Archive:Franklin County, MA, Probate Files

Archives > Archive:Probate Records > Franklin County, MA, Probate Files

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File #5311, Abner Whitney, 1866

Abner Whitney died 27 Dec 1866, Orange, MA.

19 Jan 1867, Harrison H. Whitney petitioned for the probate of his will. He left no widow. His heirs were daughter Mary A. Thayer, Salem; daughter Arethusa W. Adams, Salem; daughter Sarah W. Adams, Montague; daughter Emily A. Tenney, Orange; son Alexander S. Whitney, Orange; and son Harrison H. Whitney, Orange.

Will: Abner Whitney of Orange. To four daughters Mary A. Thayer, Arethusa W. Adams, Sarah W. Adams, and Emily A. Tenney, $600 each. Remainder to two sons Alexander S. Whitney and Harrison H. Whitney, to be divided equally. Son Harrison H. Whitney sole executor. Dated 1 Jan 1861. Witnessed by Hiram Woodward, W. S. Ballou, and John W. Wheeler. Proved 5 Feb 1867. Recorded Book 50, page 8.

5 Feb 1867, executor's bond for $3000 posted by Harrison H. Whitney, of Orange, with Amos W. Adams of Montague and Henry W. Haskins, sureties.

5 Feb 1867, Davis Goddard, Rodney Hunt, and W. S. Ballou were appointed appraisers. Real estate valued at $108.00 and personal estate at $2360.10.

File #5312, Adaline T. Whitney, 1869

Adaline T. Whitney of Deerfield died 2 Aug 1868.

On 4 May 1869, Isaac Smead of Deerfield, father of the deceased, petitioned for administration of her estate. He stated that Adaline T. Whitney of Deerfield had died 2 Aug 1868, and that her heir was husband Lyman H. Whitney. He asked that Olive E. Smead be appointed administratrix.

On 12 May 1869, Olive E. Smead, sister of the deceased, was appointed administratrix. She, of Colerain, posted bond of $1200, with Isaac Smead and Hugh B. Miller as sureties. Isaac Smead stated that the estate was valued at no more than $1000.

File #5313, Amos K. Whitney, 1853

Will of Amos K. Whitney of Warwick. To daughter Elizabeth R. Bills, a home in our family and help to do the work, as long as she stays. To son Amos L. Whitney, $1. To his son $100 if he lives to majority. To daughter Arethusa Whitney, 1/3 of residue if she make her home on our premises and manages the estate and maintenance of sons George Whitney and Dudley Whitney, but if she leave, $1000. Rest to Charles Pomeroy of Northfield and daughter Arethusa Whitney in trust for the support of George and Dudley, or if one dies without issue, for the survivor of them, or if neither has issue, then to the children of daughter Elizabeth R. Bills. Executors Charles Pomeroy and Arethusa Whitney. Dated 19 Nov 1852. Witnesses: Nathan C. Morse, Harvey Conant, and Aaron J. Kidder.

7 Apr 1854, Charles Pomeroy and Arethusa Whitney petitioned for the will to be probated. 26 Apr 1854, will proved. They posted executors' bond for $3000 with Harvey Conant and Aaron J. Kidder as sureties.

28 Apr 1854, James Stockwell, Harvey Conant, and Aaron J. Kidder appointed appraisers. $3000.00 real estate (homestead and 222 acres of land), $4256.67 personal estate.

Executors' accounts dated through 2 Jun 1863.

9 Nov 1864, trustees petitioned to sell deceased's real estate. Again 3 Jan 1865. Permission to sell real estate granted to Arethusa Whitney 22 Sep 1865.

4 Apr 1865, Charles Pomeroy requested to be replaced as trustee.

9 May 1865, account of trustees. Charles Pomeroy resigned as trustee, and asked another be appointed.

9 May 1865, Calvin W. Delva and Arethusa Whitney of Warwick as principals, with Aaron J. Kidder and Henry Conant as sureties, posted trustees' bond for $5000.

13 May 1865, James Goldsbury, Willard Forbes, and Aaron J. Kidder took inventory of estate held in trust for Dudley O. Whitney and George L. Whitney.

[Arethusa Whitney m. 19 Apr 1866, Warwick, MA, Oliver P. Hawkins.]

