“How’s
That Again?” A Wisconsin man in the process of revising his
will received the following note from his lawyer:
“Enclosed is a proposed revision of your will. If you have any further comments or corrections, let me know so that we can arrange for your execution.”
The Count de la Mirandole, who died in 1825, left a legacy to his favourite carp, which he had nourished for 20 years in an antique founding standing in his hall.
Fat Cat - A stray tom cat is the heir to a house in London worth £550,000. Tinker is believed to be 8 years old. He is beneficiary of a childless widow, Margaret Layne. Her will provides that Tinker be able to stay in the house. It also leaves a trust fund of £150,000 to Mr. and Mrs. Wheatley, an elderly couple who are neighbours, so they can look after the house for the cat. Their own two cats have moved in with the wealthy Tinker. “He has run of the house”, said Mr. Wheatley. There is a catch: “If Tinker leaves home, the estate is to pass to the neighbours.
CRIME and TESTAMENTS
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey London 1674 to 1834 - A fully searchable online edition of the largest body of texts ever published, containing accounts of over 100,000 criminal trials held at London's central criminal court.
An example - Thomas Bates and Elizabeth Bates – Forgery Case 15 October 1740
