The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-29
STAFFORD RELICS IN DISPUTE.
Samuel II. staTord's Will to Tie Contested by
His WIG. Who Has the ReIIcs.

TRENTON, y. j., Oct. 2s.-Two weeks ago
Samuel b. Stafford died in the State Hospital
here. aged SO years. He had been in the hos
pital about four years. He left an estate OF
about 100000. besides n number OF valuable
Revolutionary relics. Mr.. Stafford was a
son OF Lieut.. James Bayard Stafford.
who served with Commander Paul Jono,
on the Bon Homme Richard in the Revolution.
and among the relics is the flag Of that vessel. n
cutlass from the ship. n muskct captured from
the Scraps, and q letter from Congress bcstOw-
ing these relics on Lieut.. Stafford for meritori.
Gus services during the war.
Samuel b. Staford's widow lives in NIassa.
chusotts and has possession OF the flag and the
other relics. She separated from her husband
several years ago, and he went to live on his
farm at Lanham's, Prince George county, Md.
He was eccentric, and his ccccntricitics LED Mrs.
Stafford to seek to have him declared a lunatic,
but the attempt failed.
Mr.. Stafford made his will in 1892. by which
he bequeathed 20 his wife his Maryland
farm and all the Revolutionary relics cx.
cepting tho flag. musket and cutlass.
These were to go to tho Washington Society
Of Morristown. n. j.. and to the Smithsonian
Institution in case the Washington Society re-
e eesSins ss f SfSsdP' Mr. ine s1afro At'S Sdd 'nY a au t%GisiI pro- 10
his will, revolving the bcqucst OF the farm to his
wife and leaving her only, q few relics.
hAN sA 'eN 'A ~ Nh AAA't wi " blA
four caveats have been filed against it in behalf
of relatives who were overlooked. One is by tho
widow, Harriet II. y. Stafford; another by Mrs.
Mary L. Lappcus OF New York. a iccc: and tho
others by Robert NJ. and Joseph Is. stafford.
grand ncDhews. Albert II. Attrrbury OF New
York Is the executor. The will gives $50 to
Edward 5. Ellis. tho novelist; roo cach TO the
Elijah Lucas. and the Rev. DR.. ). ". Studdiford
OF Trcnton, and $lO0 10 Albert II. Atterbury
ito &c used in opposing the practice OF viyiscc.
ton requests of from $50 to 5000 each to
fourteen relatives and friends, ana hc
residue is left to six Baptist, Methodist,
Episcopal. and Presbyterian churches OF Tr, IL.
ton and to II local library, cemetery, and hos.
pital. A statue is ordered TO be erected in
''Riverview cemetery nj Trenton. in a Balti.
Sarah Smith Stafford, according TO directions
already given my executor, the expense thereof
and OF the pedestal not to exceed ! 1900"
1t Is understood that Mrs. stafford refuses to
surrender possession OF the relics, ana will seek
to have the will set aside, alleging tcstamcn AIRY
incapaclty on the part OF her husband. Thu,
farm given to her and then taken away goes
into the residue.
Sarah Smith STAFFORD. to whom the statue ia
to he erected, died about twelve wears ago. She
was for half n century "A well known character
in New Jersey and Mt Washington, spend
ing n great deal of her time nj tie national
capital In an effort TO secure from Con-
gross recognition OF the services OF her
uncle. James Bayard Stafford, in tho
Revolutionary War. Many stories were told Of
her br nkinE into Cabinet meetings and sessions
to reach those who could mid her mission. Slo
was an ardent patriot. and during the rebellion
rendered great assistance to the Christian Com.
mission and in relieving soldiers on the field.