8 May 1866, since her marriage nullified her trusteeship for Dudley O. Whitney, Arethusa W. Hawkins requested that her husband Oliver P. Hawkins be appointed a trustee for Dudley O. Whitney. Calvin W. Delva resigned as trustee.

8 May 1866, Calvin W. Delva having resigned part of his trust, and Arethusa Whitney having married, then Oliver P. Hawkins and Arethusa Whitney Hawkins petitioned to be appointed trustees for Dudley O. Whitney.

8 May 1866, account by Calvin W. Delva, trustee for George L. Whitney.

5 Jun 1866, Oliver P. Hawkins and Arethusa W. Hawkins were appointed as trustees for Dudley O. Whitney, Calvin W. Delva continued as trustee for George L. Whitney.

5 Jun 1866, Oliver P. Hawkins and Arethusa W. Hawkins, as principals, and Aaron J. Kidder and Henry Conant, as sureties, posted bond for $5000.

5 Jun 1866, account by Oliver P. Hawkins and Arethusa Hawkins of Fitzwilliam, NH, trustees for Dudley O. Whitney. Includes sale of real estate in Fitzwilliam, NH, for $1000.

12 May 1869, account by Calvin W. Delva, trustee for George L. Whitney of Warwick.

15 Jun 1869, account by Oliver P. Hawkins and Arethusa Hawkins of Fitzwilliam, NH, trustees for Dudley O. Whitney.

18 Jun 1872, account by Calvin W. Delva, trustee for George L. Whitney of Warwick.

[Oliver P. Hawkins d. 14 Aug 1872, Winchester, NH, making Arethusa sole trustee for Dudley.]

17 Jun 1873, account by Arethusa W. Hawkins, trustee for Dudley O. Whitney.

7 Sep 1874, account by Calvin W. Delva, trustee for George L. Whitney.

3 Oct 1876, account by Arethusa W. Hawkins, trustee for Dudley O. Whitney.

14 May 1878, third account by Calvin W. Delva as trustee for George L. Whitney.

12 Aug 1879, account by Arethusa W. Hawkins, trustee for Dudley O. Whitney.

1 Apr 1879, final account by Calvin W. Delva as trustee for George L. Whitney.

[George L. Whitney d. 9 Apr 1881, Warwick, MA, without issue. His part of the trust then devolved onto Dudley.]

4 Apr 1885, account by Arethusa W. Hawkins.

[Arethusa (Whitney) Hawkins d. 25 Feb 1886, Warwick, MA.]

15 Jun 1886, Calvin B. Perry requested to be made executor for Amos K. Whitney. He, of Winchester, NH, as principal, with Francis A. Adams and Henry Nichols of Royalston as sureties, posted bond for $1500.

26 Jun 1886, Daniel Whitcomb, executor of the will of Arethusa W. Hawkins, presented her final account as trustee for Dudley O. Whitney. She had willed all her property to her brother Dudley.

6 Jul 1886, Reuben L. Angier, Charles F. Pope, and Elliot K. Wheelock appraised the estate held in trust for George L. Whitney and Dudley O. Whitney, to report to Calvin B. Perry, executor.

20 Sep 1886, Calvin B. Perry, sent the court a receipt from Daniel Whitcomb, executor of Arethusa W. Hawkins, for $589.90. [Since all the children of Amos had died before this, all the monies remaining from the estate were due to the trust for Dudley O. Whitney.]

29 Sep 1886, Horace Coolidge, Oscar F. Blanding, and Chas. F. Pope appraised the estate held in trust for George L. Whitney and Dudley O. Whitney, to report to Calvin B. Perry, executor.

1 Jul 1887, account by Calvin B. Perry, trustee for Dudley O. Whitney.

Executor's 2 Jul 1889, final account by Calvin B. Perry, executor.

File #5314, Cynthia M. Whitney, 1853

Will of Cynthia M. Whitney, wife of William A. Whitney, of Shelburne. Appoints Sylvester N. Whitney and Alfred A. Bowen executors. They to receive all of her estate in trust for the care of her husband William A. Whitney during his natural life. To children David M. Whitney, Sylvester N. Whitney, Ebenezer M. Whitney, Chloe T. Hicks, Edwin D. Whitney, and Ophelia O. Bowen, to be divided equally, the residue after the trust, upon the decease of husband William A. Whitney. Dated 28 Feb 1853. Witnesses Bernard Whitney, Lydia A. Whitney, and Harriet Bassett. Recorded 20 Dec 1853. Executors were appointed, subject to posting bond for $2000.

