Kate’s Notes:

This notice regarding the wills of V. R. Wasson and George Washington Willett made for front page news of Hillsboro, Ohio’s Press-Gazette back in 1944. The filing of Wasson’s will took nearly 50 years; I’m not sure why Willett’s also made for a front page story. 

Willett’s daughter, Lena, was married to Harvey James Gilliland. The 1920 census for Highland County,Ohio shows Willett and his wife Emma were living in the Gilliland household, along with the Gilliland children Violet, Pauline, Madge, Marjorie and Donald.

Harvey James Gilliland was born 1890 in Russiaville, Howard County, Indiana but moved to Greenfield in Highland County, Ohio, during which time he was employed by the Jones Dairy in Chillicothe. There are a number of Gilliland gravestones to be found in the Russiaville Cemetery, the oldest of which belong to David Gilliland (1836-1921) and his wife Rachel (1841-1925). There is an index with photos of each stone at this website:
http://edanddebby.com/HCC/Russiaville/RVCG.html

There exists a record for a Harvey J. Gilliland having died in 1970 at Washington Court House, Ohio. At that time his marital status was listed as divorced. Confirming Lena’s death is more difficult; I believe she may be the Lena Gilliland who died in December of 1967 at Champaign, Illinois.

As usual with these transcriptions, any portions in doubt are placed within brackets.

From 
THE PRESS-GAZETTE 
Hillsboro, Ohio
Friday, February 11, 1944

TWO GREENFIELD WILLS ARE FILED
______________

No Known Heirs for V. R. Wasson 
Estate; First Executed 48 Years Ago

   The wills of the late V. R. Wasson and George Washington Willett, both of Greenfield, have been filed in the probate court.
   The will of Mr. Wasson was executed on Jan.16, 1896, and a codicil was executed on July 29, 1897. At that time Mr. Wasson had a son and a daughter living, Ida W. Elder and Henry E. Wasson. The daughter and the son both died before the death of Mr. Wasson. Application for the probate of the will was filed by Lee W. DeV[...] who states that there are no known next of kin. No estimate of the size of the estate has been given but it is reported to be not large.
   Mr. Wasson left all of his personal property to his daughter, Mrs. Elder, and left her his residue property in Greenfield for life, provided that at her death it go to the heirs of her body; that if she died leaving no heirs of her body that it go to his son and if he was deceased to the heirs of his body. If no heirs of Mr. Wasson are found the property reverts to the state.
   The only effective provision in the will is for the erection of a monument at his grave to cost not in excess of $150.
   Mr. Willett left $500, his automobile and household goods to his grandaughter, Madge Gilliland. His life insurance, bonds and all other money he left in equal shares to his daughter, Mrs. Lena Gilliland, and his grandchildren, Violet Gilliland Stratton, Pauline Gilliland Miller, Marjorie Gilliland Carson, and Donald Gilliland.
   The will was executed on Dec. 7, 1938. The value of the estate is estimated at $[1,500], all personal property.
_______________

Transcribed by Kate Maynard, 2008.