ADVANCED-RESEARCH-L Archives

Archiver > ADVANCED-RESEARCH > 2007-11 > 1194531158


From:
Subject: Re: [ADVANRES] 18th Century Will Interpretation
Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2007 09:12:38 EST



In a message dated 11/8/2007 8:30:27 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

You could be right, but in my experience children of such an arrangement
would normally take the woman's surname if the couple is unmarried. The fact
that they are provided for in the will is strong indication that they are his
chidlren. That's been my experience from the ones I've come across in the past.
Larry



Larry-

But in your experience were the children not listed as being the author of
the will's children? I've seen this scenario also but always the children
were not listed as "children of my housekeeper" they were listed as "MY children
by my housekeeper" or whatever. I also think it is relevant that we know
who else was named in the will as an heir. I think it would increase the
likelihood that he isn't the father if he had no surviving heirs from his earlier
marriage to leave his estate to and, therefore, left money and possessions to
the person closest to him--his good and faithful housekeeper and HER
children. We also don't know what portion of the estate is represented by the
bequest. The only possible clue I see that the children MIGHT be his would he the
instruction that the children be bound out--which would indicate a personal
interest in them. I can think of other situations that might lead to this
though...perhaps earlier he was named the legal guardian of the children upon the
death of their father--and/or perhaps the housekeeper is a relative of his,
perhaps even a sibling.

I've struggled for year to find the relationship of a woman who left her
entire estate (in her will) to my 2nd great-grandfather "with whom I dwell" and
named him exec. of her estate. I can find no relationship at all--and yet he
is the sole beneficiary of her considerable estate and she was living with
him (and his wife in that case) at the time of her death.

Joan



************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

This thread: