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Mrs. Crawford’s Will
All Her Estate Goes To Her Blood relations
She States in Her Will that Her Husband Has Property of His Own and That Her Relations are
More Needy Than He
The will of Mrs. Emeline L. Crawford, wife of William S. Crawford of Holmdel township, was probated
last week. Mrs. Crawford was the eldest daughter of John Stilwell and had considerable property in
her own right. Most of this was left to her blood relations, the will stating that as her husband
had property of his own she left the greater part of her estate to those who in her judgment needed
it more than he did.
Mrs. Crawford distributed her jewelry, pictures, books, etc., to her sisters, nephews, nieces and
sisters-in-law. These were distributed chiefly as keepsakes, although they were of considerable
intrinsic value. Kate VanMater, a sister of Mrs. Crawford, was bequeathed a set of hair jewelry;
another sister, Mary Stilwell, is to get an organ, a gold pencil, an opera glass, and some minor
articles of silver and gold; a third sister, Anna B. Ackerson, is to have a picture, a cross of
hair work, an album, a set of mosaic jewelry, a silver pocket-knife, and a few other things. These
three sisters also receive all Mrs. Crawford’s wearing apparel, and the contents of three certain
trunks. These trunks contained articles which Mrs. Crawford had brought from her girlhood home,
and she wanted them to go to her sisters. Each sister was also bequeathed the sum of $500 in cash.
Mrs. Crawford’s niece, Emeline VanMater, who was named after Mrs. Crawford, receives $500, a pair
of diamond earrings, a diamond pin and diamond ring, some table silverware, a couple of pictures,
all the rest of Mrs. Crawford’s jewelry which was not specifically bequeathed, and the contents of
a trunk containing some of Mrs. Crawford’s girlish belongings.
John VanMater, a nephew, got $500 in cash and all of his aunt’s books. Three other nephews, Henry
Ackerson, Cecil Ackerson and Daniel Stilwell, the last being the son of Holmes M. Stilwell, each
receives $500 in cash. Emeline Crawford, a daughter of John Crawford, is to have Mrs. Crawford’s
gold thimble and amethyst ring. Mementoes (sic) are also left to her sisters-in-law, Sarah Stilwell,
wife of Daniel I. Stilwell; and Cordelia Stilwell, wife of Henry C.Stilwell.
The sum of $500 is left in trust, the income from which is to be spent in keeping in order the family
burial plot and the graves of Mrs. Crawford’s parents and grandparents. Mrs. Crawford’s husband is
to have the use of all her household goods as long as he shall live, and at his death they are to go
to Mr. Crawford’s niece, Emeline VanMater.
All the rest of Mrs. Crawford’s property of every kind is to be divided equally among Mrs. Crawford’s
three sisters, Kate VanMater, Mary Stilwell and Anna B. Ackerson, and her three brothers, Daniel I.
Stilwell, Henry C. Stilwell and Holmes M. Stilwell.
The will was made March 10th, 1894, and was witnessed by Alfred Walling, Jr. and Josephine A. Ogden.
Mrs. Crawford’s husband and Benjamin B. Ogden were made executors of the will.
Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, Jan 10, 1900
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