A few of my relatives buried in Elmwood Cemetery ---- Isaac Franklin Coons 10 Dec 1823 - 4 Aug 1910 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Angeline Duncan Coons 1837- 28 Nov 1909 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Nellie Coons 16 Nov 1872 - 8 Jan 1947 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Susie Coons Cauthorn 4 May 1873 - 9 Nov 1963 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Ross Buford Cauthorn 1869- 9 Jan 1954 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Frank Cauthorn 1 Jul 1894 -5 Aug 1951 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Ruth Cauthorn Stribling 26 Apr 1900 - 26 Jun 1987 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Altha Franklin Coons Ferris 27 Jan 1876 - 27 Jan 1967 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Leroy Ferris 26 Sep 1872 - 23 Jun 1920 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Ross Ferris 29 Dec 1900 - 29 Oct 1976 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Joseph Coons 30 Mar 1825 - 30 Apr 1909 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri William H Coons 23 Nov 1854 - 18 Mar 1915 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Howard Muir 7 Jul 1877 - 20 Jun 1951 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Alma Zula Booth Muir 5 Dec 1877 - 31 Jan 1942 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Edward Jerry Muir 1902 - 21 Sep 1953 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri Elgin H Muir 14 Apr 1906 - 17 Apr 1975 Elmwood Cemetery, Mexico, Audrain CO., Missouri

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: SMITH, BAKER, ROSE, HORNBUCKLE, BUSEY Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/924.1 Message Board Post: Hello Betty, Not sure if I am interested in this family line, but I did do a cursory look at it, FYI. I am sure there are also descendants of this family who might be interested in some of this packet of material. Anyhow, this is what I quickly came up with. This family may have moved around a bit. 1880 Federal Census of Benton Twp, Osage Co. MO, page 411B Name, Relation, Marital Status, Gender, Race, Age, Birthplace, Occupation, Father's Birthplace, Mother's Birthplace W. W. SMITH, Self, M, Male, W, 57 GA, Farming, GA, GA Rebecca M. SMITH, Wife, M, Female, W, 50, TN, Keeping House, TN, TN Wayman SMITH, Son, S, Male, W, 14, MO, Works On Farm, GA, TN Mary F. SMITH, Dau, S, Female, W, 13, MO, At Home, GA, TN Celia J. SMITH, Dau, S, Female, W, 10, MO, At Home, GA, TN Ursley J. SMITH, Dau, S, Female, W, 8,  MO,  - , GA, TN I could not find the above family in the 1850 Federal Census of Osage Co. MO. Also, Audrain, Callaway, Cole Cos. MO. I could not find any Osage Co. MO marriages listed for Smith-Baker in the 1845 time frame. Also, Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole or Montgomery Cos. MO. A daughter, Mary Frances "Fannie" Smith married George David Rose on 7 December 1883 in Callaway Co. MO. Mary Frances may be buried at Riverview Cemetery in Callaway Co. MO. Maybe Wayne Johnson can help with this person. More on Mary Frances at: http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2599712&id=I519937664 Ulsey or Ursley Jane Smith married Robert Franklin Hornbuckle on 17 August 1890 in Callaway Co. MO. More on Ulsey Jane (Smith) Hornbuckle at: http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=1815195&id=I05912 or http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2804400&id=I01664 or http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:1998319&id=I01664 Wayman W. Smith married Miss Clara Busey on 22 March 1883 in Callaway Co. MO. (Clara's name in doubt) More info on Wayman Smith at: http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=guinevere60&id=I686 OBITS (highly subject to typos) William W. Smith, born about Jan. 1824, died 8 January 1898, published 13 January 1898 in the Fulton Sun; Fulton, Callaway Co. MO. No other obits found, either in Audrain, Boone, Callaway (other than the above), Cole, or Montgomery. Hope some of this helps or can give you clues. Regards, Dan Smith

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.2.1.2.1.1 Message Board Post: My line also is of Wales (as far as I have researched). I have that my line was in Westmoreland County, VA in 1780 (John Bowen married Rachel Drake, 1787) and his son lived in Prince William County, VA. (son John Bowen married Nancy Johnston, 1811). John died and widow Nancy and family migrated to Kentucky in 1827 or later. They had seven or possible 8 children. The names I have of this family, Burkett Johnston Bowen, James Bowen, Ann Bowen Suddith, Mary Bowen Ransdell, and Lucinda Bowen Berry (also in my searching, I have another sister (no name as yet) married to Benjamin McPike). Several of this family is buried in Cane Run Baptist Cemetery (now Port Royal) in Henry County, Kentucky. Could your Thomas Bowen be of this family? I know that Burkett was born in 1812. Perhaps Thomas was a brother to John. Haven't found out very much about John Bowen (either one of them), I have no birth dates on these two. If I can answer anything else, let me know. Mary

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.2.1.2.1 Message Board Post: Mary -- What year were your Bowens in Kentucky? Where in Virgina did they come from? Do you have an estimated date of birth? I have been searching for the parents/siblings of my Thomas Bowen who married Mary Stone in Guilford, NC in 1785. They moved to Kentucky after their first son, Benjamin, was born. Thomas was said to have come from Virgina, but I have no proof of that. My grandfather always told us that his people came from Wales. Would love to find a connection. And thanks for the offer of taking a picture. Unfortunately I don't know where the graves of Thomas and Christena "Teny" Bowen are located. Betty (see posting by her) is going to try and locate them for me. Susan

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Bowen Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.2.1.2 Message Board Post: I was very interested in your posting. I am a Bowen from the Bowling Green, MO area. My father was Norman Bowen, his father was Daniel McCarty Bowen and his father was Burkett Bowen, They came from Virginia by way of Kentucky. Do you think they were related? I don't have very much information about Burkett's family, don't know brothers, sisters, etc. Also, Daniel married Emma Kunkel, whose family is from Mexico, MO and some of that family is buried in Elmwood Cemetery. I have been there and taken pictures of Kunkel but did not know about any Bowens. If you can't get anyone to take pictures, I will probably be up in that area this summer, let me know where in the cemetery and I'll look and take a picture for you. Mary

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.2.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Betty -- Thanks for taking the time to look. I do appreciate your time and effort. I am in no big hurry. I will be leaving for Florida next week and will be gone all of July and won't have access to a computer. So if you don't hear from me, please be patient -- I will reply, when I get back. Susan

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: cemeteries in Audrain County Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.2.2.1 Message Board Post: Thanks for the reply Sharon. As to the ACHS, I know there are cemetery listings of many if not most of the cemeteries that have been canvassed in their collection at the local library. For my purposes of posting the cemeteries online for Audrain County MOGenWeb, information is either by submission from viewers, what I see listed or my own transcriptions. So it is a matter of building each cemetery list one or more names at a time. I wold love to have all of the burials at Elmwood transcribed, or any other cemetery in Audrain County but...Elmwood is a major undertaking for posting Betty

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Elmwood Cem Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.2.1.1 Message Board Post: Susan, Elmwood is a large cemetery. I may have the lot numbers, but it will take a while to locate the information. I will look tonight. Without someone knowing the location of the plot, they would be hard to find just by going out there. If I can find the lot numbers for location, then I may know someone that would go take pictures. I live in Arkansas so that isn't any help. betty Brooks

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Powell Cemetery Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.2 Message Board Post: Bill, I tried to email you directly and it bounced I would also like to have a picture of Powell Cemetery and the directions to it, if possible. If you would send me an email, I will respond directly to you Betty betbrooks@centurytel.net

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.2.2 Message Board Post: Betty, Have you checked with the Audrain Genealogical Society for a listing of burials at Elmwood Cemetery. I believe they have a quite extensive listing available.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.2.1 Message Board Post: Betty, Ida and William -- Thanks for responding to my post. Betty looks like you found my Thomas Bowen and wife, Christena "Teny". Do any of you know of someone who would be willing to go to the cemetery and take photos of their headstone(s)? Susan

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.3 Message Board Post: Susan, Elmwood Cemetery is right in the town of Mexico, MO. It is LARGE.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Smith/Baker/Becker/Witwer? Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/924 Message Board Post: William Wiley Smith b. 15 June 1824 GA- died 08 Jan 1898 at Mexico, MO married 20 Sept 1845 to Rebecca Maria Baker b.27April 1829 TN. d. 1913 Mexico.Mo Today, a lady handed me a packet of material on this family to simply look at and browse through. Included were pictures, a bible record, lineage and personal data . Pictures taken in Mexico and Fulton. I do not have permission to use the material or publish the pictures at ths time, but I hope to before the week is over. Anyone interested in this line, pease feel free to contact me. Betty Brooks

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Bowen Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.2 Message Board Post: Elmwood Cemetery is on West Liberty St, n Mexico, Mo. I am slowly buildingburials at Elmwood Cemetery as contrbtions are sent, or I have the time to find them, however, there are two Bowen burials online now that appear to be what you are looking for. http://www.rootsweb.com/~moaudrai/cems/elmwood.htm BOWEN: Bowen, Christina Zumwalt b. 20 Dec. 1799 in St Charles County d. 22 May 1874 Bowen, Thomas 1796 - 1878 Betty Brooks Audrain county MOGenWeb Coordinator http://www.rootsweb.com/~moaudrai/index.html

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1.1 Message Board Post: I am sorry, but I do not know where your cemetery is. I know about the Powell cemetery only because my GGG Grandfather Monroe Powell and his wife Margaret Damrell are buried there as well as Monroe's parents Robert Powell and Sisseliea Murphy.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wJB.2ACE/921.1.1 Message Board Post: Bill -- Do you know where the Elmwood Cemetery is? I am looking for the graves of Thomas Bowen and his wife Christina "Teny". Perhaps there are others in my Bowen line buried there. Susan

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/wJB.2ACE/921.1 Message Board Post: Hey cousin I know exactly where the Powell Cemetery is and can send you a picture. Send me an Email and I will return with picture. Bill Keathley

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Paden, Peden Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/wJB.2ACE/922 Message Board Post: 2005 PEDEN REUNION FAIRVIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P.O. BOX 1664 FOUNTAIN INN, SOUTH CAROLINA 29644 The Fifty First Peden Reunion will be held at Fairview Presbyterian Church on Saturday and Sunday, July 16th and 17th, 2005. Old Fairview Church is an ideal place to meet and celebrate our family reunion. We usually have Pedens and Padens from all over the country to attend, many who have never been here. They see the tombstones of their ancestors, visit where they lived and worshipped, experience history that affected our ancestor’s lives, and leave feeling great pride in the moral, patriotic, and loyal character of our Peden fore bearers! John and Peggy McDill Peden and several of their children landed in Charlestown, Carolina in 1773 on a ship loaded with immigrants from Ireland and all their earthly possessions. Each family had a land grant from the King of England for not less than 100 acres of land in what is now the Nazareth section of Spartanburg County. All the men and older boys soon went north in their covered wagons to join George Washington’s army and fought with him through the entire Revolutionary War. Each of the Peden men was given 500 acres of land in this community (Fairview) as payment for their service to the new country. They were also given an option to buy additional land for the ridiculous price of seventy-five cents per 100 acres. One of the first things these families did upon arriving in this place was to build a church, Fairview Presbyterian Church. The name Fairview came from the old stone church in Antrim County, Ireland, which was named Fairview. The first church here was a log building across the road from the present church. The present building is the fourth building to house the church, and construction was completed in 1858. It was built with funds left to the church in the will of David Morton, Esq. who left half of his estate to Fairview Presbyterian Church when he died in 1848. The Sunday School started in 1884 under the direction of Rev. C. B. Stewart. Rev. Stewart’s son, Dr. H. B. Stewart, was the first superintendent and stayed in that position for 63 years from 1884 until his death in 1947. The present Sunday School Wing was added to the church in 1949, and the Office complex and Historical Building were dedicated in 1986 at the celebration of the bi-centennial or 200th anniversary of the church. The Peden Reunion was held for the first time in 1899. It was decided to have it every 10 years. It was held again in 1909, but postponed in 1919 because of World War I. It was not held again until 1955, and has been held every year since that time. We have as many as 400 attending at times when prominent family members such as General William Westmoreland and the late U. S. Senator, John Stennis were the featured speakers. Slaves built the back portion of the rock wall surrounding Fairview Church Cemetery about 1850. The Front Wall with cement cap was built by the CCC boys (Civilian Conservation Corp.) about 1933. A new cement cap was put on in the 1990’s. The oldest marked grave is that of a 16-year-old young lady buried in 1794. There are about 750 graves in all in the cemetery. There are 11 Revolutionary War soldiers buried here and 46 War Between The States soldiers. The men at Fairview have always been a patriotic group, and veterans of every war in the nation’s history are buried here, except for those of the Gulf Wars, who are still living. SATURDAY ACTIVITIES JULY 16, 2005 Tour 8:00 am According to Jackie Peden, our Tour Coordinator, this year we will visit Cowpens Revolutionary War Park and the Revolutionary War Park in Kings Mountain, NC. On Saturday morning we need to leave the church promptly at 8:00 am. Lunch will be on your own at a fast food. We will travel by Van and private cars as we did last year. There is no charge for this tour, however, at the end of the trip we will take up a collection for those on the vans to cover the cost of gas, and as you know, the price keeps going up. ALSO at Fairview Church, Saturday morning (7:30-8:00am), maps will be distributed to those who do not wish to go to the Revolutionary Parks and would prefer to visit other Peden associated cemeteries on their own. The maps will have directions to: Thomas Peden Family Cemetery near Woodruff, SC, John and Peggy McDill Peden Cemetery and Old Catholic Presbyterian Church near Chester, SC.