Theodore G. Barker to Ellen M. FitzSimons on the Milliken estate (page 1)

A two-page spread of a handwritten letter in brown ink. The left leaf concludes a section that began on a preceding page and is signed at the foot by both Ellen M. FitzSimons and Theodore G. Barker; the right leaf opens a new section with the salutation Dear Ellen.

Left leaf (continuation from preceding page)

John B. Milliken covered all the property, real and personal, which had belonged to my Grandfather Thomas Milliken, including Mulberry and every article of personal property —

All of this property was sold as the Estate of John B. Milliken at public Auction under Order of the Court in settlement and distribution of the Estates of Thomas Milliken, John B. Milliken, Edward P. Milliken — All of the parties interested were made parties to the proceedings for Partition — The land and all the personal property sold at auction for less than the debts, and there was nothing left for division after paying off the Mortgages (Except a small piece of land called “Castle Ruin” of which the title had been held by Edward P. Milliken Each heir — including your Mother’s children received their share of the proceeds of this piece of land).

I became the purchaser of all the lands and of all the personal property, and the proceeds were applied to the payment of the debts of the Estate of John B. Milliken. The title to the property came to me from the Court free from any complications which had before attached to it.

    Ellen M. FitzSimons        Theodore G. Barker

Right leaf

Dear Ellen.

    In our conversation today you asked me, if Grandfather Milliken’s personal Estate had been divided and if my Mother had received her share — My Answer was that it had not been divided. This may give you a wrong impression —

It is true, that there was no division in kind of his personal property — The whole of it went, after his death, into the possession of Uncle Edward, of Aunt Susan, and of Uncle John — After Uncle Edward’s death it continued in possession of Uncle John and of Aunt Susan Milliken practically into their Exclusive possession — My Mother never asserted any claim to an interest in it, and practically waived her right — If she had survived her Sister