In re the Estate of Johnson

O’Brien, S., In this accounting proceeding the court is asked to construe the will of testatrix. The instrument was inartificially drawn, and apparently without the aid of a lawyer, but the intention of the testatrix was nevertheless clearly expressed. The first provision presented for construction reads: “ I, Lena A. Johnson, give to my dear husband, Edward A. Johnson, the money in the United States Mortgage and Trust Co. on West 125th Street and 8th Avenue and the two houses, 204 and 19 West 132 Street. If he marries, the houses shall go to my dear daughter, Adelaide.”

The husband, who has…