Matter of Appl'n of N.Y.C. H.R.R.R. Co.

Joram Petrie died on the 16th of October, 1869, and at that time was owner of record of lands since appropriated to the use of the petitioner. Fanny P. Cottle and Charles L. Petrie are the only children and heirs at law of Joram Petrie, and their claim to the compensation awarded for the taking of the lands in question is valid unless overcome by that of Octavius O. Cottle. He claims under a paper purporting to be a deed of those lands, signed by Joram Petrie and Frances F., his wife, bearing date June 7, 1861. The instrument is neither witnessed nor acknowledged, and the question principally…