Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-31
John A. Brown, 0ctogenarian,
Regulated Rachel Richardson
Testament FILED TODAY
He Died August IL, Leaving $51 900
Estate.
WERE MARRIED, SAYS WOMAN
Suit for Annulment Now Pending in
Court-Claimed he Was
Unconscious.

The will of John 4. Brown, the octO-
cenarian. who last December applied to
the District Supreme Court for the annul-
'ment Of a marriage contract with Rachel
Anne Richardson entered into only three
weeks previous. was filed today for pro-
bate The will was executed December
IS. 1907, four days after the suit was
filed, and specifically declares the tes-
tator 10 be unmarried. His estate is val
ued at $1,000
He denies the ceremony was performed
with his consent and repudiates paper
said to bear his signature and of which
he expresses fear that it may be in the
nature of testamentary paper.
The will reads: II hereby emphaticaily
declare that l am unmarried. 1t having
been reported to me that an alleged cere-
mony of marriage had been performed
between myself and one Rachel Anne
Richa rdson, by reason whereof she claims
TO be my lawful wife. | have instituted
proceedings to undo what she has fraudu-
uently done and have this day given my
sworn testimony denying my consent 10
said marriage. the same having been per-
formed when was very ill and helpless.
1T further having been reported to me
that my signature has been procured to
a paper of which l have no knowledge,
but which was. l am informed, laid be-
fore me by Rachel Anne Richardson No
vember 70. 1907. and fearing the same
may be a will and that my wishes to
the disposition of my property may be
frustrated, / make this will for the ex-
press purpose of re-executing will
drawn by me in Baltimore in 1,sO2, with
some changes.
Bulk Goes to "Best Friend
Monetary bequests are made as follows:
William H. Appleton of New York city.
LOCO; William r. Holcomb, 500; James
F. Gotwals of Philadelphia. $3.50: Mrs.
Van SERVER, $3.50; Blanche Tomb. $500;
Mary Haus, $40o: Agnes Crow. $500. and
Emma c. Delaney of Philadelphia, a
niece, $1,000.
The remaining estate is devised to Miss
Mary S. Reeves of Philadelphia. who is
described as my best friend" Miss
Reeves and Benjamin III. Schwartz, law
yer of Philadelphia. are named as ex-
ecutors. No provision is made for Rachel
Anne Brown. or Richardson. nor for his
sister. Mary A. Delaney of Philadelphia,
who Is named as his sole next of kin.
The petition of the executors for the
probate of the will declares that MIR.
Brown died August II. leaving an estate
comprising a fund of $4,000, held by r..
o. Moon. as committee Of the person and
estate of Mr.. Brown, who was adjudged
insane April D last, and household eff
fects and personal belongings worth 600
He owned no real estate. The debts Of
the estate are estimated at $4,000.
Was Married, She Asserts.
The claim of Rachel A. Richardson that
she was married to the testator November
%. 1907. is set out in the petition. as is
also the suit for an annulment, instituted
by Mr.. Brown. now pending for decision
in the District Supreme Court. In this
proceeding the old man claimed that
when the ceremony was performed he
was suffering from the effects Of a stroke
of apoplexy and in an unconscious condi-
tion.
Prior to the alleged marriage. he claim
ed. Rachel Anne Richardson had been
lawfully married to one r. r.. Bruner
Goodman and that the marriage had not
been legally dissolved or terminated
The marriage license record shows that
Rachel Anne Richardson secured the IL
cense November %. 1907, and gave the
age of Mr.. Brown as only sixty-two and
her age as thirty-eight years. The re-
turn of Rev. j. B. Mclaughlin shows the
ceremony was performed on the same day.
DIR. Mclaughlin denies that the old man
was unconscious at the time of the cere-
mony and declares he expressed his ac-
duiescence in the proceeding.
In her answer Mrs. Brown says Mr.
Brown was not taken to Sibley Hospital
until day after the marriage and that
she did not know that he was more than
eighty years old when she gave his age
as sixty-two years, which age she de-
clares he gave her. Size admits he was
sick, but denies he was unconscious OF
not in the enjoyment of his mental facul-
ties.
Knew Him for Five Years.
Their acquaintance, she says. covered
five years. and she was several times
importuned by him. she AYERS, to marry
him. For many months she states lie was
her daily companion and she cared for
him and nursed him when i'll. mended his
clothes, did his errands and conducted
his correspondence.
She asserts that he mace all the ar
rangements for the wedding, including
the purchase of the ring uefore he was
taken iii. His trunk was packed. she
stated. and accommodations arranged for
the wedding trip.
Counsel for Mrs Brown. or Richardson,
was out OF town today and their decis-
ION as to a contest over the admission of
the will could not be learned.