226 Union Street
                                         Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
 
                                         April 13, 1950
 
Charles H. Drinkle, Esq.
Attorney at Law
106 Equitable Building
Lancaster, Ohio
 
Dear Sir:
              Replying to your letter of April 10, I am
enclosing herewith a copy of the Will of the late James
Roosevelt (who died on Dec. 8, 1900), the father of
Franklin D. Roosevelt, which you may retain.
 
              James Roosevelt's first wife was Rebecca
Howland, a member of an old New York family and their only
child was James R. Roosevelt, who died on May 7, 1927.
Several years after her death, James Roosevelt married Sara
Delano and their only child was Franklin D. Roosevelt.
 
              My father, who is now deceased, and my
brother, John M. Hackett, and myself have attended to the
Roosevelt family business for more than fifty years and are
familiar with the names of all persons related to this
family, but have never heard the name "Gaines" connected
with it in any way.
 
              There are a number of books containing charts
of the Roosevelt genealogy, some of which may be in your
local library, and if you will examine them I do not think
you will find your client's family name in any of the
charts.
 
              Franklin D. Roosevelt's Will was probated in
the Surrogate's Court here on July 5, 1945 and James
Roosevelt (his son), Basil O'Connor and myself are the
Executors and Trustees. O'Connor & Father are the attorneys
for the Executors and Trustees and their office is at 120
Broadway, New York
City, N. Y.
 
                                       Very truly yours,
 
 
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