Case ID: miss_31/html/0345-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Eisher, J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

James M. Campbell and Wife v. Elizabeth Webster.
    Will : probate. — It makes no difference whether a will has been probated or not, so far as relates to the title of the legatees to the property bequeathed, if the will makes that disposition of the estate which the law would have done in case of intestacy. .
    Appeal from the Probate Court of Kemper county. Hon. William G\ Gill, judge.
    The appellee, Elizabeth Webster, filed her petition in the Probate Court of Kemper county, seeking distribution of the estate of Mary J. Puchet. The following facts only are necessary to be stated: James Puchet died, and by his will left his estate to be equally devided between Mary J. Puchet, his widow, and Susan E. Campbell, wife of James M. Campbell, his only child. This will was never probated, except in vacation. Mrs. Puchet, the widow, afterwards died, having made a will, by which she gave all her estate derived from her husband to Elizabeth Webster, the appellee, for life, and then to the said Susan Campbell, her only child; and appointed the appellee her executrix. No division of the estate of James Puchet had ever been made, and the object of the present proceeding was to procure such division, and also to secure the legacy for life given to Elizabeth Webster.
    The Probate Court granted the relief sought; and Campbell and wife appealed.
    Cf-eo. L. Potter, for appellant.
    
      Freeman and Dixon, for appellee.
   Eisher, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court.

The appellee filed her petition in the Probate Court of Kemper county, alleging among other things that Mary J. Puchet, about the year 1849, made her last will and testament, by which she bequeathed one undivided half of her estate to the petitioner for life; that the estate consists of eleven slaves, and other personal estate. That one Elizabeth Susan Campbell, wife of one James M. Campbell, and daughter of the said testatrix, is entitled to the other moiety of said property. The object of the petition is to have the estate divided between the petitioner and Mrs. Campbell.

Several points are made by counsel, but there is really but one which requires notice, and that is this. It is said that the will of James Puchet, under which Mary Puchet is said to derive her title, has never been admitted to probate. Admitting this objection to exist, it in no manner affects the title to the property. Mrs. Puchet, was the widow, and Mrs. Campbell, the only child of James Puchet; and if it be true that he died intestate, or his will has not been established, the widow and daughter would take under the law; the will professing to give only such title as the law would give in case of intestacy.

Judgment affirmed.