Will of Erasmus Snyder


The last Will and Testament of Erasmus Snyder of the town of Middlefield,
County of Ostego and State of New York.  

I Erasmus Snyder of Middlefield being of sound mind and memory, aware of the 
uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, and desirous of making an 
equitable and proper disposition of my property at my decease.  I do make, 
ordain, publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner
and form following. That is to say: 

First: After the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses, I give and
bequeath to my wife Julia H. Snyder all my property that I own and passes at
my death both real and personal and she shall have the sole right to control
the use of the property both real and personal and in case the --- does not
support her she has the right to use so much of the principal as shall be
necessary for her support. 

2nd. My wife Julia H. Snyder shall have the right to sell and dispose of any
or all of my property if she shall so wish to do of both real and personal.

3rd. I give and bequeath to my wife Julia H. Snyder all the household goods
that are in the house at my death to become hers. 

4th. My daughter Emma Snyder shall have a home in the house with my wife her
mother as long as she shall remain single. 

5th. And at the death of my wife Julia H. Snyder I give and bequeath to my
three children all the property both real and personal that shall be left at
that time to be divided equally with them.  That is one third share of the
property shall be given to my son Irving D. Snyder of Richmondville, Schoharie
County, and one third share to be given to my daughter Eunice M. Niles of the
town of Westford, Otsego County and the balance of one third share is to be
given to my daughter Emma Snyder of Middlefield, Otsego County and State of
New York.  

Likewise I make, constitute and appoint Julia H. Snyder my wife of the town of
Middlefield, Otsego County and State of New York to be my executrix of this my
last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. 

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the 
14th day of May on the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty 
eight.                             Erasmus Snyder (L.S)

The foregoing instrument was at the date thereof subscribed by Erasmus Snyder 
the testator therein named in the presence of us and each of us he at the time 
of making such subscription acknowledged that he executed the same and
declared the said instrument so subscribed by him to be his last Will and
Testament.  

Whereupon we at he request and in his presence and in the presence of each
other do here subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.
Nelson J. Bates residing at Middlefield NY
Mina Bates residing at Middlefield NY

County of Otsego:
Nelson Smith of the town of Otsego in the County of Otsego State of New York, 
being duly sworn as a witness on the above entitled matter and examined on 
behalf of petitioner to prove said will says: That he was well acquainted with 
Erasmus Snyder, late of the town of Middlefield County of Otsego and State of 
New York, and with his manner and style of handwriting having often seen him 
write, and that he verily believes that the signature of the said Erasmus
Snyder subscribed as testator to the instrument -- writing now produced and
shown to deponent, purporting to be the last will and testament of said
deceased bearing date of 14th day of May 1888 is the proper signature and
handwriting of said testator.                Nelson Smith
Subscribed and sworn to before me the 15th day of June, 1896
Edgar J. Arnold (?). Clerk of the Surrogates Court