New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
BIG ESTATE IN COURT
FIGHT BEGIN IN 1889.
Benjamin Richardson's Property
TaIued at HiIIi0ns.

The affairs Of the estate Of Fe~+anlin Richardson,
an eccentric millionaire which already have gone
through many legal proceedings and for years have
been the subject OF bitter family quarrel, are
again scheduled fer court action
One move is made by William B Richardson,
grandson Of the dead man, set aside peace
agreement made between the heirs and the execu-
tors in 1885, under which i was hoped that the
pending litigation would be settled. Some Of the
heirs needed money and thus were interested in eX-
peditinS the settlement of The estate, which has
beer Vdriousy estimated at between S3,e2ooe and
Sl5V00.90- Ten years have ELAPSED since the peace
agreement went effect, but there is yet no
peace IN the family. In fact, new i igation is
likely 10 bring about further long-dr out hos
tility.
Another action is brought for the removal Of Will
lam T Nashburn. the surviving executor Of the
estate, the ground OF malfeasance. This action
has been referred TO Edward B. Whitney referee
The complaint in the motion TO set aside the
peace agreement" and declare it null and VOID
shows alleged expenditure by the executor Of $685.
500 between 1883 and 1888 The motion is also made
to resc!nd all the orders Of the Surogate's Court
based upon the peace agreement"
Captain Ben 'DnCle Ben Richardson as
the man over whose estate this fight is waged was
famiarly known harlem. where he lived for
many years. and where ne died, was brother OF
the late spite House Joseph Richardson, who was
also well known for his eccentricites-
Captain Ben built The foundation OF his fortune
in California in 1sI9 during the gold feTer cpl
dernic He took shiIIoad Of groceries and pre-
visions the Pacific Coast. going around cape
Horn He exchanged these for gold dust With the
money that he made Of this venture he built
docks in san Francisco For the last eight years OF
his life Richardson lived on 18th street, between
Park and Madison avenues. He was then in tfe
secondhand building material business. Ills home
was q peculiar square rooted flame house he
made portholos OF the windows and mounted
Quaker guns il The garTet- de called the place
Fort Lincoln Richardson died in 1883.
ACCORDING 10 Ihe complaint fled by v lllam &
Richardson BENJAMIN Richardson owned. among
other property. eleven houses Last ll5th street
dock property IN Brooklyn. known as Brooklyn
Docks and plots OF land II Nestchester County,
Long Island. New Jersey. Missouri and California
The complaint alleges also that the executors did
not use due anu reasonable care and diligence in
and about the sale Of real and the liquidation
Of affairs Of Benjamin Richardson utterly failed 10
carry out the covenants by them agreed TO in the
peace agreement. and -eckessly aud eXtrava-
sanity managed the affairs Of the said estate that
neither plaintiff any Of the benefactors who
executed the agreement has received any OF the
proceeds
Some Of -he parties TO the peace agreement
were Ella T. GouverneIr, Louis B. Birdsall. Philo-
1nena A Cooper. Joseph 3. Richardson William
T. Nashburn, Mrs. Emma J. Richardson and Mrs.
Nary R W2shburn- Mrs Richardson was the
widow OF the tesJato-, and Mrs. Washburn, wife Of
William T Wash5urIl- was her niece
The peace agreement grew out Of the delay of
Surrogate Arnold in acting in proceeding for the
five years without decision. AM so the heirs Ell
tered into the agreement. The document provided
among other things that William T. Washburn
should proside funds for the liquidation of the
affairs of The Richardson estate 10 meet pressing
needs.