My Family Tree is Full of Nuts

George Rice VanZant

This was taken from the Philadelphia Inquirer, November 19, 1912

Chester Veteran, Mourned As Dead, Returns Home.

Chester, PA  Nov 18, 1912

When George Rice VanZant, of Upland, walked into the headquarters of Wilde Post, Grand Army of the Republic, in this city this morning he found a large memorial card announcing that “Comrade George R. VanZant had answered the last roll call.”

The post flag on top of the building had been placed at half staff, in respect to the memory of “the late George R. VanZant, Comrade of Wilde Post.”

Arthur Martin, member of the Board of Poor Directors of Delaware County, who is a member of Wilde Post had ordered the charter draper ‘in memory of the deceased Comrade VanZant.”

Martin met VanZant on the street this morning and nerly collapsed when he came face to face with the man whose body he understood was being brought on from Michigan, where VanZant’s death was reported to have occurred.

Thanks to Lauren for this info.. Goodness I hope I said her name right!

I,  George R. Vanzant, hereby make this my last will and testament, as follows:-

First.    I order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid by my executor, hereinafter named, as soon as conveniently can be after my decease.

Item.    I hereby direct my executor to set apart the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00), for the purpose of defraying the funeral expenses of my daughter, Anetta Vanzant, if she should survive me.

Item.    All the rest residue and remainder of my estate I give, devise and bequeath to my daughter, Hannah Cowan, wife of Fred Cowan.

              I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my friend, Josiah Smith, to be the Executor of this my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twelfth day of April, 1912.

GEORGE R. VANZANT (L.S.)

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above-named testator as and for his last will and testament, in our presence, who, in his presence, and in the presence of each other, and at his reuest, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

James A. Hodge

Bella M. Carroll

July 31, 1914, as a codicil to this my will I hereby give and will to my son Harry Vanzant my gold watch chain and churn. Witness by my hand and seal.

GEORGE RICE VANZANT,

Signed , sealed, published and recorded as a codicil to my last will and testament in person who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed and names as witensses.

B.M. Carroll

(I typed the last two paragraphs as well as I could.. it was very hard to read.)

George R. Rice Military History

Time and Place of each enlistment:

        September 12, 1864   Media, Pennsylvania

Rank:

       2nd Lieutenant

Company and Regiment:

       203 PA Infantry

Time and Place of Discharge:

       June 22 1865, Ralleigh, NC

Cause of Discharge:

       Muster Out

Disabilities When Admitted to the Home:

      Arterio Sclerosis, Kyphosis Senility, Varicose Ulcer Right Leg.

DOMESTIC HISTORY

Where Born:

        Pennsylvania

Age 81,      Height 5′10″,      Complexion, Dark,      Eyes Blue,      Hair Grey,      Read and Write Yes,      Religion, Prot.      Occupation ( Can’t determine on the paper) Residence Subsequent to Discharge, Pennsylvania,     Married or Single, Widowed,       Name and Address of Nearest Relative, Harry Vanzant, Son, Upland, PA

HOME HISTORY

Rate of Pension  $24.00

Date of Admission  Re-Admission and Transfer:  1st Admission June 2, 1915

Date of Death:  January 9, 1918

Cause of Death:  Mitral Insufficiency

GENERAL REMARKS

Papers  ADMISSION PAPER:  G.B. Patrick

PENSION CERTIFICATE:   ,005,590

EFFECTS:    Cash $7.00    Pension Money  $106.00

Body Shipped to:  Chester Pa January 10,  1918

Personal Effect Disposed to Josiah Smith, Executor, Chester, PA