Matter of the Estate of E. D. Traylor

McFarland, J. The deceased, Mrs. Elizabeth D. Traylor, left an estate worth about one hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars. Her will contains (among other bequests) the following: “ To my niece, Louise E. Matthews of this city, I give ten thousand dollars, [190]my piano, sewing-machine, finger-rings (save the diamond ring I habitually wear), and so many of my books, pictures, and ornaments (not otherwise bequeathed specifically) as she shall choose to take.” The said Louise appears to be as near a relative as any other person named in the will.

The court below entered a decree of partial distribution, in which there was distributed to said Louise E. Matthews (now Louise M. Overacker) certain personal property set forth in exhibit A, which forms part of the record. From this decree, and from an order denying a new trial, Elizabeth H. Siddall, admitted to be the heir at law, appeals upon the ground that the personal property so distributed was not intended by the testatrix to be bequeathed to said Louise. And the question to be determined is, whether or not the court below erred in holding that the things distributed were “ ornaments ” within the meaning of that word as used in the will.

Exhibit A contains a number of articles not classified under the head of “jewelry”; and we think that the court was right in holding them to be ornaments. About the character of a few of them, of small value, there maybe some room for doubt; but we think, the ruling of the court below concerning them was not erroneous.

Exhibit A, however, contains a list of articles scheduled under the head of “jewelry,” and about these the main question arises. They consist of breast-pins, bracelets, ear-rings, lace-pins, sleeve-buttons, glove-buttons, brooches, lockets, chains, etc., made of various jewels and gold, —such as women usually wear for personal decoration.

We have no doubt that the word “ornaments,” in its general signification, and freed from any modification that might come from association in particular instances with other language, includes “jewelry” worn by women [191]for the purpose of adding grace or beauty to their persons, or for the purpose of complying with the usages of society. Such is its meaning both in classic English and in common language. In Webster’s dictionary an illustration is given from Sir Thomas Browne as follows: “Some think it most ornamental to wear their bracelets on their wrists; others, about their ankles.” And the Jenkins of the present day in his descriptions of the costumes of ladies at evening parties writes, “ ornaments, diamonds.”