The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-10-09
NOVEL CASE N COURT.
A Wealthy Resident Of Richmond
iIarrics n CoiGreG Woman OF
Philadelphia.
Ills COLORED CHILDREN CLAIM THE
ESTATE.
100000 INVOLVED.

Before Judge Bramhall, of the Hastings
Court, yesterday, Samuel Shippen, Esd, OF
the Philadelphia bar, moved that Lee
George, OF Philadelphia, be allowed to
qualify as administrator of the estate
OF the late William o. George, Of
Richmond, who died in September last.
Lee George, who was present when the
motion was made, is an intelligent and we'll
educated colorcd man, apparently about
twenty three years of age, and claims to be
Il son Of the deceased by Caroline Jackson,
a colorcd woman, born out of wediock, but
subsequently legtimized according to the
laws of Pennsylvania, and recognized Is
a child.
Mr.. George was q wcll-knowu citizen Of
Richmond, who died inte>tate. owning ut the
time real estate in the city valued at about
$1OO,G coo. The petitioner claimed that the
deceased had two children by his conncc-
tion with Caroline Jackson-himselt and
sister named Adelaide George. Wishing her
to be better provided for than she could be
ut the South, and desiring to give his chill
drcn complete education, he took them to
Philadelphia several years before the war.
There they have since resided, and been
well cared for nj an expense Of about one
thousand two hundred dollars per annum
to Mr.. George, and receiving constant proofs
Of his affection, not only on the occasions
when he went North to visit them. but also
by Il correspondence almost uninterrupted.
1t is also claimed that in April last the de-
ceased put into execution lon9-cherlShed
plan of marrying the mother of his children,
and claiming them publicly Is his own, and
that since that time he on various occasions
acknowledged the near relationship.
In support of these claims and Of the mo-
4; II
his legal associates, MeS>rS. Holladay and
White, presented 4 certificate in the form
prescribed by the laws Of Pennsylvania,
and signed by Il Philadelphia alderman
duly authorized TO perform the ceremony,
setting forth that on the 2i>t Of April, 1869.
William Oryillc George was legally married
to Caroline jackson, Il woman of color, par
ticuarly described as being very dark. The
counsel also cited several laws Of the State
Of Pennsylvania showing that a marriage
egitimiZcS the birth Of children born out
OF wcdlock, Attcr establishing the fact Of
the nlarrige, Nr. Shippcn exhibited pack
age Of letters purportin@ TO be from MIR.
George to his alleged wife Caroline, his son
Lee, his son-in-law Mr.. Willcmer, and his
daughter Adelaide. Proving that these were
in the handwriting Of the deceased, and that
they had been received by the parties to
whom they were addressed, several Of them
were read to the court to show that the
father had always exhibited towards the
children true parental affection,
The first was to Mr. Wilcmer, in reply to
one from that young gentleman begging
permission TO conSummate an engagement
OF marriage with Adelaide George. In this
Mr.. George speaks of his daughter very
Observation-Disclosures to her accomplish
mcnt> and to her occupation Is Il teacher Of
T., tg hI.
means Of Supportin" Il wife, and remarks
that he can only commit his daughter to one
whose greatest care Will he to make her
happy, rs in her happiness his own is
involved.
The second is addressed TO Adelaide,
whom he addresses rs My Dear DAugh-
ter" in regard to the proposals OF Mr. Willie
mcr. lie urges the impropriety Of marry
ing a mere stranger. and cites the case OF
the wife Of Letter Phillips rs warning. He
speaks of presents sent 10 her and her
mother, and particularly Of handsome silk
dresses bought ut Bells. The third, under
date Of October 30, 1865, is to Mr.. WlIIcmcr,
and while it expresses satisfaction ut the
answers to the questions about his means,
further asks whether the marriage is to be
performed by Catholic priest. and
expresses the hope that it will not. Another
u llb Sullt ktl,lttIt -'pNiiIibtl LCD'.J XIV"
consent 10 the marriage. and close, with Il
PRAYER that God may bless them both. and
crown their lives with happiness and pros
rcrity. Another is TO the daughter, in which
he calls her ''lny dear child" and enclo>cs
his correspondence with Willcmcr. scYcrai
other letters written before and after mar
riagc were also read. but are hardly worthy
Of mention except 10 say that they arc all
written aitcrtionatCiy.
William Johnson, who had known Mr.
George III Richmond and philadelphia, was
then called, and testified that ne wa, PIE
sent 1T the marriage on the 2lSt Of April Of
Adelaide, and Mr. Willcmcr on the I'D. He
also identified Il portrait exhibited III court
rs likeness Of Alr. George,
Lee George was also sworn, and testified
that he was present ut the marriage. Mr.
George lived with his mother at various
times before and after the marriage. and
always recognized thc witness and bis sister
4; his children. Witness had Il child named
after iim-W iliam OrviliC George
At this point the counsel were about to
Introduce other letters. but the Court said
further evidence was unnecessary, and or
dercd that Lee George be allowed to qualify
rs administrator (Eis mother having re-
signed the right in his iaFor), and fixed the
penalty Of the bond at $1,000.
Ii Is understood that the title to the real
estate of the deceased will be made sub
ject Of suit at law.