Henrietta Joanna Wagener and George P. Monell [192-33]

[192-33] HENRIETTA JOANNA WAGENER, b July 25, 1824; d Mar. 1, 1908; dau Abraham and Joanna (Norris-Edmandson) Wagener [192-7b]; m Sept. 13, 1842, GEORGE P. MONELL, b 1820; d May 11, 1871; s Judge Robert Monell. [Sheppard.]

Through the influence of Mrs. Monell, a white marble slab was placed in the Penn Yan (N. Y.) Cem. on which is earved an account of the donation of the cemetery grounds by Abraham Wagener. ABRAHAM WAGENER MEMORIAL CHAPEL Bequest by Mrs. Henrietta J. Monell

“Penn Yan, March 12, [1908]. The will of Mrs. Henrietta J. Monell, a descendant of the loeally illustrious Wagener family, who died March 1, leaves an amount to be expended in Lake View cemetery. The clause, which is the fifth in the will, says:

“I give and bequeath to my executors the sum of $3,000, and more if my executors deem necessary, but the sum

must not exceed $4,000, in trust, nevertheless, to expend and lay out in building and erecting in Lake View ceme-

tery in said village of Penn Yan, at such point or location as shall be selected by my executors and the cemetery

commissioners, 2 brick or stone chapel, in Swiss or Gothic style of sufficient size to accommodate not less than

forty persons, to be known as the Abraham Wagener Memorial Chapel, such chapel to be used by any religious de-

nomination for religious services only, and to contain one vault, and two if my executors deem necessary. This

bequest is given upon condition that the cemetery commissioners will accept such chapel and enter into an agree-

ment with my executors to maintain, keep and care for such chapel and, as well, my lot and the lot of my father,

the late Abraham Wagener, deceased. I also empower my executors to provide ten years’ Insurance upon said

chapel and contents; and I do hereby declare that this bequest shall take precedence over all other money legacies

herein bequeathed and under no circumstances shall said sum be reduced.”

In her last codicil, Mrs. Monell gave an additional $1,000 to the chapel fund.

The last will is dated August 22, 1902. To this will three codicils weremade. The following are some of the important paragraphs:

“After the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses, in case I have not provided a monument prior to my

death, I hereby authorize and direct my executors hereinafter named to purchase within six months after my

death a white Westerly granite monument in memory of my husband and myself, the same to cost, exclusive of the

cost of erection not less than $2,500 * T authorize and direct my said executors to cause my lot in Lake View

cemetery to be put in perfect condition, and that there shall not be any trees or shrubbery planted, nor walks laid

out thereon, and that no person or persons, under any circumstances shall be buried therein except my husband

and myself.

I give and bequeath to the clergyman who officiates at my funeral $50.00.

I do authorize and direct my executors, so far as possible, to return the various articles of personal property of

which I die possessed, and which have been given to me at various times, to the donors thereof.”’

The following clauses of the last codicil will suggest the character of all. This codicil revokes clause eight of the will, and has among others these clauses:

“T give and bequeath to Henrietta M. Weed the sofa in my back parlor, the tall clock in my back parlor, all my

lamps and the entire contents of my bedroom.

“T do hereby give, devise and bequeath unto St. Mark’s Episcopal Church all the rest, residue and remainder of my

property, of whatsoever name or nature.”’

The executors of the will were Henry C. Underwood and William T. Morris. [From newspaper clipping furnished by F. R. Taylor, Owego, N. Y.]