Specific Legacy

A bequest of a particular thing, so described that it may be identified. The description may be such as to distinguish a particular article among several of the class owned by testator, or it may embrace all the property of a class owned by him. Thus, a legacy of "one set of blacksmith's tools" is general (8 N. Y. 520); but a legacy of "the diamond ring presented to me by A.," or of "all the personal property on the farm or in the house at the time of my death" (30 Hun [N. Y.] 531), is specific.

A legacy or gift by will of a particular specified thing, as of a horse, a piece of furniture, a term of years, and the like. Mornss v. Garland, 78 Va. 222.

In a strict sense, a legacy of a particular chattel, which is specified and distinguished froin ali other chattels of the testator of the same kind ; as of a horse of a certain color. A legacy of a quantity of chattels described collectively ; as a gift of ali the testator's pictures. Ward, Leg. 16-18. A legacy is general, where its amount or value is a charge upon the general assets in the hands of the executors, and where, if these are sufficient to meet all the provisions in the will, it must be satisfied; it is specific, when it is limited to a particular thing, subject, or chose in action, so identified as to render the bequest inapplicable to any other; as the bequest of a horse, a picture, or j'ewel, or a debt due from a person named, and, in special cases, even of a sum of money. Langdon v. Astor, 3 Duer (N. Y.) 477, 543.
Defined under Legacy in Black's Law Dictionary.

Traverse: see those formance: the execution of a contract be compelled by a court of equity.

A gift by will of some particular thing of a personal nature. Specific legacy. A legacy is general, where its amount or value is a charge upon the general assets in the hands of the executors, and where, if these are sufficient to meet all the provisions in the will, it must be satisfied; it is specific, when it is limited to a particular thing, subject, or chose in action so identified as to render the bequest inapplicable to any other, — as the bequest of a horse, a picture, or jewel, or a debt due from a person named, and, in special cases, even of a sum of money. Langdon V. Aster, 3 Duer, ill, 543. A bequest of a sum of money generally, without mentioning out of what fund it is to be paid, is to be regarded as a general legacy, although designated in the residuary clause as a " specific " legacy. Parker V. Moore, 25 N..T. Eq. 228.