I wish I had diaries or memoirs from at least one of my great grandparents! It would sure be nice to know their thoughts about the events in their lives. But until that diary's discovered, I am finding intriguing details in court documents and other pieces of the family history. It seems to me that sometimes there are personality traits or hints to their circumstances, if you do a little more analyzing of what's there. The will of Amelia Weber is one example. See if you agree when you read the transcription below.
First, just a few words about Amelia. I wrote just the other day about her two children who died of diphtheria in 1876, Amelia Marie and Herman Joseph. Amelia was a widow for 40 years and lived the last 15-20 years of her life with her son, Harry Adam's family, on South Alabama Street in Indianapolis. You'll see below that Harry is the executor of her will.
Following are her Probate Records:
-- Amelia Weber Will recorded in the Probate Court of Marion County, Indianapolis, Indiana, 16 March 1912.
-- Affidavit of death, Proof of Will and Certificate of death filed in Marion County Indiana Probate Court on 15 Sept 1913.
-- Final disposition of will on 23 Jan 1915., Marion County, Indianapolis IN, Docket 43, Estate #12158.
Transcription: Last Will and Testament of Amelia Weber
I, Amelia Weber, of the City of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, being now of sound and disposing mind and memory and desirous of making a disposition of my estate to take effect after my death, do now make, publish, declare and ordain the following as and for my last will and testament.
Item I.
It is my will and I hereby direct that all my just debts be paid as speedily as possible after my death, including the payment of the expenses of my last sickness, funeral and cost of administration upon my estate,
Item II.
It is my will and I hereby direct that all the rest and residue of my estate, remaining after the payment of the matters in item I hereof, be used in payment of the expenses of saying masses for the repose of the soul of my deceased husband, Adam Weber, and for the repose of my own soul.
Item III.
I hereby appoint my son, Harry A. Weber, as executor hereof and hereby revoke all other wills heretofore made by me.
In Witness Whereof, I, Amelia Weber, the testatrix have hereunto set my hand and do declare the foregoing as and for my last will and testament this 10th day of March 1912.
(Signed) Amelia Weber
We, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing instrument was this 16th day of March 1912, signed by Amelia Weber and was by her declared to be her last will and testament in our presence and we at her request, in her presence and in the presence of each other have signed the same as witnesses.
(Signed) Anna M. Cheseldine
(Signed) Jacob Buennagel
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Affidavit of Death
State of Indiana, Marion County,
Harry A. Weber, being duly sworn, on oath says that Amelia Weber departed this life on or about the 26th day of Aug 1913, and at the time of her death was a resident of said County and State.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 15 day of Sept A. D. 1913
(Signed) Harry A. Weber
John Rauch, Clerk
Proof of Will
Before the Clerk of the Probate Court of the County of Marion, in the State of Indiana, personally came Jacob Buennagel subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing, who being by me first duly sworn, upon oath deposes and says that Amelia Weber testatrix names in the instrument of writing purporting to be her LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, did sign, seal, publish and declare the same to be her last will and testament, on the day of the date thereof, that she said testatrix was at the same time of full age of twenty-one years, and of sound and disposing mind and memory, and that she was under no coercion, compulsion or restraint, and that she was competent to devise her property. And that she said testatrix so signed, sealed, published and declared the same to be her last will and testament, in manner and form as aforesaid, in the presence of affiant, and of Anna W. Cheseldine, the other subscribing witness..thereto, and, that each attested the same, and subscribed their names as witnesses thereto, in the presence and at the request of said testatrix and in the presence of each other.
(Signed) Jacob Buennagel
15 day of Sept 1913
Document note in margin:
Probated in open court this 15 Day of Sept 1913
Frank B. Ross, Judge of the Probate Court of Marion County, Indiana
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Final Disposition of the Will:
General Entry, Claim and Allowance Docket, Docket 43, Probate Court of Marion County, Indianapolis
No. of Estate 12158
Name: Amelia Weber
Executor: Harry A. Weber
Attorneys: Means & Buenting
Bond: Jacob Buennagel, C. W. Means, $200
Date of estate: 9/15/13
Date of death: Aug. 25, 1913
Reports for the court are filed
Sept 15, 1913 - Open the Will - $2.50
- Bonds & Letters 3.50
Oct 9, 1913 - Indianapolis News 2.50
23 Jan 1915 - Proof of post,
Final report, Estate Closed
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The need for Amelia's will isn't clear. She lived in the home of the only remaining member of her immediate family, her son Harry. She, undoubtedly, had no assets to speak of at the time she passed away. Her Civil War widow's pension files make that clear. She had lived on that pension since 1890, having no other means of supporting herself. Perhaps the official documentation was involved with the government pension. Or maybe she was a lady who just kept everything in order in her life. It seems obvious that her Catholic faith was important to her as she included "saying masses for the repose of the soul of my deceased husband, Adam Weber, and for the repose of my own soul." Do you see any other hints or have thoughts about Amelia based on the will? After all is said, Amelia weathered many storms throughout her life and it seems she left with everything under control.
Thanks for visiting Indiana Ties,
Nancy
Links to the above two Will documents at my Scribd account:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/264166764/Amelia-Micol-Weber-Will-1912
https://www.scribd.com/doc/264166994/Amelia-Weber-Will-Final-Disposition-1915
Other stories that involve Amelia (Micol) Weber:
Amelia's Mother:Julianna Weber Micol: She's Our Third Great Grandmother & Third Great Grand Aunt
What Was Our Family Doing When President Lincoln Came Through Town?
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