The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-04-27
Some Curious Wills.

Mr.. William Tegg has just published
in London an entertaining volume called
wills OF Their Own" in which he pre-.
sents many remarkable wills of eccentric
persons: Among the most curious of
these is that of Edward Wortley Montagu,
son OF Mr. Montagu, Ambassador to Con-
stantinople in 1916, by Lady Mary Wort
ley Montagu, his wife, the supposed Sap
pho of Pope.
after some requests to my noble and
worthy relation, the Earl Of - the
will adds: L do not give his lordship
any further part of my property because
the best part of that he has contrived to
take already. Item, to Sir Francis -
give one word of mine, because he has
never had the good fortune to keep his
own. Item, to Lord M give moth
ing, because l know he'll bestow it on the
poor. Item, to -, the author, for put
ting me in his travels, give five shillings
for his wit, undeterred by the charge of
extravaganza, since friends who have read
his book consider five shillings too much
Item, to Sir Robert W. l leave my
political opinions, never doubling he can
we'll turn them into cash, who has always
found such an excellent market in which
to change his own. Item, my cast habit
Of swearing oaths give to Sir Leopold
D., in consideration that no oaths have
ever be able to find him yet"
Perhaps even more eccentric than this
is the last will and testament of Mr.. Daniel
Martinett, of Calcutta. The following
clauses are full of grim humor.
The undertaker's fees come to moth
ing, as won them from him at game
of billiards in the presence of Mr.. Thomas
Morrice and William Perkes, at the said
William Perkes' house in February last.
l furthermore request, not only as it is
customary, but as I sincerely believe the
prayers of the good availeth, and are
truly consistent with decency, that the
Rev. Mr. Butler read the prayers which
are customary at burials, and also preach
funeral sermon on Sunday next after my
Ddecease, taking his text from Solomon,
All isavanity.' In consideration of which,
over and above his fees, l bestow upon
him all my hypocrisy, which he wants as
. modern good man !; but as my finances
are low, and cannot conveniently dis
charge his fees, hope he will please &C.
cept the will for the deed. As it lies not
in my power to bequeath anything to my
relations at home, shall say nothing
concerning them, as they have not for
these six years past concerned themselves
about me; excepting that / heartily wish
them all we'll, and that my brothers and
sisters may make a more prosperous voy-
age through this life than have done. !"
The great Lord Chesterfield seems to
have had an equal sense of humor, for by
one of the clauses of his will, proved
shortly after his death in 1918, he pro-
vldeS that:
I'm case my said godson, Philip Stan
hope, shall, at any time hereafter, keep or
be concerned in keeping of. any race
horses. or pack Of hounds, or reside one
night at Newmarket, that infamous semi
nary Of iniquity and ill-manners, during
the course of races there; or shall resort
to the said races, or shall losesin any one
day, at any game or bet whatsoever, the
sum Of &0OO; then, in any, OF the cases
aforesaid, 1t is my express will that he,
my said godson, shah forfeit and pay out
fmy estate the sum of 81, Oo0 for the use
of the Dean and Chapter IF Westminster"
Simiisrly Nh. bavis, Of ClapheH. LEFT
"'The sum Of IS 10 Mary Davis, daugh-
ter of Peter DelapoEt, which issnacient
70 enable her to gst, drunk Y for the last
time ut my expense"
added the testament sof M James Rob.
bins, who, in 1869,
"Set his face and his will in favor of
his widow wearing Widows weeds. He
ordered, In the event of my dear wife
not complying with my request to wear u
widows cap after my decease, and in the
event of her marrying again, then, and
in both such cases., the annuity, which
shall be payable to her out of my estate
shall he zoo Der annum and NOT Gao ~