New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-21
LITG4TIOY ~ NEWJERSEY
4 NATURAL son SUES FOR A LEGACY WITHHELD
BY THE EXECUTOR.

BY THE EXECUTOR.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRBUSEl
| TRENTON, n. j., Nov. 20.-The Court of
Errors and Appeals in this city to-day listened to arg-
ments in the case of Van Dyke against Van Dyke, which
has been I'm the Courts Pcnnsyyanin and NewJersey
for sixteen years, and which has it, origin In circum
stances beginning sixty years ago. when James c. Van
Dyke, Of New-Brunswick, formed Illicit union with
Sarah Van Arsdale. Van Dyke lived IN Albany
| ST. in New-Bunswck and his mother
until her death, and his sister after
ward lived there with him. lie died in 1Sl3 having for
twenty years lead double life, his Ostenble family and
home being as above stated, while in reality he spent
much Of his time on farm Of 100 acres a few miles
from wBrunswck which he owned and had placed in
charge OF fecbo-unded brother In the small log and
stone house this farm he maintained Sarah Van
dale aud four children which he acknowledged his
own until her death year before his After her
death her mother took charge OF the house and the chill
drcn.
In 1929 Van Dyke made a will, in which he provided
that one-fourth OF his estate abe placed by my
executors In the hands Of my brother, Frederick
A. Van Dyke, in trust TO DO by him applied
and appropriated In such manner and for the relief
and support and benefit Of such persons shall direct
and name him in and by separate letter Of instruc
tOns directed TO him and bearing with this my last
will and testament" This letter by DR.. Rush
Van Dyke, n son OF Dr. Frederick A. Van Dyke, who
testified that directed the Of the onequarter part
or his estate To support and aid George Co William John
and Hannah Van Dyke, the children on HIS farm"
This Dr. Rush Van Dyke after his uuclc death IN lS43,
the Will and the letter accompanying IL 10 his
father, Dr. Frederick, who was one OF the ex-
ccut0rs Since that time the letter has never
been seen; but DR.. Frederick Van Dyke talked
over the matter with his son, and apparently
recognized the trust imposed upon him by the letter.
he visited the farm and talked about il with the chrens
grandmother He also took George Van c. then about
eighteen years Old, TO Philadelphia nduCedhim 10 change
his name 70 Van Arsdale, and apprentced him to car
pcnter For twenty years that person has been master
builder, and Is IN good circumstances.
For tweny-four years, until his death, DR.. Frederick
Van Dyke continued 10 recognize the relationship with
George c. Van Dyke, but the latter could induce
him To settle up the estate OF which he executor The
doctor always put him OFF with the claim that the prop
erty could not aiVantageously Dc turned into money
Before his death In 1867 no did, however dispose OF the
real property and remove all the estate 10 Philadelphia,
where he lived.
lie left Frederick A. Van Dyke jr., and Henry j. Van
Dyke his executors and against them George c. began
account for the James c. Van Dyke estate. After many
or litigation he ruled and told that
he must seek the relief he desired IN New-Jersey.
He recommended the fight I'm this state, and
the Chancellor that NewJersey had no Jurisdiction,
ana that he must seek redress IN Pennsy lyania.
IL Is his appeal from this decision that Is now being
argued before the court Of last resort in this state Ills
counsel states that he IL welOdO himself but that the
heirs OF his brothers and sisters sadly need the money
which should be due them from the estate OF James
Van Dyke. This estate consisted of large amount OF
valuable real estate IN NewBruuswok, and its proceeds
should by THIS time DO very considerable sum- Decision
In the case was reserved.
OTHER IMPORTANT SUITS.
L. the United states Circuit Court to-day in the |