( The latter two historic cemeteries, near Chester SC, are only 4 to 5 miles apart. There are almost as many Pedens buried at Old Catholic Presbyterian Church as at Fairview Church., as well as many associated families related to the Pedens). Peden Monument 5:00pm If it can be organized, we plan to go into the Peden Monument in the cemetery on Saturday afternoon around five o’clock. Articles are supposed to be included inside the monument. This is a maybe, because it may not all come together by that time. We do not want to do this on a Sunday. Saturday Evening Meal 7:00 pm The Saturday evening meal will be in the Social Hall across the road from Fairview Presbyterian Church. This will be a make your own sandwich type supper. The cost for the supper will be $6.00 per person, payable in advance. We must have at least 40 people for the supper or it will be a no-go. All money must be received by July 8, 2005. If we do not get 40 people for supper, the money will be refunded to you before you leave the reunion. This is not just for out of town people—this is also for local people. What better time to get acquainted with cousins, share your Peden/Paden keepsakes, pictures, and research, than at a Saturday night supper! Note: It is of utmost importance that you get your reservation in on time. The caterer must be notified. Please complete and return the following form. *********************************************************************** For Saturday Tour and/or Supper send reservations send to: James H. Rodgers 2244 Fairview Road Fountain Inn, SC 29644 Tour: How many ? __________ Tour is free—a collection will be taken at the end of the trip to pay for gas for Vans. Supper: $6.00 x How Many? _______ Total Enclosed $____________ Children under six will be free. Name: _________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ City: ________________________________________ State: ______________________ Zip:_____________ Your E-Mail _____________________________________ *********************************************************************** SUNDAY ACTIVITIES JULY 17, 2005 10:30 Registration (In front of Church) Please register to receive your Identification Ribbon – House Of : (Child of John and Peggy you descend from), and to update contact info. 11:30 Service (Church) Formal Meeting, Reports, and Speaker Our speaker this year is the Rev. Jim O’Brien, Pastor of Reedy River Presbyterian Church, Conestee, S.C. His subjects will be: Alexander Peden - “The Prophet”, and 17th Century History. Group Picture Immediately after service Dwayne Shell, photographer, will be taking a group picture at the Church that will be available for purchase. 1:00 Lunch (Social Hall) Bring food to share at a picnic lunch served on the grounds. 2:30 Historical Building will open. Pedens of America’and ‘History of Fairview Presbyterian Church’ books will be available for purchase. We look forward to having a great reunion this year, and to meeting cousins we have never met before .We hope that many of you will be able to attend. There are several nice motels, restaurants, and shopping centers within five miles of the church. Local residents are usually available to answer and show visitors around the church and community. Sincerely, James H. Rodgers, Jr. President Peden Clan Officers: Chief John Calvin Peden, Gastonia, NC President James H. Rodgers, Jr., Fountain Inn, SC V President Clark Peden, Fountain Inn, SC Secretary Jackie Peden, Fountain Inn, SC Treasurer Henry B. Peden, II, Fountain Inn, SC Historian W. Scipio Peden, Jr., Pelzer, SC Motel Accommodations Simpsonville, SC, all at Exit 27 on I-385, and within 5 miles of Fairview Presbyterian Church. Palmetto Inn, Simpsonville, SC 800-850-7836 Comfort Inn, Simpsonville, SC (864) 963- 2777 Holiday Inn Express, Simpsonville, SC (864) 962-8500 Hampton Inn, Simpsonville, SC (864) 963-9292 Days Inn, Simpsonville, SC (864) 963-7701 Contacts: W. S. Peden, Jr. Phone: (864) 243-5255 James H. Rodgers Phone: (864) 862-4086 E-Mail: JamesHJellybean@aol.com or Jellybeanjamesh@bellsouth.net PROPOSED FAMILY LIFE CENTER The members of Fairview Presbyterian Church are in the process of a Building Fund for the purpose of building a Family Life Center on the grounds behind the church. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Building Fund as a Memorial to Family Members or to donate to this fund would be greatly appreciated. Please, send your donations to: Fairview Presbyterian Church P. O. Box 1664 Fountain Inn, South Carolina 29644 We have already raised some funds but this undertaking will cost considerably more than we have on hand. Thank you very much. – Building Committee BOOKS: If you are unable to attend the reunion and would like to purchase a copy of Fairview Presbyterian Church History Book by Mary Lou Stewart Garrett, you may do so by sending a request to the church address (P. O. Box 1664) along with a check for $25.00. It will be mailed to you. If you don’t have a “Pedens of America” book, you can purchase one at the reunion for $32.00. You may order by mail for $35.00. Please send requests to W. S. Peden, Jr., 521 McKelvey Road, Pelzer, SC 29669.

