The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-08-06
others Charged in Negro Case

Sensational accusations are made agains
Lawyer John Meirs, of Camden city, in
bill filed in the Court of Chancery il
which Meirs, John Wilson and Ellen Rich
ardson are charged with defrauding thu
estate of the late Sarah Hendrickson, Of
Walnford, Monmouth county, out of dia
monds, stocks, bank accounts and heir
looms to the value of several thousand
dollars.
The accusations of the bill have created
almost as much of a sensation as did the
announcement Immediately after the death
of Mrs. Hendrickson, that all of her pro-
perty had been decided to her colored hired
man, John Wilson, shortly before her
death. Wilson, 1t appears, had worked
about the farm for about eight years. The
fact, however, that the old lady had deed
ed the property to Wilson created SEN
sation. Mrs. Hendrickson was 81 years of
age at the time Of her death, which occur
red on the farm at Walnford, March 18th
last.
Though thorough search was made for
a will it was learned that she had left none
1t was then that Wilson came forward
with the two deeds of all the personal and
real property belonging to the old lady.
These deeds are dated to the 22d day of
December and by them Wilson gets every
thing the woman possessed.
According to the bill filed he has already
shared up with Meirs and the Richardson
woman.
The bill recites that these deeds were
prepared by Lawyer Meirs and that there
after he got for the work from Wilson
diamonds to the value of four thousand
dollars and other personal property and
heirlooms, including several chests of sill
yer, to the value of fifteen thousand dol
lars.
The bill in the case was filed by Richard
G. Vain, of Allentown, Monmouth county,
who has been named as the administrator
of the estate. The Walns belong to the
old aristocratic families of PHILADELPHIA
and 1t is on behalf of all the heirs of the
dead woman that the bill is filed. These
heirs are; Richard G. Waln, George VAIN,
T. Ridgway VAIN, Emma VAIN, Robert
W. VAIN, Nicholas Vain, Anna Wills,
Elizabeth Meirs, Alfred VAIN, Richard
VAIN, Frank Vain, Ryers Vain, Sallie
Satterthwaite, Elizabeth Vain, Henry G.
VAIN, Mary E. VAIN, s. Morris VAIN,
Emma G. VAIN, Anna r. VAIN, Sarah
VAIN and Mary Wohl.
The bill sets out that the three defend
ants, John Wilson, John Meirs and Ellen
Richardson, by conspiracy and fraud, got
the old lady, who was enfeebled in mind
and body, to make the deeds of all her
property to Wilson and that the consider
alton named in one of the deeds for the
conveyance of the real estate to Wilson, is
fictitious.
Wilson, it is alleged. also took advantage
of the old ladY's infirmities, cut and sold
timber on the farm, sold stock to the ex-
tent of six thousand dollars and also col
lected rents and made no return of the
same.
The bill recites that Ellen Richardson
made her appearance at the home of Mrs
Hendrickson in 1905 as the cook for Will
son and occupied with him part of the
house.
1t declares that in 1905 John Meirs Dor
rowed of the old lady three thousand dol
lars, which was never paid back
In addition to the consideration named
in the deeds for the conveyance of the real
estate to Wilson is the further considera-
tion that he would take care of the old
lady for her life
The bill recites that at the time of the
Wilson was already indebted
to Mrs. Richardson in the sum of six
dollars.
There is also an allegation that in 1906
Meirs became proprietor of large grist
and grain mill which he still operates and
which was conveyed to Wilson by the
deed.
There is an allegation that the alleged
endeavored to induce Sarah
w. Nelson, niece and name sake ofISarah
to assign policy of insur-
ance to them of which she was the benefi-
ciary.
The correspondence in regard to this
matter is annexed to the bill and is made
a part thereof.
Here is copy of the letter written on
one of Meirs' letterheads:
John Meirs, Counsellor at Law,
100 Market ST., Camden, N J.
Camden, N. j., Jan. IA, 1907.
Mrs. Sallie VAIN Nelson, Allentown
N. ].
Dear Madam: Aunt Sallie (Mrs. Sarah
w. Hendrickson) desires to change the
beneficiary under the paid up policy No.
105471 of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insur-
ance Company issued to her for So, 1877 and
under which you are the beneficiary She
is advised by the home Office that the
easiest way to accomplish her purpose will
be to have you assign your interest and l
am sending you herewith the necessary
original and duplicate assignments for
your signatures.
enclose one dollar bill to satisfy the
named in the assignment.
l trust you will see the wisdom of execut-
ing these assignments rather than be sub
jected to the annoyance and inconvenience
to which you will be subjected by the
action Mrs. Hendrickson will take to &C
complish the same and by other means
viii you kindly send original policy Gf
you have it, with the assignment? For
your convenience / am enclosing you re-
turn addressed stamped envelope.
Yours truly,
JOHN MEIRs.
Die z.
Bell Phone 1129x.
In addition to the allegation that Meirs
got the four thousand dollars worth Of
diamonds and the fifteen thousand dollars
worth of silver from Wilson after the
death of Mrs. Hendrickson, there is also
an accusation that Ellen Richardson go
as her share from Wilson house at Cross
wicks, in Burlington county. She also, i
is alleged, got rake-off on the persona
property.
The prayer of the bill, which was FLEE
by John w. Wescott and Matthew Jeffer
son. for the administrator and the heirs |
that the defendants be enjoined from dis
posing of any of the stock and that the
also be compelled to give up two deeds TO
cancellation. and that the same be declare
null and void.
The rule to show cause asked for wa
granted by Vice Chancellor Howell |
Elizabeth, and is made returnab1e 0
September 8 next.
| Lawyer John Meirs was interviewed b
reporter of the Camden Courier. II