also
mentions the copy of the wills on that site,
which he warns us "are not the actual papers
but retyped."
BUT GREG SAYS THAT THERE IS A BETTER SITE
TO GO TO:
If you want to post these for information
purposes, here is a better site (retyped also)
but there is the 1968 AND the 1965 will of
Bill, plus the 1963 royalty agreement:
http://aagso.org/aaws/heirs.htm (Bill)
http://aagso.org/aaws/lois.htm (Lois)
- - - -
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Message #5608 from LES COLE
(elsietwo at msn.com)
Re: Big Book Royalties, Bill and Lois's wills
Copies of the Agreement between Bill and
AAWorld Services, Inc dated April 29, 1963
can be found by entering: William Wilson Will
on the URL line which brings up GOOGLE sites.
Click Bill Wilson Royalty Agreement.
Therein are descriptions of Copyright
provisions, and references to Bill's WILL,
and references to Lois's WILL.
- - - -
The actual WILLs can be found the same way by
typing in Bill W WILL on URL line; then click
William Wilson's Last Will.
There was one written August 2, 1965 and one
written January 12, 1968.
- - - -
Lois's WILL can be found by entering Lois
Wilson Will On the URL line, then click
Lois Wilson's Last Will and Testament.
It was written August 11, 1983
Les C
- - - -
LES'S INSTRUCTIONS TAKE YOU TO THIS WEBSITE:
http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-BillWill.html
http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-LoisWill.html
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++++Message 5610. . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Wilson''s Will - 12th day of
January, 1968
From: Patricia . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/28/2009 8:55:00 AM
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Bill Wilson's Will - 12th day of January, 1968
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
I, WILLIAM GRIFFITH WILSON, residing in Bedford Hills, Westchester County,
State
of New York, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make,
publish and declare this instrument to be the First Codicil to my Last Will
and
Testament dated August 2, 1965.
First: I revoke Article "FIRST" of my said Will.
Second: The following shall be added to my said Will in lieu of the former
Article "FIRST":
FIRST: I have entered into an agreement, dated April 29, 1963, with
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., of 305 East 45th Street, New
York,
New York, under which royalties may become payable to me with respect to
certain
books or other material of which I am the author or which I have prepared
for
publication [understand the background of these terms: the authors of the
Big
Book and other publications get nothing but Bill and his heirs get the
financial
rewards] as set forth in the agreement (the agreement and all modifications,
renewals or extensions thereof is hereinafter referred to as the "Royalty
Agreement"). Under the present terms of the Royalty Agreement, I have the
right
to bequeath to my wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, and any other persons living at
the
time of my death, life interests in the royalties payable after my death and
I
also have the right to grant to my wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, the power to
designate in her Last Will and Testament, duly admitted to probate, persons
selected by her who are living at the time of her death who shall be
entitled to
receive, in such proportions as my said wife may designate, life interests
after
her death in all or part of the royalties payable to her after my death.
Accordingly, I direct that all of the right, title or interest that I may
have
at the time of my death in or to any royalties under the Royalty Agreement
shall
be disposed of as follows:
A. I give and bequeath to HELEN WYNN [Bill changed his Will to take 10% of
the
royalties from his wife Lois and give them to his mistress Helen], of
Pleasantville, New York, if she survives me, a life interest in ten percent
(10%) of such royalties. If the said HELEN WYNN does not survive me, I
direct
that the said ten percent (10%) of such royalties shall be disposed of in
accordance with the provisions of Paragraphs B or C, as the case my be of
this
Article FIRST.
B. I give and bequeath to my wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, if she survives me,
a
life interest in the remaining ninety percent (90%) of such royalties. I
also
grant to my said wife, if she survives me, the power to select and designate
in
her Last Will and Testament, duly admitted to probate, persons living at the
time of her death who are to receive life interests after her death in such
royalties in such proportions as she may designate. If my said wife fails to
exercise, in whole or in part, the power of appointment granted to her under
the
preceding provisions of this Paragraph B, I direct that any royalties which
remain undisposed of as a result of such failure shall be disposed of in
accordance with the provisions of Paragraph C of this Article FIRST as
though I
had survived my said wife and died immediately after her death.
C. If my wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, does not survive me, I direct that all
of
the right or title that I may have at the time of my death in and to the
remaining ninty percent (90%) of such royalties shall be divided into twenty
(20) equal shares, which shall be disposed of as follows:
1. I give and bequeath a life interest in three of such shares to my sister,
HELEN EVANS, if she survives me.
2. I give and bequeath a life interest in two of such shares to my sister,
DOROTHY STRONG, if she survives me.
3. I give and bequeath a life interest in one of such shares to my
brother-in-law, DR. LEONARD STRONG, if he survives me.
4. I give and bequeath a life interest in one of such shares to my cousin,
HOWARD WILSON, if he survives me.
5. I give and bequeath a life interest in two of such shares to my
brother-in-law, ROGERS BURNHAM, if he survives me.
6. I give and bequeath a life interest in three of such shares to LAURA
BURNHAM
(the wife of my brother-in-law, ROGERS BURNHAM), if she survives me.
7. I give and bequeath a life interest in one of such shares to my
brother-in-law, DR. LYMAN BURNHAM, if he survives me.
8. I give and bequeath a life interest in one of such shares to FLORENCE
BURNHAM (the wife of my brother-in-law, DR. LYMAN BURNHAM), if she survives
me.
9. I give and bequeath a life interest in two of such shares to my
sister-in-law, BARBARA JONES, if she survives me.
10. I give and bequeath a life interest in three of such shares to NELL
WING,
if she survives me.
11. I give and bequeath a life interest in one of such shares to HARRIET
SEVERINO, if she survives me.
