Goodwin v. Coddington

Headnote

W ill—Construction .

A devise for life, with remainder over to devisee’s children, was held to-be revoked by a codicil giving such share to other persons for life, with remainder to the same persons as were entitled under the will.

Appeal from an interlocutory judgment, rendered in favor of plaintiff.

March 11, 1869, Matilda E. Coddington executed her last will and testament, which, among other provisions, contains the following : “First. * * * I give, devise, and bequeath to my children, Jefferson, Gilbert S., Clifford, Matilda E., and Louisa, each an undivided fifth part of all my interest in the building and lot known as ‘No. 17 (seventeen) Wall st.,’ in the city of New York.

being an undivided three-fourths thereof, for the term of his or her natural life, and, after his or her death, I give the same to his or her children, the issue of any deceased child, if any, to take its parent’s share. Should either of my sons die leaving no issue him surviving, I give, devise, and bequeath his one-fifth of said premises to such of his above-mentioned brothers and sisters, if any, as may be then living, and the issue of any deceased brother or sister above mentioned, if any, such issue to take the share its parent would have taken if living. If either of my said daughters should die without leaving issue her surviving, I give her one-fifth of said premises to my granddaughter Mary Matilda Moore for her life, and after her death to her issue, if any. If none, to such of my said sons and daughters, if any, as may be then living, and the issue, if any, of any deceased son or daughter above mentioned, such issue to take its parent’s share. * * * I hereby order

and direct my said executors and .executrix, the survivors or survivor of them, to hold the proceeds of said premises number (17) seventeen Wall street in five separate portions, and to hold each of said .portions until the termination of any life interest hereby created therein for the benefit of the party interested therein.’’ The will contains a residuary clause devising and bequeathing the remainder of her estate. July 16, 1876, Jefferson Ooddington, mentioned in the above-quoted, provision, died intestate, leaving Andrew 0. Ooddington, son, and Emily M. Ooddington, daughter, only heirs and next of kin. August 7, 1876, Matilda E. Ooddington executed a third codicil to her said last will and testament, which, among other provisions, contains the following: “ Second. That the one-fifth part of my interest in the premises No. 17 Wall street, which in and by said will I devise to my said son Jefferson, his issue, etc., shall be divided into four equal parts, one of which I give and bequeath to each of my now surviving children for and during the natural life of such child, and after his or her death to the same person or persons who under and by virtue of said will shall be entitled to the remainder of the one-fifth therein devised for life to such child.” February 14, 1882, Matilda E. Ooddington died leaving said last will and testament and codicil unrevoked, which were duly admitted to probate March 6, 1882, as a last will, testament, and codicil of real and personal property. Letters testamentary thereon were issued to Clifford Ooddington, Louisa Ooddington, and Matilda E. Goodwin (nee Ooddington), three of the four persons nominated in the will as executors thereof. The fourth nominee, Gilbert S. Ooddington, did not receive letters. February 28, 1892, Clifford Ooddington died leaving a last will and testament, which was admitted to probate April 12, 1892. He left four children, who are defendants in this action. March 5, 1892, Louisa Ooddington died leaving a last will and testament, which was admitted to probate March 25, 1892. She died unmarried and without issue. April 11, 1892, this action was begun by the sole surviving executor of Matilda E. Ooddington for an accounting, and for a determination of the rights of the parties under the clauses in the will and codicil above quoted. By the prayer for judgment the court is asked to determine the rights

and interests of the parties to this action, and of all persons now having or who may have any estate or interest under the last will and testament of Matilda E. Ooddington. When judgment was entered herein, two of the testator's children mentioned in the clause of the will and in the second clause of the third codicil were living, to wit, Matilda E. Goodwin, who had two children, and Gilbert S. Ooddington, who had no descendants. There were also living four grandchildren, the children of Clifford Ooddington, deceased; and two granchildren, the children of Jefferson Ooddington, deceased; and Mary M. Moore. Emily M. Ooddington alone answered, and she asked the court to decide (1) that under the clause of the will and codicil quoted she and her brother had a vested remainder in fee in one-fifth of No. 17 Wall street; (2) that, in case of the death of any of the sons or daughters of the testatrix without issue, Emily M. Ooddington and her brother would take the share that their mother would have taken if living. These requests were refused, and exceptions taken. The court held that Emily M. Ooddington and Andrew 0. Ooddington were not then entitled by reason of the deaths of said Louisa Ooddington and Clifford Ooddington, to any present share or interest in possession in No. 17 Wall street, and “that the rights and interests in remainder of said Andrew 0. Ooddington and Emily M. Ooddington are as stated in said will and codicil.” To this decision the defendants excepted..