Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-05-04


On motion OF MIR Rowley of Esremont, the bill to
incorporate the North Egremont Aqueduct Compa.
NY, stricken from the orders of The day. and un-
der suspension OF the Fnes passed to be engrossed
Passed to be ehacted--Biils, concerning the
powers of Commissioners in the County Of Middle
sex, in the towns of Chelsea. North Chelsea, and
Winthrop; concerning the Secretary of The Board
of Agriculture.
Passed to be engrossed-Rills, relating to the
separation Of Boston Corner from this Common.
wealth, and ceding it 10 New York. concerning the
Stale Pauper establishments; to>change the time of
holding the annual meeting oflhe Boston and Prov.
idence Railroad Company; relating TO Insurance
Companies; for the correction OF county maps; con-
corning the Legislative Journals for the interchange
ofaws, law reports, and documents.
Thirteen bills ordered to a third reading,
and these finished matters not subject to debate.
SINGULAR TRIAL AT PHILADELPHIA.-
A case of more than ordinary interest was com
menced in the Court of Common Pleas, before
Judge Thompson, Tuesday morning. 1t is to
test the validity OF the will of the late William
Johnson, negro, who repuied to have left
a wife and two small muatto children, in life
besides black wife married few days before
his death. The white wife was in Court, with
her two children. They were quite respectable
inappearance, better clad than ordinary people,
and might reasonably pass for persons in the
middle walks life. Another singnIarity attend
ing the case is, that one of'the female witnesses
/ fer the white wife, is a white woman of graet
beauty and youth, who has mulatto husband
and children, She attracted considerable atten-
ton. We'felt relieved when we ascertained thai
both these females were Of foreign bnth-.onea
Scotch and the latter an English woman
The facts OF the case appear to be as follows:
The decedent, VIM. Johnson in early life, was a
slave in Virginia, from which state he fled TO
Pennsylvania. He soon became acquainted with
a coored woman, named Mrs. Harvey, who in
terested herself in his behalf, and prevailed upon
the present Mayor Gilpin to purchase him from
his Virginia master, for The purpose of manumls-
sion. This was accordingly effected. johnson
followed the sea for several years, but being
man of strong mind and business qualifications.
soon discovered that there were better ways
open, TO persons of an energetic turn of mind to
make living, Than the drudgery and toll on ship.
board.
Instead of spending his earnings while on shore
in rlotons living, in his day was too much the
case with seaiarng men, he safely boarded them
up,untl he had sufficient to open sailor S board
ing house In the south eastern part of the city,
Ills new business prospered under his supervis-
ion, and in few years the Gruils of bis industry
and attention were manifested in his accumula
tion Of real estate.
About twenty years ago-probably in graft
tude tor the sympathy Mrs Harvey had felt for
him while fugitive from labor be married her.
She was widow, with several children, among
them daughter, since known as Mrs. Douce-
and now claiming TO be his wife, and 10 whom.
and her four children by MIR. Douce, he bequealh
ed the bulk his property.
Ills hrst wife, (Mrs. Harvey) died in I847,
without issue by him. Ia the same wear youog
woman named Caharne Flynn (the alleged
white wile) arrived in this city from Scotland
The decedent became acquainted with her in
three weeks afterw ards, and as she had none of
the American prejudices against color it is alleged
he married her. IL is certain they lived together
as man and wife, IN one Of his houses in GasLill
street. lie spoke of her as his wife, and defend
ed her as SUCH against his colered friends, whose
antipathies against the intrusion of white woman
into their circle, as the wife rich colored man.
were Of the strongest character.
From this alleged marriage sprang three chill
dren two Of whom are now living. They con-
tlnued to live together up to the day he was
seized with his last sickness, which appears to
have been on the 23d day of November, 1852
Finding he was likely to be taken TO his bed, he
expressed desire to go to his place of business,
IN Leonard, above Front street, where he could in
part superlntend business, even while sick. lie
went to that house, and was soon after taken to
his bed, and room, from which iLappears he was
never again able 10 depart.
Mrs. Deuce was then living in the Lombard
street house with her children IN the capacity of
house Keeper. Her husband was not living with
her at the time, and was reputed to be dead.
On the 4ih of Dec. 1852, the will in dispute
was made, and on the Sth codlc was attached
making provision for child not yet born of the
white wife, On the 14h Of Dec johnson died
a few days prior TO h@ death, he married Mrs
Donce, bis housekeeper at the Lombard street
house, and his step-daughler by his first WIFE
She bad four children living with her, who are
called his children. To them, alter the death Of
their mother, who has life estate, the larger
portion Of his estate descends 0a
u Is alleged that The will was procured by nm
proper means, while the decedent was under
The control of Mrs. Douce and Perry filghnan,
one OF the executors. Perry 1lghman, it APP
pears, dictated the will, which was afterwards
taken TO the room Of the Sick man and confirmed
BY him IN the presence Of two witnesses, one Of
them being the gentleman who drafted the will,
and who testified that he knew decedent's inien.
lions as to his property beforehand. The will
and codcil both are signed with a cross, the de-
ceden not being able to write
The will calls the white " ife Catherine Fms.
slu' and while il acknowledges her three chill.
oren' calls them by her name. lie gives each
WOW per annum during their minority. and be-.
SLOWS the property in Gaskll street, and that M
the N. u. corner Of Christian and Fourth streets.
TO these three children, share and share alike,
when they shall hive attained the ago Of 81 vears
respectively. The case will occupv severaI
days-M Y. Tribune.