10 Pa. 360 | Pa. | 1849
(after stating the case.) — It is very clear from the terms of the will, that the objects of the testator’s bounty were the children of his and his wife’s brothers and sisters; and, inasmuch as the bequest is to them as a class, those only who are in being at the time of the testator’s death can take. The leading principle, in relation to such a devise, is, that where a bequest is to children in a class, children in existence at the death of the testator are alone entitled, among which posthumous children are to be considered. And it will make no difference, that the bequest is to children begotten, or to be begotten: 2 Wms. on Ex. 727; 1 Bro. C. R. 532; Davidson v. Dallas, 14 Ves. 576; Scott v. Howard, 5 Mad. 332; Northey v. Burbage, Pre. Chancery, 470; Heath v. Heath, 2 Atk. 121; Isaacs v. Isaacs, Amb. 348. The same principle is also ruled in Pemberton v. Parke, 5 Bin. 607. Chief Justice Tilghman states the rule thus: Where a man devises a sum of money generally, to be equally divided among the children of A., those only who are in being at the death of the
Decree affirmed.