One of the things I love most about digging into my files is how a single document can illuminate an entire family network. This week’s find is a perfect example.
While working through my WELLS notebook, I came across the 1937 will of Eltha L. Wells of Charlotte. At first glance, it appears to be a fairly typical will—pay debts, leave a small bequest, and distribute the remainder of the estate. But as is often the case, the real value lies in the details.
The Will of Eltha L. Wells
Eltha’s will names her daughter, Winifred E. Wells, as her primary heir and executrix. She also leaves a specific bequest of $500 to Alonzo W. Hill of Vermontville Township—an individual who may represent a close associate or extended family connection worth further research.
What makes this document especially valuable, however, is the contingency clause. If her daughter had predeceased her, Eltha carefully outlined how her estate should be divided—providing a roadmap to her husband’s extended family.
Reconstructing the Wells Family
Eltha was the widow of Clark Eugene Wells (1853–1937). Through this will, we gain a multi-generational snapshot of Clark’s family:
- Siblings of Clark Wells
- Alice Parker
- Perry B. Wells
- Descendants of George Wells (Clark’s deceased brother)
- Dalton Wells
- Gladys Wells Holden
- Children of Clayton H. Wells (half-brother of Clark)
- Carl B. Wells
- Hazel M. Rickley
- Violetta Purdy
- Leola Vincent
- Descendant of Clinton K. Wells (half-brother of Clark)
- Nellie Barningham
Each of these names represents a branch of the Wells family tree, many of them identified with married surnames—making this will especially useful for tracing female lines.
A Personal Connection
What makes this document particularly meaningful to me is that Clark Eugene Wells is not just a name in the records—he is part of my own family.
Clark was the son of Benjamin Franklin Wells and Anna Mariah Benham, and the grandson of Ozias Wells (1796–1832) and Mary Kennedy. Ozias and Mary are also my ancestors, making Clark my first cousin three times removed.
That connection transforms this will from a simple probate record into something much more personal. The individuals named here are not just part of Clark’s family—they are part of my extended family as well.
Why This Record Matters
This will highlights several reasons probate records are essential for genealogical research:
- It identifies multiple generations within a single document
- It preserves married names of women, often difficult to trace
- It clarifies family relationships, including half-siblings
- It provides a clear example of FAN club research in action
Even though Eltha’s estate ultimately passed to her daughter, the contingency clause preserved a detailed map of the Wells family—one that might not exist anywhere else in such a concise form.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the most valuable genealogical clues are hidden in the “what if” sections of a document. In this case, a contingency that never took effect still gives us a rich and detailed picture of an extended family.
That’s the beauty of digging into records—you never know when a single document will connect the past to your own story.
Will of Eltha L. Wells
I, Eltha L. Wells, of the City of Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan, being of sound mind and memory, but knowing the uncertainty of this life, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, in the manner following:
FIRST: I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid in full.
SECOND: I give, devise and bequeath unto Alonzo W. Hill of Vermontville Township, Eaton County, Michigan, the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars.
THIRD: I give, devise and bequeath all the rest, residue and remainder of my property, both real, personal and mixed, to my daughter, Winifred E. Wells, of the City of Charlotte, Michigan, without any qualifications or restrictions whatsoever, to be used and disposed of by her as she sees fit. Provided however, that in case my daughter, Winifred E. Wells, shall pre-decease me, then and in that event I give, devise and bequeath one-half of said residue of my estate to my sister, Alice Hallenbeck, and the remaining one-half of said residue to the following persons in the following proportions; namely, to Alice Parker, sister of my deceased husband, Clark Wells, one-fifth of said one-half; to Perry B. Wells, brother of my deceased husband, one-fifth; to Dalton Wells and Gladys Wells Holden, grand-children of George Wells, deceased brother of my husband, each one-tenth; to Carl B. Wells, Hazel M. Rickley, Violetta Purdy and Leola Vincent, children of Clayton H. Wells, deceased half-brother of Clark Wells, each two-twenty-fifths; and to Nellie Barningham, daughter of Clinton K. Wells, deceased half-brother of Clark Wells, two-twenty-fifths; it being my intention to divide said residue equally between my husband’s and my sides of the family, but to the individuals and in the proportions named.
FOURTH: I hereby nominate and appoint my daughter, Winifred E. Wells, as executrix of this, my last will and testament. Provided however, that in the event my daughter, Winifred E. Wells, pre-deceases me, then and in that case I nominate and appoint Lloyd H. Hill of Vermontville, Michigan, as executor of this, my last will and testament.
LASTLY: I hereby revoke all former wills and codicils heretofore made by me.
(signed)
Eltha L. WellsOn this 22nd day of October, A.D. 1937, Eltha L. Wells of the City of Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan, signed the foregoing instrument in the presence of us and each of us and declared it to be her last will and testament, and as witnesses thereto, we do now, at her request and in her presence, and in the presence of each other, subscribe our names.
Rose Andrea, of the City of Charlotte, Michigan
Homer L. Bower, of the City of Charlotte, MichiganFiled Oct 22, 1942
Eileen Tiedgen, Register of Probate