The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-07-05

About the year 1868, Miss Stephenson
made will, in which she devised to Tim O
house and lot at Lapidum, with the furniture
therein, and legacy of$700 in money. This
will was obtained by another brother, who
resided in the West, whilst on visit TO this
State, and was not heard of again. The tes-
tatrix, probably fearing that it would not be
forthcoming at her death, delivered to Tim an
agreement in writing, under SEAL to be good
and valid in case no will was found, whereby
she endeav0red to secure to him tile same
property and legacy she named in the above
mentioned will
In 1871 she appeared to become impressed
with uneasiness in regard to her affairs, and
determined, rs she expressed it "to go to
headquarters" to have a will drawn. Ac-
cordingly she came to Bel Air and employed
Henry w. Archer, Esq, to prepare one ac-
cording to her directions. Mr.. Archer took
the necessary memoranda, and subsequently
visiting her at her dwelling at Lapdum, there
wrote and had executed the paper according
to her wishes. The first draft of the will
drawn by Mr.. Archer she signed, but the
same was not attested because she became
dissatisfied with her signature. Having suf-
| fered an attack of partial paralysis her hand
writing was not as steady as formerly. Mr..
Archer thereupon drew second copy upon
| the spot, which was duly signed and attested
by himself and Messrs. VIM. II. Mackison
and VIM. Ii. Kelly rs witnesses, The two
copies were identical, and in both Tim was
left the house and lot and furniture at Lapi-
dunn, and the legacy of $700.
Miss Elizabeth Stephenson, cousin of the
| testatrix, was named us executrix, to whom
the will was sent Tor safe keeping. Owing
to i'll health and not wishing the responsible
ty of keeping it, Miss Elizabeth returned ii
again TO Miss Mary. Subsequently Miss
Mary Stephenson's health becoming feeble
she removed to the residence of Mr.. VIM. e.
Jewens, of this county, where she remained
until the 18th May, 1878, when she died.
After her death no will was produced
and letters of administration upon her estate
were granted by the Orphans Court to Col
William B. Stephenson, her cousin. Tim
Shields then instituted proceedings against
the administrator, upon the agreement alleg-
ed to have been given him by Miss Mary
Stephenson, which was to be used in case
no will was found. Upon trial of the case
owing to II mistake in the testimony of one
of the witnesses as to date, Tim suffered q
non pros. He was then indicted for forgery
of the paper sued on. Upon this charge he
was acquitted by a jury and he again insti.
tuted suit upon the same paper This last
case was tried at the May term, 1878, oil
the Circuit Court for this county, and oc.
cupied nine days in its trial, the result being
a verdict for the defendant, the administra
tor.
A few days since, Shields counsel, Messrs
Fl. w. Archer, Herman Stump and VIM
Young, received information leading them
to believe that the will of Miss Mary Stephen
son was still in existence, and prompt meas
ures were taken to investigate the NATTER
A petition was filed in the Orphans Cour,
and the necessary steps taken, when on Mon
day evening last Sheriff Johnson proceeded tc
the residence of Mr.. Jewens where Miss
Stephenson resided at the time of her death
and upon his return to Bel Air produced the
identical paper prepared by Mr.. Archer al
Lapidum in May, 1871, duly attested and
signed The will was found at Mr.. Jewens
residence, in a drawer or desk, and is at las
safely lodged in the custody of the Orphans
Court Whether Tim will now come into
possession of his property and enjoy the long
deferred fruits of his old mistress's generosity
towards him, is hard to tell, in the light of al
the litigation that has been caused by this
"lost will" Tim is genuine African and {
tall specimen at that, standing full six fee
seven inches in height, and weighing ovel
two hundred pounds, although carrying NJ
superfluous flesh.
On Tuesday letters testamentary wer,
granted by the Orphans Court to Elizabeth
Stephenson, the executrix named in the will
who has bonded and entered upon the ad
ministration of the estate.