Will of Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe died at Hartford, Connecticut, July 1, 1896. Her will is as follows:
“I, Harriet Beecher Stowe of Hartford Conn. being of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament.
“1. I direct that all my just debts and funeral charges be first paid.
“2. I give and devise to my son Charles the large silver inkstand given me by the women of England, also the cabinet of signatures standing in the hall. I give to my daughter Harriet the large silver waiter given to me by the women of England, and to my daughter Eliza the silver cake basket given to me by the women of England, and I give to my daughter Georgiana the gold bracelet given to me by the Duchess of Sutherland.
“3. I give all my pictures to my children to be divided among them by each choosing one beginning with the oldest and so in succession until they are all chosen.
“4. All the rest and residue of my property I give and devise as follows:
I give one third thereof to my son Charles, to him and his heirs for ever.
The remaining two thirds I give to John C. Parsons of the City of Hartford, as Trustee for the following purposes.
To safely invest and hold the same, and pay over half the income thereof quarterly to each of my two daughters Harriet and Eliza, so long as they both live, upon the death of either, said Trustee shall pay the whole of said income to the survivor so long as she shall live. If it shall become necessary, I authorize said trustee to expend from the principal such sums as shall be needed for the support of my said two daughters, if for any reason the income thereof shall not be sufficient for their support, but not otherwise. Upon the death of both my said daughters said trust shall cease, and the principal then in the hands of said Trustee or his successor I give to my son Charles, or his descendants if he should then be deceased. I make no provision out of my estate for my daughter Georgiana at her special request alone.