The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-04
WILL GAVE
RELATIVES
VERY LITTLE.
Warm Contest Expected Over
Sl5O,OOO Propsrty Of Edward
". HOx|and Of Little Compton

New Bedford, Sept. A-Recent develop
ments in reference to the estate OF the
late Edward w Howland OF Little Comp
ton, r. l., indicate the probability OF a
sensat tonal contest when his will Is pre-
sented for probate on Sept. IA, at the
meeting OF the town council.
Howland was a Quaker born and bred.
but In his personal traits was one OF the
most peculiar men OF this region. For many
consistent hatred for the law and
most peculiar traits was one OF the most
peculiar men or this region. For many
years past he had maintained a bitter and
legal things, and there was some surprise
expressed when II was recently learned
that he had recognized law sufficiently 10
make a will.
But IL was certainly made, and is safe
~ locked I'm the safe OF Town Clerk John
Il. Taylor OF Little Compton. pending the
meeting OF the town council and proba to
board From an authentic source IT is
learned that Mr.. Rowland has left the
great bulk OF his property 10 the West
port Monthly Meeting OF Friends, of
which he was formerly n member
He was supposed TO be worth not far
from $4,000. and after providing sum
sufficient TO yield a comfortable annuity
To his widow has left the residue 10 the
Westport Meeting. Whether he has spe-
cially or merely by omission cut off his
other relatives cannot be learned. These
nearest relatives are cousins, among
them Capt Franklyn Howland Of Acush-
net, Asa r. Rowland OF Chicago, Mrs
Elizabeth Gray and Isaac Rowland OF
Little Compton. John Hicks of Tiverton
ard Joseph Hicks OF Fall River.
QUESTION OF LEGAL MARRIAGE.
Inc nrst sensational question likely to
be raised IN Howland's affairs Il
whether or not the partner OF his joys
and sorrows for quarter OF century
and now purporting to be his widow.
was ever rally married to ham. II Is a
matter debated pro and con for years.
but is now likely to be a legally brought
to test.
She Us now about 10 years OF age. The
explanation given most lately by the old
man, and the woman also. Is that they
married themselves after the Quaker
fashion. stood up In the meeting house
and declared their intention OF being
husband and wife for nfe They are
said TO have admitted that no witness
was present at the time
The records OF the Westport Monthly
Meeting. however, show no declaration OF
Intentions OF marriage between Rowland
and any one. nor were the required IN
vestigations made by any COMMITTEES of
the meeting as to the eligibility OF the
parties. The town clerks OF Little
Compton and westport have no record
on their books showing any marriage or
any intentions OF marriage
Mr. Howland stated not long before his
death that he had no desire 10 leave his
relatives any OF his money. He said a.
was his fathers money. and none OF the
relatives had ever done anything for him
or his father, except TO try to have him
put under guardianship seven or eight
years ago.
He knew that II would have been his
fathers wish that he Westport meeting
have the funds. and so he proposed 10
carry out his fathers wishes. This de-
cision was indicative Of Mr. Howlands
charity Of mind; II indicated that ne bore
the meeting no animoslty for having dis
owned him as a member 10 years ago
as appears hy the record
Mr.. Howand refused 20 pay what he
thoughta excessive taxes but with equal
consistency he overpaid when he thought
the assessors were not charging MIN
enough. For several years past his an
nual check exceeded the clai mof the
town by something over $40. Annually
the town treasurer would send him back
n check for tho excess. hut tin the pres
ent day none Of these has ever been ac-
cepted.
There are IN the banks OF this sec
tnn many thousands or dollars In de-
posits and hank stock belonging 10 the
estates Of his father mother and broth
ers. When ne applied for these sums
the bank officials refused 90 give them
up TN he should take out administrat tion
papers and settle their estates But he
refused on account ~ his disgust for
courts. and today those estates remain
unadministered.
He r. said 10 have believed 10 the
last that brother. Thomas. who was
lost at sea many years ago. would
sooner or later come home and claim his
rights I'm the estates.