To those who read this I must say there is a two-fold purpose to submitting records 
of this type, to help viewers and to, in turn, help myself. If anyone reading this 
may know who Armenia B. Cushman (maiden name Bishop) or J. Lucien Bishop were in 
relationship to Chauncey H. Norton I would really appreciate hearing from you. 
Chauncey has referred to them as being a niece and a nephew. Thank you in advance.

 Winnie Grainer



 

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT of



Chauncey H. Norton



Be it Remembered, That heretofore, to wit: on the 8th day of May in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty- two, L. Fitch Hubbell and Ira Day, the 
executors named in the last Will and Testament of Chauncey H. Norton late of the 
town of Burlington in the County of Otsego, deceased, appeared in open Court, before 
the Surrogate of the County of Otsego, and made application to have the said Last 
Will and Testament which relates to both Real and Personal Estate, proved: and on 
such application the said Surrogate did ascertain by satisfactory evidence who were 
the heirs at law and next of kin of the said testator and their respective residences, 
and said Surrogate did therupon issue a Citation in due form of law, directed to the 
heirs at law and next of kin by their respective names, stating their respective places 
of residence, requiring them to appear before said Surrogate at his office in the 
Village of Cooperstown in said County, on the 26th day of June A.D. 1882 to attend 
the Probate of said Will________________________________



And afterwards, to wit: on the 26th day of June A.D. 1882 satisfactory evidence by 
affidavit was produced and presented to said Surrogate, of the due service of said 
Citation in the mode prescribed by law, and on that day, no one appearing to oppose 
the Probate of such Will such proceedings were thereupon had in said Court afterwards, 
that the said Surrogate took the proofs of said Will hereinafter set forth, upon this 
26th day of June A.D. 1882 and he thereupon adjudged the said Will to be a valid Will 
of Real and Personal Estate, and the proofs thereof to be sufficient, which said Last 
Will and Testament and proofs, are as follows, that is to say:



WILL



In the name of God, Amen.



I, Chauncey H. Norton of the town of Burlington, County of Otsego and state of New 
York of the age of seventy nine years and being of sound mind and memory, do make, 
publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say -




First - I order and direct that my Executors herein-after named shall erect at my 
grave, stones similar to those at my father's and mother's graves.



Second - I give and bequeathe unto Flora Johnson, daughter of Wm. A. Johnson, and 
James M. Morris, son of Norton W. Morris, the sum of Fifty dollars each.



Third - I give and bequeath unto my brother John C. Norton, my sister Diadama 
H. Morris and my nephews Norton W. Morris, Chauncey N. Simms, Joseph Simms, J. 
Lucien Bishop and my nieces Armenia B. Cushman, Mary L. Johnson, Lucy N. Morris 
and Katy E. Morris all the rest residue and remainder of my property, both real 
and personal, share and share alike.



And lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint L. Fitch Hubbell and Ira Day to be the 
executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.



In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the seventh day of May, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty.



Chauncey H. Norton (L.S.)



The above instrument consisting of one sheet was at the date thereof declared to us 
by Chauncy H. Norton the Testator therein mentioned to be his last Will and Testament 
and he at the same time acknowledged to us and each of us that he had signed and sealed 
the same and we thereupon at his request and in his presence and in the presence of 
each other signed our names as attesting witnesses.



Samuel L. Mach Burlington Flats, Otsego Co. N.Y.



John J. Mach " " " "



SURROGATE's COURT



In the matter of Proving the Last Will and Testament



of



Chaunce H. Norton 



Deceased



Otsego County, ss.



John J. Mach and Samuel L. Mach being first duly sworn, in open Court, upon their 
several corporeal oaths, each for himself doth depose and say, that he is a 
subscribing witness to the last Will and Testament, of Chauncey H. Norton late of 
the town of Burlington in the County of Otsego, and State of New York, deceased, And 
these deponents do further say, that the said Chaunce H. Norton deceased, did, in the 
presence of each of these deponents, subscribe his name at the end of the instrument 
in writing, which is now here shown to these deponents, and which purports to be the 
Last Will and Testament of the said deceased, and which bears date on the seventh day 
of May one thousand eight hundred and eighty.



That the said deceased did, at the time of subscribing his name to the said instrument 
as aforesaid, declare the same to be his last Will and Testament, and these deponents 
did thereupon subscribe their own respective names at the end of said instrument as 
attesting witnesses to the execution thereof, each at the request of the said deceased, 
and in his presence and in the presence of each other: That the said deceased, at the 
time of so subscribing his name to said instrument as aforesaid, and publishing said 
instrument as aforesaid, was upwards of twent-one years of age, and a citizen of the 
United States; that he appeared to be, and deponents believe he was, of sound mind, 
memory and understanding, and not under any restraint, and as deponents verily believe, 
in all respects competent to devise real estate; that each of these deponents saw the 
other sign his name to said instrumetn in the presence of said deceased.



John J. Mach



Samuel L. Mach



Subscribed and sworn to before me this



26~ day of June A. D. 1882



Jas. H. Keyes Surrogate



Otsego County, ss.



It appearing upon the proofs duly taken in respect to the Last Will and Testament 
of Chauncey H. Norton late of the town of Burlington in the County Of Otsego and 
State of New York, deceased, that the said Will was duly executed aned that the 
said Chauncey H. Norton at the time he executed the same, was in all respects 
competent to devise real estate, and not under restraint, the said last Will and 
Testament and the proofs and examinations are hereby recorded, signed and certified 
by me, pursuant to the provisions of the Law made and provided, this 26th day of 
June A.D. 1882. 



Jas H. Keyes Surrogate





Contributed by: Winnie Grainer