In Their Own Words:
Wills

Will of Cornelia E. Vining

(Volume 2, Jefferson County, Arkansas, pages 119-121, 1900)

I Cornelia E. Vining of the City of Pine Bluff, and County of Jefferson and State of Arkansas, do make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament.

Item first.

I will devise and bequeath to my beloved son in law B. H. Christopher the undivided one half interest in the NW 1/4 block 22 in Dexter Harding's addition to Pine Bluff, Ark in trust for the use and benefit of Reba and Ludovic Alexander the children of my deceased daughter Fannie Alexander. To have and to hold said property in trust for my said grand children until the youngest one of them becomes twenty one years of age. And my said trustee may at his discretion apply the rents and profits of said property toward the support education and maintenance of said children, during their minority. And in the event said property shall be become unproductive, my said trustee is hereby directed to sell and convey said property under the directions of the Jefferson Chancery Court. And reinvest the proceeds under the direction of said court in some property that shall be productive, which reinvestment shall be charged with the same uses and restrictions as herein provided. And in the event of the death of either of said children without issue before they should reach the age of twenty one years, the whole of said property shall go to the survivor of them and in case they should both die without issue, then and in that event said property, shall revert to may children and their descendants if any of my said children shall then be dead, and the children of said deceased child shall take whatever would descend to the father or mother as the case may be. This deviso is made to my said grand children upon the express condition, that their father H. P. Alexander, shall and will dismiss a suit which he has instituted against me as guardian for said children in the Jefferson Circuit Court, and now pending therein and that he will at no time reinstate such suit. And upon the express condition that my said trustee and the children shall at no time convey or dispose of said property to said H. P. Alexander, and in default of his dismissing said suit then the said grand children shall only have the sum of ten dollars out of my estate.

Item Second.

I give devise, and bequeath to the said B. H. Christopher in trust for Freddie and George Vining the children of my son, Thomas F. Vining and to the issue hereafter born to him, and his wife Jonnie (?) Vining, The SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 and the E 1/2 of the E 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of the section <22> In Township <6> South of Range <9> West. Containing Fifty Acres of land in Jefferson County Arkansas. To have and to hold said land in trust for the use and benefit of said children now born or hereafter to be born, share and share alike, until the oldest one become twenty one years of age. And in the event of the death of any of said children the share of such deceased child shall go to the Survivor or Survivors. The said trustee shall permit my son Thomas F. Vining to live on said land and occupy the same or improve the same if he so desires, until the oldest of said children shall reach the age of twenty one years. And if any rents shall be realized out of said property while in the hands of said trustee it is my desire, that he may as his discretion apply the same to the support and education of said children. And in the event of the growth of the City of Pine Bluff so as to make it necessary to lay any portion of said lands off in lots, or if my said trustee should deem it advisable to sell the same he is directed to do so, under the order and direction of the Jefferson Chancery Court, and reinvest the proceeds in more productive property, under the order of said court, and such reinvestment shall stand charged with all uses and restrictions, herein set out.

Item Third.

I give, and bequeath to my son John V. Vining, the north part of the NW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of section <22> in Township <6> South of Range <9> West, containing seven and one half acres more or less in Jefferson County Arkansas.

Item Fourth.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Nellie Christopher, all of my wearing apparel and personal belongings, also my piano, but no other furniture.

Item Fifth.

I give and bequeath the rest and residue of my estate real, and personal, and not herein before devised, after the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses, equally to my children Thomas F., George J., and F. E. and John V. Vining. And my daughter Nellie Christopher, and to the said Reba, and Ludovic Alexander, the children of said daughter Fannie Alexander, share and share alike, except that my said grand children shall only take childs part, and their portion shall be held in trust by my said trustee in the same manner as provided in first item of this my last will and testament, and subject to the same, uses and restrictions as therein provided. I hereby appoint my beloved son in law B. H. Christopher, the Executor of this my last Will and Testament, and it is my desire, and request that the probate Court of Jefferson county shall not require of him, any bond in the execution of this my last will.

Witness my hand this the 16th day of November 1900.

her

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mark

Cornelia E. Vining

We the subscribing witnesses, hereto, being called on by the testatrix Cornelia E. Vining, to attest this her last will and testament, in the presence of each of us, and declare the same to be her last will and testament, and at her request we have on this the 16th day of November 1900. Signed said instrument as attesting witnesses, in her presence. And each of us having signed the same in the presence of each other, In witness whereof we have hereunto set subscribed our names.

Mrs. D. A. Hawley

Eliza A. Vining

Lizzie Harper

Notes
Cornelia Vining died November 18, 1900
"Eliza A. Vining " may be Elizabeth A. Hawley, wife of George's brother Thomas.

From Circuit Court Record Book V, Page 4, March 18, 1901

W. P. Alexander, Gdnr. vs. G. J. Vining et al

Now on this day comes the plaintiff used in compliance with the last will and testament of Cornelia Vining dismisses this suit.