Portion of a draft of FDR’s will, signed six times in the text “FDR,” handwritten (in pencil) as president on eight 8 x 10.25 lightly lined pages, 1939. FDR has also written “Roosevelt” eight times in references to his wife and relatives. In the document, Roosevelt arranges for the disposition of his properties, land, and stocks, and make a number of specific bequests, including one to Missy Le Hand. In part: “Set up a corporation to be known as ‘The Water Lots Company’ (?) with 1,000 shares, 750 to be owned by me and 50 to be owned by each of the 5 children.... Assets: All land owned by my mother and me in Town of Hyde Park, less the main house and about 50 acres which will be given to U. S. Government.... The value of the land (less big house) is just about $100,000, and includes my reversionary interest in Mrs. J. R. Roosevelt’s place which comes to me after her death and the death of Mrs. T. D. Robinson.... Life interests in the land of company: (a) Anna Eleanor Roosevelt to have life interest in such house or houses as she may select for her own occupancy, together with use of such tenant houses as belong to or are a part of the property selected by her for her life use. (b) Nancy Cook and/or Marion Dickerman to have life use of Valkill Cottage and its appurtenances, as provided for by agreement between them and Anna Eleanor Roosevelt.... Provisions covering sale of transfer of stock: (d) In the event that the land or any portion thereof is sold to any non-stockholder or to a government body, the money received shall be immediately distributed to the stockholders and the capital stock reduced by said amount as a distribution of capital. Management of company: To be vested by 8 directors: F. D. R., Mrs. F. D. R., All 5 children, Henry T. Hackett (the latter to act as secretary with a salary of $250 a year) (a) The upkeep of the place to be maintained, and any def icit to be made up annually by the stockholders. (b) Christmas tree plantations to be maintained. (c) Lumbering on annual yield basis allowed. (d) All tenant houses rented. (e)Any house occupied by any of the children or stock holders to be rented by them from the company. (f) If any new houses are built for sale or rent, any profit received shall be distributed to the stockholders as distribution of principal after depreciation, etc. WILL. 1. All real estate in Dutchess County owned, or in which I hold a reversionary interest, to the Water Lots Company. 2. My farm and mountain land at Warm Springs, Georgia,—about 2100 acres, to the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation. 3. My house and the land around it; my cottage known as the Mrs. James Roosevelt Cottage and the land around it ... to my Trustees for the life of my wife, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt.... 4. Specific bequests: To the Rector, Wardens and Vestry of St. James Church, Hyde Park, of which I am Senior Warden, the sum of $5,000 to be added to the Cemetery Fund for upkeep of the Roosevelt lots. 5. To the Executors: Such sum as may be necessary to erect a simple stone over the grave of myself and my wife in the garden at Hyde Park in accordance with directions left by me in a separate memorandum. 6. To the trustees: All stocks and bonds of whatever nature in trust to pay the income of my wife.... 7. Annuities: To my dear friend, Marguerite A. Le Hand, the sum of $1,000 a year during her life. 8. To each employee at the time of death $100....” In 1923, FDR embarked on an affair with his young secretary, Marguerite “Missy” Le Hand, which was to last for the remainder of their lives. Though it was scarcely whispered about in the press in the pre-Watergate era, the liaison was an open secret among FDR’s associates and family. Roosevelt’s son, Elliot, later wrote that FDR’s friends “accepted it as a matter of course” and that FDR himself “made no attempts to conceal his feelings about Missy.” FDR paid all her medical bills and, though she predeceased him, made a stipulation in his will for her future medical expenses to be covered by the estate. In fine condition overall, with light toning to pages, a few wrinkles, and a bisecting horizontal fold. A one-of-a-kind item from one of the most influential statesmen in American history! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA
