Historic Trial Transcripts

I, Lizzie A. Borden, otherwise known as Lizbeth A. Borden, of Fall River in the County of Bristol and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do make this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills heretofore made by me.

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After the payment of my just debts and funeral charges I give, devise and bequeath as follows;

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1. To the City of Fall River the sum of five hundred dollars, the income derived therefrom to be used for the perpetual care of my father's lot in the Oak Grove Cemetery in said Fall River.

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2. To my housekeeper and to each one of the servants who shall have been with me for five years and shall be in my employ at the time of my death the sum of three thousand dollars.

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3. To Charles C. Cook, of said Fall River and Tiverton, for his long and faithful services to me the sum of ten thousand dollars, and my so-called Baker Lot on French Street, across from where I live.

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4. To the Animal Rescue League of said Fall River the sum of thirty thousand dollars, also my shares of stock in the Stevens Manufacturing Company. I have been fond of animals and their need is great and there are so few who care for them.

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5. To Miss Helen Leighton I give my three diamond rings and diamond and sapphire brooch, my inlaid mahogany desk and chairs in my library, also my library desk with the reading lamp, and I also direct that she shall have the first choice and may take any and all of my rugs, books, china, pictures and furniture that she may choose. I also give and devise to her one-half of my share in the A. J. Borden Building, in said Fall River, if she shall survive me, if not I give and devise my interest therein to Grace H. Howe, to her and to her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever.

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6. To my cousin, Mrs. Grace H. Howe, my diamond and amethyst ring and I direct that she shall have second choice of my rugs, books, china, pictures and furniture, and I also give to her the privilege, so far as I have the same, to use the Oak Grove Cemetery lot for burial purposes. I also give and devise to her one-half of my share in the A. J. Borden Building in said Fall River, to her, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever.

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7. To Mrs. Margaret L. Streeter, of Washington, District of Columbia, the sum of five thousand dollars with my diamond and sapphire ring with five stones which she always liked.

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8. To Mrs. Minnie E. A. Lacombe, of Washington, D.C. the sum of five thousand dollars.

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9. To S. Howard Lacombe, the son of Minnie E. A. Lacombe the sum of two thousand dollars.

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10. To Catherine M. McFarland, of said Fall River, the sum of five thousand dollars.

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11. To Gertrude M. Baker, of said Fall River, the sum of one thousand dollars.

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12. To Mrs. Mary L. Orters of Sharon, Massachusetts, the sum of five thousand dollars; if she shall not be living at my decease I give the same to her husband, Henry L. Orters.

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13. To Winnifred F. French, of said Fall River, the sum of five thousand dollars; if she shall not be living at the time of my decease I give the same to her sister, Sara H. French.

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14. To Alice I. Soderman, of said Fall River, the sum of two thousand dollars, also my jeweled watch and chain.

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15. To Elsie F. Carlisle, formerly of Fall River, now in California, the sum of one thousand dollars.

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16. To Dr. Annie C. Macrae, of said Fall River the sum of one thousand dollars.

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17. To my old schoolmate, Lucy S. Macomber, of said Fall River, the sum of one thousand dollars.

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18. To my old schoolmate, Adelaide B. Whipp, of said Fall River, the sum of one thousand dollars.

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19. To my housekeeper, Ellen B. Miller always called Nellie, all the contents of her room if she wants them.

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20. To Mrs. Ethel H. Engel, of Los Angeles, California, the sum of one thousand dollars.

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21. To my cousin George E. Robinson, of Swansea, Massachusetts, the sum of one thousand dollars.

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22. To my cousin Edson M. Robinson, of said Swansea, the sum of one thousand dollars.

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23. To my cousin, Percy V. Robinson, of said Swansea, the sum of two thousand dollars.

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24. To Grace L Terry, daughter of my chauffeur, the sum of two thousand dollars.

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25. To Ellen B. Terry, wife of my chauffeur, the sum of two thousand dollars.

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26. To Ernest Alden Terry, Jr. the sum of two thousand dollars, with the so-called Belmont lot which is west of my home lot.

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27. To Animal Rescue League, of Washington, D. C., the sum of two thousand dollars.

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28. I have not given my sister, Emma L. Borden, anything as she had her share of her father's estate and is supposed to have enough to make her comfortable.

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29. The rest and residue of my property of every description or wherever situated I give, devise and bequeath in equal shares to Helen Leighton and my cousin, Grace H. Howe, to her, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, forever.

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I nominate Charles C. Cook to be executor of this my last will and testament and request that he may be exempt from giving sureties on his official bond to any Probate Court.

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If said Charles C. Cook shall not be living at my decease I nominate Frederick E. Bemis, cashier of the Fall River National Bank, to be executor of this my last will and testament and request that he may be exempt from giving sureties on his official bond to any Probate Court.

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In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and in the presence of three witnesses declare this to be my last will and testament this thirtieth - day of January - in the year nineteen hundred and twenty-six.