Will of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Longfellow, probably the most popular of American poets, died March 24, 1882.
Certain words were erased in his will, as indicated by the dashes; the instrument follows:
“The last will and testament of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow of Cambridge, in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, gentleman.
“I devise to my sister Mrs. Anna L. Pierce the sum of Five hundred dollars annually, during her life; and I direct my Executor hereinafter named, to retain in his hands an amount of property sufficient to yield the above sum in each and every year; the principal to be finally distributed among my heirs at law, as hereinafter provided.
“I also give the following sums as legacies to and among my relatives and friends.
“Five —— to my brother Samuel Longfellow. —— the children of my brother Stephen Longfellow. Five Thousand dollars to my brother Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow. —— the children of George W. Greene of East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
“The residue of my property I give to my children, in the same manner, as the same would have descended to them by the statutes of distribution in this Commonwealth, had I died intestate.
“I appoint my friend Richard H. Dana, Sr., Esquire of Cambridge, Executor of this my last will and testament.