New-York tribune., 1914-03-30
Grandson Will Thus Be
come Richest l4-Year-
Old Boy in U. 5.
DOUBT ABOUT WILL
DELAYED DIVISION
'Testator, Founder of University
Mrs. William Watts Sher-
man, Beneficiary.

An order signed by Justice Weeks OF
the Supreme Court. enables Frank w.
Matteson. trustee Of the estate Of John
Carter Brown. founder of Brown Uni
versity, who died in 1874, leaving an es-
tate valued at more than S25,0c,oc0, to dis
tribute the estate that has so long been
delayed In settlement by legal proceed
ings based on the belief that the VIII
might be illegal in New York.
John Nicholas Brown, a grandson or
the testator. now fourteen years DID,
whose father. John Nicholas Brown. died
a few weeks before the babys birth
leaving 10 him a fortune which with
what ne got from his uncle, Harold
Brown. amounted to about sl0,00o0oc, Will
receive substantial part of his grand
fathers estate. The boys mother was
Miss Natalie Dresser a sister OF Mrs
George Vanderbilt and this added fort
une IL is believed. will make him the
richest boy Of his age I'm the United
States.
Acting on the report OF former Justice
Brown. as referee. Justice Weeks has de-
eided that the will of John Carter Brown
Is valid. the doubt having been raised by
the extension Of trust funds for longer
than two lives in being and twenty-one
years. While this phase affected only the
property OF the Brown estate in New
York State. the question of Legality pre-
vented the trustee from proceeding with
the administration OF the estate. when
is row MADE possible. Mr.. Matteson, the
trustee. brought suit year ago for a
construction Of the will in so far as 1t
was affected by the laws Of New YORK.
Most Of the estate IS IN Rhode Island and
he laws Of that state do not limit the
time Of trust funds as do the laws of
New York. so that the $4,000 worth OF
real estate in New York held up the dis
trtbution of the remainder OF the 5000
81 estate.
The case was ready for decision last
summer, but was delayed by the birth OF
child 10 Baron and Lady Camoys, the
latter before her marriage being Miss Mil
dred Constance Sherman, a daughter OF
Mrs. William Watts Sherman. of No. S5S
Fifth avenue. and granddaughter OF MI.
Brown. the testator. 1t then became nee
essary 10 malt the proceeding to appoint
A guardian for the infant. who was MADE
a PARTY 10 the action. Mrs. Sherman is
now the only surviving child Of Mr.
Brown. Before she married William
Watts sherman, whose first wife was
sister Of Senator Wetmore, Of Rhode ISL
and. she transferred her interest IN her
fathers estate TO trustees. The trust pro-
yided that she was to receive the income
from the trust property for the lifetime
Of her husband and at his death the
nroperty was 10 be returned TO her as her
absolute property. Mr.. Sherman died in
1911. lust before the marriage Of his
daughter TO Baron Camoys.
Brown University, Butler Hospital and
the Providence Public Library were large
benehciaries under the will Of Mr. Brown.
He put the residue of his estate in trust
10 pay an income OF $4,000 a year TO his
widow. the remainder 70 be paid semi
annually to the children and to the issue
Of deceased children until the Youngest
was tVcnty-one. The testator then di-
-ected that the entire estate be divided
equally among his children and the issue
Of his deceased children.
The two sons Of Mr. Brown died ten
DAYS apart They left the bulk OF their
estate 70 their sister. Mrs. Sherman and
the infant son of John Nicholas Brown.
When Mrs Brown. the widow Of the tes-
tator, died the entire estate became the
property Of Mrs. Sherman and her infant
nephew. John Nicholas Blown. Mrs.
Sherman also got the bulk Of her moth
erEestate. valued at more than 10000
The referee decided. and his findings are
now confirmed by Justice Weeks. that the
entire trust estate is 70 be divided be-
tween Mrs. Sherman and the fourteen
year-old boy, John Nicholas Brown. and
Mr.. Matteson. the trustee, is required TO
convey tho New York real estate to the
persons who are entitled TO it. The es-
tate for the boy will be turned over to
John G. Milourn, his guardian.