The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-16
A Lost Will Found.

A story containing thread of romance
that would delight the makers of books,
the chief interest of which centers upon
the discovery in a mysterious manner of
a will that had not been known to exist,
has just struggled up to the surface aft
er lying for months in the Sumogate's
office. Yesterday the will of the late
Samuel P. duncan was offered for pro-
bate, and thereby hangs this tale
In March, 1872, Samuel P. Duncan, of
Natchez, Miss, died in New Orleans.
He was son of DR.. Samuel Duncan, of
Natchez, who was one of the largest cot
ton producers of the United States, own
ing large plantations not only in Missis-
sippi but in several adjoining States, and
who at one time owned 1900 negroes.
He left three sons, Samuel P, Stephen
and Henry. All were extensive business
men, and made regular visits to New
York. The property left by Samuel P.
Duncan was valued at several million
dollars, and included three plantations
L'Argent, Tensas Parish, La; Ellisle, at
Mayersville and Middlesex, and one at
Skipworth. Landing, Miss. He left a
second wife, Frances Emma, and son,
Samuel B. Duncan, by his first wife. No
will was found, and his brothers were
appointed administrators of the estate.
The remains of the dead man were
brought North and buried in Philadel-
phia. ..'} .'
An examination and appraisement of
the estate showed that the personally
amounted to about 100000, and the three
/ plantations, once enormously valuable,
to about $4,000 Mrs. Duncan agreed
TO take, in lieu of dover and in satisfac-
ton of a claim of $4,000 against the es-
tate, $50, 00O-one-fifth to be paid down
and the remainder in installments of
1000 per annum.
A few months ago the administrators
final accounting took place and they were
released. An examination of the ac-
counting showed that nearly all of the
personally had been expended in the pay
ment Of claims against the estate, in
Guiding several installments paid to the
widow and a few hundred dollars adj
vanced to the son. ,..
The Duncans have always been guests
of the New York Hotel when in this city.
| Last December the rtwo surviving
brothers, while stopping at that hotel,
told MIR. Hiram Cranston, the proprietor,
that they would be obliged to stay longer
than usual, as they had found a will left
by their brother. They told him that it
had been found by Mr.. Risley, former
proprietor of the hotel, among some of
his papers that had accumulated during
his occupancy. Mr. Duncan had evil
IDENTIFY deposited the will in the safe fer
! safe-keeping, and had failed to inform
anyone of its existence before his death.
! Upon examination it was found that the
will was executed in 1868, five years be-
| fore the testator's Death 1t directed
that Mrs. Duncan should receive 81 900
! per annum and the occupancy of the
/ house 81 West Thirty ninth street during
| her life, and that the remainder of the
property should be given to his son alb
solutely on his attaining his majority.
Complications Immediately arose. j Mrs.
Duncan was naturally DESTROYS of receiv-
ing the sum allowed her by the will,
which was greater than the out-and-out
payment of 100000 agreed upon, while
| at the same time it was uncertain if the
estate would yield such a revenue, owing
to the depreciation of Southern property.
No one, however, knew what course to
take in the matter, and the will was
placed in the hands of the Sumogate's
chief clerk pending decision ON the
part of Mrs. Duncan, but no arrange
ment could be made to reconcile the pre-
vious agreement between the admins
traitor and Mrs. Duncan with the pro-
visions of the will, and yesterday the
will was offered for probate by Mrs.
Duncan's attorneys, in order that the
matter might take the usual course of
law. What the ultimate result will be
cannot be imagined.-N y World.