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6 N.Y. St. Rep. 15

Halstead v. Sherrill

New York Supreme Court

Decided December 14, 1886

New York Supreme Court · decided 1886-12-14

Appeal by the plaintiffs from a judgment against them in favor of the respondent, entered upon the dismissal of their complaint at Dutchess county circuit, in an action brought to establish an alleged gift by the late G-. German Sharpsteen, of “about $20,000 in securities, and comprising nearly all his estate.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently December 1891

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1886-12-14

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Pratt, J.

¶1The testimony offered by the plaintiffs, fails in many respects, to make a gift causa mortis.

¶2The language used does not clearly describe the property referred to, nor the donees, nor does it clearly express an intention to make a gift.

¶3*16The only property referred to with any distinctness was the “money,” and whether that meant money in hand, or his bank credit, or his property generally, we can only conjecture.

¶4Neither were the donees referred,to with any precision.

¶5In answer to a question whether “mother and the children” were meant, we are told the answer was “yes.” But what estate or share was to go to any one was left uncertain.

¶6The direction to Sherrill to take the box to his office and take care of it, was not expressed to be, and cannot be construed as a delivery to.Sherrill as the agent of the donees.

¶7If the dying man had an intention to make a donation causa mortis, he failed to so express himself as to enable the court to carry it into effect.

¶8Giving to the evidence the utmost force that can be claimed, it fell far short from being sufficient to justify a verdict for plaintiffs.

¶9Judgment affirmed with costs.

¶10Cullen J., concurs.

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