Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-07-06
ROMANCE OF WOOL1ON HALL
The Famous Mansion Built
by Hanson Robinson.
THE CONROW ESTATE IN COURT
How the Pending Litigation
Originated.
Started by a Daughter-in-law of Joseph
Ii. Conrow, to Obtain for Her Child the
share of Her Deceased Husband in the
Estate--woolton Hall Erected Out of
the Proceeds of u Speculation in Wool.

CHARACTERIZATION HAL Erected Out oil
the Proceeds of y Speculation In Wool.
The action just instituted in the court
of chancery In connection with the
famous Woolton Hall and the Conrow
estate trustees brings to mind quantity
of bygone litigation which, in fact, Is
the definite key to the present suit. The
facts, in a general way, are as follows
Joseph B. Conrow was citizen ia good
repute here over decade or so ago He
died extremely we'll off part of his estate
being Woolton Hall. 1t is understood
that Mr.. Conrow was originally In the
livery business in Philadelphia. He was
quite successful in it. But before ven.
turing as Wilmington merchant he
essayed other branches Of trade, among
them, 1t is said, that of butcher. How.
ever, he came here subsequently and
became possessor of large amount of
property over Third street bridge. He
was the largest owner in the Knicker-
booker Ice Company. He sold out To
Jacob Pussy of the Kennebec Ice Com
pany. 1t was following this that he pur-
chased Woolton Hall. A large share
of the Gonrow estate Is still represented
1t is understood, In ice company stock
Mr.. Cohrow died in 1881. He was
somewhat eccentric, one evidence OF
which is seen In the signature TO his will
which reads, "Joseph B. Conrow, Gen
tleman." He left wife and five chill
dren. These were Mrs. Sarah B. Con-
row, the widow; three sons, Joseph D.,
George E. B. and Howard r., and TWO
daughters, Mrs. Kirby and Mrs. Han.
cock of Philadelphia. The trustees un-
der the will are the widow, Mrs, Sarah
b. Conrow, and the three sons, referred
to. The property was left under very
peculiar will TO these trustees in charge
for the children. George d. B. Conrow
and his wife, Emma B. Conrow, had
one child, Sara b. Conrow, born few
after Joseph b. Conrow's death. George
himself died few months after his
child was born.
This left the two sons, Joseph D. and
Howard f., with the widow, Mrs. Sarah
B. Conrow, in charge of the estate rs
trustees. The estate, as has been stated,
is valued for about $150,000.
The provisions OF the Conrow will
allowed the widow an annuity of 5000
out of the estate, which has been regu-
larly paid her, and cash gift of $4,000,
which she has received.
1t is stated that the trustees divided
all the income among themselves and
the sisters, and refused to give their
niece, Sara b., daughter of George B.
Conrow, anything whatever.
Among the facts brought out in the
testimony, which was begun here in
1880, were that tho widow of their
brother George had sued them in Phila-
delphia for Georges share of the com
mission as executor of his father. The
court strongly charged the jury in her
favor and verdict was rendered in her
favor by the jury without leaving the
box, Georges widow had also en-
deayored to compel them to pay some.
thing to her child by two suits in Phila.
delphia, which she lost, the courts there
deciding that they had no Jurisdiction
as the testator was a resident of Della
ware at the time of his death.
This brings the story up to December
of 1889, when suit was brought in the
court of chancery here by Willard
Salisbury, for the removal of the trus-
trees, the allegation being one of gross
breach OF trust and failure to perform
duties. Another charge was that the
trustees refused to pay anything to the
daughter of George B. Conrow.
A preliminary injunction was granted
against the trustees, TO prevent them
from selling, pledging, giving deeds or
receiving on any of the Conrow trust
estate, by mortgage or otherwise.
This injunction suspended the trus-
tees legal rights while it pended, SO
far rs their getting rid of any of the
property, and the injunction is in force
to-day.
The Equitable Trust Company was
appointed receiver and an order was
granted by the chancellor suspending
the duties of the receiver pending a
hearing on the motion to dissolve the
preliminary INDUCTION.
1t is understood That some agreement
Of settlement was reached between the
parties about year ago, by which the
child's right to one-tifth of the estate
was recognized by the trustees and large
amounts Of money were paid by the
trustees to the child. But this agree
ment has not been carried out as it
should be. The suit is therefore still
pending.
Woolton Hall was erected by Hanson
Robinson before the war. Mr.. Robin
son, so the story goes, made some lucky
wool speculations and from the profits
erected the fine structure which has just
gone into the hands of William DUPONT.
It is said that the name "Woolton" was
Mr. Robinson's fancy, which he applied
to the place in memory Of his wool
speculation. The sum of 100000 was
expended on its erection. At his death
the widow seemed indisposed to the ex-
penditure of maintaining the expensive
establishment that the big house entailed
and it was sold. After passing through
different hands Mr.. Conrow became the
purchaser for about $4,000.