Barnes v. Barnes

66 Me. 286, 1876 Me. LEXIS 151
CourtSupreme Judicial Court of Maine
DecidedJanuary 8, 1876
StatusPublished
Cited by23 cases

This text of 66 Me. 286 (Barnes v. Barnes) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Judicial Court of Maine primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Barnes v. Barnes, 66 Me. 286, 1876 Me. LEXIS 151 (Me. 1876).

Opinion

Aitueton, C. J.

This is an appeal from the decree of the judge of probate approving and allowing the will of Amos Barnes, and ordering the same to be recorded.

The case comes before us on a motion for a new trial, and on exceptions.

It appears from the evidence that the testator, px*ior to 1842, had become somewhat intemperate in his habits, and upon application duly made, was placed under guardianship, and his son Amos appointed his guardian; that he was indignant at this, as well as dissatisfied with the management of his estate by his guardian; that in 1845 at the request of most of his children, he was discharged from guardianship, and became temperate in his habits; that on July 24, 1848, his wife, the mother of the appellant and of his other children, six in all, died; that within a short time after her death and with discreditable haste, he married the appellee ; that this marriage gave great offense to his children; that his will was made and signed April 27, I860; that he died January 10,1868, leaving some small parcels of real and his personal property to the appellee, and to her grand-daughter, the child of her illegitimate [294]*294daughter, and equal and nominal sums to his other children; that the whole estate would amount to some $1700, and that at the time of making his will, his children were all in comfortable circumstances, save perhaps one.

An appeal was taken by Harvey Barnes, and. the following reasons asigned therefor :

I. “Because the said Amos Barnes did not sign or legally execute said instrument.” On the trial it was not denied that the will was signed by him.

II. “Because said instrument was not executed in the presence of three disinterested witnesses.” The disinterestedness of the witnesses was not denied.

III. “Because the persons who subscribed said instrumentas witnesses, did not subscribe the same at the request of the said Amos Barnes, nor in his presence, nor in the presence of each other.”

That the requirements of the statute in all these respects were fully complied with, was satisfactorily proved, and the facts were so found by the jury.

IT. “Because the said Amos Barnes at the time of the said supposed execution of said instrument, was not of sound mind.”

The evidence shew the testator to be an eccentric man, addicted to talking to himself, making odd gestures, moody, of a quick temper, passionate; but from 1845 to 1860 he kept a small store, bought goods in Boston and Bockland, supported his family, and managed his own affairs without any interference from the appellant-, who lived near, or from any of his children who lived in the neighborhood, and that his habits were temperate.

Y. “Because the said Amos Barnes was unduly influenced by the said Sarah B. Barnes, and other persons, in the making and execution of said instrument.”

Nothing is found in the evidence tending in the remotest decree, to show undue influence on the part of the appellee or any one else. So far as the evidence discloses, Mrs. Barnes did her duty to her husband, notwithstanding the ill omened auspices of the marriage, and was entitled to the influence, which kindness, and attention to the wants of her husband, and care for her household, would naturally give. Nothing more is shown.

[295]*295VI. “Because in the making and execution of said instrument, the said Amos Barnes was influenced by an unfounded and unreasonable prejudice against his own children and heirs-at-law.”

From the time of the marriage of his father in 1848, to his death in 1868, though living near, the appellant never entered his father’s house, until after his death to attend his funeral. One of his daughters on the eve of his death, visited her dying father. Another daughter was at his house three times during this period of twenty years, and all were most unfilially infrequent in their visits. Tinder such circumstances, the testator might have conceived a prejudice, but it is difficult to imagine it either unreasonable or unfounded.

The verdict, it is apparent, is in conformity with the evidence, and could not have been otherwise, without entirely disregarding its force and effect.

The case being heard upon appeal, the only questions open for consideration are those assigned in the reasons for appeal. The appellant is limited to those. Gilman v. Gilman, 53 Maine, 184. Patrick v. Cowles, 45 N. H. 553.

Numerous exceptions have been alleged to the rulings of the presiding justice, which will be considered in the order in which they were discussed by the learned counsel for the appellant in his able and exhaustive argument.

Exception is taken as to the ruling in relation to the due execution of the will.

The signature of the testator was not denied. That of the attesting witnesses was proved. One of the witnesses had deceased, the other two, one of whom was a lawyer, were residents of other states. The testator went to have his will made, and returned with it. His signature appears first on the will. Underneath is written “signed and sealed by the said Amos Barnes and by him declared to be his last will and testament in our presence, and we each of us in his presence, and in the presence of each other, and at the same time subscribed our names as witnesses.” Then follow the signatures of the attesting witnesses.

T. "W. Ohadbourne, one of the attesting witnesses, testifies that he never signed a will unless it was in the presence of other subserib-[296]*296ing witnesses, and of the testator, and at Ms request, and that he was satisfied this was no exception to his usual course, though he had no distinct recollection of the matter.

Upon this evidence, the presiding judge after stating the precise requirements of the statute, left it to the jury to determine from all the facts and circumstances, whether or not the will had been executed in accordance therewith.

Proof of .the due execution of a will may be shown by direct evidence, or inferred from circumstances. Gerrish v. Nason, 22 Maine, 438. The attesting witnesses were dead or out of the state.! When that is the case, proof of their handwriting is sufficient. Nickerson v. Buck, 12 Cush. 332, 344. Ela v. Edwards, 16 Cray, 91, 93. Every person making a will is presumed to have knowledge of its contents, and if it is alleged that he had not such knowledge, or that he was induced to execute it by misrepresentation, the onus prohandi is with those who make the objection. Pettes v. Bingham, 10 N.H. 514. The will being duly executed the law presumes he did it understandingly. Sechrest v. Edwards, 4 Met. (Ky) 163. That the testator signed the will first is indicated by the will, and as is well remarked by Dewey, J., in Dewey v. Dewey, 1 Met. 349, 354. “It can hardly be supposed that the testator, who was by his own active agency procuring the authentication of the instrument by the requisite witnesses, would have omitted the first step necessary to its due execution, viz : the signature by himself.”

Indeed a will may be admitted to probate though neither of the surviving attesting witnesses recollect the circumstances of its execution. Eliot v. Eliot, 10 Allen, 357.

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Bluebook (online)
66 Me. 286, 1876 Me. LEXIS 151, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/barnes-v-barnes-me-1876.