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- Fanny Fern Hart died circa 1965, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She was a school teacher, and died unmarried, leaving a holographic will as follows:
"Last Will and Testament of Fanny Fern Hart
"I, Fanny Fern Hart, do make this as my last will and testament revoking any and all other wills by me previously made
"1 - I direct that my executor hereinafter named pay all my debts, funeral expenses and costs of administration of my estate as soon after my death as possible (Items 2, 3, and 4 relate to various personal items)
"5 - To Mrs. Lois Wilson King and Mrs. Louise Wilson Weir, my cousins, the old blue and white coverlets made by my grandmother. Also the oval pictures of our grandfather and grandmother Hart.
"6 - To my cousin Mrs. J. C. Andrews the brass candlesticks and the third volume of "An Exposition of the Old and New Testament."
"7 - To my cousin Vesta Allen our great grandfather's - Daniel Hart - copy book. Also our grandfather's Family Bible. (Items 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 relate to various personal bequests).
"13 - I have talked with Mr. Howard of Ogdin's about making a change in position of markers on lot in Mt. Olivet, and also about markers for myself.
"The remainder of my estate, real, personal or mixed I leave to (here the words "the Trustees of St. Paul's Methodist Church of Parkersburg, West Virginia" have been written and then crossed out.
"I nominate the parkersburg National Bank as executor of this will which is completely written in my handwriting.
"November 15, 1962. Signed Fanny Fern Hart."
The foregoing document was filed in the Clerk's Office 17 March 1965. Due to the bequest to the church having been crossed out, the residue of the estate was eventually distributed to several dozen distant cousins (including the late John C. Boots, my grandfather), many, if not most, of whom had never heard of Fanny Fern Hart.
Mary Vesta Allen, named in the above will, died about 1979. A niece, Linda Ray Allen, states that the Hart family Bible was not found in her aunt's apartment after her death. At this writing (1989), it is not known whether or not Mary Vesta Allen actually gained possession of the Hart Bible referred to in the above will. Anyone having information concerning the whereabouts of any of the family memorabilia listed in the above Will is urged to contact this writer.
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