Robertson v. Hillman , 10 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 244 ( 1874 )

Bockes, J.

The object of this action is to obtain construction of the last will and testament of Matthew Hillman, deceased.

The question in the case arises on the various clauses of the instrument by which disposition was made of the testator’s real estate. The testator first gave his wife an annuity of forty dollars, in addition to her “right of dower.” He next gave certain sums to his children, except Isaac, specifying the amount to each respectively; all which, including the annuity to his wife, was made a lien on his real property. He then devised all his real estate to Isaac, except his “ wife’s dower,” on condition that he, Isaac, should pay and satisfy the legacies in full, and all the rest, residue and remainder of his estate, he gave to his grandchildren in equal shares, declaring that this devise was to include his “wife’s right of dower after her decease.”

These provisions were followed by an express authority to the executor to sell the “wife’s right of dower at her decease,” with a view to a division of the proceeds of sale among the grandchildren.

The rules of interpretation applicable to wills are supposed to be well understood. The first, and generally the principal point to be determined, is the intent of the testator. To ascertain this, the will must be read and considered in its entirety, with all its provisions; and further, it is always to be presumed that the words employed were used in their strict and legal acceptation, unless from the context, it shall appear that they were used in a different sense, in which case the sense in which they were used will control their construction. Now it seems quite manifest, that the testator supposed that there was something valuable reserved for his wife’s use during life, of which he could make disposition at her decease. This something was denominated in the will, “dosver” and “right of dower.” Thus in express terms, he devised to his grandchildren his “ wife’s right of dower after her decease,” and he authorized his executor to sell and convey such “ right of dower at her decease,” with a view to the distribution of the proceeds of sale. He therefore intended to give his grandchildren something which he denominated “dower” and “right of dower.” Such intent is plain and unmistakable. It was too, in his mind, an interest in real property, for he speaks of it in connection therewith, as an exception from the devise to Isaac, of “ all his real estate,” and contemplated its transfer by deed. To this extent then, the intent is manifest. He purposed to give his grandchildren real property, which would be discharged from use and enjoyment by his wife on her decease. How what he so intended to devise, and in terms did devise, he called or designated “his wife’s right of dower.” This brings us to consider the case under the rule, that the words employed must be presumed to have been used in their strict and legal meaning, unless from the context it shall appear that they were used in a different sense.

Certainly the terms, “ doWer ” and “ right of dower ” were not here used in their strict legal sense. The testator could not devise his wife’s right of dower, and we cannot suppose he attempted what he knew he could not accomplish. Therefore, those terms must have a meaning as here employed, other than according to their strict legal signification. He intended something in their use. That something must, if possible, be ascertained to escape the alternative of holding that the devise is void, for uncertainty, a result which, as all the cases declare, must be avoided if it can be. The learned judge, at special term, held that the devise was operative, according to intent of the testator, as a devise of one undivided third pa / the farm, whereof he died seized to take effect in possessic 1 the decease of his widow, and after careful study of the ca am of the opinion his conclusion is a sound one.

In the first place, dos .■ is understood by both the learned and the unlearned to apply, as regards quantity, to one-third of the property to which it relates. It is fair to assume, I think, that the testator had this,quantity, this measure and proportion of his real property in mind, when he spoke in his will of his wife’s dower, and right of dower.

Thus he understood her rights to pertain to one-third' of his real estate. He seems further to have understood that this quantum — this third belonged to her for life, and that it would remain, on her decease, a distinct and existing item or piece of property, which he could devise to whomsoever he thought fit. He held it in mind as separate and distinct property—onerthird of the farm to be used and enjoyed by his widow during life. So he declared that the devise of the rest, residue and remainder of his estate of whatsoever name or nature should include this property, after his wife’s decease ; and authorized his executor to sell and convey it, “at her decease,” with a view to a division of the proceeds of sale among his grandchildren. In this way and under this construction, the instrument may have effect given it in all its parts, whereas, in the view urged by the appellants, a portion of it must be disregarded and rejected as uncertain, meaningless and void — an alternative to be adopted only under stress of imperative necessity.

There is still a suggestion by the appellants’ counsel, not above considered, to wit: that the testator must have intended to devise the entire farm to Isaac, inasmuch as he made the various pecuniary legacies to his other children, liens thereon; that is, on the whole farm. But this, as it seems to me, loses its force, when we reflect that those legacies were, by the terms of the will, to be paid off and satisfied by Isaac, as a condition of the devise to him. Whatever of value he was to receive, was burdened with the payment of those legacies.

On the whole, I am of the opinion that the construction given to the will by the learned judge at special term is the proper one ; and that the judgment should be affirmed, with costs to be charged the same as by the judgment appealed from, on the third devised to the grandchildren.

Judgment affirmed.