I'm trying to find death/cemetery records for Phillip Garner and the full text of an obituary for Eliza Jane (Boles) Garner. They lived in Mexico P. O., Salt River Township, Audrain Co., MO, in 1870. Eliza Garner lived in the City of Mexico in 1880, 1900 and 1910 with no spouse listed in the three census records.. I suspect Phillip died between 1870 and 1880, possibly in or near Mexico. According to an Audrain Co. death record and an obituary abstract, Eliza Jane died on 3 or 7 March 1911. I suspect she died in or near Mexico A lookup would be much appreciated. I'm most interested in information from Eliza Jane's obituary. It may list the names of her parents. If so, it would help a small group of Boles researchers break through a brick wall. Bob Saunders Salem, Oregon

Wordscape: Willing Words - Patricia Law Hatcher, CG, FASG Most of the legal language encountered in wills is not obsolete, but it isn't necessarily part of our daily vocabulary. We should begin our discussion with words that rarely appear in wills themselves, although they may be encountered in subsequent documents related to the will. The person writing the will is the testator (male) or testatrix (female), and we say that he or she died testate. We also might refer to that person as the maker of the will. Organization and Structure The preambles in wills are largely boilerplate, but may have individual and interesting elements. Although the existence of some regional differences in wording have been suggested, local custom seems to be the predominant factor determining the wording. Thus, some preambles contain wording such as "In the name of God, Amen," or "I recommend my soul into the hand of almity god," but others do not. Unlike deeds, in which the date often occurs at the very end of the document, wills almost always have the date at the beginning, followed immediately by the name of the testator or testatrix, which is frequently modified by occupation (for men), marital status (for women), and/or place of residence. Next, there may be statements explaining why the will is being made: "not knowing the day of my death, being stricken in age, desiring to put my hous in order, knowing I must shortly put of[f] this frayle Tabernaclle" or the more common "uncertainty of this mortal life." Occasionally we learn that the testator is about to undertake a journey (often to Europe) or to march off to war. The preamble contains statements describing the maker's physical and mental health. The most common wording is "being sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God." Needless to say, the maker's mental health is always excellent, no matter how good or bad his or her physical health is, because if he or she were not of sound mind, the terms of the will could be challenged. The preamble concludes with the standard phrase, "do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following." The phrase Will and Testament simply refers to a written expression (testament) of the desire (will) of the maker. Those desires are usually clearly structured. The words creating the structure (Videlicit, Imprimis, Item) often are written in abbreviated form such as Viz, Imp, or It. They can be difficult to recognize in handwritten form because they begin with letters we rarely find as capitals. Viz means "to-wit" or "specifically" and is usually followed by enumerating details such as the names of all the children. Imprimis means first. Each bequest is usually an Item. Technically devise means to give realty (real property, land), but in older wills you will find it used synonymously with bequeath, which today is reserved for bequests of personality (personal property). Devisee refers to the person receiving the property. You may also see recipients called legatees (usually referring to personal property) or beneficiaries, especially after the testator has died. Near the end of a will you often find the phrase all the rest, residue, and remainder. This covers anything not included in specific items. The person(s) then named are called residual or residuary heirs or beneficiaries. I have noted that when many children are named, they are often named in birth order (youngest to oldest or oldest to youngest, often with boys and girls separate). Wives and Widows Remarriage following the death of a spouse was common in most parts of early America. If a testator says that his wife may keep that which she brought with her, it most commonly means that she has been married before. Less often it indicates an inheritance from her father, prior to the time of her marriage. (Any inheritance during her marriage would have gone to her husband.) Technically, it could include clothing and household items, but these were usually long since worn out and not worth mentioning in a will. (Her dowry went to her husband and was not hers; we'll discuss that another time.) A man might want to ensure that his property or the benefit of his property (referring to the use of property or income from the property, both real and personal) did not fall into the hands of a subsequent husband of his wife, and would therefore limit such use to during the term of her widowhood, which would end if she remarried. Children We should begin this section by discussing another word that does not appear in wills: primogeniture. This was the principle of English common law under which the eldest son inherited real property (land). Technically, it means that he had the right to the property (i.e., it couldn't be willed by the father to other persons). The degree to which it applied in the colonial period varied by colony and over time. (It was abolished after the American Revolution.) Virginia, for example, had a law stating that an eldest son could challenge a will in which his father had devised real property. We use the term more generally, to refer to property that passes silently to the first son without being mentioned in the will. You might see married daughters described as intermarried with, rather than wife of, as in "my daughter Margaret intermarried with William Jones." The terminology had no special meaning in wills. Don't Read Too Much into It When a testator or testatrix says that he or she is hereby revoking all former wills made by me, this does not mean he or she has made any previous wills. Nor when it refers to the last will, does it preclude the possibility of making future wills. Other Parties The testator was supposed to ordain, constitute, and appoint one or more persons, as executor or executrix. In general, there was not a specific age that an executor had to be, but since other roles, such as the ability to sell land, were determined by age, at least one executor should have been an adult. An underage child may have been named, in anticipation that those duties would have been assumed later. Likewise, one or more overseers or trustees might be appointed to help, especially if there is an executrix or minor children. Above the names of the witnesses, you may see the word Teste, which means attest or witness. You may find a statement that witnesses or the testator affirmed. Quakers did not swear oaths, so this suggests the individuals may have been Quakers. You should certainly investigate this. Occasionally, in an area where the recorders and residents were primarily Quaker, this wording may have been simply from force of habit. Signing When a will is signed, it is said to have been executed. (Why the word "signed" is insufficient is beyond me, but I'm sure there must be a valid legal reason for it.) Ancestry Daily News 6/14/2005 - Archive . Ancestry Daily News, 14 June 2005 Patricia Law Hatcher, FASG, is a technical writer, instructor, and professional genealogist. Her oft-migrating ancestors lived in all of the original colonies prior to 1800 and in seventeen other states, presenting her with highly varied research problems and forcing her to acquire techniques and tools that help solve tough problems. She is the author of Producing a Quality Family History. Copyright 2005, MyFamily.com.