He directed that his wife, Caroline LeRoy Webster, should have the right, at all times during her life, to reside in the mansion he had at Marshfield.
Unto his Executors, he gave all the books, plate, pictures, statuary, furniture and other personal property in the mansion at Marshfield, except such articles as were given to others in a latter portion of his will, in trust, to preserve the same in the mansion house for the use of his son, Fletcher Webster, during his natural life, and after his death, to make over and deliver the same to the person who would then become owner of the estate of Marshfield; the testator expressing his intention that they remain attached to the house while it was occupied by any of his name and blood.
Unto his son, Fletcher Webster, he gave all his law books, wherever situated, for his own use. To his son-in-law, Samuel A. Appleton, he gave his California watch and chain. The picture of himself by Healy he gave to his granddaughter, Caroline LeRoy Appleton. His gold snuff-box with the head of General Washington, together with all his fishing-tackle and his Selden and Wilmot guns, he gave to his grandson, Samuel Appleton; to his grandson, Daniel Webster Appleton, his Washington medals; to his granddaughter, Julia Webster Appleton, he gave a clock presented to her grandmother by the Honorable George Blake.
An item of general interest in the will is as follows:
“I appoint Edward Everett, George Ticknor, Cornelius Conway Felton, and George Ticknor Curtis, to be my literary executors; and I direct my son, Fletcher Webster to seal up all my letters, manuscripts and papers, and at a proper time to select those relating to my personal history and my professional and public life, which in his judgment should be placed at their disposal, and to transfer the same to them, to be used by them in such manner as they may think fit. They may receive valuable aid from my friend George J. Abbot Esq. now of the State Department.”
The following provisions conclude the document:
“Item. My servant William Johnson is a freeman. I bought his freedom not long ago for six hundred dollars. No demand is to be made upon him for any portion of this sum, but so long as is agreeable, I hope he will remain with the family.”
“Item. Monicha McCarty, Sarah Smith and Ann Bean, colored persons now also, and for a long time in my service, are all free. They are very well deserving, and whoever comes after me must be kind to them.”
“Item. I request that my executors and trustees be not required to give bonds for the performance of their respective duties under this will.”
Will of John G. Whittier