The Curiosities and Law of Wills

by John Proffatt

INDEX.

A.
Abatement—of legacies, p. [96].
Accumulation—how far allowed in common law, p. [143].
extraordinary case of, p. [143].
limits to, p. [145].
Acknowledgment—of signature to will, p. [55].
Ademption—of legacy, p. [97].
Age—of person making will, pp. [68], [69].
manner of reckoning, p. [69].
extreme, not an incapacity, pp. [86], [87].
Alienation—suspension of power in will, how limited, p. [146].
utmost period permitted, p. [147].
Alfred, King—will of, pp. [32], [33].
Ambiguity—latent, definition of, p. [188].
latent, parol evidence admitted to explain, p. [188].
patent, what it is, p. [188].
Animals—singular regard for in wills, pp. [77], [78].
regard of Louis Bonard for, p. [82].
Annuity in will—when to commence, p. [117].
Attestation—of will, p. [64].
forms of, p. [67].
B.
Bacon, Lord—maxim of, in regard to parol evidence, p. [129].
Bastard—not classed in law as a child, p. [124].
Bequest—meaning of, p. [93].
Blind persons—their capacity to make will, p. [70].

Bonard, Louis—will of, p. [82].
singular life and belief of, pp. [81-83].
Bradford, Surrogate—his principles in admitting will of aged persons, p. [88].
Brinckerhoff, Dorothea—will of, p. [62].
Burial—directions for, in will, pp. [10], [16], [21], [77].
Burning will—a mode of revocation, p. [163].
C.
Cancelation of will—a mode of revocation, p. [163].
what shall amount to, p. [169].
Canute—will of, p. [32].
Capacity—to make will, as to age, pp. [68], [85].
physical and mental, pp. [69-71].
Charitable uses—devises to, formerly allowed, pp. [132], [133].
doctrine of, derived from civil law, p. [133].
doctrine of, existed in common law, pp. [135], [141].
this denied in Levy v. Levy, p. [139].
law of, has varied in New York, p. [135].
researches of Prof. Dwight on, p. [151].
what are, p. [133].
“Chattels and effects”—what shall pass by in will, p. [198].
Child—does not include step-child, p. [195].
illegitimate, when a bequest to is good, p. [124].
in ventre sa mere can take interest in will, p. [121].
Children—meaning of term in will, pp. [121], [122], [195].
imports legitimate only, p. [195].
Clergy—early connection of with wills, p. [33].
exclusive jurisdiction over wills, p. [35].
intervention in probate matters, p. [34].
their influence over the dying, pp. [36], [131].
Codicil—how far will control provision in will, p. [161].
when it will cancel a will, p. [162].
how several are to be construed, p. [160].
Concanen, Edward—will of, p. [111].
Conditions—in will, how far legal, p. [107].
illegal, p. [113].
precedent and subsequent, what are, pp. [103], [104].

Construction—of will, purpose of, pp. [185], [191].
Constantinople—bequest to poor of, p. [86].
Corporations—prohibited from taking by devise, p. [132].
what are allowed to take by devise in New York, p. [142].
Coverture—formerly incapacitated woman making will, p. [90].
not now generally an incapacity, p. [91].
Cromwell—singular bequest to, p. [18].
Cruger, Harriet Douglas—will of, p. [84].
her history and singular delusion, p. [85].
Curtesy—married woman cannot defeat right in will in some States, p. [92].
married women may defeat in New York, p. [92].
Cutting—a will equivalent to tearing, p. [164].
D.
Deaf and dumb—their capacity to make will, pp. [69], [70].
Declarations—of testator, not admitted to show intention in a will, p. [190].
Delusion—what it is, pp. [72], [75].
of Harriet Douglas Cruger, p. [85].
Denbigh, Earl of—singular bequest to, p. [17].
Devise—meaning of term, distinguished from legacy, p. [93].
Domicile—how determined, p. [175].
law of relating to wills part of leges gentium, p. [173].
law of governs in interpretation of wills, p. [175].
law of at time of decease governs, p. [176].
Drunken men—when incapable of making will, p. [71].
E.
Eccentricity—difference between and monomania, p. [76].
remarkable case of, p. [76].
Ecclesiastical—jurisdiction over wills, rise of, p. [35].
courts’ decisions binding in law of wills, p. [40].
“Effects”—meaning of in will, pp. [187], [198].
meaning of in will of Kosciusko, p. [179].

