New-York tribune., 1918-07-17
Relatives and Employees of
Lawyer to Share in
Many Bequests
Estate Is $4,000, 900
Miriam Osborn Home Among
Benevolent Institutions To
Be Remembered

Yale University will receive a gift Of
about $4,000, ,00O-one of the largest
in its history-by the will of the late
dohn Sterling, one of the best known
lawyers in this country and a promi-
nent figure in the financial and social
spheres of the city, who died suddenly
July at the fishing lodge of Lord
Mount Stephen in Canada. The will
was filed for probate yesterday. 1t was
executed in 1912 and there is a codicil
made in 1915.
After numerous provisions in favor
OF relatives, friends, employees and va
rlous benevolent institutions, includ-
ing particularly the Miriam Osborn
Memorial Home, the entire residuary
OF an estate estimated at $20,00O0 900 is
left to Yale University.
Always Friend of Yale
Mr.. Sterling, who died in his seven
ty-eighth year, never married. His
active association with Yale began in
1860 Win his matriculation, and con-
tlnued at intervals until 1898, when he
received the degree Of LII. D. from the
university. According to friends and
the tone Of his will, he held his Alma
Mater closest to his memory through
out his long and active life This is
evidenced by a $4,000 bequest to the
Russell Trust Association, famous as
the "Skull and Bones" Society of Y0le.
The will provides for the erection
for the benefit of Yale University,
upon land selected by it, of at least
one enduring, useful and architecture
ally beautiful edfice, which will con-
stisute fitting memorial to my alma
mater" In the event of balance
after the building is erected. provisions
are made for the foundation of schol-
arships, fellowships or lectureships,
the endowment of new professorships
and the establishment Of special funds
for prizes.
Sisters Given Incomes
~ To his sisters, Mrs. Rufus w. Bun
nell and Miss Cordela Sterling, of
Stratford. Conn, his birthplace, he
gives most of his real estate in that
locality, including a home he built for
his mother. She died in 1905. He
creates, by the will, a trust fund of
$25O,000 for each of the sisters, giving
them the income for life. In Mrs. Bun
nelps case, the income will go to her
family al her death while Miss Ster-
ling can designate any corporations as
benehciaries in her will. In the ab-
sencc of such designation, the money
will go to Yale. A trust fund Of $780,
600 for Mrs. Bunnell's children is es-
tabllshed, while specific hequests of
$4,000 each are given to two of Mr.
Sterlings nephews
The Miriam Osborn Home. estab-
lished by Mr.. Sterling as executor for
the estate of Mrs. Miriam A. Osborn
wife of The late Charles J. Osborn
widely known stock broker, receives an
endowment Of $1,OOOOOO. Before Mr.
Sterling made the codicil in 1915, he
bequeathed it $500,00O The home
which cares for aged gentlewomen in
INDECENT circumstances, was opened in
1908. Mr.. Sterling actively managed
it during his life time The will pro-
vides thai building shall be erected
on the estate of the home, as a me-
mortal to his mother
John A. Carver, his "friend and part
ner," receives the goodwill of the law
firm of Shearman & Sterling. The testa-
tor rectes that his partner. Thomas G
Shearman, who died in 1900, made SIM
liar provisions in his will for Mr.. Ster-
ling. lie also gave Mr.. Carver the law
library and all books and documents
connected with the business. and as a
"slight token" of his friendship he
adds bequest of $4,000
Employees Are Remembered
To all those connected with his Office
who had been in his own or the firm 8
employment for at least five years prior
to his death he gives sum of money
equal to their compensation for the six
months before his death Miss Helen
G. Adams, his private secretary. re-
ceives in addition the income on a trust
fund of $4,000 created for her benefit.
Liberal provision is also made for his
housekeeper, valet and domestic SER
wants.
Other bequests include $500 to the
Presbyteria Hospital, of New York,
and $4,000 to the Bridgeport Hospital.
He provides for $50 900 to be spent,
under the direction of his sisters. for
any public object in his native town.
His two sisters, his lifelong friend
James O. Bloss, who had made his home
with the testator for more than forty
years, and George II. Church, long a
business associate of Mr. Sterling, are
named as executors.