More than 170 million pages of wills and estate documents are now available on Ancestry.com, which means you can find how some famous people dispensed with their earthly property. Paul Revere, for example, left $500 to each of his grandchildren except one -- who received just $1.
More than 170 million pages of wills and estate documents are now available on Ancestry.com, which means you can find how some famous people dispensed with their earthly property. Paul Revere, for example, left $500 to each of his grandchildren except one -- who received just $1.
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Cotton gin inventor Eli Whitney left much to his "beloved Wife," including his "Horse, Chaise & Sleigh."
Cotton gin inventor Eli Whitney left much to his "beloved Wife," including his "Horse, Chaise & Sleigh."
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Daniel Webster, the former senator and secretary of state, left a grandson a snuffbox and some fishing tackle.
Daniel Webster, the former senator and secretary of state, left a grandson a snuffbox and some fishing tackle.
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Samuel F.B. Morse, who invented the telegraph, left much to his wife but also bequeathed his daughter $10,000 and his son $45,000 and a house in Brooklyn, New York.
Samuel F.B. Morse, who invented the telegraph, left much to his wife but also bequeathed his daughter $10,000 and his son $45,000 and a house in Brooklyn, New York.
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Herman Melville, the author of "Moby Dick," left his estate to his wife. "I have confidence that through her our children and grandchildren will get their proportion of any benefit that may accrue," he wrote. In the latter part of his life, Melville made his living as a customs official.
Herman Melville, the author of "Moby Dick," left his estate to his wife. "I have confidence that through her our children and grandchildren will get their proportion of any benefit that may accrue," he wrote. In the latter part of his life, Melville made his living as a customs official.
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Chicago merchant and hotelier Potter Palmer established trusts for his siblings and left most of his holdings to his wife, Bertha. Among his trustees was Jane Addams, who established Hull House in 1889. Palmer died in 1902.
Chicago merchant and hotelier Potter Palmer established trusts for his siblings and left most of his holdings to his wife, Bertha. Among his trustees was Jane Addams, who established Hull House in 1889. Palmer died in 1902.
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Railroad mogul George Pullman left one of the Thousand Islands to his daughter but was dismayed by his twin sons' behavior and left each of them just $3,000 a year, a small amount given Pullman's multimillion-dollar fortune.
Railroad mogul George Pullman left one of the Thousand Islands to his daughter but was dismayed by his twin sons' behavior and left each of them just $3,000 a year, a small amount given Pullman's multimillion-dollar fortune.
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Marshall Field, who founded the Chicago department store that bore his name (it's now Macy's), left money for employees, his servants and many friends and family members. But $8 million of his fortune went to what was once the Columbian Museum. It's now the Field Museum of Natural History.
Marshall Field, who founded the Chicago department store that bore his name (it's now Macy's), left money for employees, his servants and many friends and family members. But $8 million of his fortune went to what was once the Columbian Museum. It's now the Field Museum of Natural History.
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Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, the great-grandson of railroad baron Cornelius Vanderbilt, left his wife $2 million in cash, $1 million in securities and various properties. A son got his coach, the "Venture." Vanderbilt died in the 1915 Lusitania sinking.
Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, the great-grandson of railroad baron Cornelius Vanderbilt, left his wife $2 million in cash, $1 million in securities and various properties. A son got his coach, the "Venture." Vanderbilt died in the 1915 Lusitania sinking.
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J.P. Morgan, the financier and business titan, left $1 million in trust for his wife. The figure is equal to about $24 million today.
J.P. Morgan, the financier and business titan, left $1 million in trust for his wife. The figure is equal to about $24 million today.
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