State of North Carolina
Tyrrell County
Book 4, Page 114
Dated 15 March 1877
I Francis R. Baird of the City of Norfolk State of Virginia make this my last will hereby revoking all former wills. I hereby devise and bequeath my estate and property real and personal as follows:
First, to my beloved wife Pauline G. Baird I give all of my individual personal property. Also, give to her one hundred dollars per month to be paid to her each and every month from the date of my deceased until the final settlement of my estate. The amount or sum to be paid is intended for the support of herself and our infant daughter Gurtrude durning the settlement of my estate and is in addition to all other bequests made or that may be made in this my will.
To my sister Elizabeth O. Baird I give one thousand dollars. To my brother John Baird I give one thousand dollars, these two bequests to my sister and brother to be paid by my executors as soon as they may have the means in their hands to do so. After deducting all the bequest names above, the balance or residue of my estate to be divided as follows:
To my daughter Amee A. Walcott or her heirs one third part.
To my infant daughter Gurtrude L. Baird one fourth of the remaining two thirds.
Then to my beloved wife Pauline G. Baird I give all the ballance and residue of my estate.
It is my desire that my executors herein after named may not endanger the advantageous settlement of my estate or seriously inconvenience my present part in business by any endeavor to make a too hasty disposition of my interest in the copartnership of Baird & Roper.
It probably will be to the advantage of all concerned that my interest remain in the business as now is for say two years after the date of my decease. Granting my surviving partner some compensation anually for his attention to what has been my duty in the business. I leave this matter to be determined by my executors and my surviving partner trusting to the good judgement and intentions of both parties.
I hereby appoint John R. Kelly of Suffolk, VA. and his son L. Clay Kelly of Norfolk, VA executors of this my will.
In witness whereof I have signed sealed published and declared this instrument as my will at the City of Norfolk State of Virginia on the fifteenth day of March in year eighteen hundred and seventy seven.
(signed) Francis R. Baird seal
The said Francis R. Baird at the said City of Norfolk on the said fifteenth day of March in the year eighteen hundred and seventy seven signed and sealed this instrument and published and declared the same as and for his last will. And we at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto written our names as subscribing witnesses.
Charles S. Schroder
E. V. White
State of Virginia
Dated 6 July 1877
In the Corporation Court of the City of Norfolk on the sixth day of July A.D. eighteen hundred and seventy seven, The last will and testament of Francis R. Baird deceased was produced in Court by L. Clay Kelly one of the executors there in named and proved by the oath of Chartles S. Schroder and E. V. White the subscribing witnesses thereto, who deposed that the testator in their presence both present at the same time signed, acknowledged and declared said writing to be his last will and testament and that they at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other subscribed their names as witness thereto. It is therefore ordered that the said writing be recorded as and for the last will and testament of Francis R. Baird Deceased.
Test W. H. Hunter C.C.
by Westwood A. Todd D.C.
State of Virginia
Dated 11 July 1877
In the Corporation Court of the City of North Carolina. On the 11th day of July A.D. eighteen hundred & seventy seven, on the motion of John R. Kelly and L. Clay Kelly the executors named in the last will and testament of Francis R. Baird, who made oath thereto and together with John L. Roper their surety who justified his sufficency entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of sixty thousand dollars vonfiioned according to law. Certificate is granted the said John R. Kelly and L. Clay Kelly for obtaining a probate of said will in due form. And it is ordered that the said bond be recorded.
A Copy
Test W. H. Hunter C.C.
by Westwood A. Todd D.C.
State of Virginia
City of Norfolk * to wit:
I Samuel Kimberly Clerk of the Corporation Court of the said City of Norfolk and State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the forgoing and anexed copy of the will of Francis R. Baird deceased and the certificate of the proof thereof & c is a true abstract from the records of said Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereon to set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at my office this 15 day of December A. D. 1885 in the 110th year of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Samuel Kimberly C.C.
by. B. Smith D.C.
State of Virginia
City of Norfolk
I D. Tucker Brooks Judge for the Corporation Court of the said City of Norfolk in the state of Virginia do certify that Samuel Kimberly who hath given the preceeding Certificate is Clerk of the said Court. And that his said attestation is in due form.
Given under my hand, this 15 day of December A. D. 1885.
D. Tucker Brooks
Judge of the Corporation Court
of the City of Norfolk
State of Virginia
City of Norfolk, to wit
I Samuel Kimberly Clerk of the Corporation Court of the said City of Norfolk and State of Virginia, do hereby certify that D. Tucker Brooks whose genuine signature appears to the certificate above, is the only Judge of the said Corporation Court, and that all his official acts are entitled to full faith and condit.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at my office this 15 day of December A. D. 1885 in the 110th year of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Samuel Kimberly C.C.
by. B. Smith D.C.
Return to the Tyrrell County Probate Records