Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-09-13

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In all over TO witnesses were called, the
larger number be ing for the contestants.
The next jury case, Fortier VS. Page and
Tinster, will 80 on trial Tuesday morning.
The Stoddard viii case from Westminster
WAS tried before Il jury consisting of CYRUS
Reed of Brattleboro, Z III Newton OF Vernon,
Aonzo Powers of Athens, Elijah w Brown
of Rockingham. Frank II Fitch Of Wilmington
Albert II Lawrence of Grafton, William Pad
dock of Somerset Al Currier OF Brattleboro.
George II Houghton of Townshend, + ii
White of Newfane, Timothy NJ Allbee of
Brookline, o III Copeland OF Marlboro. The
case as outlined presented the following facts:
Ann jeanette Stoddard WAS the " ife for many
wears of Sylvester Stoddard, town clerk of
Westminster and prominent in the settlement
Of estates and the general public business of
the town. Mr. StOddard died In 1882 and in
1883 the widow married Judge Abisha
Stoddard OF Townshend. who lived with her
on her place on Westminster street TIL her
death in 1893. On October 3lst, 1855. Mrs
stoddard executed will drawn by her hus.
band. Judge Stoddard, under the provisions
of which Judge Stoddard was to have the use
of the homestead and farming tools during
his lifetime, and a certain amount OF stock.of
the Vermont Live Stock company. To her
nephew DR. Holden of Brattleboro she gave
$1,000. and like amount 10 each of her nieces
1
minister. Luceba q Smith of Westminster
and Mary A Amsden OF Boston.
70 her niece. Abbie | Buck OF Dorche -ter,
Mass, she gave the use OF $500 during her life
time. the same to 90 10 Mrs Bucks heirs after
her DEATH TO stephen NJ NuttihG she gave
in trust for her nephew. Ira b Holden OF
Westminster, the use of her homestead sub |
ject to the use of the same by her husband
should he survive her also the use OF the farm
known n the Eaton farm and wooodlOt, both |
pieces Of property TO 90 To Ira Holton's heirs |
after his decease. The balance of her estate /;
she gave to her niece, Mrs Julia f Woodward |
OF Lowell. Mass. The will was witnessed by |
Henry Lane, Frank Il Lane and Fred |
Lane.
On October3O. 1883, Judge Stoddard having |
died shortly previous. she made a coiitl to |
the will by which she revoked the provision !
for him and gave her niece, AbHie | Buck |
500, absolutely, in addition 10 the heque>t
named in the will. ON March %. 1897, she
executed second colici by which She revok-
ed the bequest of $1,000 TO DR. II ID Holton.
made her original conditional bequest to Abble
| Buck absolute and gave $1,000 10 stephen NJ
Mating in trust for Ira Motion, the interest
md so much of the principal a. might be
necessary to be used for his support. and
my balance remaining to go to his heirs.
Both codicals were drawn by Henry c Lane
md witnessed by same parties as the will.
Mrs Stoddard died December 20. 1899, aged
. years. The will was presented for probate
md allowed by Judge Read. who appointed
henry G Lane administrator. On the death of
Ir Lane, Preston II Hadley of Bellows Falls
vas appointed special administrator. The
state was inyentoried at $;}0.S15 An appeal
rom the allowance of the will was taken by
Ann . Phelps. Abbie | Buck and IIra b
1olton, whose case is being conducted by 4
. Waterman, J !. Martin, + W Gibson and {
" r Grant a Boston attorney. c Fl Robb, ;
: c Fits and + y Nay of Boston appear for
he proponents, who called the following wit
lesses Fred l. Lane Mrs Fred |. Lane, Mrs |
;mira May, Judge l. NJ Read, Rev Mr. Bar {
lard. Geo H Underwood, Mrs Geo II Under {
wood, John c Fem. Mrs Carrie JenniSon,
Ienry + Bond, Mrs ii F Bond, Clark Chase,
Mrs Belle Cady. o l. Fisher, Mrs T. W Stod-
lard, B + Atcherson. Mrs b + Atcherson,
.irs A lice Pierce. J c Richmond. stephen NJ :
Sutting. James Miller. l. Z Richardson. Nell |
on johnson, Mrs Abbie Robie, Mrs Mary 4 l
\msden and J w Stoddard. I
These witnesses recited their business and
ocial relations with Mrs Stoddard from the I
ime of the death of her first husband to Der 1
wn decea.e in 1890 and ali expressed their I
elief that she was of sound and disposing q
mind at the dates when the will and both cod
,is were executed. 1t was shown that al.
hough very economical and perhaps close in T
er methods of living and dress. she contrib
ted regularly toward the support OF needy u
elatve and when Judge Stoddard deceased
be voluntarily assigned to his heirs any in {
rest that she might have held in his estate. =
he frequently spoke of the disposition of her
state. saying that some of her nephews and Q
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