If any beneficiary named in any of subdivisions "1" through "11" of this
Paragraph C does not survive me, I direct that the share (or shares) and the
life interest in such share (or shares) of such deceased beneficiary shall
be
divided among the beneficiaries named in subdivisions "1" through "11" of
this
Paragraph C who do survive me, in the proportion that the share (or shares)
of
each such surviving beneficiary bears (or bear) to the total shares of all
such
surviving beneficiaries.
Third: I hereby revoke the sentence following subdivision "11" of Paragraph
B
of
Article "THIRD" of my Will and add the following sentence in its place:
If any beneficiary named in any of subdivisions "1" through "11" of this
Paragraph B of this Article THIRD does not survive me, I direct that the
share
(or shares) and the life interest in such share (or shares) of such deceased
beneficiary shall be divided among the beneficiaries named in subdivisions
"1"
through "11" of this Paragraph B of this Article THIRD, who do survive me,
in
the proportion that the share (or shares) of each such surviving beneficiary
bears (or bear) to the total shares of all such surviving beneficiaries.
Fourth: Except as modified herein, I ratify, confirm and republish my said
Will of August 2, 1965.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12th day of
January, 1968.
William Griffith Wilson (L.S.)
WILLIAM GRIFFITH WILSON
The foregoing instrument was signed, sealed, published and declared by
WILLIAM
GRIFFITH WILSON, the testator named herein, as and for a FIRST CODICIL to
his
Last Will and Testament dated August 2, 1965, in our presence and in the
presence of each of us, at 460 Park Avenue.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
AA money leaves the Fellowship:
Bill Wilson's Previous Will - 2nd day of August 1965
I, WILLIAM GRIFFITH WILSON, residing in Bedford Hills, County of
Westchester,
State of New York, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby
make,
publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking
all
former Wills and Codicils by me at any time heretofore made.
FIRST: I have entered into an agreement, dated April 29, 1963, with
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. of 305 East 45th Street, New York,
New
York under which royalties may become payable to me with respect to certain
books or other material of which I may be the author or which I may prepare
for
publication, as more particularly set forth in the said agreement (which
agreement, together with all modifications, renewals or extensions thereof
is
hereinafter referred to as the "Royalty Agreement"). Under the present terms
of
the Royalty Agreement, I have the right to bequeath to my wife, LOIS BURNHAM
WILSON, a life interest in the royalties payable after my death and I also
have
the right to grant to my wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, the power to designate
in
her Last Will and Testament, duly admitted to probate, persons selected by
her
who are living at the time of her death who shall be entitled to receive, in
such proportions as my said wife may designate, life interests after her
death
in all or part of the royalties. If at the time of my death, I have the
right
under the Royalty Agreement to bequeath to my wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, a
life
interest in the royalties payable after my death, I give and bequeath to my
wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, a life interest in such royalties, to the extent
that
I have the right to do so under the Royalty Agreement, and I also grant to
my
said wife, to the extent that I have the right to do so under the Royalty
Agreement, the power to select in her Last Will and Testament, duly admitted
to
probate, persons living at the time of her death who are to receive a life
interest after her death in all or part of such royalties in such
proportions as
my said wife may designate. If my wife, LOIS DURNHAM WILSON, shall not
survive
me, I direct that all of the right, title or interest that I may have at the
time of my death in or to any royalties under the Royalty Agreement shall be
divided into twenty (20) equal shares which shall be disposed of as follows:
A. I give and bequeath a life interest in three of such shares to my sister,
HELEN EVANS, if she shall survive me.
B. I give and bequeath a life interest in two of such shares to my sister,
DOROTHY STRONG, if she shall survive me.
C. I give and bequeath a life interest in one of such shares to my
brother-in-law, DR. LEONARD STRONG, if he shall survive me.
D. I give and bequeath a life interest in one of such shares to my cousin,
HOWARD WILSON, if he shall survive me.
E. I give and bequeath a life interest in two of such shares to my
brother-in-law, ROGERS BURNHAM, if he shall survive me.
F. I give and bequeath a life interest in three of such shares to LAURA
BURNHAM (who is the wife of my brother-in-law Rogers Burnham), if she shall
survive me.
G. I give and bequeath a life interest in one of such shares to my
brother-in-law, DR. LYMAN BURNHAM, if he shall survive me.
H. I give and bequeath a life interest in one of such shares to FLORENCE
BURNHAM (who is the wife of my brother-in-law, Dr. Lyman Burnham), if she
shall
survive me.
I. I give and bequeath a life interest in two of such shares to my
sister-in-law, BARBARA JONES, if she shall survive me.
J. I give and bequeath a life interest in three of such shares to NELL WING,
if she shall survive me.
K. I give and bequeath a life interest in one of such shares to HARRIET
SEVERINO, if she shall survive me.
If my wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, shall not survive me and if any beneficiary
named in any paragraph of Paragraphs "A" through "K" of this Article "FIRST"
shall not survive me, I direct that the share (or shares) and the life
interests
in such share (or shares), of such deceased beneficiary shall be divided
among
the beneficiaries named in Paragraphs "A" through "K" of this Article
"FIRST"
who shall survive me in the proportion that the share (or shares) of each
such
surviving beneficiary bears (or bear) to the total shares of all such
surviving
beneficiaries.
SECOND: I give, devise and bequeath all of the rest, residue and remainder
of my estate, whether real, personal or mixed, of whatsoever kind and nature
and
wheresoever situate, of which I may die seized or possessed, or in which I
may
have any interest, or over which I may have any power of appointment or
testamentary disposition (hereinafter referred to as my residuary estate),
to my
wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, if she shall survive me.
