R.H. Espy’s Last Will and Testament

I’ve learned over time that if you are interested in the early history of our area, all roads lead eventually to Oysterville. So it was last year when, as a part of his Community Historian Project, Mike Lemesko expressed interest in pursuing information about 19^th century judge John Briscoe.

“Oh,” said I. “I might have a reference or two about him in my files.” As time went by, I was able to supply Mike with quite a few bits and pieces and even to introduce him to friends who have a cabin in Long Beach that Briscoe once owned. Yesterday was the day that Mike finally came to Oysterville to see for himself where Briscoe’s house was, how long a walk it would have been to the courthouse, and who his nearest neighbors might have been.

While in the village, Mike came by to pay a call. He brought a gift – a thumb drive containing the probate record of my great-grandfather’s last will and testament. Mike, the consummate researcher, came across it when he was pursuing Briscoe information at the State Archives. As he has generously done in the past, he made me a copy!

Grandpa’s Gold Watch

I have yet to read all 70 pages but I did take a look at some of what R.H. had left his children – my grandfather and my great aunts and uncles. I recognized descriptions of a few of the items that have found their way back to the R.H. Espy House (“The Red House”). Some of the other items are now located in this house that belonged to Harry, R.H.’s eldest surviving son who was my mother’s father and my grandfather.

 I give and bequeath to…

Cecil J. Espy (Uncle Cecil): …my Gold Watch and Chain.

 Harry A. Espy (Papa): …my old Arm Chair and Writing Desk and the Black Walnut Bedroom set.

Susie E. Christensen (Aunt Susie): …my Piano, Camphor Wood Chest and the Moss Piece formerly belonging to her mother.

A Collection of Canes

  T. Willard Espy (Uncle Will): …my heavy cane and all other canes owned by me.

Dora E. Wilson (Aunt Dora): …the Red Mahogany Bedstead, also the Tea Chest and also Wax piece made by her mother.

L.I. Verona Espy (Aunt Verona): …the furniture in her room, the Book Case Cabinet in the parlor and the piece of Hair Work made by her mother.

 I direct that my library shall be equally divided among such of my children as may be living at the time of my death…

 Mike’s generosity in copying this information has made me feel like a benefactress, myself! I am looking forward to finding other tidbits of interest. Undoubtedly they will cast even more light on the Oysterville of several generations back and even some of the remnants of that time that we still enjoy and wonder about.