The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-19
DEPENDING JERRY.
Mrs Haley Says Her Son
Did Not Marry Miss
Mary Lavinia
Vreeland.
REMARKABLE eHANCERY SUIT
Venerable Witness Breaks Down
in Court When Speaking
of Her Sons Death.
eHANCERY SUIT


Mrs. Haley, the widow of Jeremiah
Haley, formerly a commission merchant
of Jersey City, whose fortune is now the
subject of litigation in the Court of Cham
Gerry between an alleged grandson and
collateral heirs, was the principal witness
this morning before Vice Chancellor
Stevens in Chancery Chambers on the
resumption of the trial.
The witness, a venerable woman, resid-
ing at No. SO Essex street, said that she
was married to jeremiah Haley in 131 in
New York. In 1850 they came to Jersey
City, where she has lived ever since.
Mrs. Haley was examined by Mr.. Gilbert
Collins, who very gently put the ques-
tions to the aged witness. When one
question about her husbands death was
put to her she broke down and cried for
several minutes, sobbing OUT
''Oh, If my husband was here and Jerry
they would answer these charges
Was your son Jerry ever married?'
asked Mr.. Collins.
NO SIR replied Mrs. Haley, she was
not or he would have told me. He was
an honorable boy
The petitioner in the present case,
of Jerry and Miss Lavinia Vreeland, to
whom, the petitioner says, his father
was married, and on this alleged mar.
riage hangs the whole case. If there was
such ceremony Mrs. Haley, as executriz
for her husbands estate, must account to
her dead sons son; if no marriage took
place the petitioner, jeremiah L. Haley,
has no interest in the estate, which will
go to about score of collateral heirs.
Continuing, Mrs Haley said her son all
ways made his home with her, excepting
when he went off fishing in his boat. He
never lived away frem his fathers home.
Because of his consumption Mrs. Haley's
sister, Mrs. Sarah Storms, and friend
took Jerry to Europe in 1870, where he
remained year. During this period the
petitioner. jeremiah L. Haley, claims his
father married Miss Vreelana in Paterson.
Witness said that on the return from
europe Jerry was still sick and went
on his death bed he called in his mother
and said to her.
The only thing I regret is to leave yeu
alone In this wide world" He died soon
afterwards
Mrs Haley said that the first she ever
heard that young man claimed to be
when she was served with papers in a
suit to compel her to make an accounting
OF OF her ~ husbands estate This young
ness, who was out at the time, Mrs
Haley said that when she was told about
this visit she thought he must be an i'm
ever received any letter from the claim
ant
man who claims to be your grandson?'f
asked MIR. Collins
Only when. he was pointed out to me in
court a few days ago." said Mrs. Haley.
Does he bear any resemblance to your
son Jerry?'' asked Mr.. Collins
MT NET al a bit" replied Mrs. Haley;
LAYING Vreeland. who claims TO be the
wife Of your son and the mother of this
SesYRg YES ma4g Tbe firsk iaskeq Mr ra, Collins ,.
when went once to circus with Jerry.
There saw that woman (peinfing to the
petitioners mother) with q plumber named
house. They came up behind us, and Pear
son said to me, Good evening, Mrs
Haley. They came with us as far as my
stoop, and Pearson introduced the woman
did you ever see her again?'' asked
Mr.. Collins.
Only when saw her in the court room
at Newark" was the reply.
IBID you ever hear of Jerry having re-
iations with this woman?''
Never" was the firJn repIy
dig you ever hear of JerEy having
son, Alegitimate or otherwise?S
NO sir. If he had one T would have
gladly welcomed it to my home" sobbed
Mrs. Haley.
Did any woman come to you profess
ing to be Jerry's wife?" asked Mr.. collins.
'Oh, no. 1 would have gladly received
her" was the reply
Was Jerry a. good son?''
Always to me-" said Mrs. Haley, again
bursting into tears.
Mrs. Haley said her son was not a wild
boy. He was not saint, she admitted,
and liked a little fun like other boys. huS
was good, honorable son. At this point
Mr.. Collins produced two portraits OF
adding that they were nothing like the Pc
tit.oner. while Counsellor Richard for the
petitioner said they resembfed young
Haley.
William Lowrie. brother of Mrs.
Haley, took the stand. He lives with his
sister in Essex street. Mr.. Collins sat
close to him and asked his questions in
loud tone. The aged witness was asked
where he lived during the war, the date
of Mr.. Haley's death. and he created
much amusement by saying.-
Now, as regards this war but Mr..
Collins checked the impending history
and asked the old man If he knew Miss
Mary Lavinia Vreeland the alleged wife
of young Jerry. Her character, said the
witness, was very bad. She visited he
said a plumbers shop on Grove street
then run by Pearson & O'Connor, and
she was known about. town by the name
of Piggie." Then the old gentleman
went into his own past life and detailed
some of his wanderings from the straight
path in company of the Vreeland
woman's aunt Lavinia Zabriskie.
An adjournment was taken at ons
O'clock