The New York herald., 1877-03-05
THE DANCER WILL.

The RoMANCE OF NARY NJ DANCER's LIFE--
HER PROPERTY BEQUEATHED TO CHARITY.
Few Wills have come so prominently before the pub
lie as that OF the late Mary H. Dancer The accumula
lion OF tho large property by her father aud the
singular manner IN which she has disposed OF have
created an unusual interest in the public mind. Mat
thias n. Dancer was gambler singular in many re-
spects. He seemed unlike many OF his class, 10 be
able to keep the money that came him over the
green table Tho remnants OF many shattered fortunes
were to him the foundation ol an Immense one There
was hardly dollar in his structure OF gold that did
not have a history. On some Of them was craven
theft. on others embezzlement, suicide murder. No
one knows no one could know, how many broken
hearts and ruined lives were represented 10 his
wealth Dancer steadily pursued his course and
his hoard constantly increased He married, and
again, unlike his GLASS; he seemed separate his voca-
ton from his domestic life He lived quietly and un.
ostentatiously and the chance caller at his family
circle saw nothing but apparently happy family 1t
is now known to the world that his family were Bit.
terly opposed to his mode Of living. Particularly was
his daughter, who gong to the other extreme was
firm believer in the Christian religion.
THE FAMILY DISAPPEAR
In July OF 1875 Dancer was forced to abandon his
calling oy the police, and II seems he his
spare cash into bonds About this time his house was
robbed OF considerable property, and Mrs Dancer
fully recovered from tho shock aud sank SLOWLY
and died. was always supposed by the police tnat
the robbery was effected by gamblers were aware
that Dancer had property OF value in his dwelling
Aftr this Dancer disappeared from the public and lived
quietly until his death leaving his fortune TO his only
child Mary n. Dancer The life of Miss Dancer was
even more retired after the death OF her than
u had been before and her time devoted to the
church OF which she was member. She became al.
most recuse IL seemed as II by her seclusion she
wished to wipe out the memories OF her tather's
career She lived plainly, land, although possessed Of
over half million OF dollars, she spent only what was
necessary TO keep her Some years before her death
she became acquainted with Mr.. Stevens, who at.
tended her church. This acquaintance rpened until
they were engaged to marry. Everything prepared
Tor the nuptias. But the evening she was to have
been welded she borne to the grave in her bridal
garments
By her Will she leaves to thrty-oue religious socie.
ties and churches bequests varying from S. 900 TO
$4,000 each The other portion OF her will, which
mas never until now been made public, shows that
when was made she had lost OF the desire 10
palliste her fathers faults The money come
from the people went back to them 10 her relatives
she left small egacies At the time OF the burglary
her parents and TO herself, and in consequence she
leaves to Mrs. Mary White IS, ZOO. To Mrs Adele
oakley. Of Norwood, Bergen county, N. j. she gives
$500 to aid In building church at Norwood which
she was interested TO her executor Thomas i. Jcro
mah, In consideration OF many acts OF Kindness I"
she gives $4,000 TO Adene Sandford, Of Woods
Hole, Mass relative she leaves $40 000 To her
Mrs. Mary Ann Colder and her children she leaves in
ell $55. 000 10 her aunt Susan Robinson. of New
I. Avery, Cordelia Briggs and Alexander IL Uubberly
cousins receive $40 600 each. To George H. Stevens
the man to whom she was engaged, she bequeathed
$500 and 81 900 each TO his two sisters 10 Rev.
Henry Lee OF Pottstown, Pa, who is the clergyman
who conducted the funeral services the body of
her father, she gave $4,000 To the clergyman whose
church she attended, and present the pastor OF tho
Central Methodist church in Seventh avenue she gave
$4,000, and to his sister. lives with him, S. 0OO
quests shall have been satisfied she bequeaths TO her
administrators to be distributed among charitable asso-
cations Thus Il VIII be seen that the great bulk of
bling passes from her family.