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.