedy .31 " "
Alvah " .31 " "
Samuel " .31 " "
Stephen F " .31 " "
Olive Francis .31 " "
Russell Kennedy .31 " "
William " .31 " "
Lydia Francis .31 " "
Hosea Kennedy .31 " "
Letitia " .31 " "
Jane " .31 " "
Axey " his widow 2.04 " "
Noble Kennedy a nephew of the intestate died after the said Betsey Backus
leaving 7 children vis:
Alexander Kennedy .58 Delmar Tioga Co, PA
Elias " .58 " " "
George " .58 " " "
Thomas M " .58 " " "
Lutitia Boyce .58 Springfield PA
Dimis Ashley .58 Delmar "
Margaret Jane Wilson .58 " "
Betsey Kennedy his widow 2.04 " "
Mordicai Kennedy nephew 6.14 Stony Fork PA
Chester " " 6.14 Troy PA
Mrs George Wolfe niece 6.14 Columbia Cross Roads PA
Annis Ritch niece 6.14 " " "
Samuel Kennedy nephew 6.14 Roseville "
Comfort " " 6.14 Sylvania PA
Hosea " " 6.14 Springfield PA
Margery Guild niece 6.14 " "
Antis Fanning a niece died since the death of the intestate leaving her
survivors, her husband and the following named children
David Fanning husband 2.04 Springfield PA
Malvina Smith .82 " "
Amanda Leonard .82 " "
Ira Fanning .82 " "
Melvin " .82 " "
" .82 " "
Sally Gore niece 6.14
(These are the children of brother Avery Brown)
Ralph Brown nephew 36.95 Baraboo Sauck Co Wis
Catherine Sherman niece 36.95 Columbia Cross Roads PA
(These are the children of brother Adin Brown)
Demmis Parkhurst niece 12.31 Springfield PA
Frank Brown nephew 12.31 " "
David Brown nephew 12.31 Cayuga NY
Cynthia Faucett niece 12.31 Wellsville "
Reuben Brown nephew 12.31 Woodhull "
Ellihu " " 12.31 Addison "
(These are the children of sister Polly Williams)
Obediah Williams nephew 9.24 Alba PA
Chester " " 9.24 " "
Joseph " " 9.24 Wellsborugh "
Charles " " 9.24 Oil City PA
Philander " " 9.24 Springville Iowa
Edwin " " 9.24 " "
Richardson " " 9.24 Starr township Ohio
Angeline Curtis niece 9.24 Copact Mich
Anna Guild a sister West Halifax 73.91 Vt