The Sun. — 1853-01-24 (London, England)

SINGULAR CASE. This was a matter of proof in solemn form of law ol will of Miss Margaret Creak, late of the city of ; and the probate was opposed by Mr. Ham2-,,nd in right of his wife, who was cousin to the dee. sed and nearest of kin. The testatrix was a person of advanced years and of -nitric habits. In the year 1842, her sister Sarah, an old maid, and with whom she had resided, died, her a property amounting to upwards of 14,000/. ; -id from that period to the time of her own death, which recurred on the sth of June, 1850, she had lived aione. appears to have been very ignorant and of very refined tastes and conversation. Her reputed ti th had caused her to be much courted by a .eer of persons, who claimed to be her rela. and on market days they endeavoured to itiate her by presents of eggs and chickens, and tike rural offerings. The testatrix used very gra,..cisly to receive these gifts, but she used always to act )napany the act with a repudiation of her soi disant ingsfolk.. For many years before her death a neigh! :a- of hers, Mr. Woolner, a chemist, was in the habit 'raying her great attention, and transacting her affairs her: and after her demise a will was propounded by .d, of which the following is a verbatim copy : " The last Will and Testament of me Margaret Creak the City of Norwich spinster. I bequeath to the i2ouseless in London Ireland and Scotland of each Fifty ouhds I give the following Legacies to Anne Colsey of 6. Andrew's Twenty Pounds to Ann Clarke of St. Anrdw's Five Pounds five Shillings to Margaret Mills of Martin's Two pounds ten shillings to Mary Simpson T:verity-one shillings and to each of my relatives the sum. of one shillings if they prove it I leave all my real estate .for the purpose of building an Hospital for destitute, Foreigners (not under the age of Sixtyeityht years) Men and Women The Men to wear blue C,;ats and Trousers and yellow waistcoats and black ons—The women's dress to be purple stuff shot orange checked aprons and handkerchiefs. I wish a stone to be placed on the building—This Hospital was erected by the Misses Creaks of Saint Andrew's Norwich. I leave all my personalls of whatever description to Mr. John Woolner of Norwich Druggist to whom I appoint Executor. "The following is a description of my property an Estate facing St. Andrews Hall Garden lately occupied by the Rev. Norris deceasei one lately occupied by Arr. John Mallett one by Mr. Joseph Colman .!. one by Mr. Lancelot Dashwood with a thoroughfare opposite St. Michaels-place Churchyard a red br::,zed House facing the East End of St. Andrew's tur:.thyard occupied by Mr. Campbell houses occruied by Mr. Roberts the Town House Tavern pied by Mr. Stafford and now let to Youngs and -Leath Brewers King-street a red Bricked house occupied by Mr. John Staff Solicitor facing the North Side of St. A2ulrews Church and a red bricked corner house occupied by myself Ann Colsey and Mr. Esam if these three houses should at any time be pulled down I request that they shall be rebuilt as they now are low and the fronts White Washed. Five house down to the Red Rion with rightaway to the Street a red bricked house facing the South of St. Georges now occupied by Mr. Skepper and Mr. Charles Daniells Cottages in Fishgate Street, St. Clements with a rightaway to the River the East Cott:-,,ges in St. Augustines in a Yard called the boats Mans Call with privy and with a piece of ground attached. " Besides property in the Three and Three-and-Half per Cents. property in Gurneys' Bank and the East of _England Bank Norwich Mortgage on a house lately occupied by Mr. Charleswood facing the West end of St. Andrew's Church Yard Five hundred pounds in the Louse.  "January 13th 1844 " MARGARET CREAK,  " Witness "George Chatter, "surgeon. "John Hughes Hulme." The real estate left by the testatrix turned out to be worth about 5001. a year, and the personalty amounted to 30,000/. When the disposition of the property became known a great number of ramous imputing foul play to Mr. Woolner were put into circulation ; and they arpea.red to have had such an effect upon his mind that he committed suicide. The case set up on behalf of the next kin was that Miss Creak was a person of intoxicatod habits and had signed the will (which was in the hand Writing of Mr. Woolner), while she was not in a condition to understand its purport. On the other hand, there were various allegations in support of the document ; amongst others a statement by Mr. Lancelot Dashwood to the effect that prior to 1842, he was a favourite of the deceased; but that having in that year rilnrrie'd contrary to her wishes she had become exceed-si,gly incensed at him. She called him a viper, and said that she meant to make Woolner a gentleman ; that he would see Woolner riding in his carriage; and that he would be glad to touch his hat to him. In 1849 Mr. Woolner having been a successful candidate for a seat in t;,e city council, she appeared to be greatly pleased, and sent money out to a band before her door, whom she dared to play "See the conquering hero comes." A -,•riety of other circumstances in support of the will ,-e also proved in evidence. Ors. Jenner and Bayford appeared in support of Mrs. • )ert's claim, and the Queen's Advocate (with whom •„, Dr. Robertson) argued at great length against it. .--Ar John Dodson reserved his judgment.