20 Jul 1853, Sylvester N. Whitney and Alfred Bowen, executors, presented the will for probate.

20 Dec 1853, Sylvester N. Whitney and Alfred Bowen, as principals, with Jarvis B. Bardwell and John B. Whitney as sureties, posted executors bond for $2000. Elisha Putnam, Francis B. Bardwell, and Wm. C. Perry were appointed to take the inventory.

19 Jan 1854, the inventory was taken, totaling $1496.80, including a house and lot in Shelburne.

[Alfred A. Bowen d. 19 Dec 1877, Shelburne, MA.]

2 Apr 1878, account of the surviving executor Sylvester N. Whitney.

2 Apr 1878, the personal estate of Cynthia M. Whitney was insufficient to pay her debts, so executor S. N. Whitney petitioned to sell the real estate.

9 Apr 1878, the surviving executor was empowered to sell the real estate.

[Sylvester N. Whitney d. 26 Sep 1880, Shelburne, MA.]

7 Dec 1880, Samuel D. Bardwell petitioned to be named administrator de bonis non with the will annexed of the estate, and he, as principal, with Newell Snow of Greenfield and W. E. Mansfield of Hawley, as sureties, posted bond for $1000. Interested parties were D. M. Whitney, Wm. L. Whitney, Jennie H. Whitney, and Susan H. Hasley.

10 Dec 1880, both executors named in the will were deceased. Samuel D. Bardwell was appointed adminstrator.

8 Feb 1881, final account of Sylvester N. Whitney, executor, as rendered by Flavilla A. Whitney, executrix of his will.

5 Sep 1881, account of Samuel D. Bardwell, administrator.

7 Jul 1885, final account of Samuel D. Bardwell, administrator.

File #5315, Daniel Whitney, 1821

11 Jun 1821, the will of Daniel Whitney, late of Warwick, was presented for probate by Phinehas Childs of Warwick, executor.

Will: Daniel Whitney of Warwick. To beloved wife Sarah Whitney, the interest on a note from Thomas Childs for $700 dated 26 Jul 1819. To each of sons and daughters, $1, one year after the decease of my wife. To daughter Sophia Whitney, single woman, remainder of property, real and personal. Phinehas Childs to be administrator. Dated 3 Apr 1821. Witnesses: Justus Russell, Parley Leland, and John Whitney Jr.

14 May 1821, Elijah Whitney and Sophia Whitney children, and Sarah Whitney, widow, agreed the will should be probated.

11 Jun 1821, executor's bond posted by Phinehas Childs, as principal, with William Cobb and Jonathan Blake Jr. as sureties, all of Warwick, for $1500.

25 Jul 1821, Justus Russell, Perley Leland, and John Bowman, all of Warwick, the appraisers, took the inventory, amounting to $890.96.

5 Feb 1822, inventory sworn to by Phinehas Childs, and his executor's account was submitted.

File #5316, Ebenezer Whitney, 1855

Will: Ebenezer Whitney of Montague. To beloved wife Lovina Whitney, all the household furniture she brought with her at our intermarriage, my cow, and the use of all the remaining household furniture as long as she may live; and after that use, to be divided equally among my children. To my following named sons $1 each: Isaac Whitney, Otis Whitney, Apollos Whitney, Ebenezer Whitney and Asa Whitney and Emory Whitney to be paid within six months after decease. To Sophia Dunkley, wife of Benjamin Dunkley Jr., she being a daughter of aforesaid wife, $2 to be paid within six months after decease To youngest son Joseph M. Whitney, my bed and bedding after the use of my said wife, and farming implements or tools, and all the residue of my estate. Executor, Henry A. Gunn of Montague. Dated 25 Apr 1850. Witnesses Abner Chandler, Moses Bardwell, and William W. [?Noyes?].

8 May 1855, Henry A. Gunn, executor, petitioned for the will to be probated.

12 Oct 1855, sons Ebenezer Whitney, Otis Whitney, Joseph M. Whitney, Apollos Whitney, and Asa Whitney, petitioned the court to appoint Samuel D. Bardwell administrator. [Son Isaac had died, and son Emory was in Canada.]

