Making a will is something that most of us will do or will intend to do. However not all wills are straight forward, some not intentionally, others, well... they are different.
I'm not quite sure which of these will make you sigh, or laugh, or simply shake your head.
Strange is one word to describe some of these bequests.. others are simply unbelievable.
You can click on the images to enlarge or go directly to the originals via the links.
Kilmore Free Press (Kilmore, Vic. : 1870 - 1954), Thursday 20 March 1919, page 1 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59659671
Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW : 1860 - 1927; 1929 - 1931; 1933 - 1938), Friday 4 January 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101400215
Kilmore Free Press (Kilmore, Vic. : 1870 - 1954), Thursday 20 March 1919, page 1
Strange Bequests. A well known citizen of Brooklyn, alike renowned for his wealth -and eccentricity, died a short time ago, and his last will and testament was found by his sorrowing relatives, with whom he had been at odds during his life, to contain the following curious bequest' I own seventy one pairs of trousers. It is my desire that they be sold by auction after my death and that the proceeds of the sale shall be distributed to the deserving poor of my parish. They must, however, be disposed of several to different bidders, no single individual being permitted- to purchase more than one pair.' These directions were duly carried out by the heirs-at-law. The seventy one pairs of trousers were successively knocked down to as many purchasers, and their price was handed to the parochial authorities, A few days after the sale one of the buyers took it into his head to make a careful examination of his newly acquired property and he found a small canvas bag neatly-sewn in the waist band. Upon opening this bag an agreeable surprise met his gaze in the shape of ten one hundred dollar notes. The tidings of this pleasant discovery spread like wildfire through Brooklyn and New York and each fortunate purchaser of a pair of these pantaloons was rejoiced to find his investigation rewarded by the acquisition of a sum equivalent to $200. Vindictive will making is so despicable that it is humiliating to find it so common. Only a short. while since a wealthy magnate after leading his wife to believe herself his legatee left her one shilling, and bequeathed $72-000 to others, including $3500, to a servant she disliked.
Another man left all his money to his wife, hut stipulated that she should forfeit $200 every time she appeared in public, unveiled, $200 every time she smiled at a man, and $1000 if she permitted a man to use an endearing term or to kiss her. The meanest of all, however, was the man who left his wife a farthing, with directions that it should be sent to her in an unstamped envelope. One disillusioned testator wrote in his will, “During my married life I have always declared that my wife was the dearest woman in the world, and I am convinced that should any other man be rash enough to marry her he will find it so. To deter, as far as possible; anyone making such a ruinous experiment I leave her nothing.”
A lady who died lately says in her will ' As to my sisters and nieces, nephew and brother in law and cousin, nothing. Nothing shall come to them from me but a bag of sand to rub themselves with. ~ None deserve even a goodbye. I do not recognise a single one of them.’
Harriet Martineau, the famous authoress, willed herself away in parts. She announced her intention of leaving Mr Toynbee, her ears. ' But, my dear madam,’ observed her doctor, ' you cannot do that; it would make your other legacies worthless.'
She had, in fact, already willed away her head to the Phrenological Society, and had left the doctor LlO in her codicil for cutting it off.
World's News (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 1955), Saturday 28 November 1925, page 25 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131453281
Wongan-Ballidu Budget (WA : 1941 - 1954), Thursday 26 May 1949, page 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article253447194
This will be the final issue for this year as I take a break... the next will be in January. Thank you all for your encouragement.. and support.
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