58 N.C. 16 | N.C. | 1859
The questions in this case are presented by James T. Roper and Green D. Tyson, executors of the last will of Thomas Roper, who, for their protection, ask the advice of the court. The clause of the will upon which the main question arises and which is residuary is sufficiently recited in the opinion of the Court, and all the facts and other provisions of the will necessary to a proper elucidation of the case appear in the opinion also.
Cause set down for hearing upon bill, answers, and exhibit. The bill is filed by the plaintiffs, as executors of Thomas Roper, for the purpose of obtaining the advice of the Court as to the proper construction of the thirteenth clause of the will of their testator. That clause is in the following words: "I will and direct that all cash in hand, etc., and every other species or description of property (17) not otherwise devised or named in this will that I may own at my death shall be divided equally among the following heirs: My son, John W. Roper; my grandson, John T. Roper; Mourning Capel's children, that she has now or may hereafter have; Nancy Tyson's children, that she has now or may have hereafter; Martha Gay's children, that she has now or may hereafter have; James T. Roper's children, that he has now or may have hereafter, each one to share an equal proportion, share and share alike." *29
The first and main question is, do the children of the testator's three daughters and those of his son James take per capita with his son John W. Roper and his grandson John T. Roper? Or do the legatees mentioned in this clause take per stirpes?
The general rule in bequests of this kind is that the persons described in a class take in the same way as if each individual composing the class were called by his proper name, and, therefore, that each takes a share with the other persons named among whom the division is to be made. This is clearly shown by the cases of Northey v. Strange, 1 Peer Williams, 340; Blackler v. Webb, 2 ibid., 383; Ward v. Stowe,
The main question upon which the executors desire the instruction of the Court being thus settled, there is no difficulty in disposing of the others. *31
No time for the division being fixed by the will, the parties were entitled to have had it made as soon after the death of the testator as the executors were ready to make a final settlement of the (20) estate.
The shares to which the children of the daughters and son James are respectively entitled may be paid over to their respective guardians. The share of each class will be subject to division among the children born or to be born. When any child of a class shall come of age and demand his share, he may be required to give security for refunding if the birth of another child in his class shall render it necessary.
PER CURIAM. Decree accordingly.
Cited: Feimster v. Tucker, post, 74; Burgin v. Patton, post, 427;Chambers v. Reid,