The Compton Will Case

John C. Clark Puts in a Claim of $3,000 for His Mother’s Services

Another interesting feature has been added to the Compton will case at Belford. John C. Clark, administrator of the estate of his mother, Huldah Clark, has filed a claim of $3,000 against the estate of John S. Compton for services rendered John S. Compton during his lifetime by Mrs. Clark. Mrs. Clark took care of John S. Compton for five years previous to his death. In consideration of these services Mr. Compton left Mrs. Clark all of his property, which at her death was to go to his brothers and sisters. His brothers and sisters filed a caveat against the probate of the will and while the suit was in progress Mrs. Clark died. John C. Clark bases his suit upon the fact that Mrs. Clark never profited by the provisions of the will, being barred from its benefits by the filing of the caveat. On this account John C. Clark thinks his mother should be allowed pay for the time she took care of Mr. Compton. A peculiar point about this new feature of the will case is that John C. Clark, in order to recover the $3,000 for services, must bring suit against his brother, Joseph S. Clark, who is executor of the estate of John S. Compton. Joseph S. Clark is placed in the peculiar position of defending a suit by which he would profit if the suit were decided against him, as he would share the $3,000 with his brother. He has engaged counsel, however, and will do all that he can to protect the interests of the heirs whom he represents as executor of John S. Compton’s’ estate.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, May 31, 1899

Some additional excellent resources for your research are:

• New Jersey Census, 1772-1890 - Ancestry.com

• Calendar of New Jersey Wills, 1670-1760 - Ancestry.com

• Interment.net - NJ ~ New Jersey Cemetery Transcriptions on the net.

• MyCinnamonToast.com ~ Keep up with FREE databases as they come online