Inhabitants of Lebanon v. Shapleigh

This is a petition for a declaratory judgment brought on the equity side. It seeks a determination relating to the interpretation of a gift given to the Town of Lebanon in 1894, by James H. Shapleigh and William T. Shapleigh, who describe themselves as trustees of Richard W. Shapleigh. Service on the defendants was made by publication. None of the defendants appeared, no guardian ad litem was appointed for minors or incompetent persons, and no decree pro confesso or otherwise was entered in the court below involving the defendants. No attorney appeared for the defendants. During the pendency…