The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-16
THE COURTS.
Troubles About Dowry of a Thrice
Married Woman.
FRATERNAL UNPLEASANTNESS.
Right of Protective Associations
to Fix Scales of Wages.
CURIOUS CASE OF CIRCUML0CUTION.

Thsre has already been published In the HERALD tho
particulars OF suit brought by James Reid against
lady whom he designated ms Mrs Sarah Ann Van Pelt
otherwise known as MIS- Sarah Ann Pagan, but who
In her answer announced herself Mrs James Reid,
JL The plaintiff the father of James Rsid, Jr.,
who died some three years ago, leaving estate val
ued At $4,000 II then supposed that the defend
aut the widow OF the deceased and The latter
left WILL letters Of administration granted
her BY the Surrogate. and q final settlement she
paid her dowry interest Mr.. Reid. the father,
commenced proceedings TO have tho payment in the
Burrogato's Court set aside. He alleged that be had
NO knowledge Of the relations existing between mis-
commencement Of this suit; that she aavcn-
turess, and induced his 10 live with IN state
her to be his sons widow, and under such
belief dealt with her literally. HIS story
;od more in detail IS that IN ls47 the de.
Cheesborough, was married to Charles Van Peit; that
shc lived with him eighteen years as hts wife; That at
The end Of this time she commenced living with hts
son, claiming that she had been married him, and
continued TO 1--we with him up TO his death, which
already stated occurred some three years ago; that
She was married 10 his II was Illegal marriage,
is Van Pct was living At the time and she had
been divorced from him. and that shortly after his sons
noath she was married to Thomas Pagan, with whom
Sue is NJ present living On both sides the aaavits
we're vouminous ana in many OF their st dement's
directly contradictory. The defendant insists that shc
legally married 10 the plaintiffs son. and that as
his widow is legally entitled 10 one third Of his
estate She declares that tho whole matter was ami
caby adjusted with the painful, and that for sake
OF peaceful COMPROMISE she accepted less than she
was entitled 10 receive The plaintiff, the other
hand, claimed that she was paid more than was hor
just due, assuming that she entitled
10 receive anything, and he asked that she
might DO restrained from disposing of tho prop
crty claiming that he has informed believes
the same being squandered by absolute husband
Judge Donohue, before whom mado the motion 20
set aside tho proceedings tho Surrogatc's Court
and 10 have receiver oil the property appointed gave
his decision yesterday embody ing same In the fol
lowing succ.nct but comprehensive opinion :-"Thero
Of ihis case--one, that with u
knowledge oil the facts aud the claims of the
defendant, tho PLAINTIFF settled her claim. If
he ald settle with knowledge that she
claimed 10 DO the widow Of his son, she really
the widow Of Van Pe, he cannot set aside the
solemn Judgment entered and rosetlc her CASE HIS
affidavit does show that he did not have intorma-
ton OF ths alleged connection OF Van Pe and the de-
PENDANT aud IL Is reckcssy sworn in stating that
be had no knowledge oil the relation existing between
ns son and the defendant until almost month ago.
He must have known something about II 70 treat hor
rs widow IL is rather strange that father should
not have known OF such relations and her statement
shows he did II he means that he did know
Of her connection with Van Pelt, that she
referring TO names, that others OF those making ada
wits Tor the paIntin TO conclusions equally reck-
less. The other is that the defendant had iu
aud abundant opportunity for Information before the
Surrogate Tor tue very point established there her
relation To the deceased 1t would be rather severe,
al or an estate had been settled long, to take the
nrst Instance on motion, the estate out OF her hands
and put - ~ that Vi receiver aud her using
~ until the suit was determined. Motion denied"