This is an appeal by Ellen Gheen, the administratrix with the will annexed of the estate of Isabelle G. Boyle, deceased, and one of the legatees under the will of said deceased, from certain portions of the decree of final distribution.
Isabelle G. Boyle died testate on December 13, 1932, leaving a holographic will dated May 9, 1928, the main provisions of which will were as follows:
“I give to my sister-in-law Rachel Boyle my diamond pin and my watch in remembrance of her kindness to my Mother while she lived and to me after her death.
“I give to Sacred Heart Church $200.00 for Masses for the deceased members of my family.
“All other money I may die possessed of after all my bills are paid, I wish divided in six (6) equal parts—1 part for Rachel Boyle—1 part Mary Boyle—(my sisters in law 1 part for the children of my deceased Brother Edward Boyle—1 part for Annie Wilkinson—1 part for my sister Ellen Gheen 1 part for my God-child Eleanor Wilkinson.
“I give to my sister Ellen F. Gheen the deeds of the grave in Holy Cross cemetary with the use of the grave not yet opened (all others having been disposed of—also all my personal property not all ready disposed of.
“I give to my friend Mrs. E. Burke of 308 Waller St. (for her kindness to me) $400.00.” (Italics ours.)
Upon the hearing of the final account the trial court found that the following constituted the estate subject to distribution: Money in bank, $1127.72; diamond pin, appraised at $50; watch, appraised at “no value”; and cor
Appellant contends that the trial court erred ‘.‘in deciding that the third bequest in the will of all other money of which the testatrix died possessed included the shares of corporation stock”. In our opinion this contention must be sustained. The entire question revolves around the meaning of the word “money” as employed in paragraph three of the will. Section 106 of the Probate Code provides: “The words of a will are to be taken in their ordinary and grammatical sense, unless a clear intention to use them in another sense can be collected, and that can be ascertained.” There is no doubt that the word “money” when taken in its ordinary and grammatical sense does not include corporate stocks. Thompson on Wills, section 215, says, “In its usual and ordinary acceptance it means, gold, silver, or paper money used as a circulating medium of exchange, and does not embrace notes, bonds, evidence of debt, or other personal or real estate, and this popular and well understood meaning should be given to the word when used in a will, unless from a consideration of the entire instrument it was intended by the testator to have a broader meaning and to include notes, bonds and other securities.” Also in 18 Ruling Case Law, at page 1270, we find the following: “Where there is nothing in a will calling for a construction of the word ‘money’ in any other than its popular and legal jneaning it will be confined to gold and silver and other circulating medium of the country, whether in the personal possession of the testator or deposited in the bank.” (See, also, 14 C. J., p. 388, sec. 511; Redfield, Law of Wills, p. 413.)
We are fully aware that the word “money” has been given a broader significance under certain circumstances. Respondents cite and rely upon
Estate of Carrillo,
The portions of the decree of final distribution from which this appeal was taken are reversed with directions to the court below to enter a decree consistent with the views expressed herein.
Nourse, P. J., and Sturtevant, J., concurred.
