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4 Sarat. Ch. Sent. 511

In re De Peyster

New York Court of Chancery

Decided March 26, 1847

New York Court of Chancery · decided 1847-03-26

This matter came before the court on exceptions taken to the master’s report, on passing the accounts of Mr. De Peyster as trustee under the will of Margaret Douglas, who died December 31, 1829. In October 1840, Mr. De Peyster became a trustee of the will, defacto, and so continued until May 9th 1845, under an agreement with his co-trustees, to perform the active duties, and receive the whole compensation of the trust.

Decided 1847-03-26

The Vice-Chancellor,

¶1said in respect of the stocks and bonds and mortgages, the law was well established, that the trustee is entitled to his commissions on discharging himself; although he transfer to his beneficiaries, or to new trustees, the identical stocks and securities which came to his hands at the outset of his trust. If any hardship or abuse be likely to result, from frequent changes of trustees ; the beneficiary may avoid it by annexing conditions in respect of the compensation to be allowed in case of a resignation or removal.

¶2As to the houses and lots, the argument is strong that they fall within the equity of the statute; and that there is no well grounded distinction between lands and stocks, as to the trustee’s compensation. But independent of the general principle, these houses and lots were in this trust personalty in equity. They were things in action, converted into lands by the former trustees, for the preservation of the property.

¶3In equity they continued to be personal property, and as such are not distinguishable in principle from the stocks and mortgages.

¶4The trustee must be allowed his commissions on the value of the lands. The third and fourth exceptions, to the report are disallowed. No costs to either party.

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