Transcript of an original will, found resting in a copy of the History of the Town of
Haverhill, New Hampshire, by William F Whitcher, 1919. (see below) [I've been in
touch and will be forwarding the will to Haverhill clerk in the coming week for proper
storage and access.]
Also in the book were two envelopes addressed to Mrs Harold F Carr, 76 Raymond Circle,
Agawam, Mass. One envelope is postmarked 2 Aug 1963 North Haverhill, NH and includes a
letter she wrote 15 Jul 1963 to the Haverhill Town Hall seeking copies of Whitcher's
book. The clerk returned the original letter, with a typewritten note at the bottom saying
a few copies were still available from R H Large at the price of $12.50 each. The second
envelope contained a response to another inquiry into the Whitcher book, this time from
New England Books, Petersham, MA. The envelope is postmarked 23 Oct 1963 Athol, MA.
Also in the book was a newspaper clipping from the Springfield, MA Daily News, Saturday 6
November 1965, titled Teacher's Million Bequest Stuns Town. It contains two AP
Wirephoto photos, one of Bache and one of his tombstone.
The article reads:
Tuscola, Ill -- Joseph Lloyd Bache, who died three weeks ago at age 94, left more than $1
million to be used for building a chapel in the little country cemetery five miles east of
here. A schoolteacher, Bache surprised the congregation of 145 with his bequest. He had
amassed $1.8 million through investment trading with his savings. Tombstone over grave of
Bache and his wife is inscribed "He who leaves the world better for having lived has
not lived in vain."
The tombstone reads (dates are difficult to read):
JOSEPH LLOYD BACHE
BORN
GLASFORD, ILLINOIS
OCTOBER XX, 187X
SCHOOLMASTER
JOSEPHINE CARR BACHE
BORN
ORFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
JUNE 26, 1876
DIED
SEPTEMBER 25, 1952
HOMEMAKER
The will reads:
Be it remembered,
That I, Joshua Carr, of Haverhill, in the County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire,
being in good health & of sound & perfect mind & Memory, do make, publish
& declare this my last will and testament in manner & form following, that is to
say: --
First -- I order and direct my executor herein named to pay all my just debts and funeral
charges as soon as may be after my decease --
Second -- I give, bequeath and devise to my beloved wife, Mary Cary Carr, one undivided
half of all my estate, real, personal and mixed, of which I may die seized, to have and to
hold the same for and during the term of her natural life -- with the right to use both
income and principal for her maintenance, comfort and support -- And as to the remainder
thereof after her decease and after payment of her debts, funeral charges and the erection
of a fit monument above her mortal remains and my own -- I give, bequeath & devise the
same to my daughter, Roselle E Gale, to have & to hold the same to her, her heirs
& assigns forever --
Third -- I give & bequeath to my daughter, Ellen F Meader, the sum of five hundred
dollars in addition to what she has heretofore received
Fourth -- I give & bequeath to my aforesaid daughter Roselle E Gale and her husband,
George C Gale, the sum of five hundred dollars to be by them held in trust for the use
& benefit of my adopted daughter, Mary Edna Carr -- to expend both principal &
income, for her, in their discretion, for her rearing, training, education & comfort
-- Said Mary Edna to be supported out of my estate without drawing upon this trust fund
& in addition thereto until she becomes eighteen years of age --
Fifth -- I give & bequeath to the said Roselle E Gale and George C Gale the sum of one
thousand dollars, the said sum to be by them held in trust for the benefit and support of
my brother, Moses Carr, with authority and in their discretion to expend so much of the
principal and income thereof as may be necessary for his comfort and support. And as to
all the rest residue and remainder of this trust fund, I give and bequeath the same to my
daughter Roselle E Gale, her heirs and assigns forever--
Sixth -- As to all the rest, residue & remainder of my estate, real, personal &
mixed, whereever formed and however situate, I give, bequeath and devise the same to my
said daughter, Roselle E Gale, to have and to hold the same to her, her heirs and assigns
forever, subject only to the charges, trusts, legacies and conditions herein set forth.
Seventh -- I appoint the said George C Gale sole executor of this my last will and
testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 29th day of October, in the
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
Joshua Carr [signature, plus small red piece of fabric]
Signed, sealed published and declared by the said Joshua Carr, as and for this last will
and testament, in presence of us, who, at his request, in his presence and in the presence
of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto --
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day of October 1883.
E R Weeks
Geo Wills
S T Pennock