Person:Alvina Bradley (1)

Alvina Seaver filed a Declaration for a Widow's Pension with the government on 22 March 1901, stating that he was her second husband, and that she was the third wife of Isaac Seaver. She resided at 7 Cedar Street in Leominster at the time of the application. On 20 April 1901, she filed a General Affidavit, stating the marriage records for herself and Isaac, and that "my property consists of one small dwelling house and the lot upon which it stands located in Leominster Mass, cash value $1700.00. This is my house, no part of it is rented. I do not have any boarders and no income derived from my property. There is no incumbrance upon it. The annual expenses which I pay out for said property is $36.75 for taxes, $11.00 for water rates, $3.60 for insurance, and $50.00 for repairs. I also have $700 in Fitchburg Savings Bank, $700.00 in Worcester North Savings Institution, both located in Fitchburg, Mass, $909.32 in Clinton, Mass. Savings Bank, $500.00 in Worcester Co. Institution for Savings, $500.00 in Peoples Savings Bank, $500.00 in Worcester Mechanics Savings." On 24 December 1901, she received notice that her financial affairs were in such a condition that she is not entitled to a pension and she voluntarily waived her claim [NARA Cert. #738,086].

On 29 July 1908, Alvina Seaver again submitted a declaration for widow's pension and a general affidavit at Dicknison Centre, NY, claiming that her first husband, Joseph Lewis, was in the Naval Service during the Civil War. She was apparently successful, since the Pension Board stopped paying $30 per month on 4 April 1923 (NARA Cert. #667,027].

Alvina (Bradley) (Lewis) Seaver died in Clinton MA testate, and her probate papers are in Worcester County Probate Records, Probate Packet B-80132. In her will, she left $200 to the town of Sterling MA for the perpetual care of the Joseph P. Lewis cemetery lot, $200 to the town of Leominster to the City of Leominster for perpetual care of the Isaac Seaver cemetery lot, $200 to the town of Dickinson Center NY for the perpetual care of the Harvey Bradley cemetery lot, $1000 to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Clinton MA, $1000 to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Dickinson Center NY, $1000 to the Clinton Home for Aged People in Clinton MA, $1000 to the Clinton Hospital in Clinton MA, $3000 to her nephew, Leland H. Bradley of Madrid IA, $1000 to Bessie Kelly of Leominster MA, wife of Frank Kelly, $1000 to brother Frank Bradley of Fitchburg MA, $1000 to Rex Myers of Newark NJ, $100 each to Katie Derling and Lizzie Baker of Westminster MA, and to Susie Derling and Eva Cochrane of Sterling MA; $1000 to Bessie Nodding of Leominster MA; her watch and two chains to grand-niece Rose Bina Bradley; all the rest and residue to nephews Harvey Bradley of Madrid IA and Frank Bradley, son of Frank Bradley of Fitchburg, and Elmer Wood of Boston MA. She made no bequests to her sisters Jennie Brigham of Clinton MA and Ida Belcher of Boston MA since they are amply provided for. Harold L. French of Clinton MA was named executor. The will was dated 3 January 1923.

In a codicil dated 17 March 1923, she gave an additional $2000 to her brother Frank Bradley, revoked her direction that the executor should distribute her personal effects and bequeathed them to Frank Bradley, and gave her bracelets and third watch chain to her nephew Leland H. Bradley of Madrid IA.

Harold L. French filed the will and it was proved on 1 May 1923. The heirs-at-law listed were:

   Frank A. Bradley of Fitchburg MA, brother
   Jennie Brigham of Clinton MA, sister
   Ida Belcher of Boston MA, sister
   Leland H. Bradley of Madrid IA, nephew
   Harvey V. Bradley of Madrid IA, nephew
   Hazel Bradley of Madrid IA, niece
   Vivian Bradley Jennings of Madrid IA, niece
   Grace Bradley Brothbeck of Madrid IA, niece
   Beulah Bradley Lumman of Madrid IA, niece

The inventory of Alvina Seaver's estate showed a total of $16,129.35, all but $50 of jewelry and personal effects, in savings accounts in various banks.