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Surrogate Records of George W. Means




To the Surrogate of the County of Ontario.

    The Petition of Charles H. Means of the Town of Seneca in the County of Ontario respectfully showeth:  That George W. Means of the Town of Seneca on or about the 28 day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven.  That at the time of his death he was an inhabitant of the County of Ontario.  That he left no will, as far as your petitioner has heard, or been able to discover:  That he left as heirs at law his children George N. Means, Charles H. Means, John R. Means, Jane E. Gaines wife of W. W. Gaines, Caroline P. Black wife of James Black, and Augustus C. means, all of full age.  That all the children except John R. Means have sold and transferred their interest in the estate of the said George W. means to your petitioner and said John R. Means and that the son John R. Means and your petitioners own the personal estate of the said George W. Means by purchase as well as the real estate.  That your petitioner is the oldest son of the said Geo W. Means, dec. That the said George W. Means left no widow.  That said Geo W. Means left no debts and letters of administration are asked for solely for the purpose of discharging a certain mortgage of $800 given said intestate by James [can’t read last name].
    And your petitioner further showeth, that all the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased do not exceed in value the sum of eight hundred dollars, and his real property does not exceed in value the sum of fourteen thousand dollars:  and your petitioner prays that Letters of Administration of the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased may be granted by the Surrogate to your petitioner.

Dated Feb 20 1868.            Charles H. Means


On this 20 day of February 1868, personally appeared before me Charles H. means the above named petitioner, and made oath that the matters set forth in the above petition are true, to be best of the knowledge, information and belief of said petitioner.
                Geo. R. Dus_________ [can’t read]
                Ontario County Judge

I, Charles H. Means do swear, that he will well, honestly and faithfully discharge the duty of administrator of the estate of Geo W. Means deceased, according to law.
Subscribed and sworn the 20 day
Of February 1868, before me
    Geo R. Disuiteerre?
    Ontario County Judge



Will and Records of John Reed Means



­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Record of John R. Means’ Will

    I, John Reed Means, of the Town of Geneva, County of Ontario and State of New York being of sound mind and memory do make, publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following, that it to say:
    First:  I order and direct my executors hereinafter named to pay all of my just debts and also expenses attendant upon my last sickness and burial.
    Second:  I give and bequeath unto my wife, Margaret K. Means the use of all of the rest, residue, and remainder of the estate of which I shall die seized both real and personal or mixed of whatsoever name or nature or wheresoever situate, for and during the term of her natural life.
    Third:  And subject to my wife’s life use in the said residuum of my estate, I give devise and bequeath the said residuum of my estate both real and personal unto my children George S. Means, Agnes K. Means, Wallace G. Means and Mary Louison Means, or to such of those as shall be upwards of twenty-one years of age at the death of my said wife, in trust, however, - First:  To pay out of my personal estate at the death of y wife to my son Wallace G. means the sum of five hundred dollars.  Second:  To deliver to my daughters Agnes K. Means and Mary Louison Means at the death of my said wife all of my household furniture useful and ornamental of every name, nature and description.  Third:  At the death of my wife to deliver to my sons George S. Means and Wallace G. Means such of my farming tools, implements, horses, carriages, harnesses, robes, + stock of all kinds on said farm that shall then remain undisposed of.
    Fourth:  And from and after the death of my said wife they shall invest the balance of my personal estate not hereinbefore disposed of in such securities and investments as to them shall seem best and keep the same so invested until my youngest child me surviving and living to attain the age of twenty-five years, shall have reached the age of twenty-five years and meanwhile they shall collect and receive the income arising therefrom:  And from and after the death of my said wife they shall rent my said farm or cause the same to be worked and keep the same so rented or worked until my youngest child me surviving and living to attain the age of twenty-five years shall have reached the age of twenty-five years and during that time they shall collect and receive the rents, issues and profits arising therefrom.  And if at the death of my wife my youngest daughter shall have not completed her course at the Geneva High School, then my said trustees shall out of the income arising from my real and personal estate pay and defray the expenses attendant upon the completing of her said high-school course by my said daughter Mary Louison Means and divide the remaining income between my other three children.  But if at the time of the death of my said wife my said daughter shall have completed her course at the Geneva High School then my said trustees shall divide the net income arising from my real and personal estate, during said term, equally between my four children.
    And when my youngest child me surviving and living to attain the age of twenty-five years, shall have reached the age of twenty-five years, then if my wife’s state therein shall have terminated, my said trustees shall either convey said farm to my said children George S. Means, Agnes K. Means, Wallace G. Means and Mary Louison Means in equal shares or else sell said farm and convey the same when sold to the purchaser or purchasers thereof by good and sufficient deeds of conveyance and divide the net proceeds arising from said sale equally between my said children George S. Means, Agnes K. Means, Wallace G. Means and Mary Louison Means.
    Fourth:  If any of my said children shall die before the period fixed for the distribution of my estate leaving issue them surviving, such issue shall together take and receive the same legacy and share hereunder, which his, her or their parent would have taken hereunder if living.
    Fifth:  If my said son Wallace G. Means shall desire to go on with his education, then I authorize and direct my said executors to expend said sum of five hundred dollars, to be paid to him at his mother’s death in giving him the advantages of an education and such sum as shall be expended by them for that purpose shall be deducted from the said sum of five hundred dollars as payable to him at the death of my said wife, and only the balance found due to him if any there be, shall then be paid to him.
    Sixth:  I authorize and direct my said executors to pay and discharge out of my estate the funeral expenses of my said wife at her death.
    Seventh:  The foregoing provisions by me made for my said wife are to be taken and received by her in lieu of dower.
    Lastly, I nominate and appointment my wife, Margaret K. Means, my son George S. Means and my daughter Agnes K. Means, to be the executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made and I order and direct that letters testamentary hereon be issued to my said executors by the probate court of each and every State wherein this my will may be admitted to probate without any bond or other security being required from them or either of them for any cause whatsoever.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 27th day of August, 1898.
                                John R. Means [Seal]