THIRD: If my wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, shall not survive me, I direct that
my residuary estate shall be disposed of as follows:
A. If at the time of my death I am the owner of a home (presently owned by
my
wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON) located at Stepping Stones, Bedfords Hills, New
York,
I give, devise and bequeath the said home together with all furniture,
furnishings, carpets, rugs, drapes and other household appurtenances that I
may
own at the time of my death and which are then located in my said home in
equal
shares to AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS HEADQUARTERS, INC. of 125 East 23rd Street,
New
York, New York and the GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF A.A., INC. of 305 East 45th
Street, New York, New York.
B. I direct that the balance of my residuary estate shall be divided into
twenty (20) equal shares which shall be disposed of as follows:
1. I give, devise and bequeath three of such shares to my sister, HELEN
EVANS,
if she shall survive me.
2. I give, devise and bequeath two of such shares to my sister, DOROTHY
STRONG,
if she shall survive.
3. I give, devise and bequeath one of such shares to my brother-in-law, DR.
LEONARD STRONG, if he shall survive me.
4. I give, devise and bequeath one of such shares to my cousin, HOWARD
WILSON,
if he shall survive me.
5. I give, devise and bequeath two of such shares to my brother-in-law,
ROGERS
BURNHAM, if he shall survive me.
6. I give, devise and bequeath three of such shares to LAURA BURNHAM (the
wife
of my brother-in-law ROGERS BURNHAM), if she shall survive me.
7. I give, devise and bequeath one of such shares to my brother-in-law, DR.
LYMAN BURNHAM, if he shall survive me.
8. I give, devise and bequeath one of such shares to FLORENCE BURNHAM (the
wife
of my brother-in-law DR. LYMAN BURNHAM), if she shall survive me.
9. I give, devise and bequeath two of such shares to my sister-in-law,
BARBARA
JONES, if she shall survive me.
10. I give devise and bequeath three of such shares to NELL WING, if she
shall
survive me.
11. I give, devise and bequeath one of such shares to HARRIET SEVERINO, if
she
shall survive me.
If any beneficiary named in any subdivision of subdivisions "1" through "11"
of
this Paragraph "B" of this Article "THIRD" shall not survive me, the share
of
such deceased beneficiary shall be divided among the beneficiaries named in
subdivisions "1" through "11" of this Paragraph "B" of this Article "THIRD"
who
shall survive me in the proportion that the share of each such surviving
beneficiary bears to the total shares of all such surviving beneficiaries.
FOURTH: If any person named herein as devisee, legatee or beneficiary, and
I, should die simultaneously or under such circumstances that it is
difficult or
impracticable to determine that one of us has survived the other, the
provisions
herein relating to such person shall be given effect as if I had survived
such
person.
FIFTH: My Executrix shall have full power and authority in her absolute and
uncontrolled discretion to hold and retain any of the property coming into
her
hand hereunder in the same form of investment as that in which it is
received by
her, although it may not be of the character of investments permitted by law
to
executors, including, but not limited to, the right to continue the
operation of
any business in which I may be engaged at the time of my death, for so long
a
period as she in her solo, absolute and uncontrolled discretion, may deem
proper. She shall also have full power and authority, in her absolute and
uncontrolled discretion, to improve, sell or lease for any period although
it
may extend beyond the duration of the administration of the estate, but not
to
exceed twenty-one years, for any price and with any provisions for renewal
or
renewals which she shall deem advisable, or mortgage or exchange the whole
or
any part of the property, real or personal, at any time held by her
hereunder,
for such price and upon such terms and conditions as may to her seem
advisable.
My executrix in making investments and reinvestments shall not be limited to
securities of the character permitted for the investment of trust funds by
the
laws of the State of New York or any other state, but instead shall have
power
in her discretion at any time and from time to time to invest in, and to
purchase and hold for investment, such securities, including common and
preferred stocks and/or any other type or kind of property, including
non-income-producing securities or property and any so-called wasting
investment
as she in her absolute and uncontrolled discretion shall deem advisable, and
from time to time to alter and vary any investment at any time made or held.
I
specifically authorize my Executrix to hold uninvested any part of my estate
or
funds for such time or times as she in her sole and uncontrolled judgment
may
deem advisable. I have given my Executrix the unusual power to purchase and
hold non-income-producing property and wasting investments and even to hold
funds uninvested because I do not wish to limit her in her investment or
reinvestment of the estate and so possibly prevent nor meeting some economic
emergency which I cannot now anticipate. I desire her to be free to purchase
and hold such property as she may, in her sole and uncontrolled discretion,
deem
necessary at any time to protect the corpus of the estate from depletion.
No purchaser at any sale made by my Executrix shall be bound to inquire into
the
expediency, propriety, validity or necessity of any sale made by her or to
see
to or be liable for the application of the purchase moneys arising
therefrom.
My Executrix shall have the power in her discretion to vote in person or by
proxy all stock held by her; to assent to any action or non-action, to enter
into or consent to any reorganization, lease or sale, to pay out of any fund
administered hereunder to any committee, representative, agent or
depositary,
any assessments, expenses, contributions and sums of money in connection
with
any securities held by her; to exchange the securities held by her for other
securities issued in connection with such arrangement and to accept and
retain
such other securities so received, anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding; to register any property in the name of her nominees or in
her
own name, or to hold the property unregistered or in such other form that
title
shall pass by delivery, but without thereby increasing or decreasing her
liability as Executrix and, generally, to exercise in respect to all
securities
held by her all the same rights and powers as are or may be lawfully
exercised
by persons owning similar propery in their own right.
