A Youthful Heiress

Portia French Bergen Gets All Her Father's Estate

Charles B. Bergen Made His Will Last Summer- His Own Early Death and the Death of His Wife Forshadowed(sic) in the Will

Charles Hill Bergen, who died March 1st, left a will which he had made last August. Mr. Bergen's wife was sick with consumption at the time the will was made, and it was expected that she would die within a few months. Mr. Bergen was apparently in good health at the time the will was made, but he evidently had premonitions of his own early death and that of his wife at nearly the same time. Mrs. Bergen died January 12th, 1901, and Mr. Bergen survived her a little over a month.

Mr. Bergen provided that his debts be all paid, and that his brother-in-law, John S. Applegate, Jr., should be the executor of the will. His wife was to be a joint executor with Mr. Applegate in case she survived Mr. Bergen. After making these provisions, Mr. Bergen left everything to his wife, in case she should survive him.

Mr. Bergen's wife died before he did, and Mr. Bergen provided that if that should occur, all his property of every kind should be held in trust for his daughter, Portia French Bergen, until she should reach the age of 21 years or until she should get married. This daughter is now about three years old. If she gets married before she is 21 years old, she is to come into possession of all her father's property on her wedding day. If she does not marry before she becomes of age, then all her father's property becomes hers on her 21st birthday. Mr. Bergen's sister, Mrs. John S. Applegate, Jr., is appointed Portia's guardian, and she is to have the spending of the income of Portia's estate during her minority. If Portia shall die or before she is married, or before she is 21 years old , then half of Mr. Bergen's estate is to go to his sister, Mrs. John S. Applegate, Jr., and the other half to his mother, Mrs. John B. Bergen, if his mother be then living; and if not, then the whole of it shall go to his sister. The furniture, silverware, jewelry and wearing apparel left by Mr. Bergen is to be taken in charge by his sister for the use and benefit of Portia; and if Portia shall die before getting married or before reaching the age of 21 years, then the furniture, china, silverware and other household effects are to be equally divided between Mr. Bergen's sister and his sister-in-law, Louise G. Brower, wife of George Brower. Mr. Bergen concluded his will by stating that his wishes, as expressed therein, were shared by his wife. The witnesses to the will were Benjamin H. Ford and Albert Miller of Red Bank.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, Mar 20, 1901

Some additional excellent resources for your research are:

• New Jersey Census, 1772-1890 - Ancestry.com

• Calendar of New Jersey Wills, 1670-1760 - Ancestry.com

• Interment.net - NJ ~ New Jersey Cemetery Transcriptions on the net.

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