Emptor familiæ—position of in Roman law, p. [31].
Erasures—and interlineations in a will, effect of, p. [169].
Executor—appointment of in will, p. [52].
allowed a year to settle estate, p. [114].
duty of in paying legacy to child, p. [118].
not disqualified to receive legacy, p. [120].
responsibility of in paying legacies, p. [114].
when to pay legacy, pp. [114], [115].
F.
“Family”—construction of term in will, pp. [192], [197].
explanation of term by Roper, p. [197].
Female—able to make will earlier than male in some States, p. [69].
Females—their fondness for animals, p. [77].
Fraud—preventing revocation of a will, pp. [166], [168].
Funeral expenses—provided for in will, pp. [11], [14].
directions for payment not necessary, p. [51].
G.
Geigley, William—will of, p. [108].
Grandchildren, construction of term in will, p. [193].
Greenwood, singular delusion of, p. [73].
H.
Harcourt, Mr. Granville—will of, p. [13].
Hæres—of Roman law, description of, p. [30].
Henry VIII—will of, providing for dean and canons of Windsor, p. [24].
Hindoos—no will among, p. [31].
Holographic will, p. [50].
singular example of in California, p. [50].
Hunt, Benjamin F.—will of, illustrating law of domicile, p. [176].

I.
Insanity—definition of, p. [72].
partial not recognized in early law, p. [73].
partial, how far invalidates a will, p. [74].
Interest—on legacies, when to commence, p. [116].
on specific legacies, p. [117].
on legacy before payment causes legacy to vest, p. [100].
In terrorem—doctrine of, pp. [111], [112].
In extremis—persons in allowed to make nuncupative wills, p. [43].
persons in frequently unduly influenced, p. [135].
Intention—governs in the construction of a will, pp. [95], [101], [185].
most considered in revocation of will, p. [168].
governs so far as consistent with rules of law, p. [185].
how ascertained, p. [185].
to operate as far as possible, if not wholly, p. [193].
“Issue”—meaning of term in a will, p. [196].
“Issue, dying without”—former construction of, p. [196].
meaning now by statute, p. [197].
J.
Jefferson—farm of, at Monticello, devised by Commodore Levy, p. [106].
given charge of fund belonging to Kosciusko, p. [179].
Justinian—law of as to portion reserved for children, p. [32].
limited bishop’s interference in probate matters, p. [34].
limited military testament to those actually on an expedition, p. [48].
K.
Kensett, William—singular disposition of his body, p. [77].
Kerr, Catharine—will of, p. [58].
Kidd, Captain—treasures of, superstition regarding, p. [79].