I give to my Executrix, in connection with the administration of my estate,
or
in connection with the purchase, management or sale of any securities or
other
property held by her as Executrix, power to employ agents, custodians,
depositaries, accountants, attorneys, investment counsel or other advisers,
to
delegate to them discretionary powers and to compensate them for their
services
as an expense of the administration of my estate.
I give to my Executrix power to insure or otherwise protect any personal
property constituting part of my estate.
In making any division or distribution of my estate, my Executrix shall have
full power to make such division or distribution in cash or in kind or
partly in
cash and partly in kind and to allot to any separate beneficiary, in equal
or
unequal proportions, specific securities or property or undivided interests
therein, to fix the value of any part of the property so divided or
distributed,
and the value so fixed by her shall be binding and conclusive upon all
persons
having any interest therein.
SIXTH: I nominate and appoint my wife, LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, to be the
Executrix of this Will. If my wife LOIS BURNHAM WILSON, should predecease me
or
shall fail to qualify as Executrix or having qualified shall fail to
continue to
act as Executrix, I nominate and appoint, in the following order, BERNARD B.
SMITH of 460 Park Avenue, New York, New York, LEONARD H. STEIBEL of 460 Park
Avenue, New York, New York, and MICHAEL ALEXANDER of 460 Park Avenue, New
York,
New York, to be the substitute Executor in the place and stead of my said
wife
or of any previous substitute Executor who may have predeceased me or who
shall
have failed to qualify as Executor or having qualified shall fail to
continue as
Executor.
Whenever the word "Executor" is used in this Last Will and Testament, it
shall
be deemed to refer (unless the context shall indicate otherwise) to the
Executrix or substitute Executor then qualified and acting.
I direct that no Executrix or substitute Executor shall be required to give
any
bond or other security in the State of New York or elsewhere.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of
August
1965.
WILLIAM GRIFFITH WILSON (L.S.)
WILLIAM GRIFFITH WILSON
The foregoing instrument was subscribed, sealed, published and declared by
WILLIAM GRIFFITH WILSON, the Testator above named, as and for his LAST WILL
AND
TESTAMENT, in our presence and in the presence of each of us, and we at his
request and in his presence and at the same time and in the presence of each
other, subscribed our names and residences as attesting witnesses this 2nd
day
of August 1965.
LEONARD H. STEIBEL residing at Hilldale Lane
Sands Point, N.Y.
ELEANOR P. FISHER residing at 78-31 264 St.
Glen Oaks, Floral Park, N.Y.
MICHAEL ALEXANDER residing at 73-12 35 Ave.
Queens, N.Y., N.Y.
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++++Message 5611. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: What pamphlets and books were
sent out in Fall 1939?
From: John Barton . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/27/2009 10:57:00 PM
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Books only during the Fall of 1939!
The first pamphlet wasn't until mid-1940 when
the office published the Houston Press articles.
Posted on silkworth.net
http://www.silkworth.net/aahistory/houston_press1940.html
The foreword to the 2nd edition was written
about 15 years later so the error in memory
(Bill's) is not unusual as to the time-line.
The office was of course sending out Big Books
beginning in early April of 39.
PS Don't forget to celebrate the 70th birthday
of our book on April 10, 2009. This was the
date of publication listed on the copyright.
John B
- - - -
From: "Mitchell K."
(mitchell_k_archivist at yahoo.com)
Hi Katie,
The first official pamphlet published by the
Alcoholic Foundation was simply titled "AA."
It was basically a series of newspaper
articles written by Larry Jewell who moved
from Cleveland, Ohio to Houston, Texas after
he sobered up and was sponsored by Clarence
Snyder. Larry was offered a job with the
Houston Press by its owner as Larry was an
excellent reporter before his drinking took
over.
The books were the Big Book first published
in April 1939.
Mitchell Klein
- - - -
Original messafrom from katiebartlett79
(katiebartlett79 at yahoo.co.uk)
Subject: What pamphlets and books were sent
out in Fall 1939?
Foreword to second edition, page xviii:
"[5 months after the 1st ed. of the Big Book was
published in April 1939,] in the fall of 1939
[in September] Fulton Oursler, then editor
of Liberty, printed a piece in his magazine,
called "Alcoholics and God." This brought a
rush of 800 frantic inquiries into the little
New York office which meanwhile had been
established. Each inquiry was painstakingly
answered; pamphlets and books were sent out
..... By the end of 1939 it was estimated that
800 alcoholics were on their way to recovery."
My group and I would like to know if anyone
knows what literature was sent out when it
states that "pamphlets and books were sent
out" from the New York AA office during the
period running from September to December of
1939.
Thanking u kindly,
Katie from Barking Big Book Study
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++++Message 5612. . . . . . . . . . . . When did Helen Wynn die?
From: chris fuccione . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/29/2009 2:35:00 PM
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I have a quick question. Is Helen Wynn still
alive?
I assume not. But when did she die?
- - - -
> A. I give and bequeath to HELEN WYNN [Bill changed his Will to take 10% of
the royalties from his wife Lois and give them to his mistress Helen], of
Pleasantville, New York, if she survives me, a life interest in ten percent
(10%) of such royalties. If the said HELEN WYNN does not survive me, I
direct
that the said ten percent (10%) of such royalties shall be disposed of in
accordance with the provisions of Paragraphs B or C, as the case my be of
this
Article FIRST.
