The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-04-26
MRS. VALERIA q. sToNE.
Her will Admitted TO Probate, am APP
peal 20 the Supreme Court Taken.

peal TO the Supreme Court Taken.
In the Probate Court at East Cambridge
this forenoon, before Judge Brooks, the hear
ing to the contestants of the will of the late
Valera g. Stone of Maiden was continued
By the will the bulk of her property is left to
various charitable and benevolent institutions,
and the distribution of the money is under tie
sole charge of Rev. William Fl. Wilcox of
Maiden. The heirs at Las contest the will on
the ground of undue influence by Mr.. Wilcox
upon the mind of the testratrix. The execu-
tor, Mr.. Wilcox. testified tn he was friend
of the Stone family; that in 1876 he was con-
suited by Mr.. Stone in regard to making his
will; that he drew up one which he read to
him several times; that he made loans of mon-
ey for Mr.. Stone, the notes for which went in
to the estate at the time of his death. He fur.
ther testified: was Mr.. Stones executor un-
der his will and received $4,000 or more for
settling the estate; was preaching at Reading
at this time, but st the request of Mrs. Stone
took up my residence in Maiden, she buying
me horse and agreeing to pay me $500
year for looking after her estate: when Mrs.
Stone desired to make her win took her to
Mr.. Hardy's in Boston; l knew nothing of the
contents of the will; was afterward consulted
in regard to the codicil cancelling the bequest
to Mr.. Page; Mrs. Stone had given money to
each of her relativer at the time of her hus-
bands death, hnd receipts were taken for the
same; drew Mr.. Stones will at his request, as
he preferred minister to a lawyer; did not
wish TO have anything TO do with drawing
Mrs. Stones will IS was afraid the relatives
would try and break the will; she frequently
gave money to charitable institutions; some
times | was consulted and sometimes I was
not; after her husbands death she gave me
power OF attorney to act for her; MIR. Stones
estate was settled September g. 1880, and there
was turned over to me as Mrs. Stones agent,
$2O0,OOO this sum was turned over to her and
a receipt given; 1 was consulted by her as
how she could SO dispose of her prep
erty as to keep it away from her rela-
tlves and be assured that it would go to charit-
able Institutions; advised her to consult law
yer; as the result of this consultation, she
transferred her property in trust to Alpheus
Hardy and myself, to be given to charitable
institutions as we thought BEST she kept no
copy of this paper; it was executed in 1882;
she placed great confidence in my judgment;
by directions, gave in her behalf the sum of
$4,000 each to Phillips Exeter Academy, We'll
lesley College and Amherst College; propos-
ed to make trip to the West to investigate
the charitable installations in that part of the
country, but remained at home at her request;
her personal expenses were very light some
$115 per month for herself aud companion; she
was anxious to help poor people, and gave
money freely. Witness further testified to a
gift of $4,000 to William Spring of Fryeburg,
Me, made after visit TO that place by Mrs.
Stone.
Judge Brooks allowed the will snd an APP
peal from his decision was taken by counsel
for the coutes a ats. The case will have a iury
trial in the Supreme Court.