Sources

Author: Laura A. Jenks of Dryden, NY
Title: Letter to “Brother” George S. Thomas of North Dorr, MI
Date: 20 January 1908
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

1908, 1st m, 20 day (January 20, 1908)
Dryden, NY

George S. Thomas
North Dorr, Mich.

My Dear Brother:
It is some time since I have heard from you and as this settlement is now started I will inform you something about it. The bill against Mary Jane’s estate has been made over by Frank Jameson and Albr. Harvy that they claim is a lawyer. But I guess he was Edwin’s neighbor. Now Mr. Jameson came here and told me he did not know anything about this settlement. He also wrote to Jenks that he supposed by Edwins tell that it was settled long ago (yet Mr. Miller says) he brought this new bill which he swore to in the presence of the judge. His ? bill calls for six hundred dollars besides what Mary willed Edwin. The bill calls for Manley Goodales funeral expenses and Mary Janes and drunken sprees at hotel in Virgil and Marathon. The bill was so large and so many claims that it could not be settled. the 6th of January. it called for a large amount of monument work and mason work that Mr. Jenks done. There is a very willful lie between Jameson and Miller. Now how can this ever be settled without Edwin’s accounts and Mary Jane’s diary. Edmond Jenks wants to see them but they don’t show them. All Mary owed Edwin for was coming to see her in her last illness and for probating her will. He was here 28 days and Jameson wants one hundred & 4 dollars. A dollar a day. There is livery bills and meals to hotels and all kinds of false claims and very little credit.

Mr. Jameson told Miller to settle with out lawing. The claims calls for more than the farm brought. Edmond Jenks told Miller that he must see Mary’s diary and Edds account book before he would allow such a fraudulent account. That made Mr. Miller turn red in his face and he said he would settle. He has got money belonging to the estate that he has never given up.

Now tell me at once which is best to do. Law them or give up all of the money. Let me hear from you. The judge said if it could not be settled there would have to be a referee appointed. And he could have some of these false accounts looked into. Write on receipt of this. Give my love to each one and a good share to your self. From your loving sister,
Laurie A. Jenks

To my dear Brother:
Now George, do you want Jr. Jameson to have pay for Manley’s doctor bill and casket which Mary Jane and Ashur paid 10 years ago. They had two hundred dollars in gold and paid it willingly. some of the gold was Manley’s. This portion of the bill Mr. Jameson swore to is a false statement and now he wants it paid to him over again.

Mr. Jameson’s bill is so large that the items must take a number of thousand words. Understand we have Edwins bill and his name in his own writing and that called for more than he ought to asked. This last move is all a fraud from first to last. It is a disgraceful affair. What I have written is a true state of affairs.