18 Dec 1855, Samuel D. Bardwell appointed adminstrator. He, of Montague, as principal, with Humphrey Stevens and Ebenezer Whitney as sureties, posted bond for $1000.

14 Jun 1856, inventory by Henry A. Gunn, Harrison F. Root, and John Davis, amounting to $545.23.

9 Oct 1859, Lorena Whitney, widow, requested that Benjamin F. Dunkler of Sunderland, who married a daughter, be appointed administrator. [He had m. 4 Mar 1836, Montague, MA, Seviah B. Potter, dau. of James and Lovina (Burnham) Potter.]

3 Feb 1860, Benjamin F. Dunkler, son-in-law of the widow, requested an accounting of the estate. So ordered by the court.

8 May 1860, administration account by Samuel D. Bardwell.

File #5317, Ebenezer Whitney, 1869

Will of Ebenezer Whitney of Montague. To eldest son Otis R. Whitney, $10 and all my wearing apparel. To second son Ebenezer E. Whitney, $2. Residue to wife subject to conditions: whatever remains after her death to be equally distributed to grandchildren Fanny A. Whitney and Edward E. Whitney. Executor, Harrison F. Root. Dated 25 Feb 1869. Witnesses Harrison F. Root, Edward T. Gunn, and Lyman Wilder. Filed 7 Dec 1869. Recorded vol. 50, p. 162.

7 Dec 1869, petition for probate by Otis Whitney. Ebenezer had died 27 Nov 1869, leaving widow Dianey Whitney and children Otis Whitney of Montague and Edward E. Whitney of Sunderland. Harrison F. Root declined to serve as executor. Otis Whitney petitioned that administration with will annexed be granted to him.

29 Dec 1869, Otis R. Whitney, as principal, with R. N. Oakman and C. T. Wright as sureties, posted bond for $500.

4 Jan 1870, letters of administration with will annexed granted to Otis R. Whitney of Montague.

4 Jan 1870, Richard Bagg, Elijah Gunn, and H. F. Root were appointed to take the inventory.

7 Jan 1870, the inventory was presented, amounting to $1465.60.

File #5318, George P. Whitney, 1874

He died 2 Jan 1874, Orange, and on 13 Jan 1874, Hiram Woodward of Orange petitioned to take administration of his estate. His only interested party was his father by adoption, Ammi Whitney of Orange, who consented.

3 Feb 1874, Hiram Woodward was appointed administrator, and he, or Orange, as principal, with Andrew J. Clark and Damon E. Cheney of Orange as sureties, posted bond for $5000.

4 Feb 1874, Isaac L. Hosmer, Darwin Merriam, and Horace Blake took the inventory, amounting to $1409.90.

16 Jun 1874, first and final administration account of Hiram Woodward. Balance of estate paid to Ammi Whitney.

File #5319, Jacob, John B., Jonas A., Leonard, Loisa, and Lydia A. Whitney, 1824

11 May 1824, Abner Whitney of Orange petitioned for administration on the estate of Jacob Whitney, late of New Salem, at the request in writing of Lucy Whitney, widow of Jacob.

11 May 1824, Abner Whitney, as principal, with Benjamin Dexter and Josiah Ball, all of Orange, posted administator's bond for $3000.

26 Jun 1824, inventory taken by William Whitaker, Ebenr. Torrey, and Amos Adams, amounting to $1158.78.

7 Sep 1824, widow Lucy Whitney was appointed guardian for Leonard Whitney, Loisa Whitney, Jonas A. Whitney, John B. Whitney, and Lydia Ann Whitney, minors under 14, children of Jacob Whitney, late of New Salem, deceased, having given bond for $2000.

7 Sep 1824, Lucy Whitney of New Salem as principal, with Benjamin Stacy of New Salem and Abner Whitney of Orange as sureties, gave bond as guardian for $2000.

13 May 1828, first account of Abner Whitney, administrator of the estate of Jacob Whitney, late of New Salem. Distribution: widow Lucy Whitney, $345.56; son Leonard Whitney, $138.22; daughter Loisa Whitney, $138.22; son Jonas A. Whitney, $138.22; son John B. Whitney, $138.22; and daughter Lydia Ann Whitney, $138.22.

