Have you been working on your family history for a while? If you are like me, you either have paper files or digital copies of that paper. As I’m in the process of researching the descendants of Ozias Wells and his wife Mary Kennedy, I started digging into some of those files.
One of the items I found was the probate record for Clinton K. Wells of Eaton County. While Ancestry has the Michigan, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1784-1980 database, a search for the Wells surname in Eaton county did not include Clinton Wells.
Probate Judges
Testimony on Determination of Legal Heirs
4503State of Michigan
Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Probate record of Clinton K. Wells. photocopy.
The Probate Court for the County of Eaton
At a session of the said Court, held at the Probate Office in the city of
Charlotte in said County, on the 13th day of
April A.D. 1948
Present, Hon. Jon McLaughlin, Judge of Probate.
In the Matter of the Estate of Clinton K. Wells, Deceased
Hearing on petition of Nellie Barningham
for the determination of the legal heirs of said deceased.
Proof of publication of notice of hearing filed.
Petitioner appeared in person
Agnis Howe being duly sworn, says:
I reside in the R-2 township of Vermontvill in the
County of Eaton and State of Michigan. I was acquainted
with Clinton K. Wells said deceased, in
his life time. The said deceased was, at the time of his death, a resident of the
Village of Vermontville and
died at the Township of Kalamo
on or about the 10th day of May A.D. 1932
The names and relationship of the legal heirs of said deceased who were living at the time of his
death are as follows:
Nellie Barningham – daughter
Lydia A. Wells – wife
April 13 1948 Liber — Page —
Edith Dickinson
page 2
Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Probate record of Clinton K. Wells. photocopy.
Be it remembered, that I, Clinton K. Wells
of the township of Kalamo, Eaton County, Michigan,
being of sound mind and memory, but knowing the uncertainty of this life, do hereby make, execute, and
declare this to be My Last Will and Testament, that is to say:
After the payment of my just debts and funeral charges, I give, devise and bequeath all my real and
personal estate wherever situated as follows:
-1-
I give and devise to my beloved wife Lydia A. Wells all that
certain parcel of real estate described as follows: to wit: — The
East one-half (1/2) of the North-east quarter (1/4) of Section
three (3) and the West one fourth (1/4) of the North-west quarter
(1/4) of section two (2), in the township of Kalamo, Eaton County and
State of Michigan, to have and to hold the same forever.
-2-
I give and device to my beloved daughter Nellie M. Barningham
all that certain parcel of real estate described as follows, to-
wit: The east one-half (1/2) of the Southeast quarter (1/4) of
Section thirty-four (34), in the township of Vermontville, Eaton
County and State of Michigan, to have and to hold the same
forever.
-3-
I also give and bequeath to my said daughter Nellie M
Barningham the sum of two thousand ($2000.00) dollars, to be
paid to her from my personal estate as soon after my death as
convenient.
-4-
All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real
and personal and where ever situate I give, devise and bequeath
to my life Lydia A. Wells absolutely, to have and to hold forever
page 3
Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Probate record of Clinton K. Wells. photocopy.
I do hereby appoint my said wife Lydia A. Wells
the Executrix of this my last Will and Testament.
I do hereby revoke any and every Will heretofore made by me.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourteenth
day of March in the year one thousand nine hundred twenty-two
Clinton K. Wells (seal)
On this 14th day of March, in the year one thousand nine
hundred twenty-two, Clinton K. Wells
of the township of Kalamo, Eaton County, Michigan,
signed the foregoing instrument, and declared the same to be his last Will and Testament, in the
presence of us, as witnesses, and we, not being interested therein, at the request of said
Clinton K. Wells
in his presence, and in the presence of each other, and where he could see us sing our
names, did thereupon on said above mentioned day subscribe our names hereto as witnesses thereof.
