The Last Will and Testament of Maria Frances Russell

 

     Strictly speaking, Maria Francis Russell had no real connection with the Watch Tower Society once she separated from her husband, CTR. But in view of her attitude, actions and concerns, looking at her situation by the end of her life is useful to know.

     Maria was a school teacher who married a wealthy merchant. She believed the message he taught through Zion’s Watch Tower magazine and for a number of years actively supported his mission. He gave her fulsome praise and thanks in the original forward of his first major work, The Plan of the Ages.

 

     Around this time the Russells lived in a large house on Clifton Avenue. They had a live-in servant and a gardener, and the house was big enough to shelter CTR’s sister and her children when they needed help, and later to take in Charles and Rose Ball.

     But in the interests of CTR’s work and mission, in 1894 they moved into an apartment on the top floor of the newly built Bible House.

Photograph by the author

     This was no doubt very convenient and likely saved great expense. While not cited as a reason for the marriage breakdown in the 1890s, it would not have helped as their paths diverged on how they saw their respective roles in marriage.

     Maria left the family home in 1897 and never went back. On the financial front she then claimed to have written half of the first three volumes of Millennial Dawn (Studies in the Scriptures) and virtually all of volume four by herself. She circulated a booklet attacking CTR in which she basically demanded royalties. CTR saw this as a direct threat to his religious work. His view was that, while she had undoubtedly helped in various ways, the subject matter was his and his alone. While financial arrangements for her support were eventually worked out, she never did get any royalties. However, it could be said that neither did CTR, because the whole point was to put everything back into the work of the Watch Tower Society.

     For a fuller description of the issues, see old post at:

https://truthhistory.blogspot.com/2025/07/maria-russell-and-millennial-dawn.html

     But money was much in Maria’s thoughts. When CTR died the papers reported her hiring legal counsel to try and challenge his last will and testament.

     With that background in mind it is interesting to travel forward 20 years in time after CTR’s death to see how Maria made out. This is where her last will and testament made in 1936 is of note.

     She bought a home in St Petersburg, Florida, with her sister Emma in the early 1920s. Emma had been married to CTR’s father, and again financial disputes had come to the fore when Emma’s husband died, and bequests were made to his children as well as to her. When Emma died, Maria inherited her estate.

     So below is a transcript of Maria’s last will and testament. There is just one sentence which could not be transcribed with 100% certainty, but it does not affect the contents of the will.

     It details all her property, the house and parcels of land, various cash bequests, the writing off of money previously loaned to others, and personal effects. The main beneficiary was her niece, Mabel Packard, Emma’s daughter, who looked after her at the end.

(transcription)

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.

I, MARIA F. RUSSELL, of the County of Pinellas and State of Florida, being of a sound and disposing mind and memory and desiring to leave instructions for the disposition of such property as I may die seized of, hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will and Testament, expressly revoking all former wills, testaments and codicils by me heretofore made.

ITEM ONE.

It is my desire that as soon after my death as is consistent that my executrix, hereinafter named, shall pay all of my just debts. I direct that my body shall be placed beside that of my sister, Emma H. Russell, in the lot that we jointly owned in Royal Palm Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida.

ITEM TWO.

The residence where I now reside was owned jointly by my sister, Emma H. Russell, and myself, and since her death I have had the use thereof. To my niece, Mrs. Mabel R. Packard, I give, devise and bequeath in fee simple, my undivided half interest in said property, which is located at 516 - 14th Avenue, N. E. in the City of St. Petersburg, Florida, and otherwise described as follows: to-wit:

Lot 9, Block (?), North Shore addition, according to the map or plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Pinellas County, Florida.

I also give, bequeath and devise unto the said Mabel R. Packard all of the household furniture contained therein.

At this time the said Mabel R. Packard is indebted to me in the sum of Fourteen Hundred ($1400.00) Dollars, evidenced or to be evidenced by a mortgage upon the house and lot on Jackson Street in the city of Pittsburgh, Pa. I desire and instruct that such indebtedness as may exist from the said Mabel R. Packard to myself at the time of my death shall be cancelled, and if a mortgage has been placed upon said property in my favor I desire that same be satisfied of record by my executrix hereinafter named.

ITEM THREE

I give, devise and bequeath unto James Russell Packard and John Alden Packard, share and share alike, the following described property, to-wit:

The west half (W ½) of East half (E ½) of Southwest quarter (SW ¼) of Section 33, Township 1 South, Range 3 East, in Jefferson county in the State of Illinois.

ITEM FOUR

(?) ...hereinafter is intended to pay the following sums in cash...(?)...named persons, to-wit:

This first sentence for ITEM FOUR is virtually illegible in the original.

Readers here might like to have a try at deciphering this.  Based on standard language in wills of this period, the delights of AI produced these two alternative suggestions:

To be paid, equivalent in cash, by my Executor to each of the following persons, to‑wit:

I give and bequeath the following legacies, bequests, and sums of money to the following named persons, to-wit:

To my niece, Mrs. Laura E. Fritz, of Arlington, Illinois, the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.00) Dollars.

To Mrs. (?) White, St. Petersburg, Florida, the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars.

To my great-nephew, James Russell Packard, the sum of Seven Hundred ($700.00) Dollars.

To my great-niece, Mildred Packard, the sum of Four Hundred ($400.00) Dollars.

To my great-nephew, John Alden Packard; the sum of Four Hundred ($400.00) Dollars.

To my niece, Selina G. Raynor of Belleview, Pa., the sum of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars, and my beaded purse.

To Mrs. Estella Floding of Arlington Heights, Ill., my gold watch.

I direct that if there be additional funds in cash after the above bequests have been paid, I give, devise and bequeath to my niece, Mrs. Mabel R. Packard, Three Hundred ($300.00) Dollars.

In the event that the cash remaining to my estate is not sufficient to pay the above bequests in full, my executrix is instructed to decrease the bequests proportionately, and in the event that the cash remaining to my estate is more than sufficient to pay said bequests, I instruct my executrix to increase the same proportionately.

ITEM FIVE.

I give, devise and bequeath the following personal property as follows:

To Mrs. Laura E. Fritz three bead pins.
To Mrs. Howard G. Raynor my sable fur cloak.

And to little June Packard my amethyst ring.

ITEM SIX.

All other property of which I may die seized and possessed or to which I may be entitled, I give, devise and bequeath the same to James Russell Packard and John Alden Packard, share and share alike.

ITEM SEVEN.

I nominate and appoint my niece, Mabel R. Packard, as executrix of my estate. I desire that she qualify and be commissioned as such executrix without bond. I give unto her full power and authority to manage, sell and dispose of any property I may die seized and possessed of without order of court, and to carry out the terms and directions herein contained. In the event that the sale of any property shall be necessary, I hereby give her authority to sell and dispose of same at public or privatesale, and to execute any deeds, conveyances, bills of sale or other instruments necessary to effectuate the same as fully and completely and lawfully as I could do were I in life. I request my executrix to be diligent in the execution of this trust and to close my estate at the earliest possible moment and at the least expense.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day of April, A.D. 1936.

Maria F. Russell (Seal)

We, the undersigned, at the request of Maria F. Russell, have signed our names hereto as witnesses to what she declared is her last will and testament, and at her request she signing in our presence and we signing in the presence of each other and in her presence on the day and year above written.

     Maria died in 1938 and as requested she was laid to rest next to her sister in the Royal Palm Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida.

     The house still exists. While modest by the standards of some in the area, the last time it was on the market it still sold for over one million dollars.

     I think it is fair to say that by her own terms of reference, ultimately Maria did not do TOO badly.

Your observations?

This post will be deleted in not many days. So, if you are going to comment, do so now. 

Outside Pressure and Identity

             Sociologists tell us that to endure groups must be cohesive. The basis for cohesion is a clear set of values and goals.  Some sociologists see this as a revelation from the late 19^th Century. It is, in fact, a common observation repeated through centuries of human history. An example is Benjamin Franklin’s “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately.” Probably apocryphal, this aphorism reflects this. Remainder of post has been deleted.