    The foregoing instrument was at the date thereof, signed, sealed, published and declared by the testator, the said John Reed Means to be his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereof and written opposite our names our respective places of residence, and the word “that” erased in line marked 6 and the word “ages” in line marked 16 on the second page hereof inserted before execution hereof.
Charles N. Hemiup, residing at Geneva, Ont. Co. NY
John [?.] Ross, residing in Geneva, Ont. Co. NY


To the Surrogate’s Court of the County of Ontario:

    The Petition of Margaret K. Means and Agnes K. Means of Geneva NY and George S. Means of the Town of Benton in the County of Yates respectfully shows:
    That John R. Means late of the town of Geneva in the County of Ontario, deceased, died in the said town of Geneva on or about the 10th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine being at that time a citizen of the United states and a resident of the County of Ontario; that he died leaving a last Will and Testament, which is now produced in the Surrogate’s Court of the said county of Ontario, before the said Surrogate, which bears date the 27th day of August A.D., 1898.  Which affects or purports to affect, both real and personal, property, and by which said last Will and Testament the said decedent nominated and appointed Margaret K. Means, Agnes K. Means and George S. Means, your petitioners executors thereof; that the said decedent died possessed of personal property in the said county of Ontario, which does not exceed in value about $2000.00, and real property which does not exceed in value about $_________; and that the following named persons are* his widow all the heirs-at-law and next of kin of the said decedent, and that their place of residence and their relationships to the decedent are, respectfully as follows, viz:
Margaret K. Means, his widow and one of your petitioners residing in the Town of Geneva, NY.
Agnes K. Means, his daughter and one of your petitioners residing at Geneva, NY.
George S. Means, his son and one of your petitioners residing at Bellona, NY.
Wallace G. Means his son residing in the Town of Geneva, NY.
Mary Louisa Means, his daughter, residing in the Town of Geneva, NY.
    Who are all of full age and sound mind, except Wallace G. Means and Mary Louisa Means who are infants.
    That said decedent left his above named herein surviving.
    Wherefore, your petitioners pray that the said last Will and Testament may be proved, and letters testamentary granted thereon according to law, and that the above-named* widow heirs and next of kin of said decedent may be cited to attend the probate thereof; and for such other or further order in relation to the proof of said Will or the service of said citation, as may be just and proper.
    Dated May 9th, 1899.
                        Margaret K. Means
                        Agnes K. Means
                        George S. Means



