Notarized DS as president, one page, 7.75 x 13, June 17, 1937. Sara Delano Roosevelt’s petition for claiming income from the Estate of James R. Roosevelt. Headed “In the Matter of acquiring title to Public Park bounded by Congress and Myrtle Avenues and Leavitt Street in the Third Ward, Borough of Queens, City of New York.” In full, “SARA D. ROOSEVELT, being duly sworn, deposes and says that she is the widow of James Roosevelt whose Will was duly probated in the Surrogate’s Court of Dutchess County on December 22nd, 1900. That under and by virtue of the said Will, your deponent is entitled to the income of one-third of all the rest, residue and remainder of the Estate of said James Roosevelt, deceased. That the present Executors and Trustees under the said Will are” [At this point, FDR has signed his name “Franklin D. Roosevelt” and added the names of the husband of his eldest child Anna, “Curtis B. Dall and Frederic A. Delano,” his mother’s brother]. Continuing, “who are still acting as Executors and Trustees of the said Last Will and Testament.” Stapled to the lower portion of the page is the notary public’s attestation. Document is still housed in its original legal folder. In fine condition, with expected folds, aforementioned staples, and a bit of mild toning.
Accompanied by a carbon copy of “The Last Will and Testament of James Roosevelt,” nine pages, 8 x 13, and a partly printed typed DS signed “Louis P. Haubennestel” as Clerk of the Surrogate’s Court, one page, 8.5 x 13.25, dated November 25, 1931. Haubennestel certifies that “the annexed instrument is a copy of the last will and testament and Codicil thereto of James Roosevelt late of the Town of Red Hook in said County of Dutchess, deceased…bearing the date of the 22nd day of December 1900…” Also accompanied by two identical carbon TLSs signed “Curtis B. Dall,” and “Frederic A. Delano,” July 31, 1937. To the Comptroller of the City of New York, Municipal Building, New York, N.Y. In full, “Kindly deliver to my Attorney, CHARLES SCHNEIKRAUT, check in the sum of $662.44, to the order of the Executors and Trustees of the Last Will and Testament of James Roosevelt, deceased. Yours very truly.” Also included is a February 20, 1937, postmarked White House envelope addressed to Schneikraut, 16 Court Street, Brooklyn, New York. Via this unique document, President Roosevelt ensured that his mother received her guaranteed share of profits from a sale of his late father’s property. An intimate document from one of the world’s greatest leaders, with unique annotations about his family. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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