A wedding

     Charles Taze Russell and Albert Delmont Jones must have been quite close at one time. Here in January 1878 we have CTR attending Jones' wedding and serving as an Attendant. Of course, with Jones, this marriage was to be the first of several. From The Portsmouth Times (Ohio) for 19 January 1878:

Australia - 1938

 Beyond the era we usually consider, but it's interesting.

Annie needs this for her research

 If you have a scan, please forward it to me.

Zoller, J. (1960). The Teachings and Evolution of Doctrine of the Jehovah's Witnesses as Found in Watchtower Literature from 1879-1960 (Doctoral dissertation, University of Ottawa).

Ann Eliza's will

 

     When checking the internet for information about CTR’s mother, Ann Eliza Russell, there is conflicting information about her death in genealogical research sites. Some say she died in Pittsburgh and others that she died in Philadelphia.

     What is not in dispute is that she was buried in the family plot in the Allegheny Cemetery on Sunday 27 January 1861 just two days after her passing on Friday 25 January. Also that her business was then based in Philadelphia.

     The notice of death in the Pittsburgh Gazette for Saturday 26 January 1861 states that she died on the Friday afternoon at 2.30. The funeral would be from her brother’s home the next day, Sunday. While she could have died in Philadelphia, the note of the exact time of death in the newspaper suggests she died at her brother’s home. Although a continuous rail link from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh did now exist, the train part of the journey alone would have taken 13-15 hours. It all indicates that Joseph, Eliza and the children had no proper base in Pittsburgh at the time, and also suggests that her brother Thomas and his family helped care for her in her final days.

     Supporting the idea that she spent her final days in Pittsburgh is her last will and testament. It was prepared on 18 December 1860.

     The will states that she was “of Pittsburgh” and that her husband was now doing business as her agent in Philadelphia. While not conclusive on its own, it does suggest she was preparing the will in Pittsburgh and that Joseph was not with her on the day.

     The wording of the will shows it was not written at home with neighbors called in as witnesses. This was professionally prepared by a law firm, and the contents and wording suggest that her brother, Thomas, may have been with her, since much of the document features his role as executor. She obviously knew she was seriously ill and the will was to put her affairs in order and make provision for Joseph and the children. Although the attorney who prepared the will is not named (which apparently was quite common) the two who signed as witnesses, Jas. R. Reed and Thos. N. Murray, are listed in Thurston’s Pittsburgh Directory for 1860-1861 as clerks. The inference is that James and Thomas were law clerks, working in the same office, and were simply called in to witness Ann’s signing. Again, this supports the location as Pittsburgh.

     As noted above, in the will she is presented as the business owner, and Joseph is called her agent in Philadelphia. The point of the will was that she had assets in her own right, likely inherited. The main thrust of the document was to settle outstanding debts still hanging over them from their 1855 business failure. This would help Joseph back on his feet financially.

     Below is a transcript of the complete text of the document as written, with original spelling and capitalization preserved as closely as possible.

I, Ann Eliza Russell of Pittsburgh Allegheny County Penn. wife of Joseph L. Russell, who is now doing business as my agent in the City of Philadelphia Do make and publish this my last Will and Testament.

1st I give and devise to my Brother Thomas Birney of the City of Pittsburgh, his heirs and assigns, in trust for the uses hereafter mentioned, All the lands owned by me in the state of Iowa, and County of Franklin, viz The North East Quarter of Section No Eight (8) in Township No Ninety One (91), North of Range No twenty (20) west of the Fifth principal Meridian containing One hundred and sixty acres or thereabouts. To sell the same at as early a date after my decease, as in his opinion a fair price can be realized therefor; and on receiving the proceeds thereof or within a reasonable time thereafter to appropriate the same as follows To wit:

2d To appropriate to his own use such amount as will be a reasonable compensation for his trouble and expense in effecting sale thereof and maki distribution, as also to the amount of One hundred and fifty dollars additional, for money at sundry times heretofore by him advanced to me or my husband.

3d The rest and residue of the Proceeds arising from sale of the land aforesaid to be appropriated to payment or pro rata discharge of the debts due by my said husband or owing by him at the time of his failure in the year AD 1855, so far as may be made known to him the said Thomas Birney or his heirs, within twelve months from effecting sale as aforesaid. And for the purposes aforesaid I hereby nominate and appoint the said Thomas Birney my sole Executor, with full power to sell, execute and deliver a Deed or deeds for said described land without the intervention of any Court or order therefrom.

