The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-14
THE MERRILL ESTATE
Letters About Love, Women and
the Clergy.
FRIG HTFUL REAM S.
War "reminiscences and One More OF Mr.
LincOln'S Jokes

The hearing OF testimony IN the contested Will
sase Of Caroline A. Merrill was resumed yesterday
before Surrogate Calvin Tho only witness examined
vas Mr.. George Merrill, nephew Of tho testatrx.
He continued his evidence. II was principally con-
fined to explanations of various passages in letters
written to him by his aunt One OF the letters read
excited considerable interest In court in consequence
Of tho sentiments OF the writer respecting the clergy
aud women. The inquiry will be resumed on Friday
morning.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
Tho examination OF Mr.. George Merrill was re-
Bumed and in reply to questions respecting the value
Of tho securities paid to him in respect TO the legacy
under his fathers will IN 1885, he id:The securities
received by me 1859 worth little over
500 O00 and interest was received ut any time;
kept showing the transactions oil the estate;
they we're by Mra Merrill and were always open
Tor Inspections the letter OF credit referred TO by
Mrs Merrill In her letter OF March 2 1852 letter
OF Mr. r. L. Taylor, and was upon Mr.. j. Barbe, OF
Hsvre who the business correspondent OF Mr. Tay-
Tor, and was SO OF the firm OF Taylor Merrill. The
responsibility OF Robert L. Taylor in 1859 was excel
lent; the ignorant Engshman referred 10 IN the let
Captain Edwards and the ignorant French
man was Nj Barbe, of Havre; Mr. Barbe was AN old
friend of my fathers; the ailusion In the letter,
which says "The first harsh words ever spoken TO me
by said by you, within three months of The
death OF my husband she referred to letters written
by myself Mr. Barbe and Mr. Taylor; my mothers
behavior. manner and conduct during her
visit the United States in tho summer
Of 1865 was generally reasonable. except
IN the settlement, TO which 1 have referred,
II Captain knights estate; when Mrs. Merrill was in
New York or any part OF the United States when she
wanted funds she drew a check drawn by Caroline A.
Merrill, as executrix OF tho estate; had power OF
attorney to draw this account, which was in the
bank of the Trinity Church estate; had nothing
whatever to do with the Captain knight business;
the five bonds referred to In the letter OF March 3
1852 were OF the Hudson River Railroad, the first
mortgage, believe; tho other bond was thousand
dollar bond ana it preferred by mo to i've thou
sand dollar bond; the arrangements for the ntermen at
Greenwood OF my father's body were made by Mrs.
Merrill and the allusion In the Iettor of March, 1882
10 any neglect to provide place for the deposit Of
The body could not refer to me, as was In Europe at
The lime of tho DEATH tho letter contains the follow
ing sentence "Sendng that last graft to me, the
last moment wnen had been imporing you all the
winter send moneys" say, in reference 10 that
all the letters received by me from Mrs Merrill during
that winter have been put In evidence
The above objected to by ex-Jndge
Porter and excluded.
Witness rcsumcc-fherc Is another passage In
which she complains OF my neglect in not meeting
her ut the wharf in New York her arrival there;
cannot explain. because Paris The
tme and could not have met her at the wharf; had
nothing whatever TO do with my fathers name beng
put tho books OF Green Go.
Ar. Parsons said that he now offered contem.
yorancous letter, written by Captain Merrill TO Mr.
Barbe OF Havrc, after the failure OF Green Co.,
bankers, in Paris, and In which ne Captain Merril)
regarded it matter OF pecuniary consequence.
anu IN which also he expressed the opinion that tho
money would RECEIVERS ed that therefore II could
not be true that Captain Merrill regarded Green
Co. a. his murderers, as Mrs. Merrill had said.
Surrogate Calvin said that he would exclude the
q HAP n nj IN
Mrs. Merrill saw mat letter poiore she wrote this
letter in March, 1859 The fact OF being found in her
possession did not sufficiently prove It,
The letter was then marked Tor Identification. 1t
was written French, and Mr.. George Merrill, by
of counsel on both sides, was requested 10
furnish a translation.
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
Witness resumed-Mrs. Merrill passed the summer
In 1882 think, at Saratoga at staten Island and the
Aslor House; IN tue autumn OF 1859 returned ID
Paris ana remained abroad until 1861; met the lady
VINO aftcrward became my wife In December, 1859. at
the house OF Mr. Drake hs, the friend OF my father;
saw this lady tMss Lang at ball at their house;
she was leaning the OF Mr. Grard, tue lawyer;
she WAS spending the winter Win her aunt, Mrs.
6mtnchI.
O. Was 1t case of love at first sigut, Mr. MerriIlp
A. 4 think it was; / asked 10 be introduced TO her
nnd Obtained an INTRODUCTION In February, $780, made
the lady an offer ana was refused; | comm un icated
that fact to Mrs. Merrill and told where had met
MISS Lang, ana SAID that she mad refused my oifcr;
received an answer To that letter IL March, 1860
The letter was read, and Mrs Merrill expressed an
opinion that the refusal only made by the lady in
order TO test the strength OF Mr. Merr's affection.
MORE ABOUT GREEN a CO.
The witness identified the following letter received
by HIM
DEAR GroRcE-During my Illness was ented with
the Thought that perhaps you would nos carry out my
tell me that you will DO so shall believe u as GER
waveins faith your .rushiansss your prneipiss
your morals my will not concise every EFFORT will be
WAS aa,oaSd and cause Es,ion they DO not
they talked Of me being so handsome Ia bed when WAS
DO H. you WIN learn how dea,hly pale was; ny hands
during his illness In my thoughts ~ lie to tee yepf soft
LOVE- WOMEN AND THE CLERGY.
The following letter was Identified Ny Mr. Merrill
and read evidence
DEAR GEORGE James Green Durren, Of Bosom, passed
through this city month It said that he was
n long time aes.re you 20 make an eioft 10 Know
him not Tor his physical yssSay or Tor bis but
York on his TO Washington he caed AS his
Oy the emperor Russia lie will return Ber and
make that country his home Il has been shispersd
hope /. viii be mOre easy tor him TO do SO than u
-. with the information about Mr. Green, Tor
desired her TO make match between him and Miss -.
nsi is and his lame was not worldwide, tut he
and had greatly distinguished himself at college: Why
viii not both and women evnce little aith when
Mr.. - wish you become acquainted with on his
women Wien he married. lie 'A' man that nsDres me-
ri.n as much as the eank director dd as.ru'
have thinking for the fortnight That II there
panied, Tor my grandson @ot Tor you.
There asa Or smith aud his mother here IRON New YORK.
all in OF his love- tor she husband but he seems
affections with such simplicity and sweetness his
mother INA. my eyes airy heS WIN , ,s"Is s. a. zee.
lett ae:oa.e IN Tue prime OF sy NE after having been
heart as some you have very pure one Tor which am
aSiy tends Tor which anu not unthanku but
miss tna, sympathy ana hear. iseiing wnsh aaye bad