Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-11-20


Secretary. Oriental Building
Association. Nov. 16, 1851.
ALSO attached are three
other sheets, headed "Anst0er
to Question No. 37.~
With reference to that part Of
the question having to do with
inheritance or interest in family's
estate. the following is submitted
Commencing in 1908. my father
William F. Barrett. now deceased
began to acquire real estate in the
District of Columbia. taking title
in his own name. At the time OF
his death on March 6. 1916. the
land records of the District Of Co.
iumbia showed that my father
died seized and possessed Of some
sixty-four (64 pieces of property
in his name, with the exception OF
eight 90 parcels which were held
in the joint names Of my father
and mother. Attached hereto is
photostat copy Of the list of prop
critics prepared by my mother
prior to her death, the handwrit-
ing on the second page thereof
being her own. After my father
death, and in order to comply with
the law, an inheritance tax was
duly prepared and filed. The
properties were appraised for tax
purposes by competent real estate
men in the District Of Columbia
and submitted to the Bureau of
Internal Revenue for its approval.
The properties were appraised at
approximately $137 10000. After
negotiations with the proper off,
icials of the bureau this appraisal
was increased approximately
$40, 10000 and the taxes paid On
that adjustment.
My father died intestate. Upon
his death the six children, includ-
ing myself. entered into an agree
ment with my mother whereby
she would receive the gross income
from the entire estate so long as
she lived and to that end an as
Signment of that estate unto her
was prepared and duly executed
by all children. A copy of the
assignment is hereto attached.
Although we did not receive our
distributive share, each child paid
his income tax on the assumption
that it was received and proper
returns made thereon.
Upon the death of my mother,
which occurred on April 81. 1948,
she having died intestate, title to
all Of these properties, by opera
ton of law, vested in myself and
my five brothers and sisters.
Numerous real estate houses have
collected the rents and managed
the properties, with the exception
Of one or two small ones for which
the rents were collected for a short
period Of time in cash by my
younger sister. and an accounting
made to the rest of us. BY agree
ment Of the family my older sis
ter, Marie E. Lanahan. and my
other sister. Margaret B. Ahearn,
undertook by agreement the re-
sponsibility by making the repairs,
paying taxes and doing all things
necessary for the conservation of
the property. save and except the
collection of rents. after which
quarterly checks were drawn to
each of the children starting ap-
proximately December, 1948, to
date.
My brother, John F. Barrett,
died in Providence Hospital on
June IA, 1851. He was unmarried.
At the time of his death investi-
CATION disclosed that he owned
jointly with my sister, Margaret
Ahearn, approximately $4,000
worth of securities and four
houses. My sister took title thereto
Immediately by operation of law,
but. with the consent of the other
members of the family, same were
sold in open market and distribu-
ton made Immediately by my sis
ter to the remaining brothers and
sisters covering their shares of
Johns estate. He also died in
testate. ! received as my share of
this distribution $3.210.95, which
check was delivered to me, as I
recall, in October. 1851. My brother
John also left four pieces of real
estate listed on a separate sheet
with the appraised value for sales
purposes indicated. When sold I
should receive one-fifth interest
therein.
So far as the expenses incident
to this vast undertaking, it would
be humanity impossible for me, at
this time, to give you the details.
I had nothing to do with the pre-
Iparation of tax returns. That was
done by my sisters, with the aid
of competent tax counsel and re-
turns made thereon faithfully each
year. I made appropriate returns
on all monies received by me for
my distributive share as reflected
on the statements given to me by
my sisters. Internal Revenue has
examined all returns made on the
estate and so far as know, every
thing has been paid which was
legally found to be due and owing
to the Government.
Some time in July Of 1947, I
decided to purchase a beach cot
ltage at Colonial Beach, Va, for
1.-THE use Of myself and my family
and with the further idea OF pro-