Otis Bardwell died intestate 27 March 1871, having pre-deceased his wife, Mary Foster Bardwell, who died 13 December 1875. Mr. Bardwell’s heirs were his daughters from his first wife, Abigail Foster, Mary A. Cooke (1827-1891) and Harriet O. Bardwell (1829-1902). Mary’s husband, Edmund F. Cooke, joined in the deed dated 15 April 1886 to release his curtesy interest. The property conveyed subject to a lease to Alma Chandler; the lease term ended 1 June 1886.
Alfred W. Burt (9 December 1817-23 December 1891), a cabinet maker, was the son of Holland Burt, also a cabinet maker, and Nancy Watkins. Married May 1845 Caroline Burroughs (29 August 1808-9 August 1886); both are interred at Walpole Village Cemetery. His will is recorded in Will Book No. 8, p. 51:
“Be it remembered that I, Alfred W. Burt of Walpole, in the County of Cheshire, and State of New Hampshire, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of lawful age, and sound mind, and memory, blessed by Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner and form following, that is to say;
“First, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lora F. Holden, wife of Edward M. Holden of said Walpole; whatever money there is due me at the time of my decease from the Keene five cents Savings Ban; I do also give and bequeath to her (Lora F. Holden) a $1,000 Dollar Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Rail Road bond; I do also give and bequeath to her whatever of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe income due me in connection with the $1,000 Dollar Bond.
“Second, I give devise and bequeath unto my son George F. Burt of said Walpole the place he now lives in; the same being deeded to me by Mary A. Cook and others April 15th, 1886. I do also give and bequeath to him (George F. Burt) the sum of seven hundred dollars, which said several legacies or sums of money, I will and order to be paid within six months after my decease.
“Third, and lastly as to all the rest, residue and remainder of my entire estate, of whatsoever kind, whether real, personal or mixed, and wherever situated, after payment of all my just debts; I do give devise and bequeath the same unto my son Charles S. Burt of said Walpole, whom I hereby appoint my sole executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
“It is further my will that my son Charles S. Burt enter upon said trust and be appointed Executor of this will without bond or any appraisal of my estate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of March 1890.”
Alfred W. Burt
Signed and declaimed by the above named Alfred W. Burt to be his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our hands as witnesses thereto.
George P. Porter, Geo. R. Jamison, Warren W. Porter
George F. Burt, joined by his wife Minnie E. Graves Burt, conveyed the property to Jennie S. Spaulding on 7 December 1895.
Sources
Cheshire Co. NH Deed Book 283, p. 51 (Bardwell Heirs to Burt).
Cheshire Co. NH Will Book 8, p. 51 (Will of Alfred W. Burt).
Cheshire Co. NH Deed Book 311, p. 123 (Burt Heirs to Spaulding).
Photograph Credit: Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey (1959).
Aaron Howland House 