The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-23
The WIu or AnsOn G.. Phelps.

This will, which involving nearly two millions Of
dollars, 70 come bef the Supreme Court Septem
Der next for judicial co 1strucon OF some points in dis
pue amongst the heirs. The late Mr.. Phelps
tepsve iron merchant of ths city, and dying left his
widow, Olivia Phelps, and h. . son Anson g. Phelps, Jr
and hss son-iDaw, VIM E. hodge, also his partners in
business execusrix and executors The two latter de
cned TO sct because they purpc Sed purchasing the en-
tire Of the business establishment I'D they could not
executors Hgaly purchase from themselves. Mrs
Phelps lasy nearly 80 years of age became the sole
cxecutrix DR.. Phelps kN severa da 'ghters, all Of
whom had cItdrcn, heirs Of the tesator who also be
queathed large runs to- religious and chart able nstn
lions lie devised 10 his widow the dwelling house cor
ner of FIRST aven,c and Trteth street. all his ousehod
geeds plate, horses and carriages, ard ANNUITY Of
30 000 70 his niece Lois HOWELL widow sf the Rev. NJ
Howell 81, 900; to Elia Phelps, wife Of his nephew Pet
Phelps 81 900; to ecco bsgrandchildrca living the
time Of his death, $4,000, and further of s. oo5
to each Of his grand5hldrcr a sacred deposit
mited 10 their trust for the spread of the gospel and
promote the Redeemer's kingdcn earth to each Of
his children who shall be living at the end cten years
after bis death, the Of $4,000 the American
Bible Society," $780, OOo to the American Boar Of Com
mssioners for Foreign Mssfons 300 00O to the Ameri
Nome Missionary Society 500 00O TO the Union The
oogcai Society," Sc, 900; 70 the theological Seminary
IS 000 TO the New fork In9tutio for the Blind, 1000
to the Ha Orphan Society 81 0oo 10 the Coored Orphan
Asylum, 81 0OO to the Liberia College f establsed)
$50 000 TO the church of his native place
smsbury Connecticut ST. 0OO totne New York State Colo
nzaon Society, 0O0 The resduary clause directs hat
whatever remains after the satisfaction Of the foregoing
beqncsts shall be divided in equal shares amongst his child
and grandchildren. Besides tho large real and perso
nal estates owned by the estator ntHe State Of New York
he possessed Of considerable real Connec-
cut Pennsylvania Indiana and Macoari The sale OF the
coparnership property to Anson G. Phelps Jr, and VIM.
the in law OF the estator instructed his counsel
bring the will before the courts for adjustment
there were certain points in dispute particularly
to the bequeathed the grandch,dren-somc Of his
daughters having more children than the others. That
suit was suspended, and Olivia Phelps the widow and
cxecutrx, appears plaintiff against all her children and
grandchildren, and the various societies. for the purpose
Of having the property settled Since the death Of tho
esator various questions have relative the con-
structon and validity and legal effect of many of the de-
vses, bequess trusts and po in trusts made
ated Amongst other bequests the validity Of which
doubted that OF the conditional $50 900 10 the College
in Liberia The construction Of the residuary bequcst
also disputed Mr. Phelps also gave after the making of
his will promissory note TO his son, Anson G. Phelps
Jr for $10O0 payable in five years after the ls OF
January 1854 the interest Of which he directed be de-
insisted void There several promssory notes for
81 given to his daughters for religious purposes the
validity Of which is also disputed