Kosciusko—will of before United States Supreme Court, p. [178].
interesting facts regarding his career, p. [179]
L.
Latent ambiguity—what is, p. [188].
Legacy—abatement of, p. [96].
ademption of, when takes place, p. [97].
contingent, definition of, p. [97].
conditional, and variety, pp. [103-105].
conditional, what conditions are valid, p. [103].
conditional, in restraint of marriage, p. [107].
general, examples of, pp. [93-95].
general, importance of distinction, p. [96].
in lieu of dower draws interest from death of testator, p. [117].
interest on, when to begin, pp. [116], [117].
payable out of real estate, pp. [100], [102].
payment of, pp. [114], [115].
payment of, to whom, p. [118].
pecuniary sometimes held specific, p. [95].
specific, definition of, p. [93].
specific, various examples of, p. [94].
to infants, to whom paid, p. [118].
to a class, who shall take, p. [122].
vested, when becomes, pp. [99], [100].
Legatee—how ascertained in some cases, p. [125].
error in description of, how remedied, p. [126].
who may be, p. [119].
Levy, Commodore—remarkable will of, p. [136].
Lex domicilii—governs will of personal property, p. [174].
Lex rei sitæ—governs will of real property, p. [182].
M.
Marriage—revokes will previously made by a woman, p. [157].
of children, attempt to control, p. [113].
restraint of, how far legal, p. [111].
of poor maids, provisions of Henry Raine for, pp. [133], [134].
Married women—capacity to take legacy or devise, p. [119].
legacy to, formerly paid to husband, p. [119].
power of to make will of personal property, p. [91].
law of American States is giving more enlarged privileges to, p. [91].
power of, by will in New York, p. [92].
Masses—legacy to say, pp. [21], [25].
May, Thomas—singular bequest to, p. [17].
“Money”—strict meaning of, in a will, p. [192].
may include stock in funds, p. [192].
held to include real and personal property, p. [192].
Monticello—devised by Commodore Levy, p. [136].
Monomania—what it is, recognition of in law, p. [73].
when will avoid will, p. [75].
rise of theory in Dew v. Clark, p. [74].
different from eccentricity, p. [76].
N.
Nephews and nieces—who are meant by, p. [192].
Non compos mentis—incapacity of to make will, p. [71].
who are, p. [72].
Nuncupative will—its nature, p. [42].
limitations of in Statute of Frauds, p. [43].
generally limited to soldiers, sailors, and persons in extremis, p. [43].
decision on in Cole v. Mordaunt, p. [44].
cases on numerous, since civil war, p. [49].
opinion of Kent in relation to, p. [45].
was in general use before Statute of Frauds, p. [42].
how limited in New York and California, p. [48].
limitations of, by statute in England, p. [48].
O.
Ordinary—his privileges in early English law, p. [37].
P.
Parol evidence—when admissible, pp. [123], [126], [129], [160].
of contents of lost will is received, p. [160].
is not so readily in England, p. [161].
not admitted to vary, contradict, or enlarge the terms of a will, p. [187].
in what cases is admitted, p. [188].
Pembroke, Earl of—curious will of, p. [15].
Perpetuities—statute against, p. [150].
Personal estate—when a bequest of may be specific, p. [97].
may include real estate sometimes, p. [87].
Personal property—age at which will of may be made, p. [68].
“Personalty”—meaning of term in will, p. [120].
law of domicile governs in wills, p. [173].
“Plate”—meaning of term in will, p. [200].
Power—execution of, in a will, p. [52].
Power of appointment—given married women to make will, pp. [52], [91].
Publication of will—and in what States required, pp. [60-64].
R.
Raine, Henry—will of, p. [132].
Rationabiles partes—meaning of in early English law, p. [36].
Reading, Mrs. Kitty Jenkyn Packe—will of, p. [11].
Real estate—legacy payable out of, rule as to, p. [100].
will of, pp. [38], [69].
Restraint of marriage—in will, p. [107].
curious case of, p. [113].
not permitted in Roman law, p. [107].
of widow allowed in our law, p. [110].
of widower not allowed, p. [111].
in general not permitted, p. [113].
Revocation of will—may take place in two modes, p. [152].
an implied revocation a subject of discussion, p. [153].
by marriage of feme sole, p. [153].
implied not by birth of child, p. [153].
by marriage and birth of child implied, p. [154].
by subsequent will, when, pp. [159], [162].
not effected by writing “obsolete” on will, p. [162].
by burning, canceling, tearing, etc., p. [163].
what acts amount to in New York, p. [165].
requires two things—act and intent, p. [166].
Ridley, Hon. Araminta Monck—will of, p. [106].
Robbins, James—will of, p. [110].
Roman will—nature, and manner of making, p. [32].
