EXTRAORDINARY WILL CASE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 63, 23 February 1877, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY WILL CASE.

In Ireland a very extraordinary will case has just been decided. The case turned upon the testamentary competency of a Miss Mary Ann Neville, who, being possesed of property worth about £1400 a year, bequeathed it equally to her cousin and a grandnephew, cutting out Mr Francis Geany, her nephew, who seems to have expected to receive the bulk of it. Mr Geany disputed the will, and alleged his aunt had been insane. He lost his case, or rather was induced to compromise it for the small sum of £2500, bacause the judge was so confident that Miss Mary Ann Neville had been thoroughly fit to attend to matter of business. It is strange how inconsistent are the minds of insane persons. It was proved in this remarkable case that Miss Neville had worked with her own hands a banner which she herself designed to carry in the van of the host of Israel when she would lead them back to Idumea. Miss Neville also employed her busy fingers to make a quantity of clothing for the babies that should rise at the first resurrection of the dead She also told her housekeeper that there should be plenty of food ready for the rising ' dead, on the last day for they would be hungry. In Court there were produced a quantity of specimen baby clothes made, by Miss Neville in view of the resurrection. The trousers were particulary neat, but unfortunately were excessively small, measuring only five inches by three inches Swallow-tailed coats, jackets, chemises and other articles on the same diminutive scale were also produced. There was no doubt but that tha testatrix had made these things in pious sincerity and desire to do good ; nevertheless her testamentary capacity was considered by the judge to have been overwhelmingly established, and her will was upheld.—- Timaru Herald.