New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-17
THE COURTS.
JOHN ID. LEWISS WILL.
MS SINGULAR CAREER AND THE CONTEST OVER Ills
ESTATE.


ESTATE.
The story of JOHN ID. Lewis is one of unusual
interest His mother slave in western virginia
and there children in slave marriage Sho heo
10 Canada where che formed connection with nan OF
wealth and good position Tho offspring Of that cohhec
ton wa. John d. Lewis He camo TO this city, ana ~ no
one recognized in him any Of negroorgn he WORKED
his way on until he became the chief partner in Lewis
uayiland g. Co., and owned real estate valued
at S25OOOO He mad seen his haiI-brOther anu
sister who had followed their mother to Canada Hl'
life was secluded and eccentric. Almost all his Affection
seemed conferred in Lizzie Barton Taylor. lie m~o
VIII which after some loyacics provided for her oduca
on gave her the income OF his estate untll her mar
risge and provided for Der children, If she had any H.
however she should die unmarried and shoud be buried
in the same lot with him. all the rost OF his property
should he expended in decorations for the lot
The htfbrothor and sister living in Canada heard OF
the fortune OF John ID. Lewis, and put IN their Claims
"a heirs. The viii contested ny them but was ad-
mitted to probate. Meanwhile Henry LOWS began
sut in the Supreme Court against the executors OF the
will and Miss Taylor, making, matter Of FORM his SIS
ter Mary smith, defendant Also Ia determine the effect
OF the viii Judge Barrett filed yesterday, In Supreme
Court Special Term, his decision A both the plainth
and the defendants have announced their intention 10 go
10 the Appeals he confines himself to brie
opinion ofnine fool-cap lie says the VIII - one al
boso remarkable productions which not nrcGuenty re-
suit from the layma's determination 10 substitute Tor
legal knowledge ana professional bLl MS ONH l'''"
knowledge and common-sense." a.,
One hng Judge Barrett thinks Ia eoar: that Lewis dd
not intend 10 provide Tor his Tcats e. ana Ola ie"a -
provide for Miss Taylor He holds tlEit tlo VIII -
Mis-. TAYLOR estate and not mere eid,y hhSl ano
arries or dies but whether cQuly OF estate u h'c
her she entitled the income unt her MARIA r. OF
death lie holds that the PROVISIONS iof hci 'l4l
are absolutely void; in fact, AL PROVISIONS OF ts VIII
tycep the egaces viii become absolutely Ngin II ahc
lawfully nlarrirs There Is 40 one 70 lake tie hegne
between Gle tiinc ~ Ter marriage ana her dea H. re
provision for the decoration Of the tomb OF LcWlS she
Is buried beside him. is 100 ind. Unite IN every par
tcular 10 il plain That Mr. Lewis anticipated thlt
Mis-. Taylor w0uil marry for he intended ~ make pro
vision for her children, bnt the framing oi he VII
such that her lawful marriage tGe pianu1 ana mary
Smith enter into compete possession OF Inc es-
tate Ia conclusion Judge Barrett SAYS: MISS Taylor
u entitled Ia the income until she il lawfully married
Upon hcs marriage deCclse tie estate TAILS 20 thc
plaintiff ard Mary Smith. In the one ease they take IL
freed from what may be- deemed trust power. IN tne
other the estate ceases with The ccr-a on 81 TIC
purpose for which !, created Judgment accord
ingy." &c.,
one 81 The counsel for the plaintiff said thar he had
expected that the viii would DE declared Wholly No!u
but decision substantial victory Tor dlc
brOthcr sister. Though the properly Ws NOT iasy
incl,nuurpd % Was mostly improved Miss IayOf Noio
De compelled therefore To make compromise WIN tis
testttors natural heirs. The pltlh Was represented
by judge Dittcnh0clcr, Mcssrs. {. y Rumble q Lne-
hlrdt d. Isdalc. Queens Counsel OF Canada, anu y l.
sanger For defendants there appeared Me>srs scrht
~ Walden, b. Hewitt, Benjamin ". Downing ana samuel
Jones.