13 May 1828, second account of Abner Whitney, administrator of the estate of Jacob Whitney, late of New Salem.

13 May 1828, Loisa Whitney, daughter of Jacob Whitney, minor, above the age of 14, chose Noah Goss of Montague as her guardian. He was also appointed guardian of Jonas A. Whitney, John B. Whitney, and Lydia Ann Whitney, children of Jacob Whitney, minors under the age of 14, he to post bond for $2000.

13 May 1828, Noah Goss of Montague, as principal, with David Goss and Clark Goss, both of Montague, as sureties, posted guardian bond for $2000.

9 Mar 1830, first account of Noah Goss, guardian of Loisa Whitney, Jonas A. Whitney, John B. Whitney, and Lydia Ann Whitney, minor heirs of Jacob Whitney, late of New Salem.

8 Mar 1831, third account of Noah Goss as guardian.

13 Mar 1832, fourth account of Noah Goss as guardian.

[Loisa Whitney was married in 1832.--RLW]

12 Mar 1833, fifth account of Noah Goss as guardian.

12 Mar 1834, sixth account of Noah Goss as guardian.

10 Mar 1835, seventh account of Noah Goss as guardian.

14 Mar 1837, eighth account of Noah Goss as guardian.

11 Mar 1838, tenth account of Noah Goss as guardian.

File #5320, John Whitney, 1839

7 Feb 1835, affidavit of Melinda Russell that John Whitney was a pensioner of the United States, Certificate #27,198; that he died 3 Nov last, and left no widow and two surviving children, John Whitney and Nancy Fay, wife of Samuel Fay, of Winchester, NH. [This was the father of the John Whitney who died in Jul 1839; he was the elder of the two children mentioned.--RLW]

18 Sep 1839, Samuel Fay and Nancy Fay, petitioners, represented that John Whitney late of Warwick died last July intestate. He left two minor children the oldest is absent from Warwick. No other relations except a sister of a brother-in-law, who declines taking a letter of administration; and request that Lemuel Wheelock should be be appointed he being one of the largest creditors. Lemuel Wheelock agreed to this, and so did Wm. Cobb, another creditor.

18 Sep 1839, Lemuel Wheelock of Warwick, as principal, with Abijah Eddy and William Cobb, as sureties, posted bond for $500.

18 Sep 1839, William Cobb, Abijah Eddy, and Asa Taft were appointed to take the inventory of his estate.

2 Nov 1839, inventory of personal estate was taken by Wm. Cobb, Abijah Eddy, and Asa Taft, amounting to $58.22.

5 Nov 1839, Lemuel Wheelock suggested that the estate was insolvent, and asked that a commission be appointed to review the claims of creditors. William Cobb and Jacob R. Gale were appointed. Samuel Wheelock petitioned for a public sale of assets.

29 Nov 1839, sale of personal estate, $64.78, net gain $6.53.

17 Dec 1839, affidavit of public notice.

28 Dec 1839, appointees to commission appeared and took oaths.

12 May 1840, report of commissioners, debts amounted to $222.90.

15 Dec 1840, administrator's first account

9 Feb 1841, distribution. Assets, $80, debts, $222.90. Payments made at $0.359 on the dollar.

File #5325, Charles Whitney, ----

"For adoption proceedings in this case, see register."

File #16490, Lydia M. Whitney, 1911

1 Feb 1909, petition for administration filed. Allowed 7 Feb 1909.

She died 13 Dec 1908, Conway, MA, intestate.

28 Jan 1909, Minnie M. Wells petitioned for administration. Heirs were husband Elliot Whitney, Cummington, and daughter Minnie W. wells, Conway. Husband Elliot Whitney assented.

2 Feb 1909, administration granted to Minnie M. Wells of Conway. No real estate, personal estate under $200.

2 Feb 1909, Minnie M. Wells posted administration bond for $300 with Harris T. Pease and Luella J. Pease, both of Conway, as sureties.

Inventory as of 13 Dec 1908: $180.48.

By 14 Feb 1911, husband had died, and administrators account was filed.

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Copyright © 2019, Robert L. Ward and the Whitney Research Group.