The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-10-05
Steward Bros, at The Island Mills.

| bred dollars such sums of money as my said
executor in his judgment and discretion may
see fit to pay them, reposing confidence in
my said executor that he will pay over to said
William and Alice only such amounts as
their circumstances may require having
specially in view their education
grid. The second clause in said will does
not provide nor is there in any part of said
will any provision made for the payment of
costs of administration OF estate OF of trust
fund.
4th. Said will after providing legacies to
divers persons for purposes therein stated,
amounting all to S555 and a few specific
legacies, the rights of parties under which
are not likely to be affected by these pro-
ceedings said will provides as follows;
Eleventh, All the rest and residue of my
estate whether real, personal or mixed wher-
ever found and however situated, desire my
said Executor shall convert into current
money and divide into three equal parts
which parts desire shall be given to heirs
Of my said husbands brothers sand sisters,
viz, Simon, John and Polly, the heirs of each
receiving one of said parts.
sth. Said r. b. Barrett, your orator,
humbly shows your Honors that he is inform
ed and believes that said Hannah II. NOVEL;
never had any child and that said William
Briggs Wilkins and his sister Alice May Viii
kins designated in said will as grandchildren
of said Hannah II. NOVEL; are not her grand.
children in fact, unless they may be such by
adoption of their mother and are not her
relatives, but are the only surviving grand
children and sole heirs of said Polly the
sister of William NOVEL; her deceased hus-
band. That though it is claimed that their
mother Esther Fish, daughter of said Polly
and her husband Thomas Fish late of said
Fairfield, deceased, was adopted in her in
fancy by said Hannah II. NOVEL; and her
husband William NOVEL; with consent of Ter
parents the said Thomas and Polly Fish by
Act of legislature, thereby making said
William and Alice grandchildren to testatrix
by adoption Of their mother, yet your orator,
having made thorough search and investiga-
ton both Of Acts of Legislature and records
of adoption by our Probate Court, and failed
to find any adoption. it is claimed by him
| that there never was any such adoption TO
change rights of inheritance.
9th. And your orator complaining humbly
shows your Honors that he is informed and
believes that said William Briggs Wilkins
started for the gold fields of Alaska and was
Seattle on the 23rd day of May A. b. 1898,
his destination then being $50 miles up the
Neuse river, and his boat waswrecked about
80 miles up said river and he was fear kill
ed there in the month of July A. d. 1898.
9TH. That the surviving heirs of said
Simon Novel;, under said residuary clause of
said will, are Frank +. NOVEL;, Mrs Ella
NOVEL; Kelley, Mrs Mary Eta Pease, Mrs.
Georgiana Novel; Boynton and William S.
Novel;, and that the sole surviving heirs of
said John NOVEL; under said clause Of said
will are Miss Barrie NOVEL; and Miss Bertha
f., NOVEL; and are made parties to this Bill
and their names and places of abode are
therein above stated.
Wherefore your orator asks for a construc-
ton of that portion of the will and testament
and codicil thereto of said Hannah IL.
Novel; heretofore recited and that your
IIonors will direct out of what fund the cost
of administration Of estate and trust fund
shall be paid and the order of such payment
and to direct and order distribution of said
estate among the benehciaries therein named
in accordance with said will and codicil as
construed by your Honors and the rights OF
the parties claiming under the same as may
appear from the evidence given you.
And your orator prays that he may be
given such other and further relief and such
other and further orders may be made in the
premises as your Honors may deem right and
necessary.
\ true copy of order with abstract Of bill.
Attest: ~ w. BRAINERD, Clerk.
2w4o