Notes |
- Jennie Mateer's first husband was a Presbyterian minister who had planned on
mission work in China, until he was prevented by health difficulties. Dr.
Kirkwood, her second husband, was a graduate of Indiana State University, a
physician who went to Wooster to practice medicine; he was also Professor of
Mathematics and Astronomy at Wooster College 1870-1901.
The 1880 census of Wooster, Ohio, lists Samuel J. Kirkwood aged 40 as head of a
household which included his daughter Agnes J. aged 9 and his son Samuel K.
aged 3, both born in Ohio, his parents William C. and Jane Kirkwood, both aged
76 and born in Maryland, as well as a housekeeper, Martha McDonald aged 30 born
in Ohio.
The will of Samuel Jabez Kirkwood of Wooster, Ohio, aged 60 years, written 12
February 1900, probated 8 July 1901, directed his Executors to spend up to $400
for a suitable monument in the Wooster Cemetery; bequeathed to wife Jane M.
Kirkwood, exclusive use and control of the residence in Wooster her lifetime,
then to daughter Agnes J. Armstrong and son Samuel K. Kirkwood in equal shares;
to daughter Agnes, the best set of walnut bedroom furniture "it being the set I
made for her when she was a little girl"; two other sets of walnut bedroom
furniture, one to wife Jane and one to son Samuel; to son Samuel, "my walnut
table and desk which I made for myself, the small water-color picture of his
mother's early home", Family Bible, watch and chains, ring and books; to
daughter Agnes, other books; to wife Jane, all unspecified household furniture,
horse, buggy and sleigh; all other property, including insurance, to be divided
equally between wife Jane, daughter Mrs. Agnes J. Armstrong and son Samuel K.
Kirkwood.
There were further provisional items: in case his daughter "should die before
my own decease and leave no surviving child or children," in case son "should
die before my own decease and leave no surviving wife or children;" any other
real estate besides the residence in Wooster to be sold by the executors, Jesse
McClellan and Elias Compton, both of Wooster. The will closes with the
exhortation, "I counsel and entreat all who are dear to me to live lives
devoted to the service of God, placing their whole reliance for their eternal
salvation on Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, in whom is my only hope."
Witnesses: S. H. Boyd, J. G. Kester, both of Wooster, A codicil, dated 16
July 1900, directed that the proceeds of a policy with the Mutual Benifit Life
Insurance Company should be invested with the interest to the widow her
lifetime, then two-thirds of the principal sum to be divided equally between
the son and daughter, and the remaining third "divided equally between my
wife's three children of her own body." Witnesses to the codicil: Frank
Taggart, J. E. Applebaugh.
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Reference
McTeer - Mateer Families of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, Frances Davis
McTeer, 1975, p 110-111.
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