Benjamin Bassel of the County of Upshur, State of W. Va. do make declare and publish this my last will.
First: I direct that all of my debts, whether as executor of my father or otherwise be satisfied out of my personal property.
Second: I make my wife Maude Carper Bassel my sole heir and legatee subject however to the following conditions, my wife, the said Maude Carper Bassel is to carry out the provisions as set forth and contained in a certain deed of conveyance dated May 12th 1900 executed by my mother Elizabeth A. Bassel to me, Desiring that my mother shall throughout her natural life have means sufficient to maintain her in comfort. I hereby specially charge my realty with the payment of the annuity provided for in the deed of conveyance above referred to, and for carrying out in full the provisions in said deed of conveyance contained.
Third: I desire that in the event my wife dispose of the farm on which is situated the burial of my father and mother and family a right of ingress and egress be reserved to said cemetery lot; and that no valid disposition of the property can be made without such reservation. I require further that into the hands of whomsoever the farm referred to may come, by deed of conveyance, devise, gift or otherwise, it shall be incumbent upon the successor or successors in interest whoever they may be, to keep the fence enclosing said cemetery lot in perfect repair (and to plan the fence anew when need be, so as to afford protection against cattle or other live stock from having access to the graves. The above condition is made perpetual. I hereby appoint and constitute my wife the said Maude Carper Bassel my executrix.
On this the 12 day of November 1901. I hereunto affix my signature to this my last Will.
Benjamin Jr. m. Maude Carper Farnsworth. The cemetery is on property owned by Union Drilling Co. and is near Buckhannon. This Benjamin is the s\o Benajmin and Elizabeth Ann Gusman -- the latter a granddaughter of John Jackson, Jr. A story about the farm was published in Vol. 7 #3 tissue of the Jackson Brigade Quartly -- "History of the Edmiston Estate by Thomas A. Elmore" (transcription of a brochure obtained from Union Drilling Co.)
Transcribed and submitted by Nancy A. Jackson from Upshur Co., WV Will BookC:109