Lewis J. Da[vis]
residing at Charlotte Mich
John C. Nichols
residing at Charlotte Mich
page 4
State of Michigan
The Probate Court for the County of Eaton
To the Probate Court for said County
In the Matter of the Estate of Lydia A. Wells, Deceased
I, Nellie Barningham, respectfully
represent thatI reside in the township of Kalamo in said County
I am interested in said estate and make this petition as daughter
of said deceasedSaid deceased died on the 12 day of January A.D. 1948, leaving
no last Will and Testament, as I am informed and believe.Said deceased was, at the time of her death, an inhabitant of the Village of
Vermontville in said CountySaid deceased left estate within said county
to be administered,
and that the estimated value thereof is as follows: Real estate, $3000 or thereabout;
Personal estate, $5000 or thereabout, as I am informed and believeThe names, relationships, ages and residences of the heirs-at-law of said deceased are as
follows:
Nellie Barningham, relationship – daughter; age – 54; residence VermontvilleFiled January 22, 1948
Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Probate record of Clinton K. Wells. photocopy.
Barn $6000 Edith Dickinson, Register of Probate
[Ben Sloyt]
[J Miller Leub]
page 5
Nellie Barningham, whose address is
Vermontville and whose appointment as Administrator
is hereinafter prayed for, is not a creditor, nor has he an interest conflicting with the interests of the
estate of Lydia A. Wells
I, therefor pray that the administration of said estate be granted to Nellie
Barningham
or to some other suitable person.
Nellie Barningham
P.O. Vermontville R.R. 2State of Michigan
Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Probate record of Clinton K. Wells. photocopy.
County of Eaton
On this 22n day of January A.D. 1948, before me personally appeared
the above named petitioner, who being duly sworn says, that she has read the foregoing
petition by her signed, and knows the contents thereof, and that the same is true of
own knowledge, except as to the matters therein stated to upon her information and
belief, and as to those matters she believes it to be true.
Jon McLaughlin
Notary Public, Eaton County Michigan
My commission expires Probate Judge
page 6
State of Michigan
The Probate Court for the County of Eaton
To the Probate court for said County:
In the Matter of the Estate of Clinton K. Wells,
I, Lydia A. Wells, respectfully represent that I reside in the
Village of Vermontville in said county, and am interested in
said estate and make this petition as widow and the executrix
named in the last will and testament of said deceased.
I further represent that said deceased died on the tenth
day of May, A.D. 1932 leaving a last will and testament, bearing date the
14th day of March A.D. 1922, which is herewith deposited and filed
in said court; that said will is in writing and signed by said deceased in the presence of
Lewis J. Dann and John C. Nichols,
two competent witnesses, who at the request of said deceased, attested and subscribed said will in
presence and in presence of each other
and that said deceased, at the time he executed said will
was twenty-one years of age and upwards, and was of sound mind and under no restraint or undue influence
whatever, as I am informed and believe.
I further represent that said deceased was, at the time of his death, an inhabitant of the
village of Vermontcille in said county
and left estate within said county to be administered,
and that the estimated value thereof is as follows: Real estate $4000.00 or thereabout
land contract 5700.00
personal estate, $ mtg total about 8000.00 or thereabout, as I am informed and believe.
I further represent that the names, relationships, ages and residences of the devises, legatees and heirs
at las of said deceased are as follows.Lydia A. Wells – Relationship widow; Age full; Residence – Vemontville, Mich
Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Probate record of Clinton K. Wells. photocopy.
Nellie M. Barningham – Relationship dau; Age full; Residence – Vermontville, Mich
page 7
I therefor pray that said instrument now on file in said court, be admitted to probate and that the
execution thereof and administration of said estate
be granted to myself, the executrix
named in said will
or to some other suitable person.
Lydia A. Wells
P.O. Vermontville, Mich.State of Michigan
Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Probate record of Clinton K. Wells. photocopy.
County of Eaton
On this 14th day of May, A.D. 1932
before me personally appeared the above named petitioner, who being duly sworn says, that she has
read the foregoing petition by her signed, and knows the contents thereof and that the
same is true of her own knowledge, except as to the matters therein stated to be upon her
information and belief, and as to those matters she believes it to be true.
Jessie G. Stine
Notary Public Eaton County, Mich.
My commission expires Feb 3rd, 1935
