What does Amanuensis mean anyway?
To put it simply, it means a “person employed to write what another dictates or copy what has been written by another.”
Today I am presenting the last will and testament of my husband’s great grandfather, Elmer E. Bright.
Elmer was born Nov 1859 in Sharpsburg, Allegheny, Pennsylvania to William Bright and Mary Jane Flynn. He married Malissa M. Hunt on 20 Jul 1881. Malissa was the daughter of James Hunt and Catherine (maiden name unknown).
Elmer or Ellmer as it was sometimes spelled, worked as a glassblower and the family lived in Tarentum, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. On 19 Apr 1882 Elmer and Malissa had twins. One of the twins died at birth and the gender is not known. The other twin was my husband’s grandmother Daisy Fern Bright. On 10 Apr 1887 Elmer and Malissa had another daughter. They named her Mabel. Sadly, Mabel died on 16 Feb 1888 before she could celebrate her first birthday.
Less than a year later we have Elmer signing his last will and testament. He had contracted consumption/tuberculosis and was only 29 years old.
To add more sorrow to this story, his “beloved wife” Malissa died three years after him, on 17 Feb 1892 of possible heart failure.
This event left Daisy an orphan at the age of 10. She went to live with her Aunt & Uncle, Thomas & Edith Hunt, also of Tarentum.
Here is the actual image of Elmer’s will.
(CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT)
Here is my transcription of the document, including any words that I didn't understand.
No. 53 Last Will and Testament
of
Elmer E. Bright dec’d
In the name of God, Amen. I, Elmer E. Bright of the Borough of Tarentum in the County of Allegheny Pennsylvania being of sound mind memory and understanding so hereby make publish and declare this to be my last will and Testament in manner and form following, hereby revoking any will or wills heretofore made by me
First: I direct all my just debts & funeral expenses be fully paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
Second: All the rest residue and remainder of my estate real personal and mixed I give devise and bequeathed to my beloved wife Malissa M. to have and to hold during her natural life or so long as she remains my widow, but should she marry again or die, then I give all my said estate to my beloved child Daisey F. provided and it is my will that should my said child Daisey die without leaving to survive her child, children or grandchildren, then I give said estate to her mother, my said wife in fee.
Third I direct also that my said child shall during her min only be mained, clothes and educated out of my estate
Lastly, I nominate constitute and appoint my said wife sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament and I appoint my friend Charles E. Barr Guardian of my said child Daisey F.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of January A D 1889
Elmer E. Bright {Seal}
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator Elmer E. Bright as & for his last Will & Testament in the presence of us who have, at his request & in his presence & in the presence of each other affixed our names as witnesses thereto.
Thos J. Ford
Nanie Hunt
State of Pennsylvania }
Allegheny County } ss
Be it known That on the Third day of May A.D. 1889 before me, Samuel P. Conner, Register of Wills & in and for the County aforesaid came Thos J. Ford and Nanie Hunt the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last Will and Testament of Elmer E. Bright deceased and on their solemn oath did depose and say that they were present and did see and hear Elmer E. Bright the testator therein named sing, seal publish and declare the same as and for his last Will and Testament, and at the time of so doing he was of sound mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and belief and at his request and in his presence they subscribed their names as witnesses thereunto.
Sworn and subscribed before
me the above date
Sam’l P. Conner Thos J. Ford
Register Nanie Hunt
Now May 3 A.D. 1889 the testimony of the above named witnesses being sufficient, I do hereby admit the foregoing Will to Probate and order the same to be recorded as such.
Given under my hand the above date
Sam’l P. Conner
Register
State of Pennsylvania
Allegheny County
Be it known, That on the 3 day of May A.D. 1889 Letters Testamentary with a copy of the Will annexed upon the Estate of Elmer E. Bright deceased were duly granted unto Malissa M. Bright the Executrix in said Will named who was duly sworn to well and truly administer the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of said decedent and to faithfully comply with the acts of assembly relating to collateral inheritances.
Given under my hand the above date
Sam’l P. Conner
Register
You may visit the memorial’s for Elmer, Malissa & little Mabel by clicking on each of their names.
Here’s a post I wrote about Daisy Bright on Surname Saturday.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE RELATED TO ANYONE MENTIONED IN THIS POST.
Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl
Copyright © 2015 Diane Gould Hall
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION