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++++Message 5613. . . . . . . . . . . . Barney Silkworth 1930 - 2009
From: Bill Lash . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/28/2009 8:16:00 PM
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It is with much sadness that I inform you of
Barney Silkworth's obituary & funeral plans
(nephew of Dr. William D. Silkworth, M.D.):
http://woolleyfh.com/index.php?p=obituary_view&id=61622
- - - -
Barney Silkworth, 78, of Oceanport died on Friday, March 27, at home after a
long illness. He was born in Long Branch and graduated from Long Branch High
School in 1949. He served in the US Navy from 1953-54 and graduated from
Trenton
State College in 1955. Mr. Silkworth worked for the Long Branch Board of
Education for just over fifty years, and retired in July of 2005. For 43
years,
he taught industrial arts, serving as the department head for industrial and
fine arts for several years. At the time of his retirement, Mr. Silkworth
oversaw the Board of Education buildings and grounds. He also served as the
Building Inspector for the Borough of Oceanport for nearly twenty years.
Mr. Silkworth was a talented craftsman and wood carver. His projects ranged
from
small bird carvings to building and renovating boats and houses. He was a
former
member of the Shore Shop Teachers' Association, the Building Inspectors'
Association, the Long Branch Ice Boat and Yacht Club, and the Oceanport
Republican Club. He also served for many years on the Oceanport Planning
Board.
Mr. Silkworth was predeceased by his parents, Russell and Elsa Kraft
Silkworth,
and his brother, William D. Silkworth. He is survived by his wife of 49
years,
Barbara Becker Silkworth; his daughter, Stacy Silkworth, Long Branch; his
son,
William O. Silkworth, and daughter- in- law, Denise, and grandchildren,
Samuel
and Henry, all of Oceanport. He also leaves his sister-in-law, Adelaide
Silkworth, of Hickory, NC; brother-in-law, Steven Becker, and his wife
Maryann
of Oceanport. He leaves cousins, several nieces, nephews, great and
great-great
nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Luke's Methodist Church,
535
Broadway, Long Branch, on Saturday, April 4 at10 a.m. The family will
receive
visitors after the service at the church. In lieu of flowers the family asks
that you consider contributions in his name to The Cancer Institute of New
Jersey, Tower Two Fifth Floor, 120 Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ
08901-9919,
research of Dr. Dale Schaar; or St. Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care
Center,
95 Old Short Hills Road, 1st Floor, West Orange, NJ 07052. You may light a
candle of remembrance for Mr. Silkworth on the opposite page.
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++++Message 5614. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: What pamphlets and books were
sent out in Fall 1939?
From: schaberg43 . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/28/2009 6:06:00 PM
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The first AA pamphlet came out in April 1939:
In the New York Archive of GSO, there is a copy of a 'pamphlet' that was
made up
and distributed very shortly after the book was published. The book was
published on April 10, 1939 and two weeks later on April 24 there is a
letter
from Ruth Hock to an S. Jenkins in New York City which starts out: "We are
wondering why we have not heard from you regarding our pamphlet on
"Alcoholics
Anonymous" (Document 1939-253)
The 'pamphlet'in the archive (Documents 1939-230 to 233) are four pieces of
half-sized paper (5.5" x 8.5") that have been pre-printed on both sides -
producing 8 pages of text. The first page is a letter "Thank you for your
enquiry..." signed by "Works Publishing Company" and the following seven
sides
contain excerpts from the book, including: five paragraphs from the
"Doctor's
Opinion" followed by similarly short selections from "There is a Solution,"
"More About Alcoholism," "To Wives," "The Family Afterwards," "To
Employers,"
and a quote from one of the personal stories in the rear (taken from page
393 of
the first printing of the book).
I suspect that this is the 'pamphlet' mentioned here.
Best,
Old Bill
--- In AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com, "katiebartlett79"
wrote:
>
> Foreword to second edition, page xviii:
>
> "[5 months after the 1st ed. of the Big Book was
> published in April 1939,] in the fall of 1939
> [in September] Fulton Oursler, then editor
> of Liberty, printed a piece in his magazine,
> called "Alcoholics and God." This brought a
> rush of 800 frantic inquiries into the little
> New York office which meanwhile had been
> established. Each inquiry was painstakingly
> answered; pamphlets and books were sent out
> .... By the end of 1939 it was estimated that
> 800 alcoholics were on their way to recovery."
>
> My group and I would like to know if anyone
> knows what literature was sent out when it
> states that "pamphlets and books were sent
> out" from the New York AA office during the
> period running from September to December of
> 1939.
>
> Thanking u kindly,
>
> Katie from Barking Big Book Study
>
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++++Message 5615. . . . . . . . . . . . Ignatia''s voyage from Ireland to
America in April 1896
From: Fiona Dodd . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/28/2009 5:23:00 PM
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On further research of the emmigration records I have found that the Gavin
Family sailed from Queenstown(now Cobh) in Cork to Philadelphia USA on April
2nd
1896, arriving in Philadelphia on 17th April 1896. The Gavin family were not
"two boaters", they sailed directly from Queenstown to Philadelphia, as has
been
reported in other accounts. The terms two-boater and three-boater were
coined to
describe Irish-American families whose meandering migratory paths to the
United
States had begun with a sea voyage from Ireland to Newfoundland.
They sailed on the SS Indiana which was built in 1873. She belonged to the
International Navigation Co of New Jersey, which later became the American
Line.
This was a 3,104 gross ton ship, length 343ft x beam 43ft, one funnel, two
masts, iron construction, single screw and a speed of 12 knots. There was
accommodation for 46-1st, 132-intermediate and 789-3rd class passengers.
Built
by W.Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, she was launched on 25/3/1873. She
commenced
her first voyage on 27/10/1873 when she sailed from Philadelphia for
Queenstown
(Cobh) and Liverpool. On 6/3/1889 she was chartered to Red Star Line and
completed a single round voyage from Antwerp to New York. In 1891 she was
fitted
with triple expansion engines and rebuilt to accommodate intermediate and
3rd
class passengers only. On 1/12/1897 she commenced her last voyage from
Liverpool
to Philadelphia and 28/3/1898 sailed from Philadelphia for Seattle, where
she
was sold for service on the Pacific. On 3/4/1909 she was wrecked at Cape
Tosco,
Mexico.
