Flynn v. Croniken

| N.Y. Sup. Ct. | Feb 15, 1853

Edwards, Justice.

By the first provision of the will, the testator directs his executors to pay his debts and funeral expenses, but he makes no mention of legacies. He then gives to his wife a specific legacy of $450, together with the unexpired lease of the premises which he then occupied, and all the household furniture and personal property within the dwelling-house, situated on the premises, excepting money and choses in action, and declares that such bequest and provision shall be in lieu of dower. After this he gives, devises, and bequeaths, all the rest and residue of his estate, both real and personal, of which he may die seized or possessed, to his mother.

The personal estate was not sufficient for the payment of the legacy of $450, and the question which is now presented is, whether it is a charge upon the real estate. It seems to me, that the provisions of the will, especially when taken in connection with the situation of the testator’s property, render it sufficiently apparent that the testator intended that the legacy should be paid out of his real estate, if necessary.

The legacy is not directed to be.paid by the executors. It is given in lieu of dower, which I think shows that the testator’s intention was, that it should be paid at all events; and the devise and bequest to his mother is not of any specified estate, but of the rest and residue of his real and personal estate. In the case of Aubrey agt. Middleton, (4 Vin. Ab. 463, sec. 15.) The word residue, when taken in connection with the other provisions of the will, was considered a sufficient indication of the testator’s intention to charge the legacies on the real estate. And in the case of Cole agt. Turner, (4 Russ. 376,) it was held by Sir G. Leach, that the word residue meant what remained after some prior purpose was satisfied, and that as no prior purpose was indicated, except the satisfaction of the annuity and legacies previously given, they were a charge upon the freehold. In the case of Nichols agt. Portelthwaite, (4 Dall. 131,) the same effect was given to the word residue.

I think that the legacy in question in this case is a charge upon the real estate, and the plaintiff is entitled to judgment accordingly.