Roman Catholic—not to marry a, a condition in will, pp. [106], [111].
Roosevelt—will of, founding hospital in New York, p. [149].
Rose—will of declared void, founding “Rose Benevolent Institution,” p. [150].
S.
Salisbury, Earl of—singular bequest to, p. [17].
Sandwich, Countess Dowager—will of, p. [11].
Scotchman—not to marry a, a condition in a will, p. [106].
Seal—not required in will, except in New Hampshire, p. [52]
Seastedt, Eliza—will of, p. [63].
Senile dementia—what it is, p. [86].
when an incapacity to make will, p. [87].
“Servants”—meaning of term in a will, p. [125].
Shakspeare—will of, p. [21].
his singular provision for his wife, p. [22].
Signature—to will, effect of tearing off by a testator, p. [170].
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals—bequest to, p. [82].
Solon—laws of relating to wills, p. [31].
Specific legacy—defined, p. [93].
interest on begins from testator’s death, p. [116].
Starkey, John—will of, p. [14].
Statute—of Distributions, p. [37].
of Frauds, pp. [38], [44], [53].
of Frauds, influence of in jurisprudence, p. [38].
of Mortmain, pp. [132], [135].
of Wills, p. [38].
of 43 Elizabeth in regard to charitable uses, p. [133].
of 43 Elizabeth not in force in New York, p. [135].
of 43 Elizabeth, where in force, p. [141].
Subscription—to will, p. [55].
Succession, universal—among Romans, p. [30].
Superstitious use—definition of, pp. [132], [133].
Surrogate—derivation of term, p. [40].
T.
Testament—meaning of term, p. [41].
Testamentary capacity—generally exists, p. [68].
as to age, p. [68].
Testamentary disposition—law places limits on, pp. [130], [142].
limits to, in early English law, p. [36].
Thelusson, Peter—extraordinary will of, p. [143].
Thompson, Mr.—singular habits of, p. [78].
Tonnele, John—will of, p. [56].
Trusts—what are valid in a will, p. [140].
Turner, Sharon—will of, p. [12].
U.
United States—bequests to, pp. [136], [140], [150].
Uses and trusts—law of, to avoid Statute of Mortmain, p. [132].
V.
Van Hanrigh, Mrs.—will of, p. [14].
Virginia—bequest to, in trust, by Commodore Levy, p. [133].
W.
West, Lady Alice—curious will of, p. [18].
Wife—who will answer for in a will, p. [124].
reproachful allusions to in a will, pp. [11], [12].
affectionate allusions to in a will, pp. [13], [14].
Will—acknowledgment of signature to, p. [55].
appointment of executor in, p. [52].
attestation of, p. [64].
definition and nature of, p. [41].
destroying, what it signifies, p. [164].
directions in as to burial, pp. [10], [11], [16], [77].
directions in as to debts, p. [51].
divided into two classes, verbal and written, p. [42].
duplicate, effect of destroying, p. [163].
erasures in, p. [163].
holographic, and where valid, p. [50].
importance of, p. [9].
inofficious, pp. [31], [75].
introductory clause in, p. [51].
language of, immaterial, p. [53].
making, solemnity of act, pp. [9], [51].
may consist of many instruments, pp. [52], [158].
mode of writing, p. [53].
nature of, among Romans, pp. [31], [32].
not of effect until death, pp. [121], [152].
opinions of others in, freely expressed, pp. [10], [15].
of personal property, pp. [68], [121].
of real estate, p. [69].
of real estate, must conform to law where real estate is situated, p. [182].
power of disposition by, in early law, p. [36].
publication of, where required, pp. [60-64].
qualities of, p. [152].
references to wives in, pp. [11], [12], [110].
restraints on marriage in, pp. [14], [105-108], [111].
requisites as to execution of, p. [55].
right to make did not exist in early society, p. [30].
seal not required in, p. [52].
signing of, how under Statute of Frauds, p. [54].
signing of, illustrated in cases, pp. [56], [60].
what it is necessary to contain, pp. [50], [51].
witnesses to, number required, p. [64].
Widow—prohibited remarrying by will, p. [108].
recommended to marry, p. [13].
Widower—cannot be prohibited remarrying by will, p. [110].
Witnesses—manner of signing by, pp. [64-66].
number required in different States, p. [64].
cannot take interest by the will, p. [119].
cutting out names of in will, effect of, p. [164].
Z.
Zimmerman—will of, p. [10].

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Footnotes:

[1] Illustrated London News, October 18th, 1873. I have selected from this reliable journal many of the examples of curious wills I give in this introduction, taken from Doctors’ Commons, London.

[2] Illustrated London News, February 21st, 1874.

[3] Illustrated London News, November 8th, 1873.

[4] Black. II, 21.

[5] Thirlwall: Hist. of Greece, 187.

[6] Dwight’s Introd. to Maine’s Ancient Law.