A Curious Will

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 12, 1885

A CURIOUS will, drawn by Mrs. Sarah Ellen Smith, was filed in the Philadelphia Orphans' Court a few days ago. It provided that her residence be left to Sarah Wilson until she should arrive at thirty years of age, when, if ever, she would “know the necessity of taking care of her means, and not having a husband who uses tobacco or intoxicating drinks.” After Miss Wilson becomes thirty years old, the property is to go to her absolutely, but it is provided that “should she have a husband who can afford to indulge in the use of rum and tobacco, of course he can support her without this bequest, and the house and grounds shall be given to the Society of the Presbyterian Church for the support of Indigent Preachers.” She further instructed her executor to see that none of her estate should be used in any way to encourage the use of rum and tobacco, through which she received her “crowning sorrow.”—Sel.