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Ferdinand M Lord Adm. of Amos L. Dell Deceased
Vs.
Philip Dell Ex. Of Bennet M. Dell Deceased
[?] Alachua In Supreme Court February 1861
The devise in the will of Bennet M. Dell, is substantially To Amos L. Dell apparently for life, but in the same instrument there is a limitation over to his children and in default of them to their children & in default of them them over to the children, or children's children of the Testator. Amos L. Dell was alive at the death of the Testator and had one child living then, and at the date of the will, who is now five years old. Amos L. Dell is dead.
The complainant insists that Amos L. Dell as first taker took this absolute Estate.
1[st] By virtue of the peculiar phraseology in the will. Phraseology and limitations which in their [?] [?] involves a discussion of the doctrine of estates tail.
2nd The rule in Shellys case. When applied to land and the difference when applied to personalty.
3[rd] The rule in Wilds case
4[th] Perpetuities
5[th] The limitation over is too remote and imports an Indefinite failure of issue.
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This case involved the settlement of two separate but interrelated estates; the first, that of Bennett Dell, family patriarch, and the second, that of his son Amos Dell.
Bennett Dell's last will and testament provides insight into the property that a wealthy Florida planter might have owned before the Civil War. Bennett willed to his wife, Eliza Dorothy, control of the plantation known as "Standby," located near Newnansville in Alachua County. Eliza was also entitled to receive five horses, a carriage, farming tools, one hundred head of cattle, numerous hogs, household goods, furniture, and 18 slaves (named individually in the case documents).
However, if Eliza remarried, this property would revert to her children with Bennett, and thereafter to any grandchildren. Bennett also specified that $1,000 should be given in Eliza's name to the Methodist Episcopal Church she chose to attend. The specific exception to executing this provision read: "but under no circumstances [should this money] be paid to any [preacher] raised North of Mason and Dixon's Line, or tinctured with Abolitionism in the least degree."
Bennett's will then outlined the bequest to his children with Eliza. Sarah Angelina was entitled to seven slaves; the children of Charles L., who had died in Texas, would receive money, placed in trust, upon their 21st birthdays; Mary S., who lived in Texas, would receive money only in the event that her husband died; Amos' inheritance would likewise be placed in trust. Two other sons, John and Philip, are listed as executors of the estate, along with their mother. John would become executor upon reaching 21 years of age.
All other property not specified was to be divided among the children of Bennett and Eliza, and then to the grandchildren upon their deaths. One final provision required a delay on the sale of land known as the "Garey Tract" near Paine's [Paynes] Prairie until it reached the price of $25 per acre.
Bennett died shortly after the creation of his last will and testament. Amos then followed his father in death, apparently soon after. Amos died intestate, without a will. He had appointed Ferdinand McLeod as executor of his estate, but without a will to specifically outline the settlement of the estate. Amos was married to Mary E. and they had one son, an infant at the time of his father's death.
The dispute in this case revolved around the property held by Amos at the time of this death. What was part of his father's estate? Did this include five slaves known to have at one time been the property of Bennett the elder? According to Bennett's will, the property should, upon the death of Amos, pass on to his children, in this case the infant son.
The case then turned to the meaning of the terms "children" and "their children" in the will of Bennett. Did Bennett intend these terms to be the manner of succession, as in "their children" would receive the inheritance only if Bennett and Eliza's children were deceased? Or, did Bennett intend "their children" to be a substitute for "children?"
After a protracted debate over the meaning of these two terms and other language in the will, the court decided that the best course of action was to place in trust the property of Amos Dell, including the five slaves in question, for the future benefit of his infant son.
More on the settlement of the estate of Bennett and related Dells can be found in a second case heard in 1861, Ferdinand McLeod and Amos L. Dell v. Philip Dell and William Dell.
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Chicago Manual of Style
Florida Supreme Court. Fredrick Mcleod & Amos L. Dell v. Philip Dell & W.M. Dell. 1861. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/260665>, accessed 14 November 2024.
MLA
Florida Supreme Court. Fredrick Mcleod & Amos L. Dell v. Philip Dell & W.M. Dell. 1861. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/260665>
AP Style Photo Citation
(State Archives of Florida/Florida Supreme Court)