Eric Musgrove
Contributor
I have spoken of Nancy Parshley in previous articles. She and her husband, John, were instrumental in establishing downtown Live Oak as we now know it after the Civil War, setting up the various streets and their names, donating properties for multiple churches and schools (for whites and African-Americans), and also the very location of the Suwannee County Courthouse. As with all people, however, Nancy could not live forever. The Clerk's Office still has in its possession her last will and testament, written in 1890. Because of the prominence of not only Nancy but also her family to Suwannee County and Live Oak history, and being near the anniversary of her death, I thought it was fitting to share it with you today. You will notice that Nancy used dashes (technically, em dashes) in place of commas, and her spelling was impeccable, as befitted an educated woman of means. "In the name of God. Amen. "I Nancy M. Parshley a widow residing in Live Oak Suwannee County Florida being of sound mind and memory, and desiring while in health to make disposition of my property which shall belong to me at my death – do make this my last will and testament – hereby revoking and annulling every and all former wills by me made – "First I desire that my debts which are small and few shall be paid. "Second it is my wish that my children shall share equally in my property and estate and to this end I make further directions. To my daughters Maria A. Brock, Arabella E. Ives and Emma L. Parshley and my sons John Howard Parshley and Wilbur Brown Parshley I give devise and bequeath all my property both real and personal to them and their heirs forever, and in case of the death of either of said children before me then the child or children husband or wife shall inherit the portion of such deceased child according to the laws of Florida regulating descent – in case no child wife or husband survive then my estate is to be divided among my children hereinbefore named which shall survive me – "To my said daughters I give and bequeath my silver spoons to be equally divided between them and to my said sons my silver plate to be equally divided between them. "The paintings not already divided I desire divided between my said sons as near as may be – "I desire that my children select such keepsakes as they may wish – and the residue shall be sold by my executors and the proceeds divided equally among my heirs – herein before named. "I desire that no appraisement of my personal estate be made and no bond required by my executors – "To fairly and fully divide the real estate I direct that my executors shall sell at public outcry all of my lands, in as small lots and parcels as convenient after notice of such sale or sales published in some newspaper published in Live Oak – and by posted notices in other towns at least thirty days – and my executors are hereby authorized empowered and instructed to execute to the purchasers deed to each and every tract of land so sold – of which I shall die seized and possessed without the intervention of any Court – or proceeding at law or in chancery – "In all such sales by my executors they shall be for cash – except where my heirs purchase in such cases. I desire one year granted to such heirs as may wish it on any surplus they may owe to equalize them and such surplus shall be secured by mortgage upon land – "I desire my executors to qualify as soon as possible after my death and to make settlement and division of my estate as soon as the law will permit – "I direct that my executors reserve from sale eighty (80) feet square in the home lot in Live Oak, Florida – as the grave of their father John Parshley – "I appoint my beloved daughter Emma L. Parshley executrix and my beloved son John Howard Parshley and my son-in-law Wash. M. Ives executors of this my last will and testament and if from any cause any of them fail to qualify – then such as shall qualify is hereby authorized to perform each and every act which all could have performed in the execution of this trust – "In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 21st of May A. D. 1890. (signed) Nancy M. Parshley (seal). Nancy's will was witnessed by William P. Mosely, George Wolfe, and Daniel M. McAlpin. She died in Suwannee County on Jan. 21, 1897, and her will was probated by Wolfe on Feb. 10, 1897: "Personally came George Wolfe who being duly sworn says that he with Wm. P. Mosely and D. M. McAlpin are the subscribing witnesses to foregoing attached will – that he verily believes the same to be the true last will and testament of Nancy M. Parshley – who died in Suwannee County, Florida – Jan. 21st, 1897 – that he has no interest under the will – and that Wm. P. Moseley and D. M. McAlpin the other witnesses – are dead and the statement above my signature as such witness is true – she declared it her last will and testament. “(signed) Geo. Wolfe. "Swore to and subscribed before me this the 10th day of February, A. D. 1897. (Signed) Jesse N. Conner County Judge (seal) Suwannee County Florida." More history next week! Eric Musgrove can be reached at ericm@suwgov.org or (386) 362-0564.