Letter to Valerie Scott from Vivian Boulos regarding the will of George Strange Boulton.

Dearest Valerie: Thank you so very much for “unearthing” George S. Boulton and sending his picture to me. That solves half my problem, but I do have a rather dim picture of Georgiana, and it will have to suffice. I still haven’t recovered from mislaying, if that is what you call it, two large sheets of paper with colored pics on them.

Also, thank you for sending burial information concerning G.S. and his family. I am copying here George Strange’s will. You will see that the whole group is buried together at St. Peter’s. However, that churchyard has undergone some major “renovations” since their burial time, and all the headstones are missing. I think at one time they were under a parking lot.

Here’s the will. Georgiana died intestate as you probably know, but I have copies of Letters of Administration filed by her husband four years after her death.

G.S.’s will is interesting because he disinherits my great grandfather, John Walton Romeyn Beck who was not only his son in law, but also his step-son! Busted, indeed!

All good wishes, Vivian Dennistoun Boulos, 4870 Park Newport, Newport Beach, CA 92660-6057

George Strange Boultons Last Will and Testament is as follows: In the name of God, Amen. I, the Honorable George Strange Boulton of the town of Cobourg in the County of Northumberland and Province of Ontario in the Dominion of Canada, calling to mind the uncertainty of life and the property of making preparation for any changes which it may please God in his wise and merciful Providence to occasion, do make and publish this, my last will and testament in manner following.

In the first place, I commit by soul into the hands of Almighty God trusting that through the merits and intersession of my blesses Savior, I may rise to a life of eternal happiness in the world to come.

Secondly, I desire to be buried in the same grave with my two wives and daughter, Georgiana Beck, for all of whom I entertained the most affectionate regard and whose exemplary lives and devotion to their maker’s service I trust have through the merits of their Savior ensured them a place in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thirdly, As to all my worldly goods and possessions which it hath pleased God to bless me and of which I have been an unprofitable steward, I do give, devise and bequeath the same to my dear daughter, Harriet, her heirs and assigns forever and I do confirm unto her the several sums of money settled upon her good mother and myself by our marriage settlement, the greater part whereof has been appointed to me and which has been many years ago secured on my real estate, she having consented to give over the money to which she was entitled under the said settlement into my hands, hoping to make it more productive and beneficial for the family.

Fourthly, Having made an appointment of two thousand pounds sterling to my said daughter, the late Georgiana Beck, many years (ago) under my said settlement and she having placed the same in my hands in like manner as Harriet did, security was given to her for the same in a mortgage for four thousand pounds sterling to her and her sister, Harriet, jointly.

This appointment I fully confirm and having paid large sums to the Reverend John Walton Romeyn Beck, husband of the said Georgiana Beck, which he is unable to repay me and he having also received all the money from his mother’s estate, I cannot give him or his children any more particularly as Harriet will have to provide for not only herself but for her brother, Edward Trevor Boulton also.

Fifthly, I do direct that on the payment of the mortgage of four thousand pounds herein mentioned by the sale of the property or otherwise, the half thereof be paid over to the surviving children of the said Georgiana Beck, their trustees or guardians by the said Harriet Boulton.

Sixthly, I do direct and desire that my daughter, Harriet, shall pay to my son Edward Trevor during his natural life the annual sum of Seventy pounds for his maintenance and support, or should my executors deem it more advisable le to pay the same to anyone who may provide him with comfortable maintenance, she may do so.

Lastly, I nominate constitute and appoint my trusty and worthy friends, the Honorable Asa Allworth Burnham, Robert Dennistoun and John Burnham, both of the Town of Peterborough, Esquires, Executors and my daughter, Harried, Executrix of this my last Will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Cobourg aforesaid this sixteenth day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty eight. Signed by George Strange Boulton and his attorney, M. F. Whitehead.

Signed sealed and delivered by the Testator as his last Will and testament in our presence and in presence of each other and at his request. W. Porrigal and William M. Tooke.