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I, John A. Woolman of the City and County of Burlington, and State of New Jersey, being sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament as follows.
First- I do order and direct all of my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon as convenient after my decease.
Second- I give, devise and bequeath the house and lot of land known as No. 204 Stacy Street in the city of Burlington and State of NJ. where I now reside, together with the furniture therein contained to my beloved wife Hannah A. Woolman, to be used and enjoyed by her during the term of her natural life.
Third- I give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Hannah A. Woolman, all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate of whatsoever kind and whensoever situate, which shall belong to, or be owned by me, at the time of my death, also that which I may be entitled to receive from the estate of Ann P.Talbert, deceased as devised in her last will,(should I not receive it during my lifetime). To receive use and enjoy the income therefrom during the term of her natural life.
Fourth- should my wife, at and time during her life time not desire to remain in said premises, for the purpose of using and enjoying the same for a home for herself, then my executors hereinafter named and the survivors of them thereafter shall have the priviledge of renting said house. And the income arising therefrom(after the payment of taxes, water rent, insurance, and the necessary expenses of repairs thereon) shall be paid to my said wife for her use and maintainance during the remainder of her natural life, or should it be deemed advantageous to my estate, my said executors or the survivor of them, shall have the power to sell the same, giving a good and lawful conveyance in the law therefore, the same as I could give myself, and the proceeds from the sale of said premises and such furniture as said wife shall not desire to keep, shall revert to and become part of my residuary estate as mentioned in the third item hereof.
Fifth- After the death of my beloved wife, Hannah A. Woolman, all of said estate to be divided among my children in equal shares, viz., Anna Mary Oliver, Fred W. Woolman, James W. Woolman, Carrie E. McBrien, Julia J. Woolman, Uriah C. Woolman, their heirs and assigns forever.
Sixth- I constitute and appoint my beloved wife, Hannah A.Woolman, and George A. Allinson, and the survivors of them executors of this my last will and Testament.
In witness whereof, I, the said John A.Woolman, have here under set my hand this 18th day, of June AD.1896.
Obituary of Thomas Burr Woolman, 1796-1868
Burlington Gazette- November 15, 1868-
-Our well known and universally respected fellow citizen, Thomas B. Woolman, departed this life on Tuesday afternoon last, in the seventy second year of his age. Mr. Woolman had been complaining for two weeks previously of pains in the chest and breast, the results, as was supposed of a severe cold, but they were not severe enough to interupt the daily routine of his active life, until the Friday proceeding his death. During this interval his progress forward recovery seemed to be encouraging. But early on Tuesday afternoon a manifest change for the worse occurred, under which he sunk rapidly until six o'clock, when his spirit passed away peacefully and without bodily pain. His disease was Rheumatism of the heart.
As one of our oldest business men, Mr. Woolman was known to the entire community. Of quiet and retiring habits, so far as regarded mingling in public affairs, he was nevertheless distinguished for a business aptitude which resulted in an ample fortune. A monetary revulsion which improvished many others, stripped him of the accumulations of his life time. But in adversity his well balanced mind preserved an equipoise as perfect as in his highest prosperity. In both his conversation and demeanor were modest, cautious and exemplary- He had no controversiea and no enemies. His experience in legal matters was extensive and his opinions were sought and trusted by many. His labors as a peacemaker between friends who were in danger of being estranged were singularly sucessful. Few men held out a more generous hand to others who were straitened, so long as he posesses ability to do so. For many years, he was a diligent reader of the bible and of works whose mission it was to lead the sinner to the saviour. When the last closing scene of his chequered life drew near, the gospel promises in which he ever trusted, were mercifully realized to his confiding spirit consious of his approaching end, his prayers were fervent, and his frequent expressions of entire readiness to be taken, were heard with consoling thankfulness by the weeping family at his bedside.