Below is a transcript of the details recorded for the Gavin Family.
Name: Pat GAVIN
Date of departure: 2 April 1896
Port of departure: Queenstown
Destination port: Philadelphia
Destination country: USA
Date of Birth:
Age: Adult
Sex: Male
Occupation: Labr
Notes:
Passenger recorded on: Page 2 of 3
Name: Barbara GAVIN
Date of departure: 2 April 1896
Port of departure: Queenstown
Destination port: Philadelphia
Destination country: USA
Date of Birth:
Age: Adult
Marital Status: Married
Sex: Female
Occupation: Wife
Notes:
Passenger recorded on: Page 2 of 3
Name: Bgt GAVIN
Date of departure: 2 April 1896
Port of departure: Queenstown
Destination port: Philadelphia
Destination country: USA
Date of Birth:
Age: Child
Marital Status:
Sex: Female
Occupation: Child
Notes:
Passenger recorded on: Page 2 of 3
passenger transcript details
Name: Pat GAVIN
Date of departure: 2 April 1896
Port of departure: Queenstown
Passenger destination port: Philadelphia, USA
Passenger destination: Philadelphia, USA
Date of Birth:
Age: Child
Marital status:
Sex: Male
Occupation: Son
Passenger recorded on: Page 2 of 3
Ship: INDIANA
Official Number:
Master's name: Thompson
Steamship Line:
Where bound: Philadelphia, USA
Square feet: 2456
Registered tonnage: 2426
Passengers on voyage: 58
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++++Message 5616. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: When did Helen Wynn die?
From: corafinch . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/31/2009 8:56:00 AM
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--- In AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com,
"chris fuccione" wrote:
>
> I have a quick question. Is Helen Wynn still
> alive?
>
> I assume not. But when did she die?
>
- - - -
If someone has a better source, disregard this. Assuming that Helen Wynn was
using that name at the time of her death, and that she is included in the
Social
Security Death Index, I believe she must have been the one who died in
Moroni,
Comoros in March 1978. The last address of that (American) Helen Wynn is
listed
as "Europe," and the Helen Wynn who knew Bill Wilson had been living in
Ireland
at the time of Bill's death.
Caveats: Helen Wynn was originally her stage name although I'm assuming it
was
her legal name when Bill put her in his will. She was born in Utah (see
Francis
Hartigan, most of whose information seems to have come from a 1939 NYT
article
about her) as Helen Simis. She seems never to have used the name of her
husband,
Shepperd Strudwick. Not everyone ends up in the Social Security Death
records,
and if she did not I have clearly found the wrong Helen Wynn. She must have
paid
into Social Security, however, if she worked for the Grapevine and so would
be
expected to be on the list.
Whether that is the correct death record or not, I am reasonably sure that
she
was neither "22 years younger than Lois" as some sources say, or "22 years
younger than Bill" as other sources have it. She was born around 1907 which
would make her 12 years younger than Bill.
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++++Message 5617. . . . . . . . . . . . What are the words to the Texas
Prayer?
From: priscilla_semmens . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/30/2009 10:22:00 PM
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April 1, 1940 - Larry J. of Houston is said to
have written "The Texas Prayer," used to open
AA meetings in Texas.
Does anyone have the words to this prayer?
- - - -
From the moderator:
Googling for AA and "Texas Prayer" gives a
reference to Bill Pittman, "Stepping Stones to
Recovery," p. 257, where Bill gave the
following prayer and claimed that this was
the Texas Prayer:
____________________
Our Father, we come to You as a friend.
You have said that, where two or three are gathered in Your name, there You
will
be in the midst. We believe You are with us now.
We believe this is something You would have us do, and that it has Your
blessing.
We believe that You want us to be real partners with You in this business of
living, accepting our full responsibility, and certain that the rewards will
be
freedom, and growth, and happiness.
For this, we are grateful.
We ask You, at all times, to guide us.
Help us daily to come closer to You, and grant us new ways of living our
gratitude.
____________________
Can anyone verify whether this is actually a prayer written back in 1940? It
does not sound like language and phraseology from 1940 to me. I would be
willing
to stand corrected on that however.
Glenn C. (South Bend, Indiana)
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++++Message 5618. . . . . . . . . . . . RE: What are the words to the Texas
Prayer?
From: hartsell . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/31/2009 4:55:00 PM
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I have heard this or similar wording at larger
Open Speaker meetings in Texas over the past
40+ years, but have no way of knowing if THIS
is the referenced one, or IF there is one known
as The Texas Prayer.
sherry c.h.
-----Original Message-----
On Behalf Of priscilla_semmens
Subject: What are the words to the Texas Prayer?
April 1, 1940 - Larry J. of Houston is said to
have written "The Texas Prayer," used to open
AA meetings in Texas.
Does anyone have the words to this prayer?
- - - -
From the moderator:
Googling for AA and "Texas Prayer" gives a
reference to Bill Pittman, "Stepping Stones to
Recovery," p. 257, where Bill gave the
following prayer and claimed that this was
the Texas Prayer:
____________________
Our Father, we come to You as a friend.
You have said that, where two or three are gathered in Your name, there You
will be in the midst. We believe You are with us now.
We believe this is something You would have us do, and that it has Your
blessing.
We believe that You want us to be real partners with You in this business of
living, accepting our full responsibility, and certain that the rewards will
be freedom, and growth, and happiness.
For this, we are grateful.
We ask You, at all times, to guide us.
Help us daily to come closer to You, and grant us new ways of living our
gratitude.
