Gregory v. Gates
Gregory v. Gates
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
This is a clear case for affirmance. As the record shows, on the first day of January, 1869, William Beverley Gates, of the county of Chesterfield, died, leaving his wife, the second Mrs. Gates, and five children surviving him. Of these children, three, viz.: Lillie W. (now Mrs. Gregory), Blanche C. (now Mrs. Goode), and Judith F. (now Mrs. Winfree), are the issue of the first marriage. By his will he provided, amongst other things, that his executors, if they believed it would be to the interest of his wife and children, should sell any of the real and personal estate, except the homestead, known as Seguine, and the mill and appurtenances thereto attached.
The Seguine tract of land consisted of 955 acres, two-thirds of which belonged to the- testator in fee, and the other third belonged to his first wife, and at her death, in 1861, passed to her children, subject to the curtesy of their father. After the death of their father these children claimed this undivided third, and in a suit on the former appeal in this suit—for which see 30 Gratt. 84—this'court reversed the decree of the circuit court of Chesterfield, in so far as it declared that the testator, William B. Gates, disposed of the farm known as Seguine by his will, and thereby put his children—Blanche C., Lillie W., and Judith F. Gates, to an election—either to confirm the will as to one-third of Seguine or to claim against the will, but affirmed it in all other respects. In October, 1878, and after
The decree appealed from seems to us plainly right, and must be affirmed.
Decree affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Gregory and Wife v. Gates and als.
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Equitable Jurisdiction and Belief— Case at bar.—Testator, by his will, directed his estate to be kept together and managed by his executors for the common good of his wife and children; but authorized them to sell any part, except “ Seguine,” the homestead, if they deem it best. One-third of “Seguine,” belonged to his three children, by his first wife, which they claimed, and it was allowed them, after testator’s death. Dower was assigned his widow out of “ Seguine.” The residue of “ Seguine ” was cultivated by the three children. Afterwards “Seguine” was sold under decree of court, and purchased by the three, who, later, filed their petition for one-third of the rents and profits from testator’s death to the date of their purchase, to be applied as a credit on their purchase. A master having been directed to take an account, took much evidence, and, after great delay, filed a report adverse to their claims. Exceptions were filed to it, and their counsel was heard at large. But the court confirmed the report, dismissed the petition, and ordered a resale of the land, unless, in sixty days, they paid the balance due the widow and her two children. On appeal— Held : There is no cause to reverse the decree complained of.