The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-02
Interesting Suit In the U. s. Court,
LARGE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY INVOLVED
coLoRRD WOMAN AFTER HER RIGHTS,

SoLokED WOhAN AFTkR HER RIGHTS.
Proceedings were commenced in the United
States Circuit court in this city few days ago
in behalf of colored family named Griffin
living in Philadelphia, for the recovery of
property in James City county, valued at up
wards Of 100000. The bill filed in the cause
represents that Captain Robert Anderson, of
Williamsburg, died in 1859, leaving large
estate both real and personal.
His will, in his own handwriting, appoint
ing his two nephews his executors, one copy of
which was found in tho Bank of Virginis, at
Richmond, and another at his residence in
Yorktown, where he also had property, be-
queathed 81 900 year during her lifetime to
his widow-there being no children the issue
of the marriage, although she had children by
Q former husband. The residue Of his large
estate he left entirely to q then slave woman
named Maria Griffin, with whom 1t appears he
bad been on intimate terms and whose five
children Captain Anderson recognized as his,
the youngest of whom, named "Seventy.
Seven," is now some twelve or thirteen sum.
mers.
Upon the will being offered for probate BY
the executors 1t was contested. Able counsel
were employed upon either side, and upon the
issue being submitted to the jury they failed
to agree, standing six for and six against the
will. This was in 1859 or go. As soon there.
after as the delays of the law would admit
another trial was had and again resulted in a
disagreement, the jury this time standing
eleven against and only one for the will. Mat
ters being thus situated, the war coming on,
and prejudice against the colored race of course
increasing, Mrs Griffin concluded it would be
utterly useless to further prosecute her claim
until the excitement then existing had cooled
down and Judicial affairs in this State had as
sumed their wonted quietude. She moved her
family to Philadelphia where she now resides,
and until recently has been unable through
extreme poverty to make an effort to obtain
her property.
In the meantime the property remained in
the occupancy of Mrs. Anderson, the widow,
who qualified as curatrix and received the pro.
fits therefrom until her death, which occurred
several years ago, whereupon her grandson,
Robert A. Bright, qualified as her administra-
tor, and now has charge Of the estate. Il
seems, however, that there is another claim
sgainst the estate. The Dismal Swamp Land
company obtained decree in 1868 for the sale
Of the real estate to satisfy a judgment said to
have been rendered in its favor during the life
time of Captain Anderson, and it is princi.
pally with view to stop proceedings under
this decree that the present action is brought
at this time.
As the case cannot be finally disposed of
until the status of the will has been de-
termined by the proper State court, the
complainant, Mrs. Griffin, who has been living
in Philsdelphia in poverty, by the assistance
OF friends, now comes into the United States
court and asks for an injunction and receiver
until her rights can be properly adjudicated.