____________________
Can anyone verify whether this is actually a prayer written back in 1940? It
does not sound like language and phraseology from 1940 to me. I would be
willing to stand corrected on that however.
Glenn C. (South Bend, Indiana)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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++++Message 5619. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: When did Helen Wynn die?
From: J. Lobdell . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/31/2009 8:26:00 PM
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Evidence of ship passenger lists (ships docking in NYC) shows Helen Simis
(b.
Jan 17 1907) in 1930 and Helen Strudwick (b Jan 17 1907) in the 1940s. The
Helen Wynn who died at Moroni in 1978 was b. Jan 17 1907: she is therefore
the
correct Helen Wynn. She was b. in Utah, the daughter of Richard and Lina
Simis
(both b. 1874) and had several siblings. Her husband Shepperd Strudwick
(jr),
1907-1983, was married from 1977 to another wife but is recorded as having
had a
son by a previous marriage -- presumably the Shepperd Strudwick who was b.
Los
Angeles June 14 1944, mother's maiden name Simis. Shepperd Strudwick Jr
(real
name) and Helen Simis (Helen Wynn) were m. May 10, 1936. He m. his second
wife
by 1947, third in 1958, fourth (Mary Jeffrey) in 1977. Their son, Shepperd
Strudwick III attended the Harvey School in Katonah, translated the French
play
L'Ete in 1973 and has been connected with the Williamstown Theatre, but I
don't
know where he is now, or if he's still alive (he'd only be 64).
> To: AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com
> From: corafinch@yahoo.com
> Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:56:24 +0000
> Subject: [AAHistoryLovers] Re: When did Helen Wynn die?
>
> --- In AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com,
> "chris fuccione" wrote:
> >
> > I have a quick question. Is Helen Wynn still
> > alive?
> >
> > I assume not. But when did she die?
> >
> - - - -
>
> If someone has a better source, disregard this. Assuming that Helen Wynn
was
using that name at the time of her death, and that she is included in the
Social
Security Death Index, I believe she must have been the one who died in
Moroni,
Comoros in March 1978. The last address of that (American) Helen Wynn is
listed
as "Europe," and the Helen Wynn who knew Bill Wilson had been living in
Ireland
at the time of Bill's death.
>
> Caveats: Helen Wynn was originally her stage name although I'm assuming it
was
her legal name when Bill put her in his will. She was born in Utah (see
Francis
Hartigan, most of whose information seems to have come from a 1939 NYT
article
about her) as Helen Simis. She seems never to have used the name of her
husband,
Shepperd Strudwick. Not everyone ends up in the Social Security Death
records,
and if she did not I have clearly found the wrong Helen Wynn. She must have
paid
into Social Security, however, if she worked for the Grapevine and so would
be
expected to be on the list.
>
> Whether that is the correct death record or not, I am reasonably sure that
she
was neither "22 years younger than Lois" as some sources say, or "22 years
younger than Bill" as other sources have it. She was born around 1907 which
would make her 12 years younger than Bill.
>
>
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++++Message 5620. . . . . . . . . . . . RE: What are the words to the Texas
Prayer?
From: Arthur S . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/2/2009 11:09:00 AM
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Glenn
The prayer was written in March (not April) 1940 by Larry J the founder of
AA in Texas (Cleveland, OH is the parent group of Texas).
I have a collection of copies of correspondence among Larry J, Ruth Hock and
Bobbi B. Included in the material is a copy of the prayer that is word for
word the same as the text cited in your message. The prayer's title was
"A.A. Prayer" and it concluded with "Amen."
I don't believe that usage of the prayer went too far beyond Houston and
don't know where Pittman got the idea that it did. There is much myth
circulating regarding Texas AA (e.g. the "Texas Prayer" and "Texas
Preamble") that have fragments of fact supplemented by anecdotal
embellishments that are not factual.
Larry J's downfall came almost as quickly as his miraculous rescue by the
Cleveland Group. Larry was always in very poor physical condition - drunk or
sober. He returned to IV drug use around the Spring of 1941 and then
returned to drinking shortly thereafter and was never able to sober up again
beyond brief intervals. Larry J passed away in May 1944.
Arthur S
-----Original Message-----
From: priscilla_semmens
Subject: What are the words to the Texas Prayer?
April 1, 1940 - Larry J. of Houston is said to
have written "The Texas Prayer," used to open
AA meetings in Texas.
Does anyone have the words to this prayer?
- - - -
From the moderator:
Googling for AA and "Texas Prayer" gives a
reference to Bill Pittman, "Stepping Stones to
Recovery," p. 257, where Bill gave the
following prayer and claimed that this was
the Texas Prayer:
____________________
Our Father, we come to You as a friend.
You have said that, where two or three are gathered in Your name, there You
will be in the midst. We believe You are with us now.
We believe this is something You would have us do, and that it has Your
blessing.
We believe that You want us to be real partners with You in this business of
living, accepting our full responsibility, and certain that the rewards will
be freedom, and growth, and happiness.
For this, we are grateful.
We ask You, at all times, to guide us.
Help us daily to come closer to You, and grant us new ways of living our
gratitude.
____________________
Can anyone verify this?
Glenn C. (South Bend, Indiana)
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++++Message 5621. . . . . . . . . . . . RE: Re: What pamphlets and books
were sent out in Fall 1939?
From: Arthur S . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/3/2009 6:25:00 PM
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There were a number of reprints circulated by the NY Office after
publication of the Big Book in 1939 and prior to publication of the Houston
Press articles by Larry J in early 1940. The reprints were often published
in 9x5 inch booklet (or pamphlet) format.
