Case ID: nys_10/html/0821-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Dykman, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Royce et al. v. Adams.
    
      (Supreme Court, General Term, Second Department.
    
    July 18, 1890.)
    Administrator with the Will Annexed—Power to Sell Land.
    Where a will empowers the executors, “or whoever shall execute this my will,” to sell testator’s real and personal estate, an administrator with the will annexed can give a valid deed of the realty.
    Case submitted on agreed statement.
    Action by William B. Boyce and others, administrators c. t. a. of Henry B. Low, to compel defendant, Jennie C. T. Adams, to accept a deed of land formerly belonging to testator, and to pay the purchase price.
    Argued before Barnard, P. J., and Dykman and Pratt, JJ.
    
      William J. Groo, for plaintiffs. Alton J. Vail, for defendant.
   Dykman, J.

The question for determination in this action is whether the administrators with the will annexed, who are also the trustees substituted in the place of the executors of the last will and testament, of Henry B. Low, deceased, can give a good title to the real property of which he died seised. The language is this: “Second. I hereby nominate and appoint my father-in-law, John D. Watkins, and my sons, Bussell T. and John W. Low, executors, and my wife, Mary C. Low, executrix, of this my last will and testament, hereby empowering my said executors and executrix, or whoever shall execute this my will, to sell, lease, or otherwise Convey or dispose of any and all my real and personal estate and effects, and to give good title thereto, without lien, charge, or incumbrance of any kind upon the same, either for cash or on credit, or both.” This language annexes the power of sale to the office of executor, and no personal confidence in the discretion of the person ‘named is either expressed or implied. The power of sale is bestowed upon the executors and executrix, or whosoever shall execute the will. Under such circumstances an administrator with the will annexed takes the power of the original executors, and the power or trust may be executed by them. Bain v. Matteson, 54 N. Y. 663. The same rule applies to the administrators in their character of substituted trustees. Farrar v. McCue, 89 N. Y. 140. Judgment in favor of the plaintiff should therefore be rendered upon the demurrer. All concur.