Following the method of computation adopted in Hall v. Brennan, 140 N. Y. 409, it appears that the claim of Hawkins is for the most part barred by the statute which the administratrix is in duty bound to plead. At the time of the death of the testatrix, February 21, 1901, the six years had not run out by four months. The statute ceased to run for eighteen months after this death, or until August 28, 1902, when it recommenced. Four months from this date the claim would have been entirely barred. Within this time, however, the claim was presented and the stipulation entered into pursuant to section 1822 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The last four months of the claim is, therefore, alive, but as to this part of the claim the objection is made that there is lack of proof. FTo payment was ever demanded of the decedent. There is no evidence of any agreement betwen the parties, and the claim rests entirely on the testimony of the claimant that the services were performed without compensation. In addition it appears that during certain periods the claimant paid board to' the deceased without setting it off against this claim. This hardly brings the claim within the familiar rule that “ claims withheld during the life of an alleged debtor and sought to be enforced when death has silenced his knowledge and explanation, are always to be carefully scrutinized, and admitted only upon very satisfactory proof” (Kearney v. McKeon, 85 N. Y. 136), and consequently the claim must be disallowed.
As to the claim of Swezey the item of $8'5, for care of the premises subsequent to the death of testatrix, is reasonable and proper. The services covered by the $210 for twenty-one
A construction of clause third of the will is asked as affecting the distribution of the estate. This clause bequeathes to a legatee the money in the Seaman’s Bank, after paying out of it the cost of tombstones “ and the expenses of the administration of my estate.” Expenses of administration include such disbursements as a representative is called upon to malee in securing the proper and orderly settlement of the affairs of the deceased. The commissions of the representative are not to be included, for these rather constitute, in part, at least, the pay of the representative for seeing that the expenses of administration are incurred and paid. In the present case the expenses payable
The accountant may submit decree conforming hereto.
Decreed accordingly.
