Riddell v. Johnson's ex'or
Supreme Court of Virginia
This was a suit in equity in the Circuit court of Appomattox county, brought in September 1871, by Richard Johnson and many others, heirs at law and next of kin of John H. Johnson deceased, against Albert Thornhill, his executor, Thomas S. Bocock and others, to set aside the last clause of a codicil to the will of the said John H. Johnson, deceased.
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This was a suit in equity in the Circuit court of Appomattox county, brought in September 1871, by Richard Johnson and many others, heirs at law and next of kin of John H. Johnson deceased, against Albert Thornhill, his executor, Thomas S. Bocock and others, to set aside the last clause of a codicil to the will of the said John H. Johnson, deceased. The court made an order in the cause directing an issue devisavit vel non to be tried at its own bar, in which Thornhill the executor and Thomas S. Bocock, the legatee in the said clause of the codicil, should be plaintiffs, and the plaintiffs in…
1Opinion of the CourtAnderson, J.
In view of the importance of this cause, the court has given to its consideration the most careful and earnest attention. And if we have erred in our conclusions, no fault is attributable to the learned counsel on either side, who have conducted the discussion with scrupulous fidelity to their respective clients, and with great research and distinguished ability. .
It is not surprising that the mere announcement, *174that the decedent had given the bulk of his large estate to his attorney, who was the writer of his will, and a stranger to his blood, to the exclusion of his lawful kindred, should…
2Cases cited1 opinion
- Meek v. PerryMississippi Supreme Court · 1858
3Cited by4 opinions
- Thompson v. DavitteSupreme Court of Georgia · 1877
- Tucker v. SandidgeSupreme Court of Virginia · 1888
- Hopkins v. WamplerSupreme Court of Virginia · 1908
- Lloyd H. Williams v. CW, VA DSS, DCSE, Diane WilsonCourt of Appeals of Virginia · 1999