Silas Merwin Mead's Will (1903)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, April 11, 1903.

Putnam Cemetery, Parsonage Road, Greenwich. 

Silas Merwin Mead's will has been filed at the Probate Office, and is as follows: 

In the name of God, Amen. I Silas Merwin Mead of the town of Greenwich Countu of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, being of sound disposing mind, memory and understanding; Do therefore make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say: 

First. I order and direct my executrix herein after named to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses as soon after my decease as may be practicable. 

Second. I give and bequeath to my daughter Anna R. Mead, wife of Nelson B. Mead, the sum of five hundred ($500) dollars. 

Third. All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate of whatever kind or nature, whether real or personal, I direct my said executrix to sell and convert into money. 

Fourth. And of such remainder or the avails thereof, I give and bequeath as follows: Four twentieth thereof to the Congregational Home Missionary Society of the City of New York. Three twentieths thereof, to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. One twentieth thereof, to the American Missionary Association of the city of New York. 

And, whereas the Ecclesiastical Society of the Congregational church of New Fairfield in said County of Fairfield has within the last few years suffered the loss by fire of its parsonage. If at the time of my deceased its society shall not than have a parsonage of its own, then I give and bequeathed to said society three twentieths of such remainder to be applied as followed: two thirds thereof, to go towards the building of such new parsonage, and the remainder of such legacy is to be used towards the improvement of a tract of some ten acres where the parsonage formally stood. 

And it is my wish that the said society or the members thereof should contribute an amount equal to this legacy to be expended for the same purposes. If however at the time of my decease said society shall then have a parsonage of its own, then and in that case instead of three twentieths of such remainder, I give and bequeath to society, one twentieth part of such remainder to be applied in the improvement of said ten (10) acre tract above referred to. 

Fifth. All the residue of my estate including any elapsed legacies I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Louise Brush wife of Alexander B. Brush, of said New Fairfield, to her and to heirs and assigns forever.

Lastly I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said daughter Mary Louise Brush to be the executrix of this my Last Will and Testament and direct that no bond be required of her for the settlement of my estate. 

I hereby revoke, cancel and annul any and all form by me made.

 In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at said Greenwich, this thirtieth day of January, A. D. 1902. 

SILAS MERWIN MEAD, (S.S.)

Signed, sealed published and declared by the above named Testator as and for his Last Will and Testament in our presence and we at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. 

ELSIE M. DECKER of South Norwalk, Conn.
F.A. HUBBARD of Greenwich, Ct.
GEORGE G. MCNALL of Greenwich, Conn.