James Monroe⁶ Jackson (James Monroe⁵, John Jay⁴, John George³, George², John¹) was born 19 March 1855 in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia, and died 23 June 1903 in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. 

 

Will of J. M. Jackson, Jr. dec'd

 

I, J. M. Jackson, Jr. of Parkersburg, Wood County West Virginia, do make publish and declare this my last will and testament.

1st.  My desire is that my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as conveniently may be.

 

2nd.  My Executors hereinafter named are directed and empowered to collect as soon as may be, any and all debts that may be due or may be coming to me.

 

3rd.  I hereby devise to my beloved wife Sophie R. Jackson an amount of two thousand dollars, during her natural life, the same to be paid her by my Executors in semi-annual payments of one thousand dollars each, so long as she may live.  I hereby charge my estate with the payment of said sum of two thousand dollars, the annuity aforesaid.  This devise to her and the annuity herein provided, to be received by her in full of all dower and right of dower in my estate.

 

4th.  I direct all of my estate, of whatever character and wherever situated to be divided between my two daughters Anna R. Jackson and Helen S. Jackson.  This devise to be subject to the annuity of my wife aforementioned, and is to be held in trust for their use and benefit, maintenance and support as provided for in the next proceeding clause of this will.

 

5th.  I give and devise to my Executor or Executors and to his or their successors in trust for my two aforementioned daughters (both real and personal property one half to each of them) all my estate of whatever character and where ever situate, upon the trusts following that is to say my Executors and as such Trustees as aforesaid, to collect the rents profits dividends and interest and pay over and apply the same, in equal parts, for the education, maintenance and support of my said daughters, but said Trustees in no event are to encroach upon the principal of said estate for such purpose unless in their judgement it is absolutely necessary to do so, and then only for such length of time as such necessity may exist.  And in the event of the death of either of my said daughters without leaving issue alive, then the said income shall be paid to the survivor or survivors thereof.  But if either of my said daughters marry and have issue, then after her decease, my said Trustees are directed to pay over and deliver and carry the share of such child in my estate to the child or children then living of such deceased child, and if there be none such their said share shall revert to, and become the property and estate of any of my children who may survive, and the income arising from the same to be paid to them by my said Trustees during their natural life, and at their death to descend to their heirs forever and if more than one in equal parts.  Said share to be administered, managed and disposed of by my said Trustees for the benefit of such survivors in the manner hereinbefore provided for, as to the other shares of my estate.

 

6th.  I do hereby authorize my said Executors and Trustees during the continuance of this trust to sell and convey by good and sufficient deed, any part or parcel of the real estate herein devised in trust, which in their judgement would be for the best interest of the beneficiaries in said trust when sold.  And I do hereby direct and empower my said Executors and Trustees to invest the proceeds of any real estate so sold, in real or personal property, as may be deemed most advantageous by them taking care always to provide against any loss or diminution in value of such investments.  And I further direct that the income arising from such investments shall be disposed of by my said Trustees for the benefit of my said children as provided for by the fifth clause of this my will.

 

7th.  I do hereby authorize and empower my said Executors and Trustees to make and execute leases for any real estate held in such trust upon such terms and rentals and for such periods not exceeding ten years, at a time, as they in their judgement may think proper.

 

8th.  The children now living and who are provided for in this will are my two daughters Anna R. Jackson and Helen S. Jackson both of tender years.  Should any child or children hereafter be born to me, then such child or children shall have and inherit their equal proportion of my estate, and shall be provided for and embraced by the provisions of this will to the same extend and in as full and ample a manner as if now in being and mentioned by name in this will.

 

9th.  I direct and will that should I at the time of my death be concerned as partner or otherwise in any mercantile business or business of like character, that my Executors shall proceed as soon as may be, to wind up said business, but in so doing taking care not to entail any loss to my estate, if the same can be done.

 

10th.  It is my will and desire and I do direct that my said Executors shall appropriate and set aside five thousand dollars, out of my personal estate before any division thereof shall be made among my children, and that they erect or cause to be erected a public fountain within the city limits of the City of Parkersburg upon some public park or square to be furnished by the authorities of said city, which fountain shall be accepted by them upon the conditions, that they shall protect, care for, and keep in good repair the said fountain and the same property supplied with water, for the running of the same.  The said Fountain to be known as “The Jackson Fountain.”  My said Executors are to expend the said five thousand dollars aforementioned in the erection of such fountain of suitable design, and as ornamental as can be procured for the amount of money appropriated as aforesaid.  And after the completion of said fountain, my said Executors are directed to turn the same over to the authorities of said City of Parkersburg.  But should the authorities of said city decline to accept the fountain provided for herein and upon the conditions therein mentioned, then this bequest is to revert to and become part of my estate and be disposed of as herein provided for as to the residue of my estate.

 

I hereby appoint Sophie R. Jackson and W. W. Jackson Executors of this my last will and testament.

 

In witness whereof I the said J. M. Jackson Jr., the Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this 3d day of May 1899.

 

J. M. Jackson, Jr. (seal)