Flatbed copy?

 I need a flatbed scan of this. Can you help?

Need some research assistance.

Updated

I need a more complete biography of Lizzie Avirett of El Paso, Texas. Her proper given name was Elizabeth. Her maiden name was Booth. 

"When Elizabeth Lizzie Booth was born on 18 January 1855, in Round Rock, Williamson, Texas, United States, her father, Dewitt Clinton Booth, was 25 and her mother, Malvina Boyce, was 17. She married Thomas J Avirett on 28 April 1872, in Burleson, Texas, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 son and 1 daughter. She lived in Rockdale, Milam, Texas, United States in 1880 and El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States for about 10 years. She died on 22 April 1933, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States, at the age of 78."

To what religion was she attached? Can we find a photo?

When did Joseph marry Emma?

     

     Because of the lack of official records, it is not always easy to trace marriages in 19^th century Pennsylvania. We know CTR married Maria Ackley on 13 March 1879 and his sister Margaretta had earlier married Benjamin Land on 24 June 1873 because there are newspaper reports for these events.

     As the marriage of Benjamin and Margaretta has not yet, to my knowledge, been published on the internet, below is the newspaper cutting from The Pittsburgh Commercial for 25 June 1873:

     The Rev. J.M. Crum was from the Plymouth Congregational Church.

     But when Joseph Lytle Russell married Emma Hammond Ackley, the sister of his son’s wife, there do not appear to be any extant newspaper announcements.

     However, we can narrow down when the event happened, and a recent newspaper discovery narrows matters down even futher, prompting this article.

     The starting point is the 1880 census which took place in Pittsburgh on 14 June 1880. It was intended to be a snapshot of events as they were on 1 June 1880. In this document, Joseph and Emma are not yet married. This is well over a year after CTR and Maria were married.

     It is not the clearest of writing but it shows four people living together in Cedar Avenue.

     *This is difficult to read. It looks a bit like Sister (step) but the correct relationship to the head of the household, CTR, should be Sister-in-Law and later also Step-Mother.

     Joseph L has shaved a few years off his age. He was approaching 68 at this point, but only admits to 60.

     According to this census return, at the beginning of June 1880 Joseph L and Emma are living at the same address but are still not married.  So their marriage would have to be after the date of the census.

     The next month, July, we have now found a reference to them in a news item about the latest vacation hot-spot, Chautauqua Lake. This location would feature later in Watch Tower history with a convention held there (see 1910 Convention Report) but in 1880 it was a vacation destination easily accessible by the railroads from places like Pittsburgh and Allegheny. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for 27 July 1880 carried a list of visitors to the attractions.

     A transcript reads:

CHAUTAUQUA CHAT.

Crowding Toward the Lake—Life at Point Chautauqua.

Special Correspondence of the Commercial Gazette.

Point Chautauqua, July 26.—Travel to the lake is increasing, the railroad trains are well filled, and the steamers, both large and small, are constantly plying on the waters of this beautiful lake.

Pittsburgh and Allegheny are well represented here, the following being a few of them: Dr. D. W. Riggs and sisters, Mrs. W. Jarvis, Prof. J. F. Carey, Wm. Yagle and wife, A. Johnston and wife, H. Samson, Rev. J. S. Wrightnour, Mrs. H. D. Reymer and daughter, H. Myers and family, John Hays and wife, D. P. Chapman, J. M. Stoner and wife, W. Shallenberger, J. L. Russell and wife, C. B. Priji, James E. Porter, Mrs. J. C. McCullough and daughter, Charles W. Anderson, Cyrus Pershing, Miss Lida McEldowney, Miss Kate Dickson and Rev. J. S. Hutson and wife.

The head clerk of the Grand Hotel informed me, last evening, that the house was full. And why should it not be? The splendid structure, its tasteful furnishings, its excellent table, its beautiful location and its home-like character, render it specially attractive and popular. The cottages, too, in which excellent accommodations can be obtained at low rates, are rapidly filling up.

     We note that the visitors from Pittsburgh and Allegheny include J L Russell and wife. Why would a Pittsburgh merchant leave his business to go on vacation by rail 120-130 miles away? A probable answer would be that this was Joseph and Emma on their honeymoon.

     We can reasonably give their wedding date then as at some time in July 1880.

     This all fits with other evidence. They were to have one daughter Mabel who was born in September 1881. This information is on her marriage certificate when she married Richard Packard on 30 June 1903. If born in September 1881 then Mabel would have been conceived sometime around December 1880.

     It would be interesting to discover who conducted the marriage ceremony for Joseph and Emma, but that information remains allusive. We know that John H Paton conducted the wedding service for CTR and Maria, because one of the newspapers provides the information. Although the 1880 census still lists CTR as a merchant, by now Zion’s Watch Tower had been published for a year so he was increasingly becoming known as a minister of religion. Maybe CTR conducted the wedding for his own father? 

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.