The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-12-17
The JONES WILL
Major Pangborn Offers It
for Probate in This City
and Long Island.
HILTON GAINS CHAECERY SUIT.
He Must Now Meet the Major
in Legal Battle for
Employees Estate.

Vice Chancellor Pitney this morning in
Chancery Chambers heard arguments
from Messrs. VIM. Brinkerhoff and Chas
H. Hartshorne, in relation to phase in
the suit of Assemblyman John A. Dem
min, as administrator of the estate of
Caroline L. Jones against Captain Will
lam B. Hilton, of Brooklyn. This suit
developed the fact that Miss Jones made
a will bequeathing her property TO Major
z. K. Pangborn, of this city
The Vice Chancellor sent for the coun-
sci named because he was not sure. he
said, what decision should be made re-
specting the jewels and clothing and other
effects of the late Miss Jones. In making
his decision last week the Vice Chancellor
said he had overlooked that point
Ex-senator Brinkerhoff claimed that as
suming that Captain Hilton was the owner
of the effects "de son tort and having
answered to the bill of complaint he
would be within the Jurisdiction of the
court. Further argument will be held
next motion day.
The suit against Captain Hilton was
bill to restrain him from drawing certain
monies on deposit in the Provident In
stitution for Savings and Fifth Ward
OeNAASSl DdAhs VI l1ll5 CITY, anu lWO SliAl-
lar institutions in ooklyl The bill
alleged undue influence on the Captains
part. The Vice Chancellor in delivering
his judgment summed up the evidence
very fully and stated that it was due to
Captain Hilton to say that his conduct
in relation to the decedent had been gen.
erous and honorable; that it was proved
that the transfers of her money to the
joint accounts so as to make the Captain
owner of them after her death had been
by her direction without any undue in
fuence; that Miss Jones had a very strong
affection for the Captain and his family;
that she had no relations whom she
recognized and that the circumstances
made it entirely natural that she should
give her money to Captain Hilton, who
had been her benefactor, and that in his
judgment her wishes in this regard ought
to be respected. He fully exonerated the
Captain from all blame and declared the
gift was valid.
AS THE News exclusively stated, will
cropped up leaving to Major Pangborn the
monies in the bank and the fight now will
be the validity of the agreement with
Captain Hilton as against the will. Major
Kings county offered Miss JonesTs VIII
for probate, and served on the banks in
Brooklyn that they must not pay over to
Captain Hilton the money on deposit
therein.
The will is dated July 5, 1888, and ap-
points Major Pangborn sole executor. 1t
directs that a suitable monument shall be
erected over the testatrixs grave in the
Jersey City Cemetery not to exceed in
cost $500. Then to Miss Eveline Jones of
Jersey City is bequeathed a sewing ma
chine and broche shawl, and to Mrs.
Emily Smith, wife of James Smith, of this
city, is left 5000. All the remainder of the
estate is bequeathed ito my friend,
Zebina K. Pangborn.' The will is wit
messed by Charles B. Hughes and George
H. Ettlich, of No. 418 Bergen avenue. To
the document Miss Jones affixes cher
mark
Major Pangborn in speaking of the will
said that he was surprised when he found
that he was the legatee. Miss Jones,
he said, was a servant in his family and
at the same time Captain Hilton and his
wife boarded in the same house with the
Major. Captain Hilton married a daugh-
ter of the late Congressman Clark of
Maine, and is a wealthy and prominent
citizen of Brooklyn. The Capt In had, Of
course, no knowledge of the existence of
any will when Miss Jones gave to him the
money in the bank.