Shortly after relocating from Cleveland to Houston, Larry J sent a January
28, 1940 letter to Ruth Hock requesting copies of literature which he
identified as Dr Fosdick's review of the Big Book, a July 1939
Journal-Lancet article by Dr Silkworth (pre-publication portions of which
were included in "The Doctor's Opinion") and something called the "Mt. Airy
Sanitarium bulletin" (which I've yet to see). These literature items are
likely part of the "pamphlets" mentioned by Bill W in the Foreword to the
Second Edition as being sent out in late 1939. There could have been other
items reprinted as well, the NY office was always on the lookout for
favorable public relations references.
The published booklet (or pamphlet) of Larry J's articles first occurred
with limited printings in February and March 1940. After Larry J received a
release from the Houston Press, regular reprinting occurred from April 1940
on. The booklet also includes a supplement added to Larry J's articles that
listed the Twelve Steps. Larry discussed the Steps in his articles but
didn't list them. The booklet also includes the July 1939 Lancet-Journal
article by Dr Silkworth.
All of this follows closely after the time period mentioned by Bill W (i.e.
the Fall to end of 1939). However, as noted below by Mitchell K, the
publication is generally considered the AA Fellowship's first piece of
"official" literature explicitly financed and approved by the Alcoholic
Foundation. With the exception of the Big Book, the publication seems to be
the only other piece of AA literature predominantly written by an AA member.
The public relations blessing that sparked both the need for, and
wide-spread distribution of, the booklet (or pamphlet) was likely the
nation-wide publicity generated by the Rockefeller Dinner on February 8,
1940.
As far as errors in Bill's memory, he states in the Foreword to the Second
Edition that the Cleveland Group started in 1937 and he also omits mention
of the 1939 Cleveland Plain Dealer articles which followed shortly after the
Liberty Magazine article. The Cleveland Plain Dealer articles, in my
judgment, had a much more profound effect than the Liberty magazine article.
The combination of the two resulted in an outpouring of appeals for help in
Cleveland that quickly propelled Cleveland membership to a level that
dwarfed the combined membership of Akron and NY and kept it that way for
some time after.
Cheers
Arthur
-----Original Message-----
From: AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John Barton
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 9:58 PM
To: AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AAHistoryLovers] Re: What pamphlets and books were sent out in
Fall 1939?
Books only during the Fall of 1939!
The first pamphlet wasn't until mid-1940 when
the office published the Houston Press articles.
Posted on silkworth.net
http://www.silkworth.net/aahistory/houston_press1940.html
The foreword to the 2nd edition was written
about 15 years later so the error in memory
(Bill's) is not unusual as to the time-line.
The office was of course sending out Big Books
beginning in early April of 39.
PS Don't forget to celebrate the 70th birthday
of our book on April 10, 2009. This was the
date of publication listed on the copyright.
John B
- - - -
From: "Mitchell K."
(mitchell_k_archivist at yahoo.com)
Hi Katie,
The first official pamphlet published by the
Alcoholic Foundation was simply titled "AA."
It was basically a series of newspaper
articles written by Larry Jewell who moved
from Cleveland, Ohio to Houston, Texas after
he sobered up and was sponsored by Clarence
Snyder. Larry was offered a job with the
Houston Press by its owner as Larry was an
excellent reporter before his drinking took
over.
The books were the Big Book first published
in April 1939.
Mitchell Klein
- - - -
Original messafrom from katiebartlett79
(katiebartlett79 at yahoo.co.uk)
Subject: What pamphlets and books were sent
out in Fall 1939?
Foreword to second edition, page xviii:
"[5 months after the 1st ed. of the Big Book was
published in April 1939,] in the fall of 1939
[in September] Fulton Oursler, then editor
of Liberty, printed a piece in his magazine,
called "Alcoholics and God." This brought a
rush of 800 frantic inquiries into the little
New York office which meanwhile had been
established. Each inquiry was painstakingly
answered; pamphlets and books were sent out
..... By the end of 1939 it was estimated that
800 alcoholics were on their way to recovery."
My group and I would like to know if anyone
knows what literature was sent out when it
states that "pamphlets and books were sent
out" from the New York AA office during the
period running from September to December of
1939.
Thanking u kindly,
Katie from Barking Big Book Study
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
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++++Message 5622. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: First Black Woman In AA?
From: jbendzinski . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/1/2009 1:03:00 PM
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I read on the International Women's Conference website that Bertha C. of
Kansas
City, MO was one of the first black women in Alcoholics Anonymous with
lasting
sobriety. The first conference was in 1965 and she was on the organizing
committee. But I am having a world of trouble getting information about her
or
any other early African-American women in program. If you discover anything,
please share with me!
- - - -
From the moderator:
http://silkworth.net/aagrowth/iaawc_history.html
says "Bertha C. informed me how she was the
only black woman in AA for a time until Vernetta
W. came in to the program."
But it gives no date for when she got sober.
Does anyone know more about her? Does anyone
in Kansas City have any information about when
Bertha came into the fellowship?
GFC
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++++Message 5623. . . . . . . . . . . . Early Black A.A.
From: Glenn Chesnut . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/6/2009 9:49:00 PM
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The black A.A. people in north central Indiana were not the first in A.A.
But we
know more about their stories and teachings than any other group of early
black
A.A. men and women in the U.S. and Canada.
______________________________
Glenn C., "The Factory Owner & the Convict: Lives and Teachings of the A.A.
Old
Timers" http://hindsfoot.org/kfoc1.html
In 1948, a man named Bill Hoover and a woman named Jimmy Miller became the
first
two black people to join A.A. in north central Indiana. Jimmy owned a highly
successful bar in South Bend right across the street from the Studebaker
automobile plant. Four chapters of this book are devoted to telling their
story,
much of it in Jimmy Miller's own words.
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