Viewing page 20 of 67

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Dec. 7, 1916

SURROGATES' COURT,
COUNTY OF NEW YORK,
In the Matter of Proving the Last
Will and Testament of 
HENRY W. RANGER,
Deceased,
As a Will of Real and Personal Property.
STATE OF NEW YORK,
COUNTY OF NEW YORK,
SS.:

FREDERICK BALLARD WILLIAMS, being duly sworn, says: 
I am an artist, residing at Glen Ridge, New Jersey and for about seven years have had my studio at 27 West 67th Street. I knew Henry W. Ranger for about fifteen years prior to his death and during most of that period was on intimate terms of friendship with him both at his studio and at his places in Noank, where I had frequently been a guest. During that time he spoke to me on different occasions of his wife and his mother but on no occasion during our acquaintance did he mention the fact that he had a sister and it was not until after his death, or the day of his death, that I became aware of that fact through other friends of his.

I had ample opportunities to judge of Mr. Ranger, not only as to his artistic ability and achievements, but also as to his capability in business affairs. I regarded him as a man of exceptionally clear judgment and keenness of perception and from my observation he was uniformly successful in his business affairs.

Some years ago when we were going down on the train from his country place at Noank, Mr. Ranger began to talk about his plans and purposes in the disposition of his estate and at that time he said to me that at his death the bulk of his property was to go to the Academy of Design for the benefit