Luce, James

Luce, James of Lansing, NY 1857
Tompkins Co. NY Vol. M Page 453
Probate date: December 22, 1873
Marcus Lyon Surrogate



In the name of God, Amen.

I, James Luce of the Town of Lansing in the County of Tompkins & State of New York being of sound mind & memory do make publish & declare this my last will and testament, in manner following, that is to say.

First.- I give devise and bequeath to my wife Maria Luce the use of the farm on which I now reside consisting of about twenty five acres of land situate in the town of Lansing and the use of all the personal estate whereof I die seized or possessed after payment of my just debts and the expenses of my funeral and tombstone and settling my estate, for and during her natural life to be accepted and received by her in lieu of dower.

Second. - I give and devise to my brother Israel Luce subject to the life estate of my said wife therein the above mentioned farm on which I reside and also the farm owned by me on lot fifty-one in Hector in the County of Schuyler containing about two hundred and twenty-five acres of land together with all other lands whereof I shall be seized (if any) at the time of my death; To hold to him his heirs and assigns forever.

Third. - I give and devise to the children of my four sisters viz Lydia, Eleanor, Catherine & Maryann all of my personal property which shall remain at the death of my said wife of which the use is given to her for life as aforesaid, to be divided between the children of my said above named four sisters share & share alike, so that each child shall have an equal portion thereof with every other child, but if any of the children of my said sisters shall be dead leaving lawful issue, such issue shall take such share as its parent would take if living, and in case my said wife shall refuse to accept the devise and bequeath aforesaid in lieu of dower, then the bequests given by this third clause of my will shall take effect immediately on my decease.

Fourth. - I hereby appoint my said brother Israel Luce and my friends Bruyn Bogardus & John Bloom Executors of this my last Will & Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 31st day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred & fifty seven.

James Luce (seal)



Witnesses: George D. Beers Ithaca, NY & Amasa Dana Ithaca, NY