Will and Records of James Means



Will of James Means

    In the Name of God, Amen!  I, James Means of the town of Seneca in the county of Ontario, being of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this as my last will and testament in manner following that is to say._  First, I order and direct my executrix and executors hereinafter named to pay all my debts, funeral charges, +c as soon as may be after my decease._  Second, I hereby give devise and bequeath unto my wife Elizabeth in lieu of all dower and claim for dower in or to any portion of my estate, one half of my household furniture, one half of the cattle, horses, sheep, and hogs, one half of all wagons and carriages and farming utensils and the harness thereto belonging, as I may be possessed of the same at the time of my decease.  To have and to hold the same to her and her assigns forever.  Also I give devise and bequeath unto her my said wife the use and improvement of one half of my farm on which I now live for and during her natural life to be enjoyed by her together with one half of my dwelling house on my said farm during her said life in manner hereinafter provided._  Third, I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Joseph all that my homestead farm on which I now live together with about three fourths of an acre of land conveyed to me by Jonathan Read adjoining the same together with one half of all my stock cattle horses sheep and hogs, and one half of all my household furniture wagons carts an farming utensils and the harness thereto belonging:  To have and to hold the same to him my said son Joseph his heirs and assigns forever, upon condition however and this devise is upon this express confidence and trust, that He the said Joseph shall permit and allow his mother Elizabeth my wife, the peaceable and quiet enjoyment of one half of my dwelling house on the said farm, that he shall during her natural life cultivate and carry on the said farm and pay to his said mother one half of the proceeds or income thereof, after deducting the necessary expenses of cultivation, that he shall provide his said mother necessary firewood and shall take care of her stock and property so that his mother shall receive a comfortable support and maintainance for and during her natural life._  Fourth, and as I have heretofore provided for my other sons John, James and George I do now in token of my remembrance an dove for them give and bequeath to each of them the sum of five dollars._  Fifth.  In order to raise a fund to pay of the legacies hereinafter mentioned I do hereby authorize and empower my executrix and executors hereinafter named, the survivors of survivor of them to sell dispose of and convey for the best price and on the best terms that can be got therefore seventy six acres of land part of lot number eighty nine in township number nine fist range conveyed to me by Caleb Benton and out of the proceeds thereof I order and direct my said executrix or executors the survivors or survivor of them to pay to my daughter Phebe, wife of Alexander Galloway the sum of one hundred dollars and my daughter Mary wife of Moses Black the sum of six hundred dollars and Sixth, I order and direct my executrix and executors to collect all my debts, and the monies arising therefrom together with such money as I may have at my decease and the residue of the consideration money of the said seventy six acres of land after paying off the said legacies to my said daughters I hereby order and direct shall be by them equally divided share and share alike among all my children, or the survivors of my children and the heirs of such as may then be dead; they having first discharged and paid all my debts as before order._  Lastly, I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my wife Elizabeth executrix and y said sons John, James and George executors of this my last will and testament; hereby revoking all others by ne heretofore made and declaring this to be my sole and only will and testament.  In Witness whereof I the said James Means have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of November in the year of our Sons one thousand eight hundred and twenty six.
                                    James Means (Seal)
    Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testator as and for his last will and testament in presence of us, who in presence of the testator and of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.
                                    James Rees
                                    B. Whiting
                                    Charles Butler
    Ontario County.  Be it remembered that on the eighteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight personally appeared before me Jared Willson Esquire Surrogate of the county of Ontario Bowen Whiting who being duly sworn did depose and say that he the deponent saw James means late of the county of Ontario deceased, sign and seal the written instrument then shown unto him of which the aforegoing is a true copy purporting to be the last will and testament of the said James Means deceased leaving ate the eighteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six, that at the time thereof the said James Means was of a sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and belief of him the deponent, and that he the deponent and James Rees and Charles Butler subscribed their names at witnesses to the said will in the presence of each other and in the presence of the testator.
                                    Jared Willson



Will of Wallace G. Means



Last Will and Testament

    I, Wallace G. Means, of the Town of Seneca, Ontario County, New York, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this my Last Will and Testament:  hereby revoking any and all other will or codicils by me at any time heretofore made.
    FIRST:  I direct the payment by my executrix of all my just debts and funeral expenses and all expenses incurred in the administration of my estate, as soon as is practicable after my decease.
    SECOND:  All the rest, residue and remainder of my property, of whatsoever nature and wheresoever situate, of which I may die seized or possessed, or in which I may have an interest at the time of my death, I give, devise and bequeath to my wife, Harriet A. Means, to be hers absolutely.
    THIRD:  I hereby authorize and direct my Executrix hereinafter named, to sell, mortgage, lease or transfer any of my property at public or private sale as she in her discretion may deem proper for the best interests of my estate.
    LASTLY, I hereby nominate and appoint my wife, Harriet A. Means of the Town of Seneca, New York, to be Executrix of this, my Last Will and Testament, and I direct that she shall act as such executrix without bond or other security.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 13th day of October, in the year Nineteen Hundred and thirty-nine.
                            Wallace G. Means (L.S.)
    We, whose names are hereto subscribed, do certify that on the 13th day of October, 1939, the testator
        Wallace G. Means
Subscribed his name to this instrument in our presence and in

(Unfortunately, the rest did not get copied.)



