MORSE, John V.

MORSE, DAVIDSON

Posted By: Cay Merryman (email)
Date: 4/29/2003 at 12:22:28

WILL OF JOHN V. MORSE
(John V. Morse was the uncle of Lizzie Borden, famous as the unconvicted axe murderer of her parents in Fall River MA)

I, John V. Morse, of Hastings, Mills County, Iowa, mindful of the uncertainty of life, do hereby make, publish and declare this my last will and testament.

First..I direct my executor to pay all my just debts and liabilities as soon as can conveniently be done after my decease.

Second..I give and bequeath to W. E. Van Ausdale of Hastings, Iowa, all my personal effects now in his home, except the table silverware.

Third..I give and bequeath to my niece Anna E. Morse, my table silverware.

Fourth..I give and bequeath to my half sister Arabella F. Davidson the sum of Ten Dollars in money.

Fifth..I give and bequeath all my stocks in Mills County, at Fall River, Mass., and all moneys in banks at New Bedford, Mass., or Hastings, Iowa, except so much as may be needed to pay debts or expenses named in clauses one and four above. One third to Anna E. Morse, daughter of my brother, Wm. B. Morse, One third each to Ora F. Morse and Joseph L. Morse, daughter and son of my sister Louisa M. Morse of Fall River, Mass.

Sixth..I direct that the real estate of which I am now possessed in Mills County, Iowa, which is now leased to W. E. VanAusdale shall at the expiration of said lease be sold and the proceeds be divided equally between my nephew and nieces, not above named, except those named Borden, who are not in need of it.

Seventh..I hereby nominate and appoint Geo. E. Shaw of Hastings, Mills County, Iowa, executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 20th day of February 1912.

Signed John V. Morse

Signed, published and declared by the testator John V. Morse as and for 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.
Walter H. Mason, Hastings
Leila M. Mason, Hastings
Eva M. VanAusdale, Hastings