In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and seal this 18th day of December Anno Domini 1860.

Ann Eliza Russell

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Testatrix as her last Will in our presence who at her request in her presence have hereunto signed our names as witnesses. 

Jas. R Reed

Thos. N Murray

Sworn June 11 1861

     It should be noted that the debts settled included money loaned by Thomas Birney in their time of need at the time of their 1855 disaster.

     Joseph and the children came back to Pittsburgh to stay and build up a substantial dry goods business, both in Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, and Federal Street, Allegheny. CTR grew up and expanded the businesses. The rest as they say is history.

An Interview from 1879

 

Taken from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for 11 August 1879.

THE FINAL DAY

The Millerites Say the World Will be Destroyed by Fire To-day – A Comforting Interview With an Alleged Second Adventist,

     

The first part of this article reviewed the history of Second Adventism and William Miller, not very sympathetically. One strand of Adventism had reportedly predicted the end of the world by fire for the day of the article, August 11, so a reporter was sent out to interview a Second Adventist for comments. He settled on CTR.

     This is the transcript of that interview from the second part of the article.

 

     A reporter of this journal started out last evening to look up a Millerite or Second Adventist, for the purpose of obtaining more definite information concerning the big conflagration. Among the persons sought out and interviewed was Mr. C. T. Russell, of Cedar avenue, Allegheny. That gentleman was informed as to the reporter’s mission, when he said:

“In the first place, I am not a Second Adventist; secondly, I don't believe the world will be burned to-morrow; and, thirdly, I don’t believe the world will ever be literally burned with fire. My expectation is that the present, or Gospel age, will end much the same as the Patriarchal and the Jewish age. The Jewish age, you know, ended with the death of Christ, when the Gospel age commenced, and this will be succeeded by the millennium, when Christ will reign on earth. The change will not be manifested by any such demonstration as the burning of the earth.”

     “That is certainly a comforting assurance,” said the reporter; “but where do you find anything in the scriptures to sustain your assertion?”

 “In Ecclesiastes, 1–4: ‘One generation passeth away and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever.’”

     “Is it not stated somewhere in the Bible that the earth shall be devoured by fire?”

“It is, but I understand the word ‘fire’ to be used symbolically. We find in Zephaniah iii.—‘Wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey, for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.’ This describes the fire that is going to burn the earth; it is the fire of jealousy—symbolic fire—and while it destroys the kingdoms the masses of the people will be left alive, and they are to be blessed after their time of national trouble.”

     “How are they to be blessed?”

“In the book of Daniel it is written that ‘the kingdom of God will take the place of earthly kingdoms.’ In Revelation, also, is this text: ‘The kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord, and He shall reign forever and ever.’ I hold that the survivors of the Gospel dispensation will be associated with Christ in the heavenly kingdom which is to take the place of the earthly kingdoms.”

     “Will that kingdom be on this earth?”

“Yes. This passage from Daniel, vii.–27, shows it: ‘The kingdom and dominion under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.’”

     “Will the ruler of this kingdom be visible on the earth?”

“No. ‘The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.’”

     “How could the king rule and yet be invisible?”

“The same as Queen Victoria rules India. She is not in India, but she rules it.”

     “You say you are not a Second Adventist, Mr. Russell. What do you call yourself?”

“People of my faith have no denominational name. We are simply Christians, and are opposed to denominational names.”

     Thanking Mr. Russell for his cheering information that the world would not be burned to-day, the reporter hurried back to send out the gratifying intelligence to the people.

Update of the Update – And if you really want to help.

I’m still recovering from my fall. Next is a visit to the orthopedic surgeon. My left hand is “out of order” and very painful. The overall pain has slowed down my already slow moving work. 

Volume three will have a final chapter with updates and corrections to the two prior volumes. At my age and declining health, it will be a true accomplishment to finish volume three. So revised editions of volumes one and two are unlikely, but the same can be accomplished with a chapter noting corrections and additions.

That also means that preparing an index is overwhelming. SO, WHO WANTS TO MAKE A COMBINED VOL. 1-2 INDEX?  Anyone? I hope.

On the good side, I’ve spent the morning sorting and organizing a pile of Zion’s Watch Tower, scattered issues from 1898 and 1918, about twenty various issues. These included most of 1902 and about a third of 1904.

Last Will and Testament of Joseph Lytle Russell

The final LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of Joseph Lyle Russell (CTR’s father) was made in July 1896, and was witnessed by three Watch Tower adherents. It made bequests to all his family members, his wife, and three surviving children. It would become a bone of contention to his wife, Emma, as perhaps evidenced by the three witnesses having to sign another statement at the end of December 1897 that Joseph Lytle was of “sound mind and memory” when they witnessed the will. It shows that Joseph owned various parcels of real estate and investments which he valued in total at around thirty thousand dollars, which would be worth well over a million dollars today. This of course would be prior to any debts that had to be settled out of the estate.

There are two copies of the will, one filed in Florida and one in Pittsburgh. There is only slight difference in wording between the two caused through human error in copying. The transcription below is based on the Florida copy, preserving original spelling, punctuation and capitalization.

 

This is the Last Will and Testament of Joseph L. Russell, of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania being of fair bodily health and of sound and clear understanding, and knowing the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life, do hereby make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

First: I desire that all debts owing by me including funeral expenses be paid out of my estate as soon after my decease as convenient may be. My Estate Real and Personal I at present estimate at about Thirty thousand dollars and I will name my investments affirming an estimate of their values as follows.

House and lot No. 188 Jackson St Allegheny valued at $5000.

House and Lot No. 190 Jackson St Allegheny $5800 less mortgage of $2500

House and Lot of leased ground No. 80 Cedar Avenue Allegheny valued at $5000

House and three Lots at Tarpon Springs Florida valued at $3000.

Twenty five acres of land Tarpon Springs Fla. 2500.

160 acres of land Polk County Florida - 800.

180 shares of stock in the Pittsburgh Kaolin Co. (valued at 5.00) 900.

Notes of W. D. Griffin Kinders Florida - 600

Household and Personal Property — My Entire Estate Real & Personal I hereby dispose of as follows:

First: To my beloved wife Emma H. Russell I give and bequeath in her own name and right the House and Lot No. 190 Jackson Street Allegheny subject however to Mortgage of $2500 dollars. I also give and bequeath to my wife Emma H. Russell the House on leased ground No. 80 Cedar Ave. Allegheny Pa., also one hundred Shares of Stock in the Kaolin Company of Pittsburgh Pa. par value fifty per share.

Second: To my beloved daughter Mabel Russell I give and bequeath in her own name and right, when she is twenty one years old the House and Lot No. 188 Jackson Street Allegheny Pa., also forty (40) Shares of stock of the Kaolin Company of Pittsburgh Pa. Also one half of our household furniture and our bedding and one Upright Piano and my own Gold Watch all in her own name & right.

Third: To my beloved Daughter Margaret M. Land I give and bequeath in her own name and right one house and three lots in the Town of Tarpon Springs Florida, also 25 acre of land adjoining the Town of Tarpon Springs. I also add  forty shares of stock in the Kaolin Company of Pittsburgh Pa.

Fourth: To my beloved son Charles T. Russell I give and bequeath one hundred and sixty acres of land in Polk County Florida – also thirty shares of stock in the Railway and Dock Construction Company of New York City, all in his own name & right.

Fifth: With reference to the Bequest I have made to my daughter Mabel Russell in the event of her death before she is twenty one years old, she still being single and unmarried then my desire is that all of my Bequests that have been made to my Daughter Mabel Russell shall revert to her Mother. But in case my daughter Mabel Russell should be married and have issue before she is Twenty one years old, then in that case she still retains all these Bequests I have made to her and in her own name & right as originally intended.

Sixth: I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Charles T. Russell to be my Executor and my wife Emma H. Russell to be my Executress of this my Last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I hereby affix my signature this tenth day of July 1896.

Joseph L. Russell (seal)

Witness:

Signed and sealed in presence of

E.C. Henninges (seal)
J.A. Bohnet (seal)
Mrs. O.A. Koetitz (seal)

 

 

The Music Business

     Although we think of the Russell family running dry goods stores in Pittsburgh and Allegheny, they actually had a number of business interests over the years. One curiosity, which has been covered here before, is a music shop.

    There is sheet music for a song The Evening Prayer. It clearly states it was published by J L Russell and Son.

     

This song and its history is covered in a post here:

     https://truthhistory.blogspot.com/2018/06/evening-prayer.html

    We now know a bit more about this venture.

     In 1872 J L Russell and Son were at 83 Fifth Avenue. They also owned or rented the property at number 85. For several months they attempted to get a tenant. For example, from the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette for 28 May 1872:

     The key point reads:

“This is a rare chance to get one of the best locations in the city. Inquire of J L RUSSELL & SON, No. 83 Fifth Avenue.”

     This notice appeared for some weeks until the property was used by the Pittsburgh Music House, run by the Russells.

     From The Pittsburgh Commercial for 11 September 1872:

“New music, music books, pianos, reed and pipe organs, drums, fifes and campaign songs, J L Russell and Son.”

     Further advertisements from succeeding weeks (16 September, 4 October) gave the 85 Fifth Avenue address, but omitted the Russell name. You could also buy:

“Elegant Celeste organ(s) on easy terms, a square Grand piano at the lowest figure – or any popular ballad or Strauss Waltz...all the new music and instruction at lowest prices...”

     They soon added music publishing to their range. From The Pittsburgh Post for 16 December 1872:

     The full story of this music (along with the score for those who want to play it) can be found in the links given above.

     The last reference as yet discovered to the Russell’s Music House enterprise involved another piece of sheet music. Now into 1873, from the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette for 20 February 1873:

     This music survives in the Library of Congress and you can download it complete if you so wish, although the surviving library copy only carries the names of publishers in Philadelphia and Boston.

     The song was credited to JAMES GILES, but the lyrics were a poem that appeared as a filler in numerous newspapers between 1870-1883, usually anonymous but occasionally credited to JOSEPHINE POLLARD.

     The opening line gives a flavor of the work:

‘Twas milking time and the cows came up from the meadow...”

 

     It would seem that the music business didn’t flourish, and the Russells continued expanding the dry goods business, working in other areas like scrap metal, and probably most lucrative long-term, real estate.

     But that is another story.

Carnone

 

     This is one of those (to me) mysteries that I would appreciate some feedback on.

     The question is, would a long-time elder of an Irish Presbyterian Church be illiterate?

     It comes from researching CTR’s family history. CTR’s father, Joseph Lytle Russell, was one of ten children who survived to adulthood. We know that one of them, Fannie Russell, never left Ireland, and married Alexander Harper. The church where they were married was probably Carnone – which is quite near the border between Londonderry and County Donegal, which feature on grave markers and obituaries for Charles Tays and Joseph Lytle Russell. This whole area was awash with Scots immigrants at one time, and the name Russell is quite prevalent (although no tie-ins as yet to CTR’s family).

     The surviving marriage registers for Carnone start in 1836 which is too late for Alexander and Fannie. But two of their children are in the baptism register, which has survived from 1837. They are:

William James Harper (son of Alexander Harper and Fanny Russell) born on 18 June 1838.

Sarah Harper (son of Alexander Harper and Fanny Russell) born on 17 April 1843.

     Sarah is never heard of again, which strongly suggests she died young, but we can trace James Harper down through the years.

     In the disbursements of Charles TAYS Russell’s will, there is a share for William James Harper, Broxton, Donegal County, Ireland.

     In the Carnone Churchyard there is a pillar for William James Harper and his immediate family. He died in 1920 aged 82, which lines up the dates for the right person.

     His death prompted a brief story in the Belfast Telegraph for 3 March 1920.

     So he has been a ruling elder in the Carnone congregation for 38 years. It is a long family tradition – his eldest son is now an elder there, and crucially his father was “a ruling elder in that congregation for 37 years.” That would have to be Alexander Harper, formerly married to Fanny Russell, CTR’s aunt.

     This would make William Harper one of CTR’s cousins.

