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Welcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 295 - John Allan’s Will

On March 27, 1834, John Allan died of a lingering illness of unknown origin.  He was undoubtedly completely utterly ignorant that he would not be remembered for his money - but because of the cast-off ward he had despised. His business partner was Charles Ellis, and Ellis’s son Thomas (citing Louisa Allan as his source) wrote in 1881 that shortly before Allan’s death, Edgar had suddenly appeared at the Allan family home, demanding to see his former guardian. Thomas Ellis claimed Mrs. Allan tried to turn him away, but Poe desperately barged his way into Allan’s sickroom, only to have the ailing but still unforgiving man chase the unwelcome visitor out with his cane. The story cannot be totally confirmed, but it would be depressingly in character for both men to end their relationship with such a mixture of bitterness, melodrama and even farce.

I would also like to discuss the actual text of the will - not surprisingly, it is typical legalese for the 19th century - but is not that long - as far as wills go - about 1,000 words.

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