Will and Surrogate Records of Margaret K. Means





SURROGATE’S COURT, ONTARIO COUNTY.

In the Matter
Of the
Probate of the Last Will and Testament
Of Margaret K. Means, late of the Town
of Seneca, Ontario County, New York.

TO THE SURROGATE’S COURT OF THE COUNTY OF ONTARIO:

    The petition of Wallace G. Means of the town of Geneva, County of Ontario, and State of New York, respectfully shows this Court:
    That Margaret K. Means, late of the Town of Seneca, County of Ontario, New York, died on or about the 31st day of December, 1916, being at that time a resident of the County of Ontario, New York.
    Upon information and belief, that said decedent left a Last Will and Testament, which, as deponent is informed and believes, is now in the custody of C. Willard Rice, Esq., an Attorney and Counselor at Law in the City of Geneva, County of Ontario and State of New York;
    That although more than one year has elapsed since the death of the said decedent, said Will has not, so far as deponent is informed and believes, been offered for probate;
    That at the time of her death the said Margaret K. Means left her surviving as her only heirs-at-law and next of kin the following named persons whose residences are as hereinafter set forth:
    M. Louise Means of New York City, N.Y.
    Agnes M. Hall of the Town of Seneca, Ontario County, N.Y.
    Georgia Means of the City of Geneva, Ontario County, N. Y., and
    Wallace G. Means, your petitioner, of the Town of Geneva, Ontario County, N.Y.
That all of said persons are of full age and competent except the said Georgia Means, who is an infant under the age of fourteen years.
    That no previous petition for the probate of said Will or for the grant of letters testamentary or for the administration of the property of the decedent has been filed or presented in any court to the knowledge or belief of your petitioner.

    Wherefore, your petitioner prays that an order may be granted herein compelling the said C. Willard Rice, Esq., to produce and file the said Will in the office of the Surrogate of the County of Ontario and that a Citation issue to the above named persons and to such others as may by the said Will appear to be necessary parties thereto, to show cause before this Court why the said Last Will and Testament should not be admitted to probate.
Dated, April 18, 1918.
                                W. G. Means
                                    Petitioner

State of New York, )
County of Ontario, )  SS.:

    Wallace G. Means, being duly sworn, says that he is the petitioner named in the foregoing petition; that he has read the said petition and knows the contents thereof, and that the same is true to his own knowledge, except as to the matters therein stated to be alleged on information and belief, and as to those matters he believes it to be true.

Sworn to before me this 18th day of April, 1918.        W. G. Means

Florence A. Warner
Notary Public


Last Will and Testament
    I, Margaret K. Means of the Town of Seneca, County of Ontario and State of New York, being of sound mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this my last Will and Testament, in manner following, that is to say:
    First – I direct the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses.
    Second – I give, devise and bequeath unto my daughters Agnes M. Hall and M. Louise Means and unto my grand-daughter Margaret L. Edmiston all the property which I shall die possessed, both real, personal or mixed, of every name and nature and wheresoever situate, to be divided equally between them, share and share alike; and in the event of the death of any of the above named then I direct that the share of the one so dying shall pass to and be divided between the survivors, share and share alike.
    Lastly – I hereby nominate and appoint Agnes M. Hall and M. Louise Means to be the executors of this my last Will and Testament:  hereby revoking all former will made by me.
    In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name the twelfth day of September in the year One thousand nine hundred and twelve.
                                    Margaret K. Means
    We, whose names are hereto subscribed, do certify, that on the 12th day of September, 1912 Margaret K. Means, the testatrix, subscribed her name to this instrument, typewritten on two half sheets of paper, in our presence and in the presence of each of us, and at the same time, in our presence and hearing, declared the same to be her last will and testament, and requested us, and each of us, to sign our names thereto as witnesses to the execution thereof, which we hereby do in the presence of the testatrix and of each other, on the said date, and write opposite our names our respective places of residence.
    C. W. Rice residing at Geneva, NY.
    A. C. Doran residing at Geneva, NY.



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