The Probate File of Henry Lambert, Pt 2

Following my earlier post of the probate file of Henry Donham Lee Lambert in Oklahoma County Court, I looked ahead through the rest of the file. It contains about 250 images, some are the front and back of checks paid to the Lambert beneficiaries. It is a wonderful find, and includes a handwritten letter from my 2nd-great-grandmother Matilda Jane Lambert in Illinois to the court in Oklahoma. This gives a whole new insight into her personality, which I did not have before.

The Will - 9 November 1899

Henry died in March 1909, either on 20 or 22 March. Cordelia Lambert passed away on 28 November 1918, triggering the probate of Henry's estate in December 1918. Henry listed his remaining heirs as:
1. Eva Emeline (Lambert) Wilson
2. Matilda Jane (Lambert) O'Brien
3. William L. Lambert
4. Mary Alice (Lambert) Cunningham
5. Olive V. (Lambert) Phillips
6. Drusilla (Hensley) Burrows

Henry also stated that Olive was to give 1/3 of her part of the estate to her first born, Leoney Lambert. Olive was the first born daughter of Henry and Cordelia Lambert, who also had a son, Elmer Lambert.

The executors were William Lambert and A. W. Burrows. William passed away on 4 December 1911, so his executor duties fell to Burrows. William's portion of the estate would be divided among his wife and children.

A. W. (Arthur) Burrows was the husband of Drusilla Hensley Burrows, daughter of Cordelia from her first marriage, making her Matilda's step-sister. It took a little time to see how Drusilla fit into the family until I looked back at Cordelia and her first marriage to Samuel Hensley in Illinois.

Burrows filed a motion with the court to sell Henry's property in order to pay the creditors and beneficiaries under the will. Henry's property, consisting of 160 acres in Oklahoma County from the original land grant, was appraised at $4,500. He also had a mule.

Matilda filed an objection to the sale of Henry's property at private sale, as she thought the appraised value of the property was lower than what it could be sold for at a public sale. Her letter is worth its own post, so I will share it next.