12 N.C. 67 | N.C. | 1826
This case, which is reported
Suppose one of the brothers had died after the date of the will and before the testator, leaving ten children: the surviving brother or sister of the testator would have to share equally with all these children, to get, instead of a third or a *50 fourth, only a twenty-fifth part, or less if there were more children. The testator having in his will given a legacy to his brother, thereby noticing that he is alive, the word heirs is to be construed heirs apparent, not only as to his (69) heirs, but as to all where the parents are alive — that is, where it is necessary.
I must confess I feel some difficulty as to the double portion of Levi Ward, but the strong inclination of my mind is, and so I must decide, that he is entitled to one-fourth under the description given by name, and to one-half of one-fourth under that "of heirs of Sally Ward."
The former decree must be set aside, and the decree of the Superior Court reversed; for by that Levi Ward was allowed only half of one-third, whereas he is entitled to three-eights, to wit, one-fourth, and one-half of one-fourth. Let it be decreed that the estate be divided into four equal parts, and that one-fourth be allotted to the heirs of John Ford, one-fourth to the heirs of Nancy Stow, one-fourth to the heirs of Sally Ward, and one-fourth to Levi Ward.
The authorities which perplexed us in this case relate entirely to personal property.
Decree reversed.
TAYLOR, C. J., dissented.
Overruled: Ward v. Stowe,