The New York herald., 1920-01-06
V|sCOUNT AsTOR'S
PERSONAL ESTATE
WILL FILED HERE
Leaves Bulk of 1000, to
Younger Son and $780,
900 to Employees.

A photograph copy OF special, or
limited. will of Viscount William Waldorf
by him about month before his death.
was filed for probate in the Surrogates'
Court yesterday and disposed of what re-
mained of his estate in America after
transferring his vast realty holdings to
his sons a few months before.
only personal property remained for Wis
count Astor to bequeath, and this. the
petition of the executor. the Farmers
Loan and Trust Company. stated was
valued at ''more than $1Oo 600" LAWYERS
who presented the will refused TO give any
estimate OF Viscount Astor's holdings AS
the bulk of his fortune was represented
in real estate, the probabilities are that
his personal property will not go far be-
yond s. .o0o, 000
Except for specific bequest of $4,000,
which is to be distributed among en-
ployes Of the Astor estate offices. at No.
q West Twonty-sixth street, Viscount
Astor left all of his American property to
his younger son, John -acob Astor The
latter is made residuary legatee without
any reservations in favor of his elder
brother, Waldorf Astor, or sister, Mrs
Pauline Spencer Clay, both OF London,
England.
Transferred Realty to Sons.
Last August, two months before
Viscount Astor died. he caused the trans
fer of his realty holdings in this city to
his two sons. The properties were then
estimated to have value of $50 0OO OO0
Because of the proximity of transfer to
his death It is more than likely that the
State Controller will endeavor to assess
an inheritance tax against these proper
ties upon the ground that the gifts were
made causea Inorts, or in contemplate
of death.
Should any move OF this character be
made by Controller Eugene NJ. Travis. il
will undoubtedly be contested When this
situation was called to the attention of a
Mr.. Elders. OF the law firm OF Gelier
Rolston & Blanc. attorneys for the New
York executor, the lawyer refused to
make comment.
Viscount Astors will was unusual in
that the testator definitely said it was ap-
plicable only to his estate in America and
did not affect the disposition of his prop
critics elsewhere. He said the instrument
vas to have the same effect as If he We e
domiciled in New York
Signed In Firm Hand.
The will was drawn on September Ii
last, and attested by ]. G.. Cobb, T. Hugh
Cobb and Eustace H. Barchard. London
solicitors. 1t consisted of two pages and
the signature OF Viscount Astor was
written in firm, even hand.
The petition accompanying the photo
graphic will stated that Eiscount Astor
died october 49, 1919. at Hever Castle.
County Of Kent, England. leaving only
personal property in New York city and
in no other county Of the State.
There are ten benefciaries who will
participate in the $4,000 bequest to en-
ployes of the Astor estate offices. accord
ing to the petition. These are Clarence
w. Baldwin. Thomas A. McQuillen,
Charles III. Glass, Frederick Nj. Heath,
Arthur J.. Davies. Carl S. George, John
| ]. Shean, Camille NJ. Wium. Mary X.
Campbell and Patrick b. Mcmahon.
Waivers Of citation sworn to before Vice
Consul Richard Westcott. in London,
Eng, by Viscount Astor's three children.
are attached to the papers, indicating that
they have no objection to the probate of
the will.