The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-19
BILLINGS ESTATE GIFTS MADE,
$1,000. 900 SENT TO 1O2 SELECTED
OBJECTS OF CHARITY.
Executors Of the Late n. G, Biilmgs, Whs
Left s3,OOO.OOO. Had a, o0O. 900 70
Distribute 70 Charitable institutions
as They Saw Pft-s3OO, 900 Left.

Distribute 70 Charitable institutions
as They Saw Fft-s3O0. 900 Left
BosroN, April 1s.-During the last three
days checks to the total amount Of more
than 81 ,0Oo, 600 have been mailed by Thomas
MINIS. one Of the executors OF the estate
Of the late Robert c. Billings OF Boston TO
l02 of the 1877 institutions selected by sdr.
Minis and Joseph s. Kendall. the other
executor, in following out the desires Of
Mr.. Billings TO divide the residue OF his
property. after paying certain private and
public requests, among charitable in
stitutions.
The checks. (which were drawn upon
sight banking institutions here where the
executors had deposited the funds left In
their care, we're for various amounts, rang
ing from 81 600 to 500 600. the latter sum
being the amount given by the executors
70 the Boston Public LIBRARY and which
is the largest gift ever made to this institu-
ton. All the checks were drawn by Mr..
Minis, who was authorized by Mr.. Kendall
to take charge Of this part OF the work In
settling up the estate.
The executors were instructe ed by Mr..
Billings in his will TO use their discretion
in selecting the institutions and the amount
they were to give to each. There Is now
In the hands Of the executors about $500 900
to be apportioned among the remaining
twenty-nine institutions and such others
as they may decide upon in the future.
Only recently Mr.. Minis and MIR. Kendall
decided TO make a gift 70 the Boston Chill
dren's Aid Society, and, with the sweeping
authority given them by Mr.. Billing'e will,
they can take as much time as they care
TO in disposing OF the residue.
Already word has come to Boston telling
OF the receipt Of checks by various institu-
tior.s. Exeter Academy received $40 900, and
the Teachers Mutual Benefit Association
Of Boston 5000; 50 1t can be seen that
all the institutions received substantial
gifts. The executors are not willing to
make public the amount given to each in
stitution. They were guided in apportion-
ing the money by the size, needs and work
of each.
Robert c. Billings was an old Boston
merchant, who amassed fortune Of about
5000 900 In the dry goods commission
business. He died on June II. 1899. at the
age Of 50, at his home In Jamaica Plain
and left no descendants. By his will rela-
tives and friends were remembered. and
the following public requests were made:
Harvard University. 100000; Massachu-
sets Institute Of Technology. 500 900;
Massachusetts, Institute Of Technology,
to found the Billings Student Fund.-
$4,000; Museum OF Fine Arts. 100000;
Massachusetts, General Hospital, $4,000;
New England Hospital for Women and
Children. $4,000; Children's Hospital,
5000: Massachusetts, Charitable Eye and
Ear lnfirmary, $50, 000 Perkins Institute
for the Blind. S25 900. The sum Of S27o 600
was divided among twenty-four other
institutions and organizations In sums Of
from 81 500 TO $4,000 each.
In the will and a codicil Mr.. Billings named
Mr. Minns, Matthew Luce and Joseph 8.
Kendall as executors, and adds In the will
that after paying the requests named
amy sum still remaining shall be disposed
OF by my executors, they using their best
judgment and taste in doing So By q
codicil attached to the will, executed In
1895, Mr.. Billings said:
Whereas by said will provided that
any sums still remaining shall he disposed
Of by my executors, they using their best
Judgment and taste in doing 30; now in
order hat said charitable trust may not
fail for want Of definiteness or any other
cause, l give all the rest, residue and re-
mainder OF my estate TO my said executors
and the survivors or survivor Of them and
to his successor, In trust, nevertheless. to
apply the whole or any part OF the prin-
cipal and income. in their discretion, to
such charitable purposes as to them, or
the survivors or survivor OF them, or any
administrator with the will annexed, shall
seem proper, and for that purpose, give
to them the widest discretion and request
bond from them. or either Of them-and
that they may take all the time they please
In disposing of said residue"
After paying the requests named by Mr.