Case Name: Thomas Powell and others v. The Executor of Sterling Powell, dec'd
Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
Jurisdiction: North Carolina
Decision Date: 1818-07
Citations: 2 Mur. 326
Docket Number: 
Parties: Thomas Powell and others v. The Executor of Sterling Powell, dec’d.
Judges: 
Reporter: North Carolina Reports
Volume: 6
Pages: 326–327

Head Matter:
Thomas Powell and others v. The Executor of Sterling Powell, dec’d.
HVo,n ftobeson-
V'vise. One by Ills will, after giving several small legacies, directed his executors to sell the remainder of liis estate both real and personal, not before disposed of, and after paying his debts, to dispose of ijie proceeds as they mig-lit think proper; Held, that this clause absolved the executors from responsibility to any one, as to every part of the personal estate, which had not by operation of the will come Into their hands subject to á trust,
Vhere a testator gives to his executors (as in this esse he does) all the rest of his estate not before disposed of he leaves nothing which the next of bin can claim, for their claim is founded oh a partial tu~ testai;!/.
This was a bill filed for distribution of the slaves of Sterling Powell, deceased. He by his will gave several small legacies, and then directed his executors to sell the remainder of his estate, both real and personal, not before disposed of, and after paying the debts; to dispose of the proceeds as they might think proper. The negroes were included in the residuary clause, ami it was submitted to this Court to decide, whether, as the testator bad not given the negroes to his executors directly, but simply authorised them to sell and dispose of the proceeds, the next of kin were not entitled.

Opinion:
Seawexi, Judge,
delivered the opinion of the Court:
The residuary clause of the will, by authorising the executors to dispose of the surplus of tiie estate as they might think proper, absolved the executors, who are the legal owners of the personal estate, from accountability to any one ; and this want of accountability goes to every part of the personal estate, which had not, by the operation of the will, come into the hands of the executors, subject to a trust.
When the legatee dies in the life-time of the testator, and the legacy becomes lapsed ; or when the devise is void, and on that account cannot take effect, they shall pass into the residuum of the estate and the testator having given to the executors, all the rest of his, estate nob before disposed of, leaves nothing which the next of kin can claim ,• for their claim is founded upon a partial intestacy. Let the bill be dismissed.