The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-15
CHURCH TO GET HER MONEY
AND MRS. JOHNSON LEFT n FOR
TUNE OF S55O,O0O.

Her VIII Admitted to Probate Yesterday
Despite tho Contention of Relatives That
She Had Been Unduly Influenced by
Priests - Surrogate varnum's Finding.
The will OF Mrs. Mary Johnson. bequeathing
an estate Of S550.000 to Catholic institutions
and priests. was admitted to probate yester-
day by Surrogate Varnum. 1t was contested
by several cousins who were not remem-
bercd in the will. and many hearings were
had before Surrogate Arnold. who had
not decided the case when he retired
from Office. On the evidence taken be-
fore Mr.. Arnold. covering 1.175 typewritten
pages. Surrogate Varnum renders his decision
Mrs. johnson inherited her fortune from her
brother. stephen Lovejoy. a junk dealer. who
died in 1888 She was a large woman who
lived practically alone. and had no visitors
other than priests Her homo was at 2013 Mad
ison avenue where she had many dogs. whose
constant barking annoyed the neiRhbors. The
evidence showed that she was heavy drinker.
The Surrogate flnds that she was woman Of
fair intelligence. little education and OF coarse
manners and speech. who had emig rated from
Ireland when very young. He says: "She
seems from about the time OF her arrival in
this country Indifferent II not even hostile In
feeling toward nearly all her blood relatives ON
account Of the treatment she received from
them when she came to the United States,
The only exception was her brother. who lived
The will. which was executed on April %,
March 10. 1897, the day Of her death. The
executors are the Rev. James W. Powers.
paSter OF All Saints Roman Catholic Church.
which she attended. and Daniel J. Quinlan.
Peter Condor had boon named executor in tho
will left Father Powers $1,000. two, pieces Of
realty and some furniture. and distributed
$4,000 among several priests and Catholic In
situations in small amounts The rest of the
estate, exceeding half million dollars. is to be
divided. one-third to All Saints Church. one
ninth to the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum.
one ninth to the Roman Catholic Society for
the Protection OF Destitute Children and one
ninth to the Mission OF the Immaculate Virgin
for the Protection OF Homeless and Destitute
Children After passing ovsr the provisions OF
the Will the Surrogate proceeds
can find no satisfactory evidence Of the
ahnso by Father Power or any ono else Of any
confidential relations. The mere fact more
over that the testatriX was not considered a
very devOut or religious woman. that she
sometimes INDUCED in improper and rreli-
charitable and religious bequests were made
under any undue influence.
1t Is Well-k known fact that many people.
and especially those in the same class OF life
to which the testatrlx by origin. education and
condition belonged. even though they may not
live up strictly to the teachings OF their relig-
ion. ar" nevertheless strongly influenced in
life and In any testamentary disposition that
they may make by their traditions or senti-
mental associations with the church in which
they have been brought up. and especially in
cases OF teStamcntary disposition where there
are none Of their own kin In whom they are
especially interested. which was certainly the
fact in the case under consideration"