Will of James Richmond of Bloomfield, Wisconsin

The Last Will and Testament of James Richmond, son of Elijah & Elizabeth (Fowler) Richmond:

STATE OF WISCONSIN No. 2592
Walworth County Court
IN PROBATE

In the Matter of Last Will and Testament of James Richmond, deceased, of town of Bloomfield, Wis.

Court Record, Vol. -1- Page 217
Vol. 14 Page 598, 613
Vol. 16 Page 310, 321

The petition of Ira Pratt Richmond of the town of Bloomfield in said county, respectfully represents that James Richmond late of the town of Bloomfield aforesaid deceased on the fifteenth day of December 1874 at the residence of Newman Acker in said town died testate, as the petitioner believes; that the instrument in writing herewith presented to this Court, is the Last Will and Testament of said deceased, as petitioner believes; that he, the said petitioner is the child and sole heir of said deceased; that Wm D. Chapin named and appointed in and by said last will and testament executor thereof___accepting said Inst.
(Etc.)


Known all men by these presents that I, James Richmond of the town of Bloomfield, County of Walworth, state of Wisconsin, a farming laborer being of sound mind & memory do make, declare & publish this my last will & testament.

1. First, (crossed out words) of all, is reserved of my property, sufficient to defray the expenses of my sickness, burial & funeral expenses. Also to purchase & to place at my grave, a set of good, substantial, gravestones. Also a set of good, substantial grave stones for my deceased sister Mrs. Harriet Garrett, which also are to be placed at her grave.

2. I give & bequeath to my nephew Melvill Richmond, age 4 years, 1 grey colt, (gelding) & buffalo robe, they being at the residence of Ira P. Richmond's.

3. I give & bequeath to Mrs. Huldah Sherman, one of my bedspreads & Mrs. Acker is to have the other one.

4. I give & bequeath to my brother, Ira P. Richmond, the black Bombagine Cloth, for a summer coat, it is in the bureau I have at his house.

5. I give & bequeath to my niece, Sarah Weatherwax, my large Bible.

6. I give & bequeath to Arretta Acker my niece, my photograph album.

The _____ of all my other effects, goods, notes, property, & credit, of whatever character, I give & bequeath to my son Pratt Richmond, in testimony of the love & good will I bear to him. I do hereby nominate & appoint Wm Densmore Chapin to be the sole administrator & executor of this my last will & testament& seal, & publish & decree this to be my last will & testament in presence of those witnesses named below, this tenth day of December 1874.
James Richmond (signed)

Signed, sealed, declared, & published by the said James Richmond, as, & for his last will & testament in presence of us, who at his request & in his presence & in presence of each other, have subscribed our names, as witnesses hereto.

Chas R. Foster Of Bloomfield, Walworth Co.
[Newman] Acker Of Bloomfield, Walworth Co.

In 1860, 49 year old James A. Richmond was living with his brother, Ira Richmond, in Walworth County, Wisconsin. Was James the James Richmond in prison in Auburn, Cayuga Co., New York, in 1850 (and probably incarcerated in 1850 per the dates listed next to the names in the census)? The crime was listed on the census [arson] but what was it (illegible). It appears as though the earliest case file for inmates at Auburn was 1894 with most from the 20th century. If James' son, Ira Pratt Richmond, was born ca 1853, could an incarcerated James be his father?

Were James Richmond and his brother Thomas (my ancestor) married to sisters? [Laura Backus married Thomas Richmond; was her sister, Lorenza married 1st to James Richmond and 2nd to William Watrous?]

Who was James Richmond's niece, Sarah Weatherwax? Was she related through his wife's family? Did he have more than one wife?

Several questions, not enough answers to the puzzles posed by James Richmond, late of Walworth County, Wisconsin.