Bratton, John B. – Carlisle, 1890
I, John B. Bratton, of Carlisle, Pa., do make this my last Will and Testament, hereby making all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made, viz.,
Item – I will and direct the an annuity of thirty-two dollars ($32.00) in equal
quaerterly payments be paid to Edmund E. Bratton during his natural life, such annuity, however, not to be a charge against any real esate that I may own – the quarterly payemtns (of eight dollars each) to be paid in the months of January, April, July and October of each and every year. If his (Edmund’s) death theses thirty-two dollars set aside for this benefit shall revert to my three children Mary R., John B., and Georgia B. Bratton, their heirs of assignees. By making this bequest to Edmund I feel satisfied he will be receiving more than his proportion of my small estate, for he has cost me, since he came of age, at least two thousand dollars, to say nothing of the bitter anguish, disgrace and trouble he has caused me. But for him, I suppose, I would still be in business at this writin, but no man living can edit a paper under a constant pressure of trouble – Should my executor decline to act ofr the said Edmund, or should he (my executor) die before Edmund then I direct that a Trustee by appointed by the Court, who will see to it that this item of my will is carried out.
Item – I give and bequeath to my sister-in-law, Miss Kate Boyd, two hundred dollars ($200.). This must be considered a bequest, for I owe this sum and more to her for long and laborious service to my family and for her kindness and constant goodness for me and mine. I charge my children Mary, John, Georgia, to be ever mindful of and see to the comfort of their indulgent Aunt,
Item – I devise and bequeath to my son JOhn, my watch, seal ring, cuff buttons, and case of pistols, if he wants them (the pistols).
Item – I devise and bequeath to my daughter Mary, the work “The Art Journal”, I also commit to her (Mary) the care and keeping of the files of papers I have published, viz., the “State Capitol Gazette” (4 vols.) and the “American Volunteer,” (32) and I enjoin upon her never to sell or give away any one of these volumes – I desrire and direct that they be kept in the family and for the inspection of members of the family and transmitted from generation to generation. I want my posterity to see and read the thousands of articles I wrote forthose thirty-two volus.
Item – I devise and bequeath to my daughter, Georgia, the books Portrait Gallery of Eminent Men and Women (2 vols)
Item – All the rest of my small estate (after the above bequests have been attended) I give, bequeath and devise to my good, faithful and beloved wife, Mary Ellen, by this I mean all my real and personal property of whatever kind, without hindrance or qualification. At my wife’s death, whatever is left of her estate should be (and I so desire and will ) divided bwteen my dear children Mry, John and Georgia, share and share alike. In dividing the Library, each one should take a thrid of the books, of the same value as near as possible. En passsant, the building always called by me the “Volunteer Building” south of the markethouse is the only real estate I own at this writing. My executor can sell or rent it as he and my wife considerbest. The property cost me over $9000. My own judgment is that it woudl be well to sell it, provided anything near its value can be obtained.
Item – I have written this Will myself without suggestion or dictation from any one,. I think I have made it plain, and I want it carried out as intended. Any legatee attemtoing to contest this my will is excluded from its benefits.
Lastly, I do hereby appoint Millard F. Thompson, Esq., of Carlisle, to be the executor of this my last Will and Testamnet.
In witness wherof I, the said, John B. Bratton, hereto sign my name this fifth day of August A.D. 1890
John B. Bratton