New-York tribune., 1902-05-09
THE WILL OFGORDONL. FORD
HE LEFT HIS PROPERTY TO SIN chill
DREN, DISINHERITING HIS
son MALCOLM

Soon after the death of Gordon L. Ford on No
vember II, 1881 at his home at No 81 Clark-st.
Brooklyn. his will was filed for probate at the
Surrogates Office, Brooklyn. At that time IT
said that the value OF his estate aside from his
library, was s250.OoO In his library was a unique
collection of autographs. valued than
100000, and the books. it was then said had an
historical and statistical value beyond their
literary merit
When Gordon L. Ford was stricken with the Ill
ness that caused his death it seemed as if he had
forgiven his son Malcolm for taking part in ath-
leuc contests against his wishes. To the astonish-
ment OF many persons. when the will OF Mr.. Ford
was nieo Tor probate with Surrogate Abbott Of
Brooklyn on November So 1881 Malcolm Ford was
not mentioned in IT, Malcolm later said that he
"ouiu get snare OF the estate. there had been
an agreement to that effect between himself and
his brothers and sisters before his father died At
the time Mr. Ford died it was said that his deatb
was due to gastric fever after an Illness of several
days
Malcolm brought suit before Justice Gavnor TO
compel his brothers and sisters 10 nerforn, the
@asreenent @ by which he alleged he was to have an
equal share with them in the estate OF his father
Ma ,cn T uELenGe F the waiver Of contest signed by
ment t6 ora tesdhed that they had made no agree
Of his getting some money If he gave up athletics
ctidr L. org Iurther said at the hearing of the
his father had contracted il from him. and that a
The decision was against Malcolm Justice Cav
nor IN deciding the case. said the evidence OF the
written agreement 10 sustain il.
IN teStltying at the hearing Malcolm told an in
tereStlng story He said he had really become
reconcied with his father before the latters dAarh
ne Said he moved TO his fathers house on Nav %
LaSi went TO Europe a few weeks later and on
that on the Sunday following the death of his
iather his brother Paul had said him: 'I think
you are left out Of the will but will take ca 70
OF you as long as you do not make any trouble
here Is no disgrace in il for you for both Worth
lngton and Cathartne left out Of a former
viii" He also said the other children had told
MN MN ne should have one-seventh Of the estate
atter certain bequestS paid. When the will
was read WorthinGton had asked him 10 sign the
papers, and he had gone 10 the Surrogate's office
Inc notary had said that he thought there was TO
pe contest and his brother had answered. "Oh
MS orotherS had not seemed disposed 10 Dut the
agreement in writing, and finally refused to do so
altogether. But there a positive understand
ing he said. that IL he did contest the will he
was 10 have share Of the estate
The Will of Gordon L Ford was
the witnesses being W. II TAYLOR and Louis n
irwin. The will bequeathed to two sons-WorthinE-
ton and Paul l.. Ford-the property known as
Nos 100 and 1o2 Pineapple-st.. Brooklyn, including
the two story library building the rear ana the
library The use and income OF the remainder OF
and at her death it be equally divided be
tween six chIldrer-kathreue Gordon Turtle Worth
ington Chauncey Ford. Rosalie Greenleaf Barr
Maoel Mayo smith. Paul Leicester Ford and Emily
Ellsworth Skeel. The executors were Worthington
G. Ford. Paul L. Ford and Professor Richmond
Of real estate investments
Professor Richmond Navo- Smith. a professor AZ
columbia University, fell from a window OF his
home and was killed several months ago