39 N.C. 19 | N.C. | 1845
The case was this:
Richard Davidson by his will devised as follows: "I (20) leave my real estate to be sold, and the proceeds to be laid out in building convenient places of worship, free for the use of all Christians who acknowledge the divinity of Christ, and the necessity of a spiritual regeneration"; and be appointed the plaintiff his executor. The testator was a native of England and naturalized here; and he died without kindred in this country.
The bill is filed by the executor against the Attorney-General and the Trustees of the University, and the object is to obtain a construction of the will, and the directions of the Court, in respect to the sale of the land and the investment of the proceeds. The Attorney-General has not appeared in the cause. The Trustees of the University have answered and claimed the land, because the trust declared respecting it is not valid.
The doctrine of the Courts of this State is, that gifts to public and charitable uses will be sustained in equity, when not opposed to the express provisions or the plain policy of the law, provided the object is so specific that the Court can by decree effectuate it, by compelling the execution of the will, according to the intention of the donor, and keeping the subject within the control of the Court, so as always to have the will of the donor observed. This was carried as far as it could be, in the case arising under Griffin's will, Griffin v. Graham,
PER CURIAM. DECREED ACCORDINGLY.
Cited: Faribault v. Taylor,