In this work, it has been deemed inadvisable to cite many authorities. The author has experienced too much embarrassment in his researches to ask others to follow in his footsteps. The wills found in these pages have been conscientiously copied and compared; in many cases, they have been obtained in places not easily accessible to the average reader. A number of wills set forth have been abridged, where found to be too voluminous in their entirety; and, in some instances, parts which were not of general interest have been omitted. The wills have not been created by the author, but have been taken from trustworthy sources; some of them have appeared in English works, but very few in American publications. I desire to acknowledge my obligations for material assistance, particularly to the late Hon. Jacob Klein of Saint Louis, Mr. John Marshall Gest of Philadelphia, Mr. Daniel Remsen of New York, Messrs. Harper & Brothers of New York, the Editors of the “Green Bag” of Boston and other legal publications, and to the valuable works of Mr. Proffatt, Mr. Tegg, Julia Clara Byrne, Mr. Nicholas and Mr. Nichols. VIRGIL M. HARRIS. SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI, March 1, 1911. CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION xi CHAPTER I THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT 1 CHAPTER II ANCIENT WILLS 10 CHAPTER III WILLS IN FICTION AND POETRY 49 CHAPTER IV CURIOUS WILLS 73 1. Relating to Husbands, Wives, and Children 73 2. Relating to Animals 90 3. Relating to Charity 102 4. Relating to Burial 122 5. Miscellaneous 158 CHAPTER V TESTAMENTARY AND KINDRED MISCELLANY 203 CHAPTER VI WILLS OF FAMOUS FOREIGNERS 249 CHAPTER VII WILLS OF FAMOUS AMERICANS 324 INDEX 455 INTRODUCTION “The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.” The history of wills and their study, as reflecting the character of the makers, and in throwing, as they do, a strong light on the customs and manners of the times in which they were written, are subjects profoundly interesting both to the lawyer and to the layman. Lord Rosebery, in an address on the character of Byron, said: