Category Archives: Amanuensis Monday

Will of James B. Higgins

: Will of James B. Higgins p. 1

: Will of James B. Higgins p. 2

Will of James B. Higgins
Montgomery County, Maryland
Will Book 3: 1-2
Written 9 May 1844
Filed 1 August 1848

“In the name of God Amen, I James B. Higgins of Montgomery County in the State of Maryland do make, execute, publish and declare the following as and for my last will and testament, viz: I give devise and bequeath to my sons Johnᵒ H. Higgins and Charles A. C. Higgins one twelfth part being a childs part of all the real and personal estate I may leave at the time of my death, after my debts & funeral charges have been paid and my wife’s dower and thirds have been taken out (if she should survive me) to them and their heirs or the heirs of the survivor of them in trust, for the use and benefit of Margaret Rebecca Higgins, wife of Jesse T. Higgins and the children of the said Margaret Rebecca and Jesse T. Higgins now begotten or which may hereafter be begotten during the life of the said Margaret Rebecca and after the death of the said Margaret Rebecca in trust for the children of the said Margaret Rebecca and Jesse T. Higgins, their heirs and assigns equally to be divided between them.

And in consideration of the preceding devise to and for the use and benefit of the wife and children of my son Jesse T. Higgins, I will and direct that he shall have no part of my estate real or personal but that the residue thereof be divided and disposed of as if I had died intestate among all my children (except the said Jesse T. Higgins) their heirs and assigns.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this ninth day of May eighteen hundred and forty four.

Signed, sealed, published and}
declared by the above named tes-}
tator, as and for his last will and}
testament, in our presence, who at} James B. Higgins [seal]
his request, in his presence and in}
the presence of each other, have sub-}
scribed our names as witnesses thereto}
W.O. Chappell}
H. Franklin Viers}
Richard Ricketts}

Montgomery County to wit: On this 1^st day of August 1848 came H. Franklin Viers one of the subscribing witnesses to the last will and Testament of James B. Higgins late of said County deceased and made Oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that he did see the testator herein named sign and seal this will and that he heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament and that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of his apprehension of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding and the he subscribed his name to this will as a witness in the presence and at the request of the testator, also in the presence of William O. Chappell and

[page 2] Richard Ricketts the other subscribing witnesses thereto,
Certified by Henry Harding Register

[Seal of Montgomery County]
Know all men by these presents, that we Charles A.C. Higgins, George Knowles and John H. Higgins of Montgomery County are held and firmly bound to the State of Maryland in the sum of Ten Thousand dollars, current money, to be paid to the State aforesaid or its certain Attorney to which payment will and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals, and dated this first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.

The conditions of the above obligations is such, that if the above bounden Charles A. C. Higgins shall well and truly perform the office of Administrator with the will annexed of James B. Higgins, late of Montgomery County deceased, according to law, and shall in all respect discharge the duties of him acquired by law, as Administrator aforesaid, without any injury or damage to any person interested in the faithful performance of the said office, then the above obligation shall be void: it is otherwise to be in full force and virtue in law.

Signed, Sealed and C. A. C. Higgins [seal]
delivered in the presence of George Knowles [seal
C. A. Harding John H. Higgins [seal]

State of Maryland Montgomery County Orphans Court August 2^nd 1848

Then came Charles A. C. Higgins and made Oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that he will well and truly administer the goods, chattels, personal estate and credits of James B. Higgins late of said County deceased to the best of his knowledge according to law and will give a just account of his administration when thereto he shall be lawfully called and that he will diligently and faithfully regard and well and truly comply with the provisions of the Acts of Assembly passed at December Session 1844 entitled “an Act imposing a tax or commissions allowed to Executors and Administrators to aid in paying the debts of the State” and an Act entitled “an Act imposing a tax on collateral inheritances, distributive shares and legacies to aid in paying the debts of the State.”

Certified by
Henry Harding Register”

Images courtesy of Family Search (www.familysearch.org)

© 2014 transcription by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/06/will-of-james-b-higgins/

Amanuensis Monday – October 27, 1942 (Gladys)

2 Replies

Image from http://www.meadjohnson.com

In many letters thus far, Gladys has mentioned Oleum Percomorphum and Dextri-Maltose. Because she was not able to breast feed David, other alternatives for feeding were necessary. Mead Johnson & Company was the producer and developer of these products. We know them today for such products as Enfamil and Enfalac. The company introduced Oleum Percomporphum in 1935. A vitamin A and D supplement, it helped to prevent Rickets. This is not a disease one hears much about these days. Rickets causes a weakening of the bones, especially in children. With our modern vitamin fortified milk, rickets is generally considered a disease of the past.

Mead Johnson & Company developed Dextri-Maltrose in 1911. This carbohydrate power supplement was mixed with milk to help weaker infants gain strength and weight. It was marketed directly to physicians and soon became one of their most important products. Prior to World War I, the compound was created from potato starch which was imported from Germany. In 1916, the company moved production to Evansville, Indiana and changed the basis of the formula from potato starch to corn. Indiana proved to be a prime location for acquiring corn.

For more information on Mead Johnson & Company and these products, check out these websites:

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3480000067.html
http://www.meadjohnson.com/Company/Pages/Our-History.aspx

: October 27, 1942 Envelope

: October 27, 1942, p. 1

: October 27, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 27-1942

Dear Daddy-

Tues eve. and almost 7 P.M. I am tired this evening so after I finish writing will take David and go upstairs. He went to sleep after his 6 P.M. bottle so I should get to bed and sleep while he sleeps so I can catch up some. He still requires a 2 AM bottle and that seems to come around so soon after 10 PM.

Sunday afternoon David & Marie came to see us. They said they wanted to see the name sake and make the trip before gas rationing. It is to start (gas rationing) Nov. 22. David had received your letter and I think they wrote to you also they are going to send you a Christmas box. If all the boxes get to you by Dec 25 you should have several. Betty Beaver told me today she helped wrap a box the different organizations are sending. I sent our box last Sat. Ruthie mailed her box this week. I know your Mother & Ruth M. sent boxes too.

Mark got a blister on both heels from his new scout shoes. He could hardly walk at noon so I took him to school and went to get him this evening. While in town had anti-freeze put in the car, and have winter oils in so the car is in shape now for cold weather.

[page 2] The finances are in good shape. The bills are all paid (except a few drug bills). The bal. now is a little above seven but when the check comes the first of next month it will bounce up. That bal. includes the birthday money. I haven’t spent much money lately due to the fact I haven’t been out much. I am not much in the spending mood at present and can’t think of anything in particular I want right now.

If and when your packages come I will let you know, if and when you get my letters. I hope all my letters get to you because they are like a diary. I tried every day to keep up with the news.

This evening in town I saw so many people – It was Club day and so many club women were in town. Mrs. T. J. [Louise] Britton told me she had some shrubbery she wants to give me.

A former salesman – and I can’t remember the co. he traveled for is in Art’s now, so he must be taking over for Art. Art is to leave Nov. 5. He got rating of mate second class in Navy.

Dr. Cole told me to get Oleum Percomorphum for the baby. He also gets orange juice now. Today was his first day on 4 hr schedule and seems to do just as good. Will see what he does tomorrow. The boys (John & Mark) (I should say the older boys) have started taking oral vaccine you left. John had a cold and took one of those and his cold left. Of course he is still taking them

Love

Mother

Protected: Amanuensis Monday – October 19, 1942 (Gladys)

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Protected: Amanuensis Monday – October 3, 1942 (Gladys)

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Protected: Amanuensis Monday – September 29, 1942

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Protected: Amanuensis Monday – August 4, 1942

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Amanuensis Monday – July 12, 1942

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There is definitely a routine to my grandfather’s letters at this point. Many of his letters open with how many letters received and which ones. This is a fairly typical interchange between my grandparents: I received this one, etc but nothing from such and such a date or I haven’t received anything for so many days. As the war progress, this will become the opening routine of most of their letters. Work for my grandfather seemed quite monotonous. More sailors arrived every day for the doctors to examine and inoculate. More jg’s were also expected. After a break of about 11 days, another doctor finally received orders to be transferred to another post. My grandfather also seemed very anxious to get a leave home. He did not exactly say why specifically but I’m sure we can all sympathize with his desire to go home, at least for a little while. At this point, he received some resistance from his commanding officer and the leave was not granted. Roscoe sent in his application for Flight school. He informed Gladys of his decision but waited for her response. I’m not sure that he liked what she wrote back. He began to second guess his decision to apply. By July 11th, he had not heard anything about the application and did not know if it was accepted.

I learned a few things this week that I hadn’t known before. My grandfather liked to read detective stories. He was taking a correspondence course and another weekly class on Navy regulations. He didn’t know if his sons knew about their mother being pregnant yet. I don’t know what the custom was in those days for telling the family about a new arrival. These days, families seem to wait until the first trimester has passed before passing along the good news. In July 1942, my grandmother was certainly past the 3 month mark in her pregnancy. I know my grandmother was a trim woman and as the pictures from June attest, she certainly was not showing her pregnancy (at least to the uninformed eye). I can tell somewhat because she looks a little rounder in the face compared to other pictures I have of her (before & after 1942).

This next week will certainly bring some changes and break the monotony.

__________________________________________

: July 12, 1942 (630 PM post) Envelope

: July 12, 1942 (630 PM post), p. 1

: July 12, 1942 (630 PM post), p. 2

Letter translation:

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this at the base as you will note from the stationary. There really isn’t much to write about but there is just a little lull right now so. Sun Duty is a thing that everyone doesn’t like because it makes 7 days in the week instead of six and it gets pretty monotonous sitting here with not much to do, only accident and the minor run sicknesses.

We had special order (?) passed around that th to be on the alert for saboteurs and the like but so far there has been nothing unusual happened.

Had a good dinner – Ham, cabbage, mashed pot[atoes]

(page 2) Ice tea, Ice cream + coke. With soup to start things off with.

I’m going in the first thing in the A.M. to see about the leave- Maybe I can get it for sometime during the week. I hope.

Well, will write more later

Love Daddy

Amanuensis Monday – July 5, 1942

7 Replies

Another week of letters transcribed! So far I have transcribed 41 letters from 3 different authors. This week I’ve learned about my grandfather’s efforts to get into the flight course for doctors and his attempts to get leave to return to Indiana. Unbeknownst to him at this point, he will be home in just over a week. During the last week, he has been busy giving more inoculations and examining new recruits. Many of his peers have moved on to new assignments and new doctors are expected soon. I enjoy reliving his dry sense of humor. I laughed when I read about the mix-up with the letters to Dr. Matthews and his comments about possibly getting a phone call from other women. I wonder what went on between Dorothy Krull and my grandmother. What did Dorothy say that got my grandmother so steamed? My grandfather’s advice was pretty good.

It has only been a month since the Battle of Midway. By July 5^th, the Japanese had firmed up their control of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. An allied reconnaissance mission sometime during this month revealed that the Japanese were building an airfield on the island. Since this was major threat to Australia, the United States felt they urgently had to launch an assault to reclaim the island. The first landing of US Marines occurred on August 7^th, 1942, in just over a month from today’s letter. Things are about to change for my grandfather, and not necessarily for the better.

____________________________________________

: Image of the Lady Elsa (1940) from BBC’s history website WW2 People’s War

: Image of the Lady Elsa (1940) from BBC’s history website WW2 People’s War

: July 5, 1942 Envelope

: July 5, 1942, p. 1

: July 5, 1942, p. 2

: July 5, 1942, p. 3

: July 5, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Sun 10:30 AM

Dear Mother,

Just got off Duty. There wasn’t much doing last night – even though it was Sat and July 4^th. Got to go on two merchant vessels at the piers. Men were sick and wanted medical attention. The USS Ulua¹ and the Lady Elsa² (a British trawler). The Captain of the Lady Elsa had the stomach ache. Those two trips were interesting and possibly a little different than one would expect. The stairways or interiors of the navy the ladder ways were very narrow and very steep. I couldn’t help from thinking of the difference in that and in our Stairway which had to rise in so many feet etc. The British Captain offered us a Scotch + Soda but we were on duty and had to refuse. That is one difference between U.S. + British they can have their drinks on board.

We were telephoned from the signal tower that the Lady Elsa was coming in in about 2 hours so we went down in time to see her Dock, wasn’t much to see because all was dark except a small search light on the ship and a flash light on the pier. Besides the Captain there was another sailor who had had trouble with “is ‘eart”

(page 2) That was almost a dud. Finally we understood it was his heart. The captain’s room was about the size of our bath room but it was well planned and there were numerous things present. One port hole on each side. One davenport a tiny fireplace with electric coils for heat. One steam radiator a close closet and numerous drawers and shelves. Other than a slight rocking from side to side one wouldn’t know that but what it was a small pushed together hotel room.

The USS Ulua was a larger ship but it wasn’t the captain who was ill so we didn’t get such a good look around. There were both cargo boats, but were both armed.

Since I had the duty last night, I had to inspect the chow Sat noon and then eat at the demonstration mess. It being the 4^th we had a regular holiday meal. Turkey and all its trimmings. I even ate 3 helpings of turkey and two of just plain navy beans. Supper last night wasn’t so extensive. Had ham and fried potatoes for breakfast, besides cereal toast and a coffee cake. Don’t think I’ll eat until late this Eve.

We are expecting a number of new men in this week and I’m going to try the leave again hope it works. I’m beginning to feel that maybe the

(page 3) flight application will go thru now since it has been several days since it was sent in and no orders to upset the plans. Maybe I’d better hold my breath for a few days yet.

Lentz is gone for the week end (weak end) I don’t know where. He left Sat P.M. and expects to be back sometime tomorrow. I don’t have any idea. He can’t go all the way back to Pa. in that length of time. Smith is home for a few days. Mr. Ferneau was out last night and I had the duty so Mrs. E. was all alone and I guess plenty lonesome too. She isn’t used to such quietness for so long a period of time.

Since I’m writing more than usual today I’ll not write the boys. I’ll get them at some later date. That ic last picture you sent was better than the other but I think you didn’t take[look?] good in either. Maybe it was your shape or somethingᶟ.

Jim called before I got home and said he couldn’t come out after Church because he had to be back on duty. So guess I’ll be all alone all day long except for – – – -get it.

(page 4) Got a letter from Dr. Matthews yesterday seems as if he is busy especially since many of the Drs. are away on vacations.

If I get leave I’ll call you either from here or some place in route depending upon the schedule. I’m going to the Captain tomorrow I only talked to the Commander the other time but it’s not best to gone go over the commander only I’m going to because I know what he will say “I’ve been here 3 yrs. without a vacation.” So what his wife and sister-in-law are here with him.

I have to write to Boonie, The folks and Ruth M. Yet today sometime. I sorta reserved today to do this and it’s a pretty good days work Id for it takes more time for me to think and compose their letters. Their not interested in the same thinks that I might write to you.

I’ve written 3 others now so so long

Love Daddy

Notes:

1. I have not been able to find a USS Ulua. A submarine of that name was built later in the war, but was never completed.

2. The HMS Lady Elsa was a British trawler under the command of Sidney George Phillips. For more information on the Lady Elsa, visit this link http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/6383.html

3. I am impressed that my grandfather would be able to get away with saying my grandmother didn’t look good in either picture and it had something to do with her shape!

Amanuensis Monday – June 27, 1942

5 Replies

Bonds build Ships. Buy More Bonds, 1943
Artist: George Picken
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

The last week of letters has seen the arrival of my grandmother in Norfolk and her departure. We learned a few details from the time my grandmother was there. Some sea mines were released outside Virginia Beach and several boats were hit. The Kingston Ceylonite, a boat on loan from the British Navy, was sunk. My grandparents’ friend Dorothy Krull appears to have come along for the drive. A mouse was found in the closet of Mrs. Evans house, an alarm clock was set very early, one of my grandfather’s white suits was misplaced and Dr. Lentz borrowed my grandfather’s raincoat.

Most likely due to the success of the Battle of Midway in the Pacific, my grandfather was kept busy inoculating sailors and administering routine exams. A new level of anxiety seems to have been creeping into the letters. Several doctors received orders for shipping out, including ones who had arrived after my grandfather. Dr. Lentz received some phone calls and my grandfather was getting jittery whenever the phone rang. He expected to receive his new orders soon too. In one letter, he remarked that another doctor received orders to report to a new battleship in New Jersey. My grandfather thought that was a “pretty good” assignment.

Many of the letters contain details of just plain old, down and dirty, everyday life. My grandfather’s adventures with laundry (which at times seem amusing to me) must have driven him crazy! I can’t imagine having to continuously buy new clothes because of a lack of clean ones. Updates on pay raises, allotments and money orders also grace this week in letters. There was also another mention of purchasing war bonds.

Today’s letter gives Dr. Cole his entrance into the story. Dr. Ira Cole was the attending physician during the birth of my father. I am intrigued by the obsession with my grandmother receiving enough vitamin B. While it is important today for pregnant women to receive sufficient B vitamins, I can’t help but wonder if my grandmother’s vitamin B regimen had something to do with the death of baby Michael in 1940.

We still have about three weeks more of letters before we hear my grandmother speak. I must tell you I am getting very impatient to hear her side of the story! It’s on my list of things to look forward to in 2013.

________________________________________

: June 27, 1942 Envelope

: June 27, 1942, p. 1

: June 27, 1942, p. 2 & 3

Letter transcription:

Sat. P.M. (postmark June 27, 1942 8:30 PM)

Dear Mother,

Didn’t write early this A.M. because I wanted to see what your letters might contain but Lentz picked them up took them to the base and I missed him somehow so he still has my letters, he didn’t think that I was off this P.M. since I had the duty last night.

Had to get up once during the night a policeman dislocated his thum. Other than that the night was uneventful.

I was going to suggest that you take the money order you got the other day and apply it on a bond to keep the months record clean maybe you still can if you haven’t

(page 2) already this month. I would send some money home but I wait until after next Wed. – pay day, then send it all at once- I’m at the P.O. now. Came down town to pay the remainder on my clothing bill. I’m going on down town for a shopping tour to see if I can get some underware I’m supposed to get laundry today but I think I’ll just wait until Monday to be more sure.

Got a letter from Dr. Roberts yesterday he is still waiting, hasn’t heard for sure yet. He tells me that most of the fellows are gone or going around Watseka [Illinois].

(page 3) If you haven’t been to Dr. Cole yet you had better do so and I believe I’d stop getting shots from Dr. Math. He might feel rather hurt if you run up to to late and anyway Dr. Cole said he would come up if necessary. Get some unicaps from Art and take 2-3 each day. You should get enough Vit B. from those.

I realize this is rambling but there is lots of traffic thru here where I’m writing.

I’ll write in the A.M. again.

Love Daddy

Amanuensis Monday – June 8th and June 9th, 1942

2 Replies

Over the last week, my grandfather has continued attempts to make contact with his brother-in-law Jim Foster. Between calling the base and writing letters, he has had no luck. Considering how many people were stationed in Norfolk in June 1942, it is not surprising. And it was about to get more crowded.

Battle of Midway; photograph from Wikipedia and belongs to the public domain

During the last week, the Battle of Midway was fought and won in the Pacific. I don’t know how much they told the men at home on the naval base about what was going on. My grandfather was certainly mum on that point. He does make a comment in the first letter I am posting today about whether my grandmother heard about their big day on the radio. I can only assume he was talking about the Battle of Midway.

I also enjoyed hearing about my grandfather’s landlady, Mrs. Evans. She was apparently quite the talker! Although it sounds like it was pretty miserable experience for my grandfather. After coming home from a long day working at the base, and not being able to have a moment’s peace would have driven me crazy. I had not expected to learn anything about my great, great uncle George this week. Another juicy genealogical tidbit to add to his file “chatty and often repeated himself”. We all know someone like that. By 1942, George would have been around 78 and near the end of his life. George died in 1949.

This week also saw the last of the letters from Uncle Jim for awhile as well as the one letter I have from my great grandmother Emma.

Today I am posting two letters since they are both short.

: June 8, 1942 (7:00 PM postmark) Envelope

: June 8, 1942 (7:00 PM postmark), p. 1

: June 8, 1942 (7:00 PM postmark), p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mon Eve. (postmarked June 8, 1942 7:00 PM)

Dear Mother,

I’ll find out definitely about the gas card tomorrow. By the time this letter gets there I will have written you two others about that gas card. So will let it drop there for the time being.

We had a big day today and will have all this week-since the mass induction on Sunday which you heard on the radio if you were listening. I get mixed up on the programs since this is one hour earlier here.

Who is we that you are talking about coming down. You spoke of a lady who used to live in Norfolk and of course Dorothy has volunteered. So who do you

(page 2) mean?

There has been a storm in the west all P.M. but so far we have only gotten a sprinkle.

I’ve not been able to contact Jim yet. He has been transferred to Camp Bradford(?) which is a part of the base but still I can’t find him. I wrote him last Thurs and no answer. If he doesn’t get any more mail from home than from me he sure doesn’t get [?] from there-

Well, I’ll send the card back air mail and hope you get it in time to get here by Sat. noon but I guess you won’t start that soon-

Love Daddy