Drayer v. Roudebush

CypiNiON by

Williams, J.,

■Samuel Roudebush died in 1902. His will provided, inter alia, as follows: “To my beloved wife Mary I give the use of the farm on which I now reside......during her natural life. To my son William I give the farm .......after the death of his mother.......It is my desire that all my personal property shall remain on the farm as the property of my wife and son, and that they shall pay all my debts and funeral expenses. It is my will that my son William shall pay to each of my daughters, Elizabeth and Minnie, the sum of two hundred dollars within one year after the death of his mother.” Minnie Roudebush married Drayer and died in 1903. Mary Roudebush, testator’s wife, died in 1915. William Roudebush, defendant, sold the farm in 1916, and paid to his surviving sister $200, receiving the following receipt: “Now, June 8, 1916, received from William Roudebush my legacy in full under the terms of the will.”

Plaintiff claims either as Minnie’s husband or as her administrator. Defendant refused payment on the ground that the legacy to Minnie lapsed at the time of her death in 1903.

The question submitted to the court below in the case stated was as follows: “If the court be of opinion that the legacy bequeathed to Minnie Roudebush Drayer by Samuel Roudebush vested in the legatee upon the death of the testator, or was a charge upon the land devised to William Roudebush, then judgment in either instance to be entered for the plaintiff......; otherwise judgment in either instance for the defendant......” The court held that the legacy was not charged upon the land, and it not appearing that there was any personal estate, the legacy was adeemed. Judgment was entered for defendant. Plaintiff appealed.

The judgment is not in accordance with the submission and must be reversed. The legacy was vested: McClure’s App., 72 Pa. 414, 419. Judgment was to he entered for the plaintiff “in either instance,” and not if both conditions were satisfied.

The judgment is reversed and the record remitted with direction to enter judgment for plaintiff.