The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-03-22
OBITUARY.
SAMUEL WOOD.


Mr. Samuel Wood, an old and wealthy retired msr-
chant this city, died at his residence No 80 fest
Thirty ninth street. shortly before Jour O'Clock
Wednesday morning Dir. Wood born IN the
town OF Hampstead, part OF Rockaway. l. l., ON the
2eth of February, 1896. and was, therefore, eighty
three years OF ago at the timo Of bis death. HIS
father was In the place. before the break
ing out OF the American Revolution, and was we'll
todo farmer In the year 1916 Mr.. Samuel Wood went
into the grocery business with his three brother7,
David, Abraham and EbenezeE store opened
on tho site Of the Fulton Market, but having been de-
stroyed by fire two years later was replaced by
another ut No. Fulton street. Alter some
time a large fortune was amassed. This
was still held IN the name OF David Wood. In 1858
Ebenezcr died, and shortly alter the remaining bro
,hers retired from business. year later David, the
eldest brother aicd, leaving fortune estimated at
5000 OOO only 5000 COO OF this was invested In real
esta c. the remainder consisting chiefly OF bonds and
mortgages This whole amount, with the exception
of $40 600 lett 10 a married sister. was div dod be
tween Samuel and Abraham, each receiving nearly
$3.50 Ooo samuel acted as manager OF the property,
investing tho grsater part of IL In real estate In
1858 Abraham died, leaving alb ,u $4,000 in which
his brother Samuel was to have fo interest. Tow
years ago action brought IN the courts 10 co.,
test the WILL tho suit being mado IN tho name
Brothers. At her doath, year or two ago. the
SUIT was continued in the name OF AbrAm Hewlett
who claimed that IL not his uncle Abraham 3 In
t.non to leave merely lie interest III his wealth 70
Samuel Wood, but that he really Intended 70 divide
his property equally between HIM (SamueD aud his
sister. Mr. Samuel Wood, as executor OF the estate
and the second cousin, 10 whom the properly was 70
revert appeared defendants OF the viii. though II
1t had been broken the former would navs received
$3.50 900 down instead info Interest IN twice that
amount Thus far the will has boon sustained, but
new suit against II s now pending In the month OF
February, 1875, pamphlet appeared In the name OF
Dr. William Elmer then Mr.. Woods atteEdlng ply
stefan, stating that wealthy gentleman OF this city
was about 10 endow an American college Of music
tor the FREQ instruction OF musicd aspirants VINO
should give SUN en. proof OF ialent The OF
tho intended patron OF music WIS withheld tor long
time III 0 pamphlet being put forth merely 10 ascer1
tain the degree of pu5ic interest in the proposed
undertaking. The result, was highly encouraging,
and preparatory steps were at once taken for tho es'
tabIishment OF the college. board OF trustees wa
appointed comp, Using some Of tho most distinguished
citizens OF New York, aud charter for the college
was secured from the Legislature. In addition
TO this bill passed tho State Senate and Assembly
and was actually signed by Governor Tden assigning
tract OF land In Central Park, adjoining the Meuo-
poltan Museum or Art for tho site of the proposed
college OF music For long time everytnio. ssemsd
to BIZ gong along rapidly anu successfully but finally
thors came pause. It was Understood that the old
gentie,nan by whom the college was 10 DO endowed
mad beeu suffering from an attack Of pneumonia ana
hung betw lilo DEATH Then. when his name
was ut last made known It was accompanied BY the
unpleasant intelligence that SUIT had been brought
by his relatives restrain him from making the pro.
posed disposition ot HIS property. Though ne had
signed his Will providing Tor the endowment oil me
cole It now seemed probable that his wishes might
never DO realized For moro than two year: INC
naitor has slipped from public attention aud has
ceased to agtats even the music-loving community.
Probably OF those who saw the notice Of Ar. Woods
death IN yesterday papers few recognized the name
~ thut OF ole who, II bis wishes could havo beon
out three years ago. wouli hnvo been recog
nzed and houored ~ one Of the greatest patrons Of
music that ever lived AS 1t is tncrs Is stu pos
s,bllity Of that result being accomplished. Mr.
Sine nson, Mr.. Woods business manager for many
years, stated IN conversation with Herald
reporter last evening that tho provisions OF
OF college music according ~ Mr.. Woods original
design Frat however, various legacirs to relatives,
more less distant, will have " he provided tor
which may take some time; SO that the Founding "
tho college still thing Of the future The Will 10
to be road Ia TOW days. Tho names OF the Jour ex-
eeutors have not yet been made known. The estate,
Mr. Simonson states, amounts at present ~ little
more than $l,000,OOO independent oil tho brother's
contested $5U0,UOO. Nearly tho whole amount Is IN
ings In Broadway, White and other business streets.
Mr. Wood owned the house in Which no died,
and In which he had lived only about three year,
erecting hotel and numerous summer cottages AZ
Woodsburg, near Rockaway Beach. The property
would bring moro than $500 900 u sold. Mr..
Wood short and slender, and wore side and
chm WHISPERS Iu the face lie bore some resemblance
TO Andrew Jackson. His death occurred aitor about
u weeks ilncss aud post m0rtcm examination by
his attending sican, Dr. j. r. kennedy, yesterday
proved tho cause to have been acute pleufisy The
funeral services will DO held to-day vt three NJ at
Mr. Woods late residence, and he will DO ourcd to-
morrow IN the family burying ground ut Hampstead,
L. or the tour brothers and sisters Of tho family
only one ever married.