Will of John Conger - 17110111

PROBATE: Will of John Conger, 11 Jan 1711

In the name of God, Amen, the 11th day of January 1711. I JOHN CONGER of Woodbridge, in the county of Middlesex, and Province of East New Jersey, Planter, being in bodily health and in perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to God, therefore: Calling in mind the mortality of this body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and Testament, that is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I recommend it to the earth, to be buried in a Christian-like and decent manner, at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general

Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, to bless me in touching such worldly estate, wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life. I give, devise, and dispose of the same in the follow manner and form:

ITEM: My will is that my farm or plantation on which I now dwell to be equally divided into two parts, beginning at the River and running with a direct line through the whole length of my said farm or plantation, the Eastern division whereof I will and bequeath to my son BENJAMIN CONGER, to be by him quietly and peacable possessed, and enjoyed as soon as he shall arrive at the age of 21 years, and if my son JOSEPH please, he shall have the liberty to live upon it 10 years after my decease, paying the charge arising thereon.

ITEM: The use and improvement of the western division of my said farm or plantation, and my dwelling house standing thereon I give to my wife during her state of widowhood and when her condition shall change either by marriage or death I will and bequeath the said western division of my farm together with my now dwelling house and all other buildings thereon to my son JOB CONGER.

ITEM: I will and bequeath to my son JOSEPH all my freehold right in the towne of Woodbridge (Will also specifies as conveyed to Joseph his rights to Woodbridge common lands yet to be divided.) I give to my son my Carts and Ploughs with all the tackling belonging to them to my son JOSEPH to have liberty to use them when they can be spared so long as he lives upon the place, he being at equal charge at repairing them.

ITEM: My will is that if either of my three sons above mentioned, JOSEPH, JOB or BENJAMIN, shall die without issue, then what land I have willed to them do descend to the survivor or survivors, and be equally divided between them.

ITEM: I give to my son JOHN ten schillings; to my son JONATHAN five schillings; to my son GERSHOM five schillings; and to each of my daughters five schillings, all to be paid by my son JOB, if demanded.

Lastly, I give all my cattle, horses, sheep and household stuff, to my faithful and beloved wife, SARAH CONGER, whom I do nominate and appoint my sole Executrix, to see that this, my last will, be punctually fulfilled, and I do declare this to be my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me formerly made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day and year above written.
JOHN CONGER X (His Mark)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said John Conger, as his last
Will and Testament, in the presence of us, the subscirber viz:
--James Connet, James Connet Jr., Richard Pangbourner, John Bishop

CODICIL: June 14, I the above name John Conger, being very sick in body and not expecting many hours of this life, and my son GERSHOM being born since the making of this my Will, above written, do declare that my will & desire is that my three sons, JOSEPH, JOB and BENJAMIN, as they come to age, give unto my son GERSHOM, ten schillings, each of them and that seven pounds out of my movable estate be put out for his use when he comes to age, this I declare to be my desire before thise witnesses.
--John Stille, John Moore and John Bishop

Proved before Thomas Gordon, the 27th of August, and approved and sealed by his Excellency, Col. Hunter, the 17th day of Oct 1712. (Some say he died on 27 Aug 1712. Maxine Leonard states he died in September 1712.)
(J. Bass. Liber I, folio 382, New Jersey Wills, Secretary of States Office.)
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. II, p. 19-20 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)


CONFLICT: Codicil Confusion
The naming of a youngest son, Gershom Conger, in the Codicil has caused confusion and conjecture among Conger researchers, owing to the fact that an elder son of John Conger, named Gershom who had been born in 1685, was listed in the last "ITEM" of the 11 Jan 1711 will. At the time the will was written, the elder Gershom was married and was father of David, born in 1707 and Phoebe, born in 1708.

Researcher, Charles L. Conger, believed that the Gershom Conger, born in 1711, was the son of Gershom Conger, born in 1685. Gershom Conger, b. 1685, supposedly died before his father, a date of death of, Abt. 1710/1711 in Union Co., NJ, has been listed by some researchers.

It seems highly unlikely that John Conger would have had a son in 1711. At that time, his health was probably already failing, since he had drawn up a will. And, his second wife, Sarah Cawood, who had been born in 1660, would have been 51 years old.

It seems more reasonable that either the person drawing up the Codicil made a mistake when he wrote, " . my son Gershom being born since the making of this my Will ." or that John Conger was confused in his last days, and that the family pampered him in his belief that his grandson was indeed his son. If the Gershom, mentioned in the Codicil, was indeed the grandson of John Conger this would raise the question of why this grandchild was the only one that John Conger chose to mention, by name, in his will.
[Note: This discussion from CFA II, p. 20, has been edited by Richard E. Henthorn in order to clarify and expand on some of the points made.]
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. II, p. 20 - Maxine Crowell Leonard)

Leonard, Helen Maxine (Crowell)

Helen Maxine (Crowell) Leonard
Waverly, Iowa

Born in Des Moines, Iowa on April 5, 1919
Died in Waverly, Iowa on October 2, 2005
Burial services held October 6, 2005 at Oakland Cemetery, Janesville, Iowa

Obituary

The following is transcribed, with permission from the obituary posted by Kaiser-Corson Funeral Homes Inc. web page. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maxine's daughters and son during this time of loss.

Helen Maxine Leonard drew her first breath on April 5, 1919 in Des Moines, Iowa and returned to her Heavenly Father during the early morning hours of October 2, 2005 while in hospice care at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly, Iowa

Maxine was the daughter of Henry and Violet (Wright) Crowell. She spent her first 25 years engaged in a flurry of creative activities ranging from becoming an award winning drummer in her high school orchestra and marching band, singing as a regular on a Saturday morning "Teen Frolic" radio broadcast on (radio station) WHO when Ronald Reagan was a D.J., writing a regular column for her school newspaper and modeling for magazines that were being published in Des Moines at the time.

In 1944 she married Laurence Otto Leonard and began her journey as a career military man's wife, welcoming the opportunity to live in many places and meet and make many new friends.

In her late thirties, Maxine was stricken with acute rheumatoid arthritis, found herself bedridden and with little hope given from the traditional mainstream medical world. Never complaining, she began what became a lifelong exploration of the alternative remedies and treatments with great success. During this time she discovered a passion for researching family history and published 13 books on the subject -- several in rare book libraries on the east coast. Later she was asked to write the history of Janesville during the year of their 125th celebration. For 20 years, Maxine wrote and published her church newsletter as well as a family quarterly and a newsletter for Larry's cavalry unit, still finding time to sing in the Sweet Adeleines and direct the Waterloo Mothers Chorus.

In retirement, Maxine loved traveling here and abroad, visiting old friends and family as much as she reveled in the private tranquility of her country home, with a cat purring in her lap while she and Larry identified birds at the bird feeder.

Maxine is survived by her birth son, Brant Warren Leonard of Travers City, Michigan, Hans Martin (Joyce) Leonard of Green Ridge, Missouri, and Karin Maria Leonard of Cedar Falls, Iowa whom they adopted as children while they were stationed in Austria, as well as 9 grandchildren and her cat. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved partner, Larry, her prankster brother Floyd Crowell, her precious boy Brian and her 15 year old lightfilled granddaughter Adrianne Leonard Eacret.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Chapel (Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community) in Waverly, with Ken Shaw presiding. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Janesville. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly and also for an hour before services on Thursday at the Good Shepherd Chapel. Please direct memorials to the Cedar Valley Hospice or http://www.kaisercorson.com/

STILL THE BOSS
EULOGY OF MAXINE LEONARD
OCTOBER 6, 2005
JOSEPH BEENKEN

Karin, Brant and Hans this is a great honor to be standing here today. Thank you.

The banner on the casket spray "Still the Boss" came about the other day as the Hospice staff was moving Maxine on her bed and she said "Don’t move me" and just to leave her lay the way she was. Karin told her "Don’t worry Mommy, your Still the Boss."

Maxine felt reading the obituary was unnecessary since we’ve all read it before the service starts. So if you haven’t read it, do so later. Hers was an amazing life. And if you haven’t see the life album that she put together look at that.

I worked in business for 30 years and endured annual performance appraisals. Inevitably they will focus on the last couple of months instead of that year or an entire career. So within a few minutes today I want to share not the life of Maxine but the last couple of years of the 25 years that Sheryl and I knew Maxine. First as the chorister of the Cedar Falls congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and finally as the closest thing to a Mother and Grandmother to both of us. Sheryl or I saw her at least twice a week for one reason or another the past several years.

The picture over there fits so into her plan as the "Boss" to go home to our Heavenly Father at this time of year. She would receive therapeutic massages from my wife or me on our portable table in her living room. Each time she sat up on the table she would look at that picture and say. "Isn’t it beautiful?" I want to sit here for a second, this is the perfect angle for me to see the path and the beauty of the fall colors." The clothing that you saw her earthly body in was a part of her Path. They are the temple robes of a faithful Christian and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and reflect a deep commitment to God and His Son Jesus Christ. She wears them because of her absolute belief in the eternalness of Mankind and the day of Resurrection we all look forward to.

Last night I got on the computer and typed a search for my name Joe Beenken and found nothing. I typed Maxine Leonard and found several references to her and the books that she and Larry published. I found that the Conger family already mourns the loss of it’s genealogical matriarch. And this photo of her with the Conger plate (photo at the funeral). "Still the Boss."

Three weeks ago she told me that she felt ashamed to pray to Heavenly Father for healing when so many had lost so much in Hurricane Katrina. So family wishes of memorials being sent to storm relief is so poignantly appropriate. "Still the Boss."

Maxine was always "the Boss." Whether it was writing and mailing a letter to every member of the US House and Senate this past spring telling them what was wrong with major government policy issues and how to fix them. She told them all to give up their last self-given pay raise and use that money to fund the notch baby social security problem. She knew it wouldn’t happen but "you get the government you deserve".

Engaging her in a logical debate on a subject soon showed you that for a woman in her mid 80’s her mind was sharper than most of ours every will be. If you were ever given one of your congressional letters to read. Or told to "sit down on the couch" and "asked to" listen to her read the letter you were always amazed at the clarity of thought and the subtle humor she used on the politicians. "Always the Boss."

Last year when her drivers license came due, she was worried about getting it renewed but needed it for when she would go to the dentist or optician. Medical doctor trips where not a concern. She had no high blood pressure, no diabetes, no aches or pains. She had asked the Lord for no pain with the severe rheumatoid arthritis she had and he had granted her prayer, so no pain pills or antibiotics. With the bones in her toes removed because of the arthritis she walked with a wobble. And this is what the license inspector saw and so required her to take a driving test. To a lot of us the inspector wanted to fail her "AN OLD LADY" and did for not signaling a turn 150 foot before an intersection. Maxine didn’t give up. Another week another driving test. Another here’s why I’m failing you this time. Another week another driving test. Another here’s why I’m failing you this time. Maxine could keep taking the test and wear her down or do the appeal process. The state of Iowa got the appeal letter with wording of "age discrimination." A different inspector was assigned and Maxine passed the driving test. "Always the Boss."

She had dearly hoped to see the new Latter-day Saint chapel being built here in Waverly and somehow attend church services there. She was so happy when people would take her there or show her pictures. The Church will be completed in January with an open house in the spring for all to see. When we go to the cemetery later the procession will past by the Church for her. "Still the Boss."

She had a great way of asking for a favor or an errand. Sometimes you really thought that you were volunteering instead of being told that you would do it. "Always the Boss."

Many of us can remember that cute little tilted head when she didn’t understand what we had just said. It wasn’t that she needed a hearing aid - we just need to speak up and be directly in front of her. So what did we do - Stand Straighter and Speak Louder. "Always the Boss."

She showed a deep respect and love for the freedoms of this great nation and a deep concern for it’s future. If you went to her apartment at night she was always watching the world news and commentaries. She would quiz you on your views and knowledge of the days events. She knew the names of the party leaders both the House and Senate, the voting history and names of the Supreme Court judges and many others. If you thought she was a Republican you where wrong. She could get just as mad at them as at the Democrats. She was the American we all should strive to be. And yes the TV was loud. "Still the Boss."

Maxine saw material needs at Bartels and quietly filled them with purchases. The big screen TV in the Eichorn House dining room is there because the old one didn't have close captioning and she thought the residents should have that. The Lord sent her some money in the mail that she didn’t think she was getting one day and so the TV happened. The fish aquarium in Linden Place is there so that the folks there can have something to look at. The TV in Woodland Terrance was given for the same reason. The flower lamps "where ever they are now here at Bartels" for the same reason - to help others to be more comfortable.

So to sum up Maxine’s performance appraisal I read from St Matthew in the King James Bible that she so loved. Mathew chapter 25: 15 - 21.

In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

[Note: Mrs. Leonard was the publisher of the two-volume, The Conger Family of America (often called "The CFA.") She was also the editor, publisher of the Conger Family newsletter, The Conger Confab. REH]

Conger, Kenneth Arthur

Kenneth Arthur Conger

OCCUPATION: Fork lift operator

MILITARY: U.S. Army 1951-1953 in the Korea area; 6 years in the Army Reserves; held the rank of Sergeant at the time of discharge.


OBITUARY: Kenneth Conger
BUFFALO, Iowa -- Services for Kenneth Arthur Conger, 72, Buffalo, [IA], will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Runge Mortuary Chapel. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park, with military honors conducted by Davenport American Legion Post 26.

Visitation is 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary.

Mr. Conger died unexpectedly Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000, at Genesis Medical Center East Campus, Davenport.

He was born Nov. 11, 1928, in Adair, [IA], the son of John and Mary (Kerr) Conger. He married Betty J. Bernauer on Sept. 28, 1951, in Davenport.

Mr. Conger was an Army veteran of the Korean War.

He had been employed at International Harvester in East Moline prior to his retirement.

He enjoyed playing bingo, cards and was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; his children and their spouses, Kenneth (Allen) and Cathy Conger, Davenport, John and Margaret Conger, Buffalo, Chris Conger, Buffalo, Dona and Nola Conger, Davenport, Brian and Christine Conger, Davenport, and Lisa and Gerald York, Grand Junction, Colo.; 18 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; sisters, Elsie Dooley and Hazel Powers, both of Davenport; and brothers, Lonnie Conger and Dale Conger, both of Davenport, Geral Conger, Benton, PA., and Marvin Conger, Davenport.

Mr. Conger was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Sue, in infancy; his parents; a sister, Helen Banks; and two brothers, George and Clyde Conger.
(Source: unknown newspaper, undated, included a photograph - published in The Conger Confab, March 2001, typed by Richard E. Henthorn)