Succession of Seals

Catherine Seals, or Jenkins, known locally as “Mother Catherine,” an illiterate negro woman, established a religious cult in the city of New Orleans called “The Truth and the Light.” She died on August 11, 1930, leaving a piece of real estate, in which she had conducted religious services and ceremonies, and some movable effects.

The public administrator for the parish of Orleans opened her succession as a vacant estate. In the course of the proceedings a document purporting to be the last will and testament of the decedent in nuncupative form by private act was presented to the court for…