     When Fanny died there was a brief note in the Londonderry Sentinel for 14 June 1867:

12 June at Carnone, Mrs Alexander Harper, aged 55 years.

     On the civil registration death certificate supplied to me by the Ulster Historical Association, we note that her husband Alexander was present at the death. But note how he signed.

     Unless he had broken his arm or something, that makes him illiterate.

     And yet in his son’s obituary in 1920 Alexander is credited with being a “ruling elder” for 37 years.

     It just doesn’t sound right to me.

     What do you think?

 

Notes on why research done

     The main purpose of this line of research is part of an ongoing attempt to find out exactly where in Northern Ireland the Russell family came from. Searching for the sister who never got away was one line of enquiry. Of course, just because Fannie married Alexander and lived in the Carnone parish at one point does not mean she was born there, but in those far off pre-railway days, people often did not travel very far to meet people, marry them, and spend the rest of their lives with them. Historically, Carnone and surrounding parishes suffered a declining population during the 19^th century as many chose (or were forced) to leave the area for pastures new, including America.

Russell's Theology

Updated 

The following is found in the October 15, 1908, Watch Tower. Conflicting interpretations are found in 'the literature.' Please read it carefully. How do you understand this?

The divine purpose in the redemption provided was to bring a blessing to all the families of the earth-a release from sin and death conditions and a return to divine favor to all who would be obedient; hence our Lord's work did not end with the application of his merit to those who were accepted of the Father as members of his Body. Rather the sacrifice was allowed to continue on a larger scale-a sacrificing of the Church, the members of his Body being counted as a continuation and a completion of our Lord's own personal sacrifice. When all the members of this great mystical Body shall have suffered with him”-when he as the great antitypical High Priest shall have offered up not only himself but us, his adopted members, then justice will have all that it ever demanded and much more. It will have the one great valuable sacrifice of Jesus and additionally the sacrifice of his members-144,000 justified through faith in his blood, whose sacrifice the Apostle declares to be in God's sight holy and acceptable.”-Rom. 12:1.

Would it be right for justice to accept 144,001 sacrifices when only the one was really demanded? We answer, Yes. Justice is not hindered-divine justice would not be stopped from receiving all of those sacrifices in the manner arranged. Justice could not have demanded more, however, nor accepted less, than the one perfect life. We are to remember that none of these sacrifices was demanded nor compelled by justice merely a high reward for faithfulness was held out for the time. Our Lord was attracted thereby and For the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.” 

As a matter of fact the divine plan through him opened the door of opportunity to others who have His spirit (disposition) during this Age, to a limited fore-ordained number, which we believe to be 144,000. Their sacrifice was not demanded. It was voluntary and because they saw riches of grace and .divine rewards which they esteemed to be their privilege to attain. Thus in the divine plan the world has been redeemed much less directly than we may have imagined, but much to our advantage, in that it has permitted us to become members of the Bride Class, members of the Body of the Great Mediator, whose work throughout the Millennial Age will be that of Intercessor and· Go-between and Mediator between God and men-the world in general. We, who now come in under this arrangement as members of the Body, members of the Seed of Abraham,” members of the Great Antitypical Mediator, Prophet, Priest, King, Judge, are as his members under his supervision yielding up our lives in sacrifice during this Age, and these sacrificed lives counted in with his constitute the blood of The Christ, which seals the New Covenant between God and the world. That New Covenant will not be sealed until all the blood of the Great Mediator has been shed. Then Head and Body, Bridegroom and Bride, we shall be presented before the Father and the blood of the Great Christ, as shown in the types of Leviticus, will then avail for the cancellation of the world's sin, even as the blood of Jesus now avails for our sins.

James Gray of the Moody Bible Institute wrote:

“It is in the extra-Scriptural teaching on the atonement that the greatest harm is done, for Millennial Dawnism makes the Church a part of the Redeemer in His redemptive work. It wrests that transcendent doctrine of the believer’s oneness with Christ, to make it appear that we are part of the ransom price for sin. ...  Roman Catholicism has never uttered greater blasphemy than his concerning Him who ‘appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.’” – J. M. Gray, The Errors of “Millennial